THIS DAY IN HISTORY: Space Shuttle Discovery Launches From Kennedy Space Center In 1995

By Space Coast Daily // July 13, 2018

original liftoff date delayed after over 200 holes were poked through Discovery's external tank by woodpeckers

ABOVE VIDEO: Space Shuttle Discovery STS-70 launched on this day in 1995 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center carrying the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS)-G.

JULY 13, 1995 – Space Shuttle Discovery STS-70 launched on this day in 1995 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center carrying the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS)-G.

Crew members included Commander Terry Henricks, Pilot Kevin Kregel, Mission Specialists Nancy Currie, Don Thomas and Mary Ellen Weber.

The original liftoff date had been targeted for June 22 in 1995, but had to be delayed after an “attack” by Northern Flicker woodpeckers. NASA officials say the woodpeckers poked about 200 holes in the foam insulation of Discovery’s external tank. As a result, the launch had to be delayed.

STS-70 carried Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS)-G to orbit.

Known as TDRS-7 once commissioned on orbit, this was the last of the first generation TDRS satellites.

ABOVE VIDEO: STS-70 Mission Highlights.

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