The Space Shuttle Discovery [ http://antwrp.gsfc.…]'s orbital maneuvering system (OMS) engine firing [ http://images.jsc.n…] produced this dramatic flare as it cruised "upside down" in low Earth orbit. Discovery [ http://www.ksc.nasa…] was named for a ship commanded by Captain James Cook RN [ http://www.cybergat…], the 18th Century English astronomer and navigator. Cook [ http://web.wwnorton…]'s voyages of discovery established new standards in scientific exploration and brought extensive knowledge of the unknown Pacific regions, including Australia, New Zealand, and the Hawaiian Island [ http://antwrp.gsfc.…] archipelago to Europeans. NASA's four-orbiter Space Shuttle fleet [ http://www.amdahl.c…] will begin a new year of operation on January 11, with the planned launch [ http://www.ksc.nasa…] of the shuttle Endeavour (STS-72) [ http://www.ksc.nasa…]. Also named after one of Cook's ships, Endeavor [ http://antwrp.gsfc.…] is the latest addition to the shuttle fleet [ http://seds.lpl.ari…].
Explanation
The Space Shuttle Discovery [ http://antwrp.gsfc.…]'s orbital maneuvering system (OMS) engine firing [ http://images.jsc.n…] produced this dramatic flare as it cruised "upside down" in low Earth orbit. Discovery [ http://www.ksc.nasa…] was named for a ship commanded by Captain James Cook RN [ http://www.cybergat…], the 18th Century English astronomer and navigator. Cook [ http://web.wwnorton…]'s voyages of discovery established new standards in scientific exploration and brought extensive knowledge of the unknown Pacific regions, including Australia, New Zealand, and the Hawaiian Island [ http://antwrp.gsfc.…] archipelago to Europeans. NASA's four-orbiter Space Shuttle fleet [ http://www.amdahl.c…] will begin a new year of operation on January 11, with the planned launch [ http://www.ksc.nasa…] of the shuttle Endeavour (STS-72) [ http://www.ksc.nasa…]. Also named after one of Cook's ships, Endeavor [ http://antwrp.gsfc.…] is the latest addition to the shuttle fleet [ http://seds.lpl.ari…].
