STS-120: NASA and ESA Press Releases

[jacqmans]

MEDIA ADVISORY: 07-114

NASA SETS MEDIA ACCREDITATION DEADLINES FOR NEXT SHUTTLE MISSION

WASHINGTON - NASA is accepting media accreditation requests for the
upcoming space shuttle mission, STS-120. Shuttle Discovery is
targeted to launch Oct. 23 to begin a 13-day mission to the
International Space Station.

All U.S. and international media must apply for credentials to attend
the shuttle launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida or to
cover the mission from other NASA centers. To be accredited, media
must work for legitimate, verifiable news-gathering organizations.
Reporters may need to submit requests for credentials at multiple
NASA facilities.

Additional time may be required to process requests by journalists
from certain countries. Designated countries include those with which
the United States has no diplomatic relations, those on the State
Department's list of state sponsors of terrorism, those under U.S.
sanction or embargo or those which raise proliferation concerns.
Please contact the accrediting NASA center for details. Journalists
should confirm they have been accredited before they travel.

No substitutions of credentials are allowed at any NASA facility. If
the STS-120 launch is delayed, the deadline for domestic media may be
extended on a day-by-day basis.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER
Media applying for credentials at Kennedy should submit requests via
the Web at https://media.ksc.nasa.gov. Media must use work e-mail
addresses, not personal accounts, when applying. Once accreditation
is approved, applicants will receive confirmation via e-mail.

Accredited media with mission badges will have access from launch
through the end of the mission. Application deadlines for mission
badges for are Oct. 12 for U.S. media and Oct. 8 for foreign media.
Access requests must be submitted separately for the Sept. 27 rollout
to the launch pad and the launch dress rehearsal activities, known as
the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, on Oct. 7-10.

Media with special logistic requests for Kennedy Space Center, such as
space for satellite trucks, trailers, electrical connections or work
space, must contact Laurel Lichtenberger at
[email protected] by Oct. 16.

Work space in the NASA News Center and the News Center Annex is
provided on a first-come basis - one space per organization. To set
up temporary telephone, fax, ISDN or network lines, media must make
arrangements with BellSouth at 800-213-4988. Media must have an
assigned seat in the Kennedy newsroom prior to setting up lines. To
obtain an assigned seat, contact Patricia Christian at
[email protected]. Media must have a public affairs escort
to any other Kennedy area except the Launch Complex 39 cafeteria.

Kennedy credentials also will be honored during the STS-120 mission at
NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston, and NASA's Dryden Flight
Research Center, Edwards, Calif. Media must contact Dryden public
affairs for access to Edwards Air Force Base.

JOHNSON SPACE CENTER
Media may obtain Johnson Space Flight Center credentials by calling
the Johnson newsroom at 281-483-5111 or by presenting Kennedy STS-120
mission credentials. Media planning to cover the mission only from
Johnson need to apply for credentials only at Johnson. Deadlines for
submitting Johnson accreditation requests are Sept. 27 for non-U.S.
media, regardless of citizenship, and Oct. 17 for U.S. media who are
U.S. citizens.

Media covering the mission from Johnson using Kennedy credentials must
contact the Johnson newsroom by Oct. 17 to arrange work space, phone
lines and other logistics. Johnson is responsible for credentialing
media if the shuttle lands at White Sands Space Harbor, N.M. If a
landing is imminent at White Sands, Johnson will arrange credentials.

DRYDEN FLIGHT RESEARCH CENTER
Notice for a Discovery landing at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center
on Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., could be short. Media should
consider accrediting Los Angeles-based personnel who could travel
quickly to Dryden. Deadlines for submitting are Sept. 27 for non-U.S.
media, regardless of citizenship, and Oct. 30 for U.S. media who are
U.S. citizens.

For Dryden media credentials, U.S. citizens representing domestic
media must provide their full name, date of birth, place of birth,
media organization, the last six digits of their social security
number and driver's license number, including the name of the issuing
state. Foreign media representatives, regardless of citizenship, must
provide additional data including their citizenship, visa or passport
number, expiration date, and alien registration number if applicable.

Media should fax requests for credentials on company letterhead to
661-276-3566. Requests to [email protected] are acceptable for media
who have been accredited at Dryden within the past year. Requests
must include a phone number and business e-mail address for follow-up
contact.

NASA PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACTS:
Kennedy Space Center: George Diller, 321-867-2468
Johnson Space Center: James Hartsfield, 281-483-5111
Dryden Flight Research Center: Leslie Williams, 661-276-3893

       
-end-

[jacqmans]

Special ESA-Esperia site is up:

http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Esperia/index.html

[jacqmans]

MEDIA ADVISORY: M07-117

NASA SHOWCASES NEXT SPACE STATION COMPONENT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA's Kennedy Space Center will hold a media
event at 10 a.m. EDT, Tuesday, Sept. 18, to highlight the next piece
to be added to the International Space Station. The Node-2 module,
known as Harmony, will launch aboard space shuttle Discovery on
mission STS-120, targeted for launch Oct. 23.

Harmony will act as an internal connecting port and passageway to
additional international science labs and cargo spacecraft. The
pressurized module will increase the living and working space inside
the station and serve as a work platform outside for the station's
robotic arm. The module is approximately 21 feet long and 14 feet in
diameter.

During the event, reporters at the Space Station Processing Facility
will have the opportunity to speak with mission managers involved in
processing Harmony for flight. Harmony is scheduled to be transferred
at the end of the month to Launch Pad 39A, in preparation for its
journey to the station.

