AMSAT-UK - STS-121 STATUS 11:00AM EDT

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STS-121 STATUS 11:00AM EDT - 2 JULY 2006

The Discovery crewmembers had an early morning wake-up call and ate their traditional launch-day breakfast in crew quarters located in the Operations and Checkout Building. Later they joined their crewmates and the entire flight team donned orange flight suits that contain an oxygen supply, communications equipment and a temperature control system. The suits also offer protection in the event of an emergency. After suiting up, the astronauts will make their way out of their quarters to a vehicle waiting to take them to Launch Pad 39B.

Yesterday's launch of Space Shuttle Discovery was postponed because of weather. This continues to be an issue today, with a 70 percent chance that local weather conditions will foil today's launch attempt. The preferred time for today's launch from Kennedy Space Center is 3:26 p.m.
+ View Press Release <http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/releases/2006/release-20060701.html>

Steven Lindsey commands a crew of five American astronauts, Pilot Mark Kelly and Mission Specialists Michael Fossum, Lisa Nowak, Stephanie Wilson and Piers Sellers, and one astronaut from the European Space Agency, Thomas Reiter. This is the 18th U.S. flight to the International Space Station and the 32nd flight for Space Shuttle Discovery.

In Discovery's payload bay, the multi-purpose logistics module Leonardo, built by the Italian Space Agency, will deliver more than two tons of supplies, equipment and tools on its fourth trip to the station.

While docked, the STS-121 crew will test new equipment and procedures to improve shuttle safety, as well as make repairs to the station. Reiter will remain with the Expedition 13 crew on the station.

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