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.
