WASHINGTON, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Space shuttle Discovery lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, at the scheduled time 2:38 p.m. (1838 GMT) on Independence Day.

    This is the second space flight since Columbia disaster in 2003.

    The weather finally cooperates and the shuttle, carrying seven crew members, soared into partly cloudy Florida skies in a thunderous blast of smoke and fire.

    This is the 18th U.S. flight to the International Space Station and the 32nd flight for Space Shuttle Discovery, and also the first manned launch by the United States on the nation's birthday, just like "a nice fireworks display" for America. Enditem