Discovery Set for Saturday Launch to Space Station

Space & Earth science / Space Exploration

The STS-124 crew members pose for a portrait at NASA's Johnson Space Center. From the left are astronauts Mark Kelly, commander; Ken Ham, pilot; Karen Nyberg, Ron Garan, Mike Fossum, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, and astronaut Greg Chamitoff, all mission specialists. Photo credit: NASA

Space shuttle Discovery is in place at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A and remaining work is on schedule for liftoff May 31 at 5:02 p.m. EDT.

The countdown begins May 28 at 3 p.m., counting from the T-43 hour mark. Also on May 28, the seven-member STS-124 crew will arrive at Kennedy to begin final preparations for Saturday's launch.

Discovery's 14-day flight will carry the largest payload so far to the station and includes three spacewalks. It is the second of three missions that will launch components to complete the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory.

The crew will install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module and Kibo's robotic arm system. Discovery also will deliver new station crew member Greg Chamitoff and bring back Flight Engineer Garrett Reisman, who will end a three-month stay aboard the outpost.

Source: NASA

ť Next Article in Space & Earth science - Space Exploration: NASA Mars Lander Prepares to Move Arm

would you recommend this story?