Orion Spacecraft Arrives in Ohio Aboard the Super Guppy at Mansfield Lahm Airport, Astronaut Douglas Wheelock

JSC2010-E-132513 (5 Dec. 2006) --- NASA astronaut Douglas H. Wheelock, ISS commander. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Orion Spacecraft Arrives in Ohio Aboard the Super Guppy at Mansfield Lahm Airport

Visit to Glenn Research Center by Expedition-25 Commander Astronaut Douglas Wheelock

JSC2007-E-08803 (5 Dec. 2006) --- Astronaut Douglas H. Wheelock, mission specialist

JOHNSON SPACE CENTER, Houston, Texas -- JSC2007-E-08803-- Astronaut Douglas H. Wheelock, mission specialist

Evening With The Stars - 2019

Expedition 24 Flight Engineer Doug Wheelock answers a reporter’s question during a press conference held at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan on Monday, June 14, 2010. The launch of the Soyuz spacecraft with Expedition 24 NASA Flight Engineers Shannon Walker and Douglas Wheelock, and Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin is scheduled for Wednesday, June 16, 2010 at 3:35 a.m. Kazakhstan time. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

JSC2007-E-20540 (26 April 2007) --- Astronaut Douglas H. Wheelock, STS-120 mission specialist, participates in an Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit fit check in the Space Station Airlock Test Article (SSATA) in the Crew Systems Laboratory at the Johnson Space Center. European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Paolo Nespoli, mission specialist, assisted Wheelock.

Expedition 24 Flight Engineer Doug Wheelock, left, answers a reporter’s question during a press conference held at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, while Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin looks on, Monday, June 14, 2010. The launch of the Soyuz spacecraft with Expedition 24 NASA Flight Engineers Shannon Walker and Douglas Wheelock, and Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin is scheduled for Wednesday, June 16, 2010 at 3:35 a.m. Kazakhstan time. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

JSC2007-E-06548 (2 Feb. 2007) --- Astronauts Douglas H. Wheelock and Scott E. Parazynski (partially obscured), both STS-120 mission specialists, are about to be submerged in the waters of the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near Johnson Space Center. Wheelock and Parazynski are attired in training versions of the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit. SCUBA-equipped divers are in the water to assist the crewmembers in their rehearsal, intended to help prepare them for work on the exterior of the International Space Station.

JSC2007-E-06549 (2 Feb. 2007) --- Astronauts Douglas H. Wheelock and Scott E. Parazynski (partially obscured), both STS-120 mission specialists, are about to be submerged in the waters of the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near Johnson Space Center. Wheelock and Parazynski are attired in training versions of the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit. SCUBA-equipped divers (out of frame) are in the water to assist the crewmembers in their rehearsal, intended to help prepare them for work on the exterior of the International Space Station.

JSC2007-E-06416 (31 Jan. 2007) --- Astronaut Douglas H. Wheelock (right), STS-120 mission specialist, dons a training version of his shuttle launch and entry suit in preparation for a water survival training session in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near Johnson Space Center. United Space Alliance (USA) suit technician Jim Cheatham assisted Wheelock.

JSC2007-E-18102 (9 April 2007) --- United Space Alliance (USA) crew trainer Adam Flagan (left) briefs astronaut Douglas H. Wheelock, STS-120 mission specialist, on the usage of a special pulley device, used to lower oneself from a trouble-plagued shuttle. The briefing came during an emergency egress training session in the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at the Johnson Space Center. Wheelock is wearing a training version of his shuttle launch and entry suit.

JSC2007-E-06550 (2 Feb. 2007) --- Astronauts Douglas H. Wheelock and Scott E. Parazynski (partially obscured), both STS-120 mission specialists, are about to be submerged in the waters of the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near Johnson Space Center. Wheelock and Parazynski are attired in training versions of the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit. SCUBA-equipped divers (out of frame) are in the water to assist the crewmembers in their rehearsal, intended to help prepare them for work on the exterior of the International Space Station.

JSC2007-E-20541 (26 April 2007) --- Astronaut Douglas H. Wheelock, STS-120 mission specialist, participates in an Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit fit check in the Space Station Airlock Test Article (SSATA) in the Crew Systems Laboratory at the Johnson Space Center. European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Paolo Nespoli, mission specialist, assisted Wheelock.

Expedition 24 Flight Engineers Doug Wheelock, left, and Shannon Walker say goodbye to friends and family after a press conference held at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Monday, June 14, 2010. The launch of the Soyuz spacecraft with Expedition 24 NASA Flight Engineers Shannon Walker and Douglas Wheelock, and Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin is scheduled for Wednesday, June 16, 2010 at 3:35 a.m. Kazakhstan time. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

JSC2007-E-06422 (31 Jan. 2007) --- Astronaut Douglas H. Wheelock (right), STS-120 mission specialist, dons a training version of his shuttle launch and entry suit in preparation for a water survival training session in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near Johnson Space Center. United Space Alliance (USA) suit technician Daniel E. Palmer assisted Wheelock.

The crew of Expedition 24 Flight Engineer Doug Wheelock, left, Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Flight Engineer Shannon Walker, right, pose for a group photo after a press conference held at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Monday, June 14, 2010. The launch of the Soyuz spacecraft with Expedition 24 NASA Flight Engineers Shannon Walker and Douglas Wheelock, and Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin is scheduled for Wednesday, June 16, 2010 at 3:35 a.m. Kazakhstan time. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

JSC2007-E-18080 (9 April 2007) --- Attired in training versions of their shuttle launch and entry suits, astronauts Stephanie D. Wilson (left) and Douglas H. Wheelock, both STS-120 mission specialists, exchange thoughts as they participate in a training session in the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at Johnson Space Center.