Media attending the event should arrive at Kennedy's news center by
9:30 a.m. for transportation to the processing facility. Media
without permanent Kennedy credentials should submit their request via
the online accreditation Web site at:

https://media.ksc.nasa.gov

The processing facility is an operational area. All participants must
be properly dressed in full-length pants, flat shoes that entirely
cover the feet, and shirts with sleeves.

For the latest information on the STS-120 mission, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

[jacqmans]

MEDIA ADVISORY: M07-123

NASA'S SPACE SHUTTLE DISCOVERY TO MOVE TO LAUNCH PAD

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Discovery is targeted to roll
out to Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on
Saturday, Sept. 29, as preparations for the STS-120 mission move
forward. Discovery is targeted to lift off Oct. 23 on a 14-day
mission to the International Space Station.

The first motion of the shuttle out of Kennedy's Vehicle Assembly
Building is expected at 8 p.m. EDT. The 3.4-mile journey to the
launch pad is expected to take about six hours.

NASA Television will provide a live picture of Discovery at the pad
beginning at 7 a.m. Sunday. Video highlights of the rollout will air
on NASA TV's Video File segments.

Media are invited to a photo opportunity of Discovery at the pad and
interview availability with Discovery Flow Director Stephanie Stilson
at 6:30 a.m. Sunday. Since dates and times of this event are subject
to change, updates are available by calling 321-867-2525.

Media must arrive at Kennedy's News Center by 6 a.m. Sunday for
transportation to the viewing area. Foreign news media accreditation
for this event now is closed. Foreign media who already have been
credentialed must arrive at the Pass and ID Building on State Road 3
by 5:30 a.m. for transportation to the News Center. U.S. media
without permanent Kennedy Space Center credentials should apply
online by 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27 on the center's accreditation
Web site at:

https://media.ksc.nasa.gov

Badges must be picked up by 4 p.m. Friday.

The STS-120 mission will add a module to the space station that will
serve as a port for installing additional international laboratories.
The Harmony module will be the first expansion of the living and
working space on the orbiting laboratory since 2001. The mission also
will move the first set of solar arrays installed on the station to a
permanent location on the complex and redeploy them.

For NASA TV downlink information, schedules and links to streaming
video, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

For information about the STS-120 mission and crew, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

[jacqmans]

MEDIA ADVISORY: M07-126

SHUTTLE DISCOVERY AT LAUNCH PAD; LAUNCH DRESS REHEARSAL NEXT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - With space shuttle Discovery now at its launch
pad at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the next major milestone for the
upcoming STS-120 mission is a full launch dress rehearsal.

The shuttle arrived at the pad near noon EDT Sunday on top of a giant
vehicle called the crawler-transporter. The crawler-transporter began
carrying Discovery out of Kennedy's Vehicle Assembly Building at 6:47
a.m., traveling less than 1 mph during the 3.4 mile journey.
Discovery was firmly on the launch pad, or hard down, at 1:15 p.m.

Discovery is targeted to launch Oct. 23 on a 14-day mission to the
International Space Station. The shuttle's seven crew members will
add a module to the space station that will serve as a port for
installing additional international laboratories. The crew also will
move the station's first set of solar arrays to a permanent location
and redeploy them.

Discovery's crew members are Commander Pam Melroy, Pilot George Zamka
and mission specialists Scott Parazynski, Stephanie Wilson, Doug
Wheelock, Daniel Tani and Paolo Nespoli of the European Space Agency.
Tani will remain aboard the station and return with the STS-122 crew,
targeted to launch Dec. 6. Current station Flight Engineer Clayton
Anderson will return to Earth aboard Discovery.

The STS-120 astronauts and ground crews will participate in a launch
dress rehearsal, known as the terminal countdown demonstration test,
or TCDT, from Oct. 7 to 10 at Kennedy. The test provides each shuttle
crew with an opportunity to participate in various simulated
countdown activities, including equipment familiarization and
emergency training.

The following are media events associated with the test. All times are
Eastern.

Oct. 7 - STS-120 Crew Arrival: The crew will arrive at 7 p.m. at the
Shuttle Landing Facility and make a statement. The arrival will not
be broadcast live but will be part of the NASA TV Video File.

Oct. 9 - STS-120 Crew Media Q&A: The crew will take media questions at
Launch Pad 39A at 8:15 a.m. The session will be carried live on NASA
TV.

Oct. 10 - STS-120 Crew Walkout Photo Opportunity: The astronauts will
depart from the Operations and Checkout Building at 7:45 a.m. in
their flight entry suits in preparation for the countdown
demonstration test at the launch pad. The walkout will not be
broadcast live but will be part of the NASA TV Video File.

Dates and times of events are subject to change. Schedule updates are
available at 321-867-2525.

New foreign media accreditation for these events is closed. U.S. media
without permanent Kennedy Space Center credentials must apply for
accreditation online by 4:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 4 at:

https://media.ksc.nasa.gov

To attend crew arrival, reporters must pick up badges by 4 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 5, at the Pass and Identification Building on State Road
3.

