Discovery successfully lifted off during the second launch attempt on Saturday, December 9, 2006 at 8:47:35 p.m. EST. It was the first night launch of a Space Shuttle orbiter since STS-113, which launched on November 23, 2002.
The STS-116 mission was notable to Sweden because it marked the first time a Scandinavian astronaut (Christer Fuglesang) visited space. Also, STS-116 was the last scheduled Space Shuttle flight planned for launch from Pad 39B as NASA reconfigures the pad for Ares I launches.
View World in a larger map
Embedded Google map satellite image showing Launch Complex 39, Launch Complex LC 40, LC 41, LC37, the NASA Vehicle Assembly Building and the northern tip Missile Row at Cape Canaveral Air Force Base.