Actress Liv Tyler hoping for safe, successful shuttle launch

Weather, then mechanical problems prevented launches earlier this week, and the weather may get in the way again. But:

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – For the third time this week, NASA fueled space shuttle Discovery for a Friday night launch to the international space station after resolving a fuel valve problem.

The launch team began loading Discovery’s external fuel tank at midafternoon, a few minutes late because of the potential for lightning. Liftoff was scheduled for 11:59 p.m.

I know what you’re thinking: what’s Liv Tyler got to do with it?

Well, nothing, I guess. It’s just that…you know, she was in that movie. Armageddon. And they took off in a space shuttle, I think at nighttime. And I’m sure she’d hope the launch is a safe one.

It wouldn’t be because…

Nah. Surely not.

But, hell, all the other major media are putting beautiful famous women in their stories, whether they’re really involved in them or not. So why shouldn’t I?

That’s not to say there isn’t any celebrity angle: the Discovery is carrying, among other things, a $5 million treadmill named after Comedy Central’s Stephen Colbert. But, y’know, who wants to see a picture of him?