Space Shuttle Discovery and its seven-member crew launched at 2:38 (EDT) July 4, 2006, to begin the two-day journey to the International Space Station. During the 12-day mission, the crew tested new equipment and procedures designed to increase the safety of space shuttles, as well as deliver supplies and make repairs to the space station. The shuttle was the first human spacecraft to launch on July 4.

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Keywords: 4th, america, begiining, center, day, discovery, florida, futuristic, independence, iss, july, kennedy, manned, shuttle, space, spacecraft, states, sts-121, united, usa, vertical