JSC2007-E-18128 (9 April 2007) --- Attired in training versions of their shuttle launch and entry suits, astronauts Pamela A. Melroy (left), STS-120 commander; George D. Zamka, pilot; and Douglas H. Wheelock, mission specialist, await the start of a training session in the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at Johnson Space Center.

JSC2007-E-06545 (2 Feb. 2007) --- Attired in a training version of the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit, astronaut Douglas H. Wheelock, STS-120 mission specialist, awaits the start of a training session in the waters of the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near Johnson Space Center.

Expedition 24 prime and back-up crew members pose pose for a group photo after a press conference held at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Monday, June 14, 2010. From left: NASA astronaut Doug Wheelock, Russian cosmonaut Fyodor Yurchikhin, NASA astronaut Shannon Walker, NASA astronaut Cady Coleman, Russian cosmonaut Dimitri Kondratiev and European Space Agency Paolo Nespoli of Italy. The launch of the Soyuz spacecraft with Expedition 24 NASA Flight Engineers Shannon Walker and Douglas Wheelock, and Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin is scheduled for Wednesday, June 16, 2010 at 3:35 a.m. Kazakhstan time. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

Evening With The Stars - 2019

Evening With The Stars - 2019

Expedition 24 Flight Engineer Shannon Walker, left, and back-up crew member Cady Coleman smile during a press conference held at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Monday, June 14, 2010. The launch of the Soyuz spacecraft with Expedition 24 NASA Flight Engineers Shannon Walker and Douglas Wheelock, and Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin is scheduled for Wednesday, June 16, 2010 at 3:35 a.m. Kazakhstan time. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

The Soyuz TMA-19 rocket launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, June 16, 2010 carrying Expedition 24 NASA Flight Engineers Shannon Walker and Douglas Wheelock, and Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin of Russia to the International Space Station. Their Soyuz TMA-19 rocket launched at 3:35 a.m Kazakhstan time. (Photo Credit: NASA/Carla Cioffi)

Expedition 24 Flight Engineer Shannon Walker answers a reporter’s question during a press conference held at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan on Monday, June 14, 2010. The launch of the Soyuz spacecraft with Expedition 24 NASA Flight Engineers Shannon Walker and Douglas Wheelock, and Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin is scheduled for Wednesday, June 16, 2010 at 3:35 a.m. Kazakhstan time. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

JSC2007-E-46545 (18 Sept. 2007) --- Astronaut Scott E. Parazynski, STS-120 mission specialist, dons a training version of the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit prior to being submerged in the waters of the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near the Johnson Space Center. Astronaut Douglas H. Wheelock, mission specialist, assisted Parazynski.

ISS025-E-017604 (25 Nov. 2010) --- Expedition 25 crew members pose for a photo, each one floating in the entrance to their crew quarters in Node 2. Starting at the top is NASA astronaut Scott Kelly, Expedition 25 flight engineer. On the right is NASA astronaut Shannon Walker,Expedition 24/25 flight engineer. At the bottom is Russian cosmonaut Oleg Skripochka, Expedition 25/26 flight engineer, and on the left is NASA astronaut Douglas H. Wheelock, Expedition 25 commander.

Expedition 24 Flight Engineer and Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin answers a reporter’s question during a press conference held at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan on Monday, June 14, 2010. The launch of the Soyuz spacecraft with Expedition 24 NASA Flight Engineers Shannon Walker and Douglas Wheelock, and Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin is scheduled for Wednesday, June 16, 2010 at 3:35 a.m. Kazakhstan time. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

JSC2007-E-41535 (9 Aug. 2007) --- Astronaut Douglas H. Wheelock, STS-120 mission specialist, uses virtual reality hardware in the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at Johnson Space Center to rehearse some of his duties on the upcoming mission to the International Space Station. This type of virtual reality training allows the astronauts to wear special gloves and other gear while looking at computer displays simulating actual movements around the various locations on the station hardware with which they will be working.

Expedition 24 NASA back-up crew member Cady Coleman answers a reporter’s question during a press conference held at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan on Monday, June 14, 2010. The launch of the Soyuz spacecraft with Expedition 24 NASA Flight Engineers Shannon Walker and Douglas Wheelock, and Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin is scheduled for Wednesday, June 16, 2010 at 3:35 a.m. Kazakhstan time. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

JSC2007-E-41537 (9 Aug. 2007) --- Astronaut Douglas H. Wheelock, STS-120 mission specialist, uses virtual reality hardware in the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at Johnson Space Center to rehearse some of his duties on the upcoming mission to the International Space Station. This type of virtual reality training allows the astronauts to wear special gloves and other gear while looking at computer displays simulating actual movements around the various locations on the station hardware with which they will be working.

The Soyuz TMA-19 rocket launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, June 16, 2010 carrying Expedition 24 NASA Flight Engineers Shannon Walker and Douglas Wheelock, and Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin of Russia to the International Space Station. Their Soyuz TMA-19 rocket launched at 3:35 a.m Kazakhstan time. (Photo Credit: NASA/Carla Cioffi)

JSC2007-E-08811 (7 Feb. 2007) --- Attired in a training version of his shuttle launch and entry suit, astronaut Douglas H. Wheelock, STS-120 mission specialist, awaits the start of a post insertion/de-orbit training session in one of the full-scale trainers (out of frame) in the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at Johnson Space Center.