For information about covering these events, including proper attire
and meeting locations, credentialed media should visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/media.html

Video b-roll of the terminal countdown demonstration test will be
available on the NASA TV Video File. For NASA TV downlink
information, schedules and links to streaming video, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

For information about the STS-120 mission and crew, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

[jacqmans]

MEDIA ADVISORY: M07-129

NASA ANNOUNCES NEWS CONFERENCE ON STATUS OF NEXT SHUTTLE LAUNCH

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA managers have scheduled a news conference
at the Kennedy Space Center, Fla., no earlier than 3 p.m. EDT,
Tuesday, Oct. 16, to discuss the status of the upcoming space shuttle
mission. The news conference will begin after the conclusion of the
Flight Readiness Review, or FRR, which is chaired by NASA's Associate
Administrator for Space Operations Bill Gerstenmaier.

A two-day preliminary review to assess preparations for shuttle
Discovery's mission, designated STS-120, was held Oct. 9-10. Space
Shuttle Program Manager Wayne Hale is chaired that meeting and will
provide a summary to the Oct. 16 executive-level FRR. The Oct 16
review is expected to include the selection of an official launch
date for Discovery's voyage to the International Space Station. The
current targeted launch time is 11:38 a.m. on Oct. 23.

Briefing participants are:
- NASA Associate Administrator Chris Scolese
- Associate Administrator for Space Operations Bill Gerstenmaier
- Space Shuttle Program Manager Wayne Hale
- Space Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach

The briefing will be broadcast live on NASA Television and the
agency's Web site. Media may ask questions from participating NASA
locations. Reporters should contact their preferred NASA center to
confirm its participation.

[jacqmans]

ESA astronaut Paolo Nespoli and his fellow STS-120 crewmembers have taken part in a practice countdown at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, in Florida, ahead of their mission to the International Space Station due for launch later this month.

Read more at:

http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Esperia/SEM7A72PL7F_0.html

[jacqmans]

MEDIA ADVISORY: M07-133

NASA SETS INTERVIEWS WITH FLIGHT DIRECTOR FOR NEXT SHUTTLE MISSION

HOUSTON - International Space Station Flight Director Derek Hassmann
will be available for satellite interviews from 6 to 8 a.m. CDT
Friday, Oct. 19. Hassmann will lead NASA's Mission Control Center
during the next space shuttle mission, which will involve the first
expansion of the station's living and working space in more than six
years.

Hassmann is a native of San Antonio and a graduate of the University
of Texas. He is the lead flight director for space shuttle
Discovery's STS-120 mission to the station. Countdown for Discovery's
mission is targeted to begin Saturday, Oct. 20. The launch is
targeted for 10:38 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23.

Discovery will deliver a new connecting module named Harmony to the
station and continue assembly of the complex's solar power system.
Harmony will provide attachment points for new laboratories from
Europe and Japan that will be launched to the station on upcoming
missions.

To participate in the interviews, media should contact producer
Stephanie Stoll at 281-483-9071 or pager 713-508-0581 by 2 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 18. B-roll of preparations for the mission will be
broadcast starting at 5:30 a.m., immediately prior to the interviews.

The NASA Television low-latency channel will be used to conduct the
interviews with the least audio delay. The NASA TV low-latency
channel is on satellite AMC 6, transponder 5C, located at 72 degrees
west, downlink frequency 3785.5 Mhz, vertical polarity. The
interviews also will be broadcast live on NASA TV. For NASA TV
downlink, schedule and streaming video information, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

For STS-120 crew and mission information, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

[jacqmans]

RELEASE: 07-209

NASA GIVES "GO" FOR SPACE SHUTTLE LAUNCH ON OCT. 23

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA senior managers Tuesday completed a
detailed review of space shuttle Discovery's readiness for flight and
selected 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
the STS-120 mission to the International Space Station.

Tuesday's meeting included a discussion about concerns raised by the
NASA Engineering and Safety Center regarding the reinforced carbon
carbon on three of Discovery's wing leading edge panels. This issue
initially was brought before the Space Shuttle Program during a
two-day, preliminary review held last week to assess preparations for
Discovery's mission.

"After a thorough discussion and review of all current engineering
analysis, we have determined that Discovery's panels do not need to
be replaced before the mission," said Associate Administrator for
Space Operations Bill Gerstenmaier, who chaired Tuesday's meeting.

During the shuttle's 120th mission, the shuttle and station crews will
work with flight controllers at NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston,
to add a module to the station that will serve as a port for
installing future international laboratories. The Harmony module will
be the first expansion of the living and working space on the station
since 2001. The upcoming mission also will move the first set of
solar arrays installed on the station to a permanent location on the
complex and redeploy them.

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.

Joining Commander Melroy on STS-120 will be Pilot George Zamka and
mission specialists Scott Parazynski, Stephanie Wilson, Doug
Wheelock, Daniel Tani and Paolo Nespoli of the European Space Agency.
Tani will remain aboard the station and return with the STS-122 crew,
which is targeted to launch Dec. 6. Current Flight Engineer Clayton
Anderson will return to Earth on Discovery after nearly five months
on the station.

[jacqmans]

MEDIA ADVISORY: M07-135

NASA SET TO BEGIN SPACE SHUTTLE DISCOVERY COUNTDOWN OCT. 20

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA will start the launch countdown for space
shuttle Discovery's STS-120 mission at 2 p.m. EDT Saturday, Oct. 20,
at T-43 hours. The countdown includes 26 hours and 38 minutes of
built-in hold time leading to a preferred launch time of
approximately 11:38 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 23. The launch window
extends an additional five minutes.

