STS-124 Launch Preparations Continue
Image above: In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, space shuttle Discovery's external tank is lowered into high bay 4 between the solid rocket boosters waiting on the mobile launcher platform. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
Space shuttle Discovery's STS-124 mission is the second of three flights to deliver components of the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory to the International Space Station.
The Japanese Pressurized Module will be the station's largest science laboratory, measuring 37 feet long and 14 feet in diameter, about the size of a large tour bus. The shuttle also will deliver the lab's robotic arm system that support operations outside of Kibo. The lab's logistics module, which was installed in a temporary location during STS-123 in March, will be attached to the new lab.
Mark Kelly will command the seven-member crew, which includes Pilot Ken Ham, Mission Specialists Karen Nyberg, Ron Garan, Mike Fossum, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide and Greg Chamitoff. Chamitoff will replace Expedition 16/17 Flight Engineer Garrett Reisman and remain aboard the station as a member of the Expedition 17 crew. Reisman will return to Earth with the STS-124 crew.
Launch is targeted for May 31.
美国发现号航天飞机计划5月31日升空
http://www.sina.com.cn 2008年04月02日 09:18 新华网
资料图：发现号航天飞机
资料图：肯尼迪航天中心
新华网华盛顿3月31日电 美国宇航局31日宣布，“发现”号航天飞机将于5月31日升空，为国际空间站送去倭国“希望”号实验舱的主体部分。
“发现”号原定于5月25日发射升空。美国宇航局说，虽然“发现”号外部燃料箱已在新奥尔良的组装工厂组装完毕，但受天气影响，运货被迫拖延，直至3月26日才被送达佛罗里达州的肯尼迪航天中心。航天飞机的发射日期也因此推迟。
倭国“希望”号实验舱计划由美国航天飞机分3次运往国际空间站。3月26日返回地球的“奋进”号航天飞机已经把实验舱的第一部分——保管室送至空间站。
