Space Shuttle Return to Space
Clear skies: A group of 14 kayaks on Day Away Kayak tours in Mosquito Lagoon in the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge have a perfect view of the Space Shuttle Discovery as it blasts off.
Picture perfect: The Space Shuttle Discovery lifts off at 4:39 pm CET from pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Nice view: Swimmers at Cocoa Beach watch the Shuttle take off.
To boldly go: The Space Shuttle Discovery on its way into space
Lift off: The Space Shuttle takes off on July 26, 2005.
Relief: At the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, people cheer the successful launch.
A plume of smoke: The contrail from the space shuttle Discovery can be seen between the rockets at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 in Cape Canaveral, Fla.
Anticipation: Space enthusiasts gather along the Port Canaveral barge canal at sunrise in advance of the scheduled launch of the space shuttle Discovery.
Class clown: Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi adds a little levity.
Last adjustments: Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi (l) sits next to astronaut Steve Robinson as Robinson's helmet is fitted while they prepare for the launch of the orbiter.
Perfect weather: Sunrise over launch pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Taking no chances: Armed security for the astronauts as they proceed to the launch pad.
