KSC-06-S-00177

STS-121 Mission Specialist Mike Fossum captured this video from space following the successful July 4, 2006 launch of Space Shuttle Discovery. The video reveals the shuttle's orange external tank falling back toward Earth's atmosphere after being jettisoned, and a large piece of ice believed to have come loose from the Space Shuttle Main Engines. This is a common occurrence and does not pose a problem. Liftoff was on-time at 2:38 p.m. EDT. During the 12-day mission, the crew of seven will test new equipment and procedures to improve shuttle safety, as well as deliver supplies and make repairs to the International Space Station.