The Soyuz TMA-19 rocket launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, June 16, 2010 carrying Expedition 24 NASA Flight Engineers Shannon Walker and Douglas Wheelock, and Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin of Russia to the International Space Station. Their Soyuz TMA-19 rocket launched at 3:35 a.m Kazakhstan time. (Photo Credit: NASA/Carla Cioffi)

JSC2007-E-46531 (18 Sept. 2007) --- Astronaut Scott E. Parazynski, STS-120 mission specialist, dons a training version of the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit prior to being submerged in the waters of the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near the Johnson Space Center. Astronaut Douglas H. Wheelock, mission specialist, assisted Parazynski.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility, the mission STS-120 crew members are getting familiar with the Node 2, another element to be added to the International Space Station. Seen here is Mission Specialist Douglas H. Wheelock. Node 2 will provide a passageway between three station science experiment facilities: the U.S. Destiny Laboratory, the Kibo Japanese Experiment Module, and the European Columbus Laboratory. STS-120 is targeted for launch on October 20. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Expedition 24 European Space Agency back-up crew member Paolo Nespoli listens to a reporter’s question during a press conference held at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan on Monday, June 14, 2010. The launch of the Soyuz spacecraft with Expedition 24 NASA Flight Engineers Shannon Walker and Douglas Wheelock, and Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin is scheduled for Wednesday, June 16, 2010 at 3:35 a.m. Kazakhstan time. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

JSC2007-E-18132 (9 April 2007) --- Attired in training versions of their shuttle launch and entry suits, astronauts Pamela A. Melroy (left), STS-120 commander; George D. Zamka, pilot; Douglas H. Wheelock and Scott E. Parazynski, both mission specialists, await the start of a training session in the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at Johnson Space Center.

The Soyuz TMA-19 rocket launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, June 16, 2010 carrying Expedition 24 NASA Flight Engineers Shannon Walker and Douglas Wheelock, and Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin of Russia to the International Space Station. Their Soyuz TMA-19 rocket launched at 3:35 a.m Kazakhstan time. (Photo Credit: NASA/Carla Cioffi)

JSC2007-E-44684 (29 Aug. 2007) --- The STS-120 crewmembers celebrate the end of formal crew training with a cake-cutting ceremony in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at Johnson Space Center. Pictured from the left are astronauts George D. Zamka, pilot; Daniel M. Tani, Expedition 16 flight engineer; Stephanie D. Wilson, mission specialist; Pamela A. Melroy, commander; Douglas H. Wheelock, Scott E. Parazynski, and European Space Agency's (ESA) Paolo Nespoli, all mission specialists. Tani is scheduled to join Expedition 16 after launching to the International Space Station on mission STS-120.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility, the mission STS-120 crew members are getting familiar with the Node 2, another element to be added to the International Space Station. Seen here is Mission Specialist Douglas H. Wheelock, handling some of the equipment on the module. Node 2 will provide a passageway between three station science experiment facilities: the U.S. Destiny Laboratory, the Kibo Japanese Experiment Module, and the European Columbus Laboratory. STS-120 is targeted for launch on October 20. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Inside the Space Station Processing Facility, mission STS-120 crew members familiarize themselves with equipment during a visit to Kennedy Space Center. Crew members are Commander Pam Melroy, Pilot George Zamka and Mission Specialists Scott Parazynski, Douglas Wheelock, Stephanie Wilson, Paolo Nespoli (with the European Space Agency), Daniel Tani and Clayton Anderson. Mission STS-120 will deliver the Node 2 "Harmony" connecting module to the station. During the mission, Tani and Anderson will transfer to the station and remain as flight engineers for Expedition 15. The mission is tentatively scheduled for August of this year. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Mission STS-120 Mission Specialists Douglas Wheelock (left) and Scott Parazynski familiarize themselves with equipment inside the Space Station Processing Facility during a visit to Kennedy Space Center. Other crew members include Commander Pam Melroy, Pilot George Zamka and Mission Specialists Stephanie Wilson, Paolo Nespoli (with the European Space Agency), Daniel Tani and Clayton Anderson. Mission STS-120 will deliver the Node 2 "Harmony" connecting module to the station. During the mission, Tani and Anderson will transfer to the station and remain as flight engineers for Expedition 15. The mission is tentatively scheduled for August of this year. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Mission STS-120 Mission Specialist Daniel Tani familiarizes himself with equipment inside the Space Station Processing Facility during a visit to Kennedy Space Center. Other STS-120 crew members include Commander Pam Melroy, Pilot George Zamka, and Mission Specialists Scott Parazynski, Douglas Wheelock, Stephanie Wilson, Paolo Nespoli (with the European Space Agency) and Clayton Anderson. Mission STS-120 will deliver the Node 2 "Harmony" connecting module to the station. During the mission, Tani and Anderson will transfer to the station and remain as flight engineers for Expedition 15. The mission is tentatively scheduled for August of this year. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility, STS-120 Mission Specialists Scott Parazynski (left), Paolo Angelo Nespoli (center) and Douglas H. Wheelock practice using some of the equipment for the Node 2, another element to be added to the International Space Station. They and other crew members are at KSC for equipment familiarization. Node 2 will provide a passageway between three station science experiment facilities: the U.S. Destiny Laboratory, the Kibo Japanese Experiment Module, and the European Columbus Laboratory. STS-120 is targeted for launch on October 20. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility, the mission STS-120 crew members are getting familiar with the Node 2, another element to be added to the International Space Station. Seen here are Mission Specialists Paolo Angelo Nespoli (left) and Douglas H. Wheelock. Nespoli represents the European Space Agency. Node 2 will provide a passageway between three station science experiment facilities: the U.S. Destiny Laboratory, the Kibo Japanese Experiment Module, and the European Columbus Laboratory. STS-120 is targeted for launch on October 20. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Mission STS-120 Mission Specialist Daniel Tani and Commander Pam Melroy familiarize themselves with the Node 2 Harmony module inside the Space Station Processing Facility during a visit to Kennedy Space Center. Other crew members include Pilot George Zamka and Mission Specialists Scott Parazynski, Douglas Wheelock, Stephanie Wilson, Paolo Nespoli (with the European Space Agency) and Clayton Anderson. Mission STS-120 will deliver the Node 2 "Harmony" connecting module to the station. During the mission, Tani and Anderson will transfer to the station and remain as flight engineers for Expedition 15. The mission is tentatively scheduled for August of this year. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Mission STS-120 Commander Pam Melroy familiarizes herself with the Node 2 Harmony module inside the Space Station Processing Facility during a visit to Kennedy Space Center. Other STS-120 crew members include Pilot George Zamka and Mission Specialists Scott Parazynski, Douglas Wheelock, Stephanie Wilson, Paolo Nespoli (with the European Space Agency), Daniel Tani and Clayton Anderson. Mission STS-120 will deliver the Node 2 "Harmony" connecting module to the station. During the mission, Tani and Anderson will transfer to the station and remain as flight engineers for Expedition 15. The mission is tentatively scheduled for August of this year. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Mission STS-120 Mission Specialists Douglas Wheelock (left) and Scott Parazynski familiarize themselves with equipment inside the Space Station Processing Facility during a visit to Kennedy Space Center. Other crew members include Commander Pam Melroy, Pilot George Zamka and Mission Specialists Stephanie Wilson, Paolo Nespoli (with the European Space Agency), Daniel Tani and Clayton Anderson. Mission STS-120 will deliver the Node 2 "Harmony" connecting module to the station. During the mission, Tani and Anderson will transfer to the station and remain as flight engineers for Expedition 15. The mission is tentatively scheduled for August of this year. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- During a familiarization visit to the Space Station Processing Facility, mission STS-120 Mission Specialist Stephanie Wilson, Commander Pam Melroy and Pilot George Zamka review safety procedures. Other STS-120 crew members include Mission Specialists Scott Parazynski, Douglas Wheelock, Daniel Tani, Paolo Nespoli (with the European Space Agency) and Clayton Anderson. Mission STS-120 will deliver the Node 2 "Harmony" connecting module to the station. During the mission, Tani and Anderson will transfer to the station and remain as flight engineers for Expedition 15. The mission is tentatively scheduled for August of this year. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- With the NASA logo serving as a backdrop, STS-120 Mission Specialist Scott Parazynski familiarizes himself with equipment inside the Space Station Processing Facility during a visit to Kennedy Space Center. Other crew members include Commander Pam Melroy, Pilot George Zamka, and Mission Specialists Douglas Wheelock, Stephanie Wilson, Daniel Tani, Paolo Nespoli (with the European Space Agency) and Clayton Anderson. Mission STS-120 will deliver the Node 2 "Harmony" connecting module to the station. During the mission, Tani and Anderson will transfer to the station and remain as flight engineers for Expedition 15. The mission is tentatively scheduled for August of this year. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