During the 14-day mission to the International Space Station,
Discovery's crew will add the Node 2 module to the expanding station.
Node 2, known as Harmony, will provide attachment points for European
and Japanese laboratory modules to be installed later this year and
early in 2008, respectively. The Discovery crew also will move the
station's Port 6 segment of the station's backbone, or truss, and its
solar arrays to a permanent position at the very end of the left side
of the truss. The flight will include five spacewalks.

A detailed list of launch countdown milestones and times is available
at:

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/news/index.html

This mission is the 120th space shuttle flight, the 34th flight for
Discovery and the 23rd U.S. flight to the International Space
Station. This mission includes the most number of spacewalks ever
conducted while the shuttle is docked to the station.

For more information about the STS-120 crew and the mission to the
space station, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

[jacqmans]

MEDIA ADVISORY: M07-140

NASA SETS SPACE SHUTTLE DISCOVERY PRELAUNCH EVENTS

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- News conferences, events and operating hours
for NASA's Kennedy Space Center News Center are set for the upcoming
launch of space shuttle Discovery. The STS-120 mission to the
International Space Station is set to lift off at 11:38 a.m. EDT on
Oct. 23.

On Friday, Oct. 19, the seven Discovery crew members are scheduled to
arrive at the Kennedy Space Center at 12:30 p.m. Badged media
planning to cover the event must be at Kennedy's News Center by 11
a.m. for transportation to the Shuttle Landing Facility. Commander
Pam Melroy will make a brief statement to media. NASA Television will
provide live coverage.

NASA TV also will broadcast live countdown status briefings and news
conferences Oct. 20-22. Complete listings of news briefing times and
participants as well as hours of operation for the Kennedy News
Center and media credentialing office are available at:

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/news/index.html

For NASA TV streaming video, scheduling and downlink information,
visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

For the latest information about the STS-120 crew and mission, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

-end-

STS-120 BRIEFING & EVENTS SCHEDULE
(All time are Eastern)

All briefings are held inside the Kennedy Press Site auditorium and
will be carried live on NASA TV unless otherwise noted.

L-4 Days - Friday, Oct. 19

12:30 p.m. - STS-120 crew arrival at Shuttle Landing Facility

L-3 Days - Saturday, Oct. 20

10 a.m. - Countdown Status Briefing
- Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, NASA Test Director
- Glenn Chin, STS-120 Payload Manager
- Kathy Winters, Shuttle Weather Officer

2 p.m. - Launch countdown officially begins (not on NASA TV)

L-2 Days - Sunday, Oct. 21

10 a.m. - Countdown Status Briefing
- Jeff Spaulding, NASA Test Director
- Glenn Chin, STS-120 Payload Manager
- Kathy Winters, Shuttle Weather Officer

1 p.m. (no earlier than) - STS-120 Launch Readiness News Conference
- LeRoy Cain, Launch Integration Manager, Space Shuttle Program
- Mike Leinbach, Space Shuttle Launch Director
- Alan Thirkettle, ISS Program Manager, ESA
- Mauro Piermaria, ASI ESPERIA Mission Manager
- Kathy Winters, Shuttle Weather Officer

L-1 Day - Monday, Oct. 22

10 a.m. - Countdown Status Briefing
- Steve Payne, NASA Test Director
- Kathy Winters, Shuttle Weather Officer

11:30 a.m. - Live Astronaut Webcast with Sandra Magnus

1 p.m. - Constellation Briefing
- Mark Geyer, Deputy Manager, Constellation Program
- Mark Kirasich, Deputy Manager, Orion Project
- Bob Ess, Manager, Ares 1-X Project

3 p.m. - Rotating Service Structure moves to launch position

Launch Day - Tuesday, Aug. 7

6:30 a.m. - Live launch commentary begins

Launch Day Crew Activities: (times may vary slightly)
1:30 a.m. -- Crew wakes up (not on NASA TV)
7:08 a.m. -- Weather briefing (CDR, PLT, MS2) (not on NASA TV)
7:08 a.m. -- Astronauts don flight suits
7:48 a.m. -- Depart for launch pad
8:18 a.m. -- Arrive at white room and begin ingress
9:33 a.m. -- Close crew hatch
11:38 a.m. -- Launch

Launch + 1 hour - Post-launch News Conference
- Chris Scolese, NASA Associate Administrator
- Bill Gerstenmaier, Associate Administrator for Space Operations
- LeRoy Cain, Mission Management Team
- Mike Leinbach, Space Shuttle Launch Director

Kennedy News Center office hours for STS-120
Times may be adjusted in real time depending on mission events and
timelines.

Friday, Oct. 19 --- (Launch minus 4 days) --- 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 20 --- (Launch minus 3 days) --- 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 21 --- (Launch minus 2 days) --- 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 22 --- (Launch minus 1 day) --- 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 23 --- (Launch) Flight day 1 --- 5 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 24 - Nov. 5 --- Flight days 2 - 13 --- 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (except
weekends)
Tuesday, Nov. 6 --- (Landing) Flight day 14 --- TBD

Media Badging Schedule

News media may obtain STS-120 mission credentials from the Kennedy
Space Center Pass and Identification Office on State Road 3. Office
hours of operation are listed below.

Friday, Oct. 19 ----- 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 20 ----- 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 21 ----- 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 22 ----- 6:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 23 ----- 4:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

News media are required to be under NASA Public Affairs escort at all
times while at Kennedy Space Center, except when at the News Center
or the Complex 39 cafeteria. No photography is allowed anywhere other
than the press site unless prior permission is granted by NASA Public
Affairs.

