
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At Launch Pad 39B, the payload bay doors on Space Shuttle Discovery are closed for launch. Payload bay door closure is a significant milestone in the preparations for the first Return to Flight mission, STS-114. During its 12-day mission, Discovery’s seven-person crew will test new hardware and techniques to improve Shuttle safety, as well as deliver supplies to the International Space Station. Discovery’s payloads include the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello, the Lightweight Multi-Purpose Experiment Support Structure Carrier (LMC), and the External Stowage Platform-2 (ESP-2). Raffaello will deliver supplies to the International Space Station including food, clothing and research equipment. The LMC supports a replacement Control Moment Gyroscope and a tile repair sample box. The ESP-2 is outfitted with replacement parts. Launch of mission STS-114 was set for July 13 at the conclusion of the Flight Readiness Review yesterday.
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June 30, 2005
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