Nation Digest: Space Shuttle Endeavour Is Launched on Sixth Attempt

SPACE SHUTTLE

Endeavour Launched On Sixth Attempt

After more than a month's delay, the space shuttle Endeavour and seven astronauts thundered into orbit Wednesday on a flight to the international space station.

Success came on the eve of the 40th anniversary of the liftoff of man's first moon landing.

Endeavour blasted off a little after 6 p.m. from its seaside pad -- the same one used to launch Apollo 11 on July 16, 1969.

The shuttle was hit at least two or three times by pieces of foam insulation that came off the external fuel tank during liftoff, said Bill Gerstenmaier, NASA's space operations chief. Mission Control told the astronauts that the damage looked to be less extensive than what had occurred on the last shuttle mission.

-- Associated Press

DEFENSE SPENDING

Investigators Raid Fla. Firm's Offices

Federal investigators raided Wednesday the offices of a Florida defense firm that has supplied tens of millions of dollars in life support and emergency equipment to the military and the U.S. space shuttle program.

Conax Florida, located in St. Petersburg, won its most sizable Defense Department contract last year for $34 million for life support equipment.