News media are allowed at the press site only when Public Affairs
personnel are on duty and the NASA News Center is open.

For the latest information on the STS-120 mission, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

[jacqmans]

MEDIA ADVISORY: M07-139

NASA ANNOUNCES WEB COVERAGE OF NEXT SPACE SHUTTLE MISSION

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - A prelaunch webcast, live blogs, podcasts,
pictures and videos highlight NASA's Internet coverage of space
shuttle Discovery's STS-120 mission to the International Space
Station. Discovery is scheduled to lift off on Oct. 23 at 11:38 a.m.
EDT. NASA will provide continuous online updates at:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

A live webcast featuring STS-112 astronaut Sandra Magnus will start
the in-depth coverage of the mission at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, Oct.
22.

A blog will update the countdown beginning about six hours before
Discovery's launch. Originating from NASA's Kennedy Space Center,
Fla., the blog is the definitive Internet source for prelaunch
information.

During the 14-day mission, Discovery's seven astronauts will add a
module called Harmony to the International Space Station. The
Italian-built segment will become a connecting point for future
laboratories built by the European and Japanese space agencies.
Discovery's crew includes astronaut Daniel Tani, who will move into
the orbiting laboratory as part of the Expedition 16 crew. He will
replace Clayton Anderson, who launched to the station in June and
will return to Earth aboard Discovery. Tani will live and work on the
station until returning to Earth aboard space shuttle Atlantis on the
STS-122 mission, targeted to launch Dec. 6. Visitors to NASA's
shuttle Web site can read about the crew's progress and watch the
spacewalks live from the space station.

As Discovery's flight concludes, the NASA blog will detail the
spacecraft's return to Earth.

[jacqmans]

RELEASE: 52-07

AIRSPACE, BRIDGES AND WATERWAY RESTRICTIONS IN EFFECT FOR STS-120

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- For the launch of space shuttle Discovery's
STS-120 mission, NASA managers are urging all aircraft pilots and
boaters to fully comply with the airspace, bridges and waterway
restrictions imposed around Kennedy Space Center prior to and during
shuttle launches and landings.

"As always, we are coordinating with officials from the U.S. Air Force
Eastern Range, Federal Aviation Administration and U.S. Coast Guard
to help provide a safe launch environment for the shuttle crew and
for interested spectators," said Shuttle Launch Director Mike
Leinbach. "Violating these restrictions is not only unsafe for the
astronauts and support crews, it's unsafe for the violator."

The first launch opportunity is Tuesday, Oct. 23, with liftoff
scheduled for 11:38 a.m. EDT. This launch time is approximately in
the middle of a 10-minute launch window. At NASA's request, Air Force
and Coast Guard surveillance aircraft will patrol Eastern Range
airspace boundaries on launch day. Violators will be intercepted by
patrol forces, thoroughly investigated and subject to FAA enforcement
action. A number of restrictions remain in effect around Kennedy
during the hours immediately following the launch of a space shuttle.

The following are restrictions that apply to pilots, boaters and motor
vehicle operators using the airspace, waterways, or roads and bridges
that lead to Kennedy.

KSC AREA AVIATION RESTRICTIONS

For the launch of Discovery on mission STS-120, all restricted areas
surrounding Kennedy will be active and the area covered by flight
restrictions has once again been expanded for this launch.

Due to international terrorist activities, heightened security is
essential to protect the space shuttle as a national asset. An
inadvertent unauthorized incursion into the area of the Cape
Canaveral Temporary Flight Restriction, or TFR, could cause a scrub
in the launch of Discovery, the activation of airspace defenses and
an FAA enforcement action. Local pilots are asked to help NASA by
respecting these temporary but necessary restrictions so the launch
can occur on time and without incident.

The Eastern Range restricted airspace for Kennedy and Cape Canaveral
Air Force Station is in effect on a continuous basis and is off
limits to general aviation pilots. Access is limited to official
aircraft only. The restricted airspace normally covers the area
bounded by the Indian River to the west, Port Canaveral to the south,
the city of Oak Hill to the north, and three miles over the Atlantic
Ocean to the east. Pilots are encouraged to consult the current FAA
aeronautical chart for Orlando Class B airspace.

On launch day, these restricted areas will be expanded by the TFR and
will be activated seven hours before the launch window opens. This
will continue in effect until 30 minutes after launch, after which
the standard restricted areas for Kennedy and Cape Canaveral Air
Force Station will remain in effect. On Tuesday, Oct. 23, the TFR
will be activated at 4:33 a.m. EDT. The launch is targeted to occur
at 11:38 a.m. within a launch window that extends from 11:33 to 11:43
a.m. EDT. The TFR will remain in effect until 12:03 p.m. EDT. If the
launch is scrubbed, pilots should check NOTAMs for the hours the TFR
will be in effect for the next launch attempt.

General aviation and VFR operations are prohibited within a
30-nautical-mile radius of Launch Pad 39A from the surface to (but
not including) 18,000 feet (located on the Melbourne VOR/DME
004-degree radial at 30.6 nautical miles). Among the public-use
general aviation airports affected within this area include Space
Coast Regional Airport and Arthur Dunn Airpark, both in Titusville,
and Merritt Island Airport on Merritt Island.

Within an airspace radius between 30 and 40 nautical miles, a discrete
transponder code must be obtained and clearance granted from air
traffic control before entering this airspace. Continuous radio
communications must be maintained.

