Space Shuttle Discovery launches at 4:50PM ET today with Robonaut 2 on board

We doubt many of you need a reminder but, just in case, we're here to let you know that Space Shuttle Discovery is set for lift off today, at 4:50PM ET. While all shuttle launches are certainly worth watching, this one's particularly notable for a number of reasons -- it's the last mission for Discovery and the third-to-last mission for the entire Space Shuttle program, and it's the first mission to carry a humanoid robot into space: our friend Robonaut 2. Head on past the break to watch Spaceflight Now's live coverage of the launch.

[Image: NASA / Flickr]

Update: Liftoff! Humanoid robots in spaaaaaace.

Continue reading Space Shuttle Discovery launches at 4:50PM ET today with Robonaut 2 on board

Space Shuttle Discovery launches at 4:50PM ET today with Robonaut 2 on board originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 15:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Spaceflight Now  | Email this | Comments

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/24/space-shuttle-discovery-launches-at-4-50pm-et-today-with-robonau/

ELECTRONIC ARTS ECLIPSYS EASTMAN KODAK CO EARTHLINK DST SYSTEMS