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NASA Clears Shuttle Discovery for Thursday Launch

NewsCentral Staff

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) - NASA has given a unanimous "go" for Thursday's planned launch of space shuttle Discovery.

It will be the final flight for Discovery, the world's most traveled rocketship.

Shuttle managers met Wednesday and agreed to proceed with the flight after a four-month delay caused by fuel tank cracks. Liftoff is scheduled for 4:50 p.m. Thursday. There's an 80 percent chance of good weather.

Six astronauts will ride Discovery up to the International Space Station. They will deliver and install a closet full of space station supplies, and drop off a humanoid robot. Robonaut will become the first humanoid in space.

Discovery has already logged nearly 143 million miles, more than any other reusable spacecraft.

Online: NASA: http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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