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Discovery Launches with Hubble Space Telescope

In the distance, shuttle discovery launches in daytime, with shuttle columbia on launch pad visible at far left of image

Space shuttle Columbia on Pad 39A "watches" the picture-perfect ascent of sister ship Discovery during its liftoff on STS-31. The launch pads are separated by 1.6 miles. Discovery, carrying a five-member crew and the Hubble Space Telescope, lifted off at 8:34 a.m. EDT. Inside the spacecraft for STS-31 were astronauts Loren J. Shriver, Charles F. Bolden, Bruce McCandless II, Kathryn D. Sullivan and Steven A. Hawley.

Image credit: NASA

April 24, 1990

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Apr 17, 2023
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NASA Hubble Mission Team

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