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At NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Space shuttle Discovery launches from Launch Pad 39A the STS-124 mission to the International Space Station. At left is the fixed service structure with the 80-foot lightning mast on top. At far left is the open rotating service structure. Discovery is making its 35th flight. The STS-124 mission is the 26th in the assembly of the space station. It is the second of three flights launching components to complete the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory. Photo credit: courtesy of Scott Andrews. Released into the public domain by NASA.