Discovery Liftoff Set Oct. 5 to Begin Space Station Build Up

Dwayne Brown

NASA Headquarters

Rob Navias

Johnson Space Center

Joel Wells

Kennedy Space Center

KSC Release No: 81 – 00

Discovery Liftoff Set Oct. 5 to Begin Space Station Build Up

NASA managers today set Oct. 5 as the launch date for
Discovery on a mission that will initiate the heart of construction for the
International Space Station (ISS), carrying aloft a nine-ton exterior
framework and a three-ton docking port to be attached to the complex.

After the traditional Flight Readiness Review at the Kennedy
Space Center, Oct. 5 was selected for the launch of the 100th Shuttle
mission, designated STS-92. Discovery is targeted for a 9:38 p.m. EDT
liftoff from Launch Pad 39-A at KSC during a launch window not to exceed
five minutes in duration.

The exterior framework that will be attached to the
expanding Station, called the Z1 truss, will house gyroscopes and
communications equipment that will provide a future sense of balance for the
outpost as well as enhanced voice and television capability. In addition, a
conical mating adapter called Pressurized Mating Adapter 3 will be attached,
providing an additional Shuttle docking port.

“The foundation for the International Space Station has been
laid and this mission begins the true station build-up in orbit,” Space
Shuttle Program Manager Ron Dittemore said. “With multiple spacewalks
planned and multiple components to attach, we’re taking the level of
complexity up a notch over the past few station construction flights.”

Discovery will be commanded by Brian Duffy (Col., USAF). Pam
Melroy (Lt. Col., USAF) will serve as Pilot. Mission Specialists include Dr.
Leroy Chiao, Bill McArthur (Col. USA), Dr. Jeff Wisoff, Mike Lopez-Alegria
(Cdr., USN) and Koichi Wakata, representing NASDA, the Japanese Space
Agency.

During the 11-day mission, Wakata will use the Shuttle’s
robotic arm to attach the framework and mating adapter to the station’s
Unity module. The other Mission Specialists will be divided into two
spacewalking teams to conduct four planned spacewalks to provide electrical
and data connectivity between the new components and the existing Station
modules.

Discovery’s flight will be the final Shuttle mission prior
to the launch of the first resident, or Expedition crew to the ISS,
currently targeted for Oct. 30 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan

Discovery is planned to land at about 4:50 p.m. EDT Oct. 16
at Kennedy Space Center.