NASA'S SPACE SHUTTLE DISCOVERY CARGO READY FOR FLIGHT

May 17, 2006

Katherine Trinidad
Headquarters, Washington
(202) 358-3749

Tracy Young
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
(321) 867-2468

RELEASE: 06-223

NASA'S SPACE SHUTTLE DISCOVERY CARGO READY FOR FLIGHT

The payloads that will launch aboard the next space shuttle mission,
STS-121, arrived Wednesday at Launch Pad 39-B at NASA's Kennedy Space
Center, Fla.

Space Shuttle Discovery's cargo includes the Italian-built logistics
module Leonardo, which will carry 11 large racks filled with food,
clothing, spare parts and research equipment to the International
Space Station. Also included in the cargo is the Oxygen Generation
System, which can provide enough oxygen each day to support a
six-member crew. The system will be operational before the first
six-person crew arrives aboard the station in 2009.

An integrated cargo carrier will deliver a spare pump module and
replacement mobile transporter reel assembly to the station. Another
carrier containing pieces of the shuttle's heat-shielding material is
also installed in Discovery's payload bay. The material will be used
to test heat shield repair methods in orbit during a potential third
spacewalk.

Discovery's launch to the International Space Station is targeted for
July 1 in a launch window that extends to July 19. During the 12-day
mission, crew members will test new hardware and techniques to
improve shuttle safety.

Imagery from the transfer and the latest information on the STS-121
mission and crew is available at:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

Video highlights of the transfer to the launch pad will air on
Thursday's NASA TV's Video File segments. NASA TV's Video File news
feed is on the Media Channel (Program 103) at 6 - 8 and 9 - 11 a.m.;
12 - 2 and 4 - 7 p.m.; and 10 p.m. - midnight. All times are Eastern.

The Media Channel is available on an MPEG-2 digital C-band signal via
satellite AMC-6; 72 degrees west longitude, transponder 17C, 4040
MHz, vertical polarization. In Alaska and Hawaii, it's on AMC-7; 137
degrees west longitude, transponder 18C, at 4060 MHz, horizontal
polarization. A digital video broadcast compliant integrated receiver
decoder is required for reception. For media unable to receive the
Media Channel, a modified version of Video-File airs on the Public
Channel at 9 a.m., 6 p.m., and 10 p.m. (Eastern). For downlink, Media
and Public Channel information and links to streaming video, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

For information about the International Space Station, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/station


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Jacques :-)

www.spacepatches.nl