Among the public-use airports affected within the 30- to
40-nautical-mile radius in which flight is permitted but under
positive air traffic control are Orlando International Airport,
Orlando Executive Airport, Orlando-Sanford International Airport, New
Smyrna Beach Municipal Airport, Melbourne International Airport and
Valkaria Airport. While Massey Ranch in Edgewater is within 30 miles
of Pad 39A, there is a four-mile cutout which includes this airport
within the 30-40 mile radius.

Before flight, pilots should contact the St. Petersburg Flight Service
Station at 1-800/WxBrief (1-800/992-7433) for details of the
restrictions contained in the NOTAMs.

In flight, outside Orlando Class B airspace, pilots should contact
Orlando Approach control on 134.95. In the Melbourne area, contact
Orlando Approach control on 132.65. In southern Volusia County,
contact Orlando Approach control on 125.35. Flight Service can also
be reached locally by radio on the Titusville RCO at 123.6 or the
Melbourne RCO on 122.6. Advisories will also be available from the
control tower at Space Coast Regional Airport at 118.9 megahertz.

BRIDGES AND ACCESS HIGHWAYS CONTROLLED FOR LAUNCH

The opening and closing of bridges over waterways surrounding Kennedy
will be strictly controlled during the hours immediately before and
after the launch period for each space shuttle mission.

Bridges affected by the launch include:

* Port Canaveral Barge Canal (State Road 401);

* Indian River/NASA Causeway West (Intracoastal Waterway);

* Merritt Island Barge Canal (Merritt Island State Road 3);

* Haulover Canal (State Road 3, north of KSC).

Restraints on bridge openings for boat traffic begin three hours
before launch. The bridges may be opened for five minutes at the
following points in the launch countdown: T-180 minutes, T-150
minutes, T-120 minutes, T-90 minutes and T-65 minutes. Adding 20
minutes to these times and then subtracting the total number of
minutes from the opening of the 10-minute launch window (11:33 a.m.)
will result in an approximate time of openings.

Bridges will remain closed to boat traffic until 90 minutes after
liftoff (T+90). They may then open for five minutes at T+90, T+120
minutes and T+150 minutes. Bridge operations will return to normal
three hours after launch (T+180 minutes).

Should the shuttle be required to perform a return-to-launch-site
landing at Kennedy, all bridges would remain closed to boat traffic
from 45 minutes before landing until at least one hour after landing.

State Road 3 from the Gate 2 Pass and Identification Building to State
Road 405 (NASA Causeway) via Space Commerce Way will be closed on
launch day, Oct. 23, beginning at 8 a.m. NASA Causeway between the
Kennedy Visitor Complex and the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame will also
be closed starting at that time. Only badged employees and guests
with passes will be permitted access. These roads will reopen
approximately two hours after launch.

On the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, State Road 406 east to State
Road 3, as well as State Road 3 south from Haulover Canal bridge to
State Road 402 leading to Titusville, will close at 8 a.m. on launch
day and reopen after launch.

KSC AREA BOATING RESTRICTIONS

Waterways and boating near Kennedy will be strictly controlled prior
to and during the launch of Discovery on STS-120.

Safety and security requirements, including Air Force range safety
impact limit lines, will go into effect three days before launch.
Other requirements will be phased into effect through sunset the
night before launch. A general description of the area follows:

ATLANTIC OCEAN: Beginning on L-3 days (Saturday, Oct. 20) at 6 p.m.
and continuing through launch, a general exclusion zone will be in
effect three miles offshore from the Haulover Canal, near the north
end of Kennedy, and southward to Port Canaveral. Four hours prior to
launch, all ocean-going traffic will be restricted from entering an
area measured from nine miles north and south of the launch pad and
extending 64 miles east into the ocean. An additional three-mile-wide
exclusion zone will be extended eastward along the flight path of the
space shuttle.

INDIAN RIVER: Restrictions apply from the NASA Causeway north to the
Haulover Canal and east of the Indian River's main channel.
Restrictions begin on L-3 days (Saturday, Oct. 20).

MOSQUITO LAGOON: This area south of the Haulover Canal in the Mosquito
Lagoon is off limits to all boats beginning on L-1 day (Monday, Oct.
22).

BANANA RIVER: Security limits begin at the Banana River Barge Canal
south of Kennedy at the State Road 528 crossing and extend north.
This restriction is effective 16 hours prior to launch (Tuesday, Oct.
22, at 7:33 p.m.).

All boating restrictions will be lifted approximately one hour after
launch. Boating interests should monitor Coast Guard Channel 16
broadcasting from Port Canaveral. The U.S. Coast Guard, U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Florida Wildlife Commission,
Brevard County Sheriff's Office, and NASA security forces share
responsibility for enforcing the boating guidelines.

[jacqmans]

Report #J07-016

TEXAS STUDENTS CELEBRATE “HARMONY” ON NASA’S DISCOVERY LAUNCH

HOUSTON - Students from Brigette Berry’s 8th grade class at League City Intermediate School in League City, Texas, and Bradley Neu’s 9th grade science class at Lubbock High School in Lubbock, Texas, are among the hundreds gathered at NASA's Kennedy Center to view the launch of space shuttle Discovery, targeted for Tuesday, Oct. 23. These students have a special connection to the flight. They helped name an important, bus-sized module that is flying on the shuttle's STS-120 mission to the International Space Station.