JSC2007-E-08823 (7 Feb. 2007) --- Attired in training versions of their shuttle launch and entry suit, STS-120 crewmembers enjoy a light moment as they await the start of a post insertion/de-orbit training session in one of the full-scale trainers (out of frame) in the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at Johnson Space Center. Pictured are astronauts George D. Zamka (standing), pilot; Stephanie D. Wilson (seated, left), Scott E. Parazynski, Douglas H. Wheelock and European Space Agency's (ESA) Paolo Nespoli, all mission specialists. Also pictured (background) are United Space Alliance (USA) suit technicians Daniel E. Palmer and Andre Denard.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility, STS-120 Mission Specialists Paolo Angelo Nespoli (left) and Douglas H. Wheelock practice using some of the equipment for the Node 2, another element to be added to the International Space Station. They and other crew members are at KSC for equipment familiarization. Node 2 will provide a passageway between three station science experiment facilities: the U.S. Destiny Laboratory, the Kibo Japanese Experiment Module, and the European Columbus Laboratory. STS-120 is targeted for launch on October 20. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Inside the Space Station Processing Facility, mission STS-120 crew members familiarize themselves with equipment during a visit to Kennedy Space Center. Crew members are Commander Pam Melroy, Pilot George Zamka and Mission Specialists Scott Parazynski, Douglas Wheelock, Stephanie Wilson, Paolo Nespoli (with the European Space Agency), Daniel Tani and Clayton Anderson. Mission STS-120 will deliver the Node 2 "Harmony" connecting module to the station. During the mission, Tani and Anderson will transfer to the station and remain as flight engineers for Expedition 15. The mission is tentatively scheduled for August of this year. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Mission STS-120 Mission Specialist Daniel Tani familiarizes himself with equipment inside the Space Station Processing Facility during a visit to Kennedy Space Center. Other STS-120 crew members include Commander Pam Melroy, Pilot George Zamka, and Mission Specialists Scott Parazynski, Douglas Wheelock, Stephanie Wilson, Paolo Nespoli (with the European Space Agency) and Clayton Anderson. Mission STS-120 will deliver the Node 2 "Harmony" connecting module to the station. During the mission, Tani and Anderson will transfer to the station and remain as flight engineers for Expedition 15. The mission is tentatively scheduled for August of this year. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Inside the Space Station Processing Facility, mission STS-120 crew members familiarize themselves with equipment. Beginning third from left are Commander Pam Melroy, Mission Specialists Paolo Nespoli (with the European Space Agency), Douglas Wheelock and Scott Parazynski. Other crew members include Pilot George Zamka and Mission Specialists Stephanie Wilson, Daniel Tani and Clayton Anderson. Mission STS-120 will deliver the Node 2 "Harmony" connecting module to the station. During the mission, Tani and Anderson will transfer to the station and remain as flight engineers for Expedition 15. The mission is tentatively scheduled for August of this year. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

