KSC-99pp1450

The STS-103 crew smile and wave to onlookers as they head toward the "Astrovan" at right that will carry them to Launch Pad 39B for liftoff of Space Shuttle Discovery. In their orange launch and entry suits, they are (front row) Pilot Scott J. Kelly and Commander Curtis L. Brown Jr., (second row) Mission Specialists John M. Grunsfeld (Ph.D.) and Jean-Francois Clervoy of France, (third row) C. Michael Foale (Ph. D.) and Claude Nicollier of Switzerland, and bringing up the rear, Steven L. Smith. The STS-103 mission, to service the Hubble Space Telescope, is scheduled for launch Dec. 17 at 8:47 p.m. EST from Launch Pad 39B. Mission objectives include replacing gyroscopes and an old computer, installing another solid state recorder, and replacing damaged insulation in the telescope. After the 8-day, 21-hour mission, Discovery is expected to land at KSC Sunday, Dec. 26, at about 6:30 p.m. EST