While other craft may creak and crumble, the space shuttle Discovery continues to perform. Beginning with this flawless takeoff from Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral August 7th, the shuttle and her six-person crew have ticked through their 11-day science mission with a Sampras-like efficiency.

With half the mission remaining, Discovery has released an ozone-measuring German satellite, exercised a five-foot Japanese robotic arm, and pointed their ultraviolet telescope at Hale-Bopp -- all without incident. Which in space, is all anyone could want.