JSC2007-E-18060 (9 April 2007) --- Astronauts Daniel M. Tani (foreground right), Expedition 16 flight engineer; European Space Agency's (ESA) Paolo Nespoli (background right) and Douglas H. Wheelock (background center), both STS-120 mission specialists, don training versions of their shuttle launch and entry suits in preparation for a training session in the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at the Johnson Space Center. Tani is scheduled to join Expedition 16 as flight engineer after launching to the International Space Station on mission STS-120 and is scheduled to return home on mission STS-122. United Space Alliance suit technician Ryan Carabaja assisted Tani.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Mission STS-120 Mission Specialist Scott Parazynski familiarizes himself with equipment inside the Space Station Processing Facility during a visit to Kennedy Space Center. Other STS-120 crew members include Commander Pam Melroy, Pilot George Zamka, and Mission Specialists Douglas Wheelock, Stephanie Wilson, Daniel Tani, Paolo Nespoli (with the European Space Agency) and Clayton Anderson. Mission STS-120 will deliver the Node 2 "Harmony" connecting module to the station. During the mission, Tani and Anderson will transfer to the station and remain as flight engineers for Expedition 15. The mission is tentatively scheduled for August of this year. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Mission STS-120 Mission Specialists Douglas Wheelock and Paolo Nespoli (with the European Space Agency) familiarize themselves with equipment inside the Space Station Processing Facility during a visit to Kennedy Space Center. Other crew members include Commander Pam Melroy, Pilot George Zamka and Mission Specialists Scott Parazynski, Stephanie Wilson, Daniel Tani and Clayton Anderson. Mission STS-120 will deliver the Node 2 "Harmony" connecting module to the station. During the mission, Tani and Anderson will transfer to the station and remain as flight engineers for Expedition 15. The mission is tentatively scheduled for August of this year. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3, STS-120 crew members practice handling tools they will use during the mission. Around the table, at center, dressed in blue flight suits are Mission Specialists Scott E. Parazynski, Douglas H. Wheelock, Paolo A. Nespoli and Expedition 16 Flight Engineer Daniel M. Tani. Between Wheelock and Nespoli is Allison Bolinger, an EVA technician with NASA. In the foreground is Dina Contella, a thermal protection system specialist with NASA. Nespoli is a European Space Agency astronaut from Italy. The STS-120 crew is at Kennedy for a crew equipment interface test, or CEIT, which includes harness training, inspection of the thermal protection system and camera operation for planned extravehicular activities, or EVAs. The STS-120 mission will deliver the Harmony module, christened after a school contest, which will provide attachment points for European and Japanese laboratory modules on the International Space Station. Known in technical circles as Node 2, it is similar to the six-sided Unity module that links the U.S. and Russian sections of the station. Built in Italy for the United States, Harmony will be the first new U.S. pressurized component to be added. The STS-120 mission is targeted to launch on Oct. 20. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Inside the Space Station Processing Facility, mission STS-120 Commander Pam Melroy stands inside the Node 2 Harmony module to familiarize herself with equipment during a visit to Kennedy Space Center. Other STS-120 crew members include Pilot George Zamka and Mission Specialists Scott Parazynski, Douglas Wheelock, Stephanie Wilson, Paolo Nespoli (with the European Space Agency), Daniel Tani and Clayton Anderson. Mission STS-120 will deliver the Node 2 "Harmony" connecting module to the station. During the mission, Tani and Anderson will transfer to the station and remain as flight engineers for Expedition 15. The mission is tentatively scheduled for August of this year. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

A photographer used a fisheye lens attached to an electronic still camera to record a series of photos of the Space Shuttle Discovery at the launch pad while the STS-120 crew was at Kennedy Space Center for the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test in October 2007. The STS-120 mission launched from Kennedy Space Center's launch pad 39A at 11:38:19 a.m. (EDT) on October 23, 2007. The crew included Scott E. Parazynski, Douglas H. Wheelock, Stephanie D. Wilson, all mission specialists; George D. Zamka, pilot; Pamela A. Melroy, commander; Daniel M. Tani, Expedition 16 flight engineer; and Paolo A. Nespoli, mission specialist representing the European Space Agency (ESA). Major objectives included the installation of the P6 solar array of the port truss and delivery and installment of Harmony, the Italian-built U.S. Node 2 on the International Space Station (ISS).

These seven astronauts took a break from training to pose for the STS-120 crew portrait. Pictured from the left are astronauts Scott E. Parazynski, Douglas H. Wheelock, Stephanie D. Wilson, all mission specialists; George D. Zamka, pilot; Pamela A. Melroy, commander; Daniel M. Tani, Expedition 16 flight engineer; and Paolo A. Nespoli, mission specialist representing the European Space Agency (ESA). The crew members were attired in training versions of their shuttle launch and entry suits. Tani joined Expedition 16 as flight engineer after launching to the International Space Station (ISS) and is scheduled to return home on mission STS-122. STS-120 launched October 23, 2007 with the main objectives of installing the U.S. Node 2, Harmony, and the relocation and deployment of the P6 truss to its permanent location.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Mission STS-120 crew members familiarize themselves with equipment inside the Space Station Processing Facility during a visit to Kennedy Space Center. Standing from left, are Mission Specialists Stephanie Wilson, Paolo Nespoli (with the European Space Agency), Scott Parazynski and Commander Pam Melroy. In the foreground at left is Mission Specialist Daniel Tani. Other crew members include Pilot George Zamka and Mission Specialists Douglas Wheelock and Clayton Anderson. Mission STS-120 will deliver the Node 2 "Harmony" connecting module to the station. During the mission, Tani and Anderson will transfer to the station and remain as flight engineers for Expedition 15. The mission is tentatively scheduled for August of this year. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Mission STS-120 crew members familiarize themselves with equipment and payloads inside the Space Station Processing Facility during a visit to Kennedy Space Center. Standing inside the Node 2 Harmony module are (from left) Mission Specialists Clayton Anderson and Stephanie Wilson. Other crew members include Commander Pam Melroy, Pilot George Zamka and Mission Specialists Scott Parazynski, Douglas Wheelock, Daniel Tani, Paolo Nespoli (with the European Space Agency) and Clayton Anderson. Mission STS-120 will deliver the Node 2 "Harmony" connecting module to the station. During the mission, Tani and Anderson will transfer to the station and remain as flight engineers for Expedition 15. The mission is tentatively scheduled for August of this year. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

