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Poised for Liftoff Space Shuttle Discovery rests in full view on the launch pad. Image above: The rolling back of Launch Pad 39B's Rotating Service Structure reveals orbiter Discovery. + Click for larger image. Image credit: NASA/KSC Launch of Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-114, NASA's Return to Flight mission, is set for Tuesday at 10:39 a.m. EDT. The launch pad's Rotating Service Structure (RSS) was rolled away from Discovery at 3:38 p.m. on Monday. When in place, the giant enveloping appendage is used to install payloads into an orbiter's cargo bay and provide protection from inclement weather. With the...

Show support for the Presidents Initiative. We need great visions for this country. We need to stop "swatting at fly's" in the space program and develop a real strategic vision. Sign this petition and help push Congress to get on board. This initiative will return the Shuttle to safe flight, complete assembly of the International Space Station and build a crew exploration vehicle to return humans to the Moon. Then we'll continue on to Mars and beyond -- one affordable, achievable step at at time. This petition will serve as a grassroots show of support for our nation's plan to...

NASA to Announce 'Significant Findings' of Water on Mars Tuesday By Robert Roy Britt Senior Science Writer posted: 03:30 pm ET 01 March 2004 NASA will hold a press conference Tuesday to announce "significant findings" about water on Mars based on evidence from its Opportunity Mars rover. "It's going to be the most significant science results that we've had from the rovers, and it's bearing on their primary mission," NASA spokesperson Don Savage told SPACE.com. That mission is to find signs of water that might support life. Will the announcement change how we think about Mars? "Anything of a significant...