The module, previously known as Node 2, was named "Harmony" after an academic competition involving more than 2,220 kindergarten through high school students from 32 states. The Node 2 Challenge required students to learn about the space station, build a scale model and write an essay explaining their proposed name for the module that will serve as a central hub for science labs.

The other winning schools are:
•Paul Cummins' 8th Grade class at Browne Academy, Alexandria, Va.
•Sue Wilson's 3rd grade class at Buchanan Elementary School, Baton Rouge, La.
•Russell Yocum's 3rd Grade class at West Navarre Intermediate School, Navarre, Fla.
•David Dexheimer's students at the World Group Home School, Monona, Wis.

A panel of NASA educators, engineers, scientists and senior agency management selected "Harmony" because the name symbolizes the spirit of international cooperation embodied by the space station, as well as the module's specific role in connecting the international partner modules.

Harmony is approximately 24 feet long and 14.5 feet in diameter. The pressurized module will act as an internal connecting port and passageway to additional international science labs and cargo spacecraft. In addition to increasing the living and working space inside the station, it also will serve as a work platform outside for the station's robotic arm.

Harmony joins three other named U.S. modules on the station: the Destiny laboratory, the Quest airlock and the Unity node. This is the first U.S. piece of the space station named by people outside of NASA.

Using space shuttles to finish construction of the International Space Station is a key step in America's long-term exploration strategy, which includes plans to venture beyond Earth orbit for purposes of human exploration and scientific discovery. The space station is a crucial test bed for those future exploration missions.

For more information about the Node 2 Challenge, visit the NASA Exploring Space Challenges Web site:

http://esc.nasa.gov/

[jacqmans]

RELEASE: 07-231

NASA'S SHUTTLE DISCOVERY BEGINS MISSION TO THE SPACE STATION

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The space shuttle Discovery and its
seven-member crew lifted off Tuesday, Oct. 23, from NASA's Kennedy
Space Center in Florida at 11:38 a.m. EDT to continue construction of
the International Space Station.

During the 14-day mission, designated STS-120, Discovery's crew will
continue construction of the space station with the installation of
the Harmony connecting module, also known as Node 2. The crew, led by
Commander Pam Melroy, will conduct five spacewalks during the
mission, four by shuttle crew members and one by the station's
Expedition 16 crew.

Discovery is scheduled to dock to the station on Thursday, Oct. 25.
The addition of the Harmony module sets the stage for the arrival of
new research laboratories from the European Space Agency and the
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency in upcoming shuttle missions.
During the mission, the STS-120 crew also will move the station's
Port 6 segment of the station's backbone, or truss, and its solar
arrays to a permanent position at the end of the truss' left side.

Joining Melroy on the STS-120 crew are Pilot George Zamka, mission
specialists Scott Parazynski, Doug Wheelock, Stephanie Wilson, Daniel
Tani and European Space Agency astronaut Paolo Nespoli. Tani will
serve as mission specialist aboard Discovery and join the Expedition
16 Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko, who
arrived at the station aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft Oct. 12.

Tani will rotate positions with station resident Clayton Anderson.
After five months on the station, Anderson will return with
Discovery's crew at the conclusion of the STS-120 mission.

This is the 120th space shuttle flight, the 34th flight for Discovery
and the 23rd U.S. flight to the International Space Station.

For more information about the STS-120 mission, including images and
interviews with the crew, visit:

www.nasa.gov/shuttle

[jacqmans]

ESA astronaut Paolo Nespoli and Node 2 module head for ISS

23 October 2007

ESA PR 31-2007. Paolo Nespoli set off on his way to the International Space Station earlier this evening on board NASA’s Space Shuttle Discovery. Inside the Shuttle’s cargo bay is the Node 2 module, the first European-built module to be permanently attached to the Station.

http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMRO53Z28F_index_0.html

[jacqmans]

STS-120 MCC Status Report #01

HOUSTON -- The Space Shuttle Discovery raced into space this morning with an on-time launch at 10:38 CDT. Onboard are seven crewmembers led by veteran astronaut Pam Melroy. Discovery's crew will join the International Space Station’s Expedition 16 crew Thursday morning.

Melroy, Pilot George Zamka and Mission Specialists Stephanie Wilson, Doug Wheelock, Scott Parazynski, Paolo Nespoli and Dan Tani began unstowing equipment and checking systems after reaching orbit.

On the way to the space station, Discovery’s crew will oversee a complete checkout of orbiter systems, including the robotic arm which will see extensive use throughout the mission beginning on Wednesday when it will be used to inspect the thermal protection system of the shuttle.

Discovery and its crew will arrive at the station at about 7:30 a.m. CDT Thursday and Tani will swap places with astronaut Clay Anderson. Anderson will come home aboard Discovery after serving 4 ˝ months as a station flight engineer.

The launch of Discovery on its 34th mission begins a flight that will see the space station grow in size and capability with the addition of the first U.S. pressurized module since the Quest Airlock was delivered in 2001. The Harmony module, also known as Node 2, will add 2,600 cubic feet of living and working space to the complex. It will serve as the permanent docking port for international laboratories from the European Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.

The shuttle astronauts are set to go to bed about 4:30 p.m. CDT today and awaken at 12:38 a.m. CDT Wednesday to begin their first full day in space.

As Discovery launched, the station crew, commanded by astronaut Peggy Whitson, watched live via a laptop computer as they sailed 218 miles above the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Ireland.