JOHNSON SPACE CENTER, Houston, Texas -- STS120-S-002 -- These seven astronauts take a break from training to pose for the STS-120 crew portrait. Pictured from the left are astronauts Scott E. Parazynski, Douglas H. Wheelock, Stephanie D. Wilson, all mission specialists; George D. Zamka, pilot; Pamela A. Melroy, commander; Daniel M. Tani, Expedition 15 flight engineer; and Paolo A. Nespoli, mission specialist representing the European Space Agency (ESA). The crewmembers are attired in training versions of their shuttle launch and entry suits. Tani is scheduled to join Expedition 15 as flight engineer after launching to the International Space Station on mission STS-120 and is scheduled to return home on mission STS-122.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Inside the Space Station Processing Facility, mission STS-120 crew members familiarize themselves with the Node 2 Harmony module during a visit to Kennedy Space Center. From left are Mission Specialist Scott Parazynski, Commander Pam Melroy and Mission Specialist Stephanie Wilson. Other crew members include Pilot George Zamka and Mission Specialists Douglas Wheelock, Paoli Nespoli (with the European Space Agency), Daniel Tani and Clayton Anderson. Mission STS-120 will deliver the Node 2 "Harmony" connecting module to the station. During the mission, Tani and Anderson will transfer to the station and remain as flight engineers for Expedition 15. The mission is tentatively scheduled for August of this year. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Mission STS-120 crew members familiarize themselves with equipment inside the Space Station Processing Facility during a visit to Kennedy Space Center. From the left are Commander Pam Melroy and Mission Specialists Paolo Nespoli (with the European Space Agency), Daniel Tani, Douglas Wheelock and Scott Parazynski. Other crew members include Pilot George Zamka and Mission Specialists Stephanie Wilson and Clayton Anderson. Mission STS-120 will deliver the Node 2 "Harmony" connecting module to the station. During the mission, Tani and Anderson will transfer to the station and remain as flight engineers for Expedition 15. The mission is tentatively scheduled for August of this year. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

STS120-S-002 (16 Feb. 2007) --- These seven astronauts take a break from training to pose for the STS-120 crew portrait. Pictured from the left are astronauts Scott E. Parazynski, Douglas H. Wheelock, Stephanie D. Wilson, all mission specialists; George D. Zamka, pilot; Pamela A. Melroy, commander; Daniel M. Tani, Expedition 16 flight engineer; and Paolo A. Nespoli, mission specialist representing the European Space Agency (ESA). The crewmembers are attired in training versions of their shuttle launch and entry suits. Tani is scheduled to join Expedition 16 as flight engineer after launching to the International Space Station on mission STS-120 and is scheduled to return home on mission STS-122.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Mission STS-120 Mission Specialists Clayton Anderson (left) and Daniel Tani familiarize themselves with the Node 2 Harmony module inside the Space Station Processing Facility during a visit to Kennedy Space Center. Other crew members include Commander Pam Melroy, Pilot George Zamka, and Mission Specialists Scott Parazynski, Douglas Wheelock, Stephanie Wilson and Paolo Nespoli (with the European Space Agency). Mission STS-120 will deliver the Node 2 "Harmony" connecting module to the station. During the mission, Tani and Anderson will transfer to the station and remain as flight engineers for Expedition 15. The mission is tentatively scheduled for August of this year. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Astronaut George Zamka, STS-120 pilot, is seated at the pilot's station on the forward flight deck of the Space Shuttle Discovery during rendezvous and docking operations with the International Space Station (ISS). The STS-120 mission launched from Kennedy Space Center's launch pad 39A at 11:38:19 a.m. (EDT) on October 23, 2007. The crew also included Scott E. Parazynski, Douglas H. Wheelock, Stephanie D. Wilson, all mission specialists; Pamela A. Melroy, commander; Daniel M. Tani, Expedition 16 flight engineer; and Paolo A. Nespoli, mission specialist representing the European Space Agency (ESA). Major objectives included the installation of the P6 solar array of the port truss and delivery and installment of Harmony, the Italian-built U.S. Node 2 on the ISS.

