Shuttle Discovery cleared for takeoff

CAPE CANAVERAL - Nasa has cleared the space shuttle Discovery for launch from Florida on December 7 on a mission to continue building the International Space Station.

The flight from the Kennedy Space Centre will be the third and final shuttle mission of the year. Nasa needs to fly 14 shuttle flights by 2010 to complete assembly of the half-built US$100 billion space station.

Discovery is expected to lift off at 9.36pm local time on the first nighttime launch since the 2003 Columbia accident.

The first three missions after the accident were launched during daylight hours so cameras would have clear views of the fuel tank to spot any falling debris. Nasa has redesigned the fuel tank twice to stem foam shedding.

- REUTERS