[jacqmans]

STS-120 MCC Status Report #02

HOUSTON -- The Space Shuttle Discovery is headed to the International Space Station, carrying the Harmony module, destined to become the first expansion of the orbiting complex's living and working space since 2001.

The addition of Harmony, a connector module also known as Node 2, will set the stage for the arrival of new research laboratories from the European Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency on future shuttle missions.

Following a flawless launch today, the seven crew members aboard Discovery opened the shuttle’s payload bay doors, successfully deployed the Ku-Band antenna that provides high-rate communications and television, and checked out the shuttle's robotic arm. They also transmitted video and photographs of the shuttle's external tank to the ground for standard post-launch analysis by engineers.

Discovery is commanded by veteran astronaut Pam Melroy. The pilot is George Zamka and mission specialists include Stephanie Wilson, Doug Wheelock, Scott Parazynski, Dan Tani and Paolo Nespoli of the European Space Agency. The crew will awaken at 12:38 a.m. Wednesday to begin their first full day in space.

On Wednesday, the crew will perform a close inspection of Discovery’s heat shield using the shuttle’s robotic arm and the Orbiter Boom Sensor System. They also will check the spacesuits that will be used for spacewalks during the mission and install a centerline camera in the shuttle docking hatch that is used to help align the vehicle for docking.

[jacqmans]

1 a.m. CDT, Oct. 24, 2007
Mission Control Center, Houston, Texas
 
STS-120 MCC Status Report #03

HOUSTON – The astronauts on board Space Shuttle Discovery have begun their first full day in space on a two-week mission to set the stage for delivery of new laboratory modules from two more of the International Space Station’s partner agencies.

The main payload on STS-120 is a connecting node, named Harmony. It will expand the pressurized volume in ISS to approximately 18,000 square feet and provide the docking ports for labs furnished by the European Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Those components are due to arrive on orbit late this year and early next.

This morning’s wakeup song, “Lord of the Dance,” performed by John Langstaff, was played for Commander Pam Melroy at 12:39 a.m. CDT.

Today Melroy and her crewmates, Pilot George Zamka and Mission Specialists Stephanie Wilson, Doug Wheelock, Scott Parazynski, Dan Tani and Paolo Nespoli of the European Space Agency will perform an inspection of Discovery’s heat shield using the shuttle’s robotic arm and the Orbiter Boom Sensor System. They’ll also check out the tools they need for Thursday’s rendezvous and docking to the station and install a centerline camera in the shuttle’s orbiter docking system. Spacewalkers Parazynski, Wheelock and Tani will prepare spacesuits that will be worn during the five spacewalks planned during ten days of docked operations.

The International Space Station’s Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineers Yuri Malenchenko and Clay Anderson started their day at midnight. Today they will set up spacesuits already in the station’s Quest airlock, and conduct a leak check of the Pressurized Mating Adapter where Discovery will dock to the station Thursday morning at 7:35 a.m. CDT.

Anderson, now in the 138th day of his flight, will spend time exercising to prepare himself to experience the pull of gravity again when he returns to Earth with the shuttle crew. Tani will stay onboard to work with Whitson and Malenchenko to put Harmony in its permanent location on the front of the Destiny laboratory so the next mission, targeted to launch in early December, can deliver the European laboratory module Columbus.

The next STS-120 status report will be issued Wednesday evening or earlier if events warrant.

[jacqmans]

Boeing Supports Addition of Newest Space Station Portal

ST. LOUIS, Oct. 23, 2007 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] is playing a significant role in the current 14-day Space Shuttle Discovery mission, which will deliver the European Space Agency's Harmony module to the International Space Station.

Boeing has worked with Thales Alenia Space in Torino, Italy, for more than 10 years to assemble and prepare the Harmony module for launch. Formerly known as Node 2, Harmony will act as an internal connecting port and passageway for future international science labs and cargo spacecraft. Thales Alenia Space built the utility node, while Boeing provided many of the subsystem components essential to supporting life on the station.

"This is a challenging assignment, and it will take another total team effort to ensure the success of one of NASA's most complex assembly missions," said Brewster Shaw, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space Exploration. "I'm proud of the pre-planning by our entire Space Exploration team as we work toward bringing the station one step closer to completion."

Harmony measures 23.6-feet long by 14.5-feet wide and weighs 31,500 pounds. The module adds 2,666 cubic feet of living space and several much needed storage racks. The Boeing subsystem components include lights, fans, power switches and converters, racks, air diffusers, smoke detectors, hatches and common berthing mechanisms, which help mate arriving pressurized elements to the existing on-orbit platform.

Harmony will be the first permanent pressurized module added to the station since the Russian Pirs Docking Compartment was added in September 2001. It joins three other named U.S. modules on the station, including the Boeing-built Destiny laboratory. Harmony will allow the distribution of resources from the station's truss to the Destiny lab and, in the future, to the European Space Agency's Columbus research laboratory and the Japanese Kibo experiment module.

During the mission, astronauts also will relocate the Boeing-built Port 6 truss and solar arrays to their permanent location on the far left of the station's (Port 5) truss structure. The solar arrays will provide the extra power needed to support future station growth as well as additional research activities.

The STS-120 mission marks the second time the Boeing-engineered Station-Shuttle Power Transfer System (SSPTS) will be used to allow the shuttle to remain docked on orbit for a longer period. The first use of the SSPTS occurred during STS-118 in August.