KSC-01PP-0429

STS-102 Mission Specialist Paul Richards signals thumbs up for launch as he suits up in the Operations and Checkout Building. This will be Richards’ first Shuttle launch. . STS-102 is the eighth construction flight to the International Space Station, carrying the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Leonardo. The primary delivery system used to resupply and return Station cargo requiring a pressurized environment, Leonardo will deliver up to 10 tons of laboratory racks filled with equipment, experiments and supplies for outfitting the newly installed U.S. Laboratory Destiny. In addition, three of the crew members Mission Specialists James Voss, Susan Helms and Yury Usachev, known as Expedition Two are flying to the Station to replace Expedition One, who will return to Earth on Discovery. Discovery is set to launch March 8 at 6:42 a.m. EST. The 12-day mission is expected to end with a landing at KSC on March 20