JSC2007-E-18090 (9 April 2007) --- Attired in training versions of their shuttle launch and entry suits, the STS-120 crewmembers await the start of a training session in the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at Johnson Space Center. From the left are astronauts Pamela A. Melroy, STS-120 commander; Daniel M. Tani, Expedition 16 flight engineer; George D. Zamka, STS-120 pilot; Douglas H. Wheelock, Scott E. Parazynski, Stephanie D. Wilson and European Space Agency's (ESA) Paolo Nespoli, all mission specialists. Tani is scheduled to join Expedition 16 as flight engineer after launching to the International Space Station on mission STS-120 and is scheduled to return home on mission STS-122.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Mission STS-120 crew members familiarize themselves with equipment and payloads inside the Space Station Processing Facility during a visit to Kennedy Space Center. Standing in front of the Node 2 Harmony module is Paolo Nespoli, who is with the European Space Agency. Other STS-120 crew members include Commander Pam Melroy, Pilot George Zamka and Mission Specialists Scott Parazynski, Douglas Wheelock, Stephanie Wilson, Daniel Tani and Clayton Anderson. Mission STS-120 will deliver the Node 2 "Harmony" connecting module to the station. During the mission, Tani and Anderson will transfer to the station and remain as flight engineers for Expedition 15. The mission is tentatively scheduled for August of this year. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The STS-120 crew takes a break from activities during their crew equipment interface test, or CEIT, to pose for a portrait in front of one of space shuttle Discovery's main engines. From left are Mission Specialist Scott E. Parazynski, Expedition 16 Flight Engineer Daniel M. Tani, Mission Specialist Stephanie D. Wilson, Commander Pamela A. Melroy, Mission Specialist Douglas H. Wheelock, Pilot George D. Zamka and Mission Specialist Paolo A. Nespoli, a European Space Agency astronaut from Italy. Among the activities standard to a CEIT are harness training, inspection of the thermal protection system and camera operation for planned extravehicular activities, or EVAs. The STS-120 mission will deliver the Harmony module, christened after a school contest, which will provide attachment points for European and Japanese laboratory modules on the International Space Station. Known in technical circles as Node 2, it is similar to the six-sided Unity module that links the U.S. and Russian sections of the station. Built in Italy for the United States, Harmony will be the first new U.S. pressurized component to be added. The STS-120 mission is targeted to launch on Oct. 20. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton

In the Orbiter Processing Facility, 1998 astronaut candidates (ASCAN) Barbara R. Morgan, Patricia C. Hilliard (M.D.) and Bjarni V. Tryggvason look at the hardware exhibits, such as the engine actuator on the table. Tryggvason is with the Canadian Space Agency. The 1998 ASCAN class is at KSC for training activities, including fire training and a flight awareness program, plus touring the OPF, SSME Processing Facility, VAB, SSPF, launch pads, SLF, Apollo/Saturn V Center and the crew headquarters. Other U.S. candidates in the '98 class are Clayton C. Anderson, Lee J. Archambault, Tracy E. Caldwell (Ph.D.), Gregory E. Chamitoff (Ph.D.), Timothy J. Creamer, Christopher J. Ferguson, Michael J. Foreman, Michael E. Fossum, Kenneth T. Ham, Gregory C. Johnson, Gregory H. Johnson, Stanley G. Love (Ph.D.), Leland D. Melvin, William A. Oefelein, John D. Olivas (Ph.D.), Nicholas J.M. Patrick (Ph.D.), Alan G. Poindexter, Garrett E. Reisman (Ph.D.), Steven R. Swanson, Douglas H. Wheelock, Sunita L. Williams, Neil W. Woodward III, George D. Zamka; and the other international candidates are Leopold Eyharts, Paolo Nespoli, Hans Schlegel, Roberto Vittori, and Marcos Pontes

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility, Ron Woods (left) shows members of the 1998 astronaut candidate class (group 17) an Apollo-style space suit and how it differs from the current suits. The class is taking part in training activities, including fire training and a flight awareness program, plus touring the OPF, VAB, SSPF, launch pads, SLF, Apollo/Saturn V Center, the crew headquarters, as well as the SSME Processing Facility. The U.S. candidates in the '98 class are Clayton C. Anderson, Lee J. Archambault, Tracy E. Caldwell (Ph.D.), Gregory E. Chamitoff (Ph.D.), Timothy J. Creamer, Christopher J. Ferguson, Michael J. Foreman, Michael E. Fossum, Kenneth T. Ham, Patricia C. Hilliard (M.D.), Gregory C. Johnson, Gregory H. Johnson, Stanley G. Love (Ph.D.), Leland D. Melvin, Barbara R. Morgan, William A. Oefelein, John D. Olivas (Ph.D.), Nicholas J.M. Patrick (Ph.D.), Alan G. Poindexter, Garrett E. Reisman (Ph.D.), Steven R. Swanson, Douglas H. Wheelock, Sunita L. Williams, Neil W. Woodward III, George D. Zamka; and the international candidates are Leopold Eyharts, Paolo Nespoli, Hans Schlegel, Roberto Vittori, Bjarni V. Tryggvason, and Marcos Pontes

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3, STS-120 Mission Specialists Scott E. Parazynski, Douglas H. Wheelock and Paolo A. Nespoli inspect tools they will use during the mission. Nespoli is a European Space Agency astronaut from Italy. Behind them is Allison Bolinger, an EVA technician with NASA. The STS-120 crew is at Kennedy for a crew equipment interface test, or CEIT, which includes harness training, inspection of the thermal protection system and camera operation for planned extravehicular activities, or EVAs. The STS-120 mission will deliver the Harmony module, christened after a school contest, which will provide attachment points for European and Japanese laboratory modules on the International Space Station. Known in technical circles as Node 2, it is similar to the six-sided Unity module that links the U.S. and Russian sections of the station. Built in Italy for the United States, Harmony will be the first new U.S. pressurized component to be added. The STS-120 mission is targeted to launch on Oct. 20. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton

