NASA News  
National Aeronautics and
Space Administration

John F. Kennedy Space Center
Kennedy Space Center, Florida 32899
AC 321 867-2468

KSC Release No.: 92 - 01

NASA ANNOUNCES AUG. 9 AS OFFICIAL LAUNCH DATE FOR STS-105

The Space Shuttle Discovery will launch a new crew, a host of scientific
equipment and supplies to the International Space Station Aug. 9,
beginning a new phase of station assembly that will expand the complex as
research work grows.

Launch of Discovery on mission STS-105 has been set for 5:38 p.m. EDT Aug.
9 on the 12-day flight.

"This flight is representative of many shuttle missions to come as station
assembly and operations enter a new phase," Space Shuttle Program Manager
Ron Dittemore said. "Although extremely complex and challenging assembly
flights will continue, they'll be interspersed with missions dedicated to
changing station crews, experiments and supplies. Discovery is set to
launch only about two weeks after Atlantis' return from the station, and
the team has done a tremendous job."

Discovery will be commanded by Scott Horowitz (Col., USAF). Frederick
"Rick" Sturckow (Major, USMC) will be pilot. The shuttle crew also
includes Patrick G. Forrester (Lt. Col., USA) and Dr. Daniel T. Barry,
members that will perform two space walks during the mission to install
logistical equipment and prepare for future station assembly. Launching to
the station aboard Discovery will be the third crew for the complex:
Commander Frank Culbertson, Pilot Vladimir Dezhurov and Flight Engineer
Mikhail Tyurin. The station's second crew -- Commander Yury Usachev and
Flight Engineers Jim Voss and Susan Helms -- will return to Earth aboard
Discovery, ending more than five months in orbit.

Discovery is planned to land at about 1:17 p.m. EDT Aug. 21 at the Kennedy
Space Center, FL.

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