Space Shuttle Crew Arrives Friday

Attired in training versions of their shuttle launch and entry suits, the STS-120 crew members await the start of a training session in the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at Johnson Space Center. From the left are astronauts Pamela A. Melroy, STS-120 commander; Daniel M. Tani, Expedition 16 flight engineer; George D. Zamka, STS-120 pilot; Douglas H. Wheelock, Scott E. Parazynski, Stephanie D. Wilson and European Space Agency's (ESA) Paolo Nespoli, all mission specialists. Image credit: NASA

by Staff Writers
Cape Canaveral FL (SPX) Oct 19, 2007
As preparations for the launch of space shuttle Discovery on mission STS-120 enter the final days, the astronauts are due to arrive at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida midday on Friday. The countdown will begin at 2 p.m. EDT on Saturday, starting at the T-43 hour mark. This follows the detailed flight readiness review on Tuesday, after which NASA senior managers announced Oct. 23 as the official launch date. Commander Pam Melroy and her six crewmates are scheduled to lift off at 11:38 a.m. EDT on their mission to the International Space Station.

The 14-day mission includes five spacewalks - four by shuttle crew members and one by the station's Expedition 16 crew. Discovery is expected to complete its mission and return home at 4:47 a.m. EST on Nov. 6.

SHUTTLE NEWS

NASA gives go-ahead for Discovery launch Oct 23

Washington (AFP) Oct 16, 2007
NASA on Tuesday gave the go-ahead for the October 23 launch of the space shuttle Discovery, despite an independent panel's recommendation to first replace three thermal tiles on the shuttle.

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