KSC-08pd1522

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Crew members for space shuttle Discovery's STS-124 mission pause by the Astrovan to wave to spectators before their ride to Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. From left are Mission Specialists Gregory Chamitoff, Akihiko Hoshide, Mike Fossum, Ron Garan and Karen Nyberg, Pilot Ken Ham and Commander Mark Kelly. Hoshide represents the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Chamitoff will join the Expedition 17 crew on the International Space Station as a flight engineer, taking the place of astronaut Garrett Reisman, who will return to Earth on Discovery. The STS-124 mission is the second of three flights launching components to complete the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory. The shuttle crew will install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system, or RMS. The 14-day flight includes three spacewalks. Launch is scheduled for 5:02 p.m. May 31. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett