images

Launch of Shuttle Discovery STS-31. Apr 24 1990

by

Nasa/Novapix

Reference

e-sts03-12002

Date

2010-02-25

The Space Shuttle Columbia on Pad 39A "watches" the picture-perfect ascent of sister ship Discovery after liftoff of STS-31. This was the first time since January 1986 that there was a Shuttle on each pad, which are separated by 1.6 miles. Discovery, carrying a five-member crew and the Hubble SpaceTelescope, lifted off at 8:34 EDT, April 24. Columbia, with its Astro-1 observatory, is scheduled for launch in May.