NATION : Shuttle Liftoff Set for Nov. 20
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA managers cleared the way today to launch the space shuttle Discovery on the evening of Nov. 20 on a secret military mission, reportedly to deploy a satellite to spy on the Soviet military.
The exact launch time is classified, but sources told United Press International the liftoff is planned for 7:34 p.m. EST and that the mission will last a little more than four days, with a night landing Nov. 24 at Edwards Air Force Base.
It will be the first night shuttle launch since Nov. 26, 1985, when Atlantis rocketed into space at 7:29 p.m. to launch a pair of commercial communications satellites.
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