...of what a great nation can do when it dares to be bold and commits to follow through," he said, addressing NASA launch director Mike Leinbach. "We're not ending the journey today ... we're completing a chapter of a journey that will never...

...hours because officials were unable to verify whether some last-minute data had been loaded aboard the rocket, launch director Chuck Dovale said. The satellite - 45 years and $750 million in the making - was built to test two of Einstein's...

...repaired. The latest delay was a keen disappointment for NASA, anxious to have its spaceships flying again. But launch director Mike Leinbach said: "If you can't accept a few curve balls in this business, then you don't belong here...

...at the preferred time of 5:15 p.m. The approaching storms began to dissipate and veer slightly to the west. Launch director Mike Leinbach was delighted in any event. "Wasn't that a great launch?" Leinbach asked his team. The controllers...

...Endeavour lifted off at 2:40 p.m., right on time. "Good luck and have fun on the international space station," launch director Mike Leinbach told the astronauts. It was a fine day for flying, and not just because of the good weather. Thursday...

...At liftoff, it was 45, one of the colder launch-time temperatures. "Looks like a beautiful day to go fly," launch director Mike Leinbach told the shuttle crew right before liftoff. Replied Discovery's commander, James Wetherbee: "Expedition...

...good things come to those who wait and we waited for a while on this one, but the satisfaction is immense," said launch director Dave King. "And what a beautiful time of day to launch." NASA had tried three days in a row last month to launch...

...bad weather had forced delays the previous two days. "We appreciate your patience in hanging in there with us," launch director Dave King told the crew just before liftoff. "We hope you have a great mission to Hubble, and we'll see you back...

...engine compartment and ordered the cutoff. The reading turned out to be wrong, and it would have been safe to fly, launch director Ralph Roe said. "We are convinced this is not a real leak," Roe said, "and we have no serious concern with launch...

...there was an even longer gap between shuttle launches -- 5 1/2 months -- because of persistent fuel leaks. Launch director Ralph Roe said all hands at NASA have worked hard to keep their skills sharp during the unexpectedly long hiatus...