Members of the 1998 astronaut candidate class (group 17) look at the aft of a Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) (right). The class is at KSC for training activities, including fire training and a flight awareness program, plus touring the OPF, VAB, SSPF, launch pads, SLF, Apollo/Saturn V Center, the crew headquarters, as well as the SSME Processing Facility. The U.S. candidates in the '98 class are Clayton C. Anderson, Lee J. Archambault, Tracy E. Caldwell (Ph.D.), Gregory E. Chamitoff (Ph.D.), Timothy J. Creamer, Christopher J. Ferguson, Michael J. Foreman, Michael E. Fossum, Kenneth T. Ham, Patricia C. Hilliard (M.D.), Gregory C. Johnson, Gregory H. Johnson, Stanley G. Love (Ph.D.), Leland D. Melvin, Barbara R. Morgan, William A. Oefelein, John D. Olivas (Ph.D.), Nicholas J.M. Patrick (Ph.D.), Alan G. Poindexter, Garrett E. Reisman (Ph.D.), Steven R. Swanson, Douglas H. Wheelock, Sunita L. Williams, Neil W. Woodward III, George D. Zamka; and the international candidates are Leopold Eyharts, Paolo Nespoli, Hans Schlegel, Roberto Vittori, Bjarni V. Tryggvason, and Marcos Pontes

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility (SSPF), members of the 1998 astronaut candidate class (group 17) are shown future components of the International Space Station, such as the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module at right. The class is taking part in training activities, including fire training and a flight awareness program, plus touring the OPF, VAB, SSME Processing Facility, launch pads, SLF, Apollo/Saturn V Center, the crew headquarters, as well as the SSPF. The U.S. candidates in the '98 class are Clayton C. Anderson, Lee J. Archambault, Tracy E. Caldwell (Ph.D.), Gregory E. Chamitoff (Ph.D.), Timothy J. Creamer, Christopher J. Ferguson, Michael J. Foreman, Michael E. Fossum, Kenneth T. Ham, Patricia C. Hilliard (M.D.), Gregory C. Johnson, Gregory H. Johnson, Stanley G. Love (Ph.D.), Leland D. Melvin, Barbara R. Morgan, William A. Oefelein, John D. Olivas (Ph.D.), Nicholas J.M. Patrick (Ph.D.), Alan G. Poindexter, Garrett E. Reisman (Ph.D.), Steven R. Swanson, Douglas H. Wheelock, Sunita L. Williams, Neil W. Woodward III, George D. Zamka; and the international candidates are Leopold Eyharts, Paolo Nespoli, Hans Schlegel, Roberto Vittori, Bjarni V. Tryggvason, and Marcos Pontes

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The STS-120 crew is at Kennedy for a crew equipment interface test, or CEIT. Inspecting the thermal protection system, or TPS, tiles under space shuttle Discovery in Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3 are, from left, Mission Specialist Douglas H. Wheelock (standing); Pilot George D. Zamka; Mission Specialist Paolo A. Nespoli, a European Space Agency astronaut from Italy; Allison Bolinger (pointing), an EVA technician with NASA; Commander Pamela A. Melroy; Mission Specialists Scott E. Parazynski and Stephanie D. Wilson; two support personnel and Erin Schlichenmaier, with United Space Alliance TPS Engineering. Among the activities standard to a CEIT are harness training, inspection of the thermal protection system and camera operation for planned extravehicular activities, or EVAs. The STS-120 mission will deliver the Harmony module, christened after a school contest, which will provide attachment points for European and Japanese laboratory modules on the International Space Station. Known in technical circles as Node 2, it is similar to the six-sided Unity module that links the U.S. and Russian sections of the station. Built in Italy for the United States, Harmony will be the first new U.S. pressurized component to be added. The STS-120 mission is targeted to launch on Oct. 20. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The STS-120 crew is at Kennedy for a crew equipment interface test, or CEIT. From left in blue flight suits, STS-120 Mission Specialist Douglas H. Wheelock, Commander Pamela A. Melroy and Mission Specialist Scott E. Parazynski receive instruction in Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3 on the operation of cameras that will fly on their mission. Among the activities standard to a CEIT are harness training, inspection of the thermal protection system and camera operation for planned extravehicular activities, or EVAs. The STS-120 mission will deliver the Harmony module, christened after a school contest, which will provide attachment points for European and Japanese laboratory modules on the International Space Station. Known in technical circles as Node 2, it is similar to the six-sided Unity module that links the U.S. and Russian sections of the station. Built in Italy for the United States, Harmony will be the first new U.S. pressurized component to be added. The STS-120 mission is targeted to launch on Oct. 20. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At the Apollo/Saturn V Center, some of the 1998 astronaut candidate class (group 17) take a close look at the Saturn V rocket on display. The U.S. candidates include Clayton C. Anderson, Lee J. Archambault, Tracy E. Caldwell (Ph.D.), Gregory E. Chamitoff (Ph.D.), Timothy J. Creamer, Christopher J. Ferguson, Michael J. Foreman, Michael E. Fossum, Kenneth T. Ham, Patricia C. Hilliard (M.D.), Gregory C. Johnson, Gregory H. Johnson, Stanley G. Love (Ph.D.), Leland D. Melvin, Barbara R. Morgan, William A. Oefelein, John D. Olivas (Ph.D.), Nicholas J.M. Patrick (Ph.D.), Alan G. Poindexter, Garrett E. Reisman (Ph.D.), Steven R. Swanson, Douglas H. Wheelock, Sunita L. Williams, Neil W. Woodward III, George D. Zamka; and international candidates Leopold Eyharts, Paolo Nespoli, Hans Schlegel, Roberto Vittori, Bjarni V. Tryggvason, and Marcos Pontes. The class is at KSC for training activities, including fire training and a flight awareness program, plus touring the OPF, SSME Processing Facility, VAB, SSPF, launch pads, SLF, Apollo/Saturn V Center and the crew headquarters

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On the grounds of the Kennedy Space Center, members of the 1998 astronaut candidate class (Group 17) take part in fire training. The class is taking part in training activities, including a flight awareness program, plus touring the OPF, VAB, SSPF, SSME Processing Facility, launch pads, SLF, Apollo/Saturn V Center, and the crew quarters. The U.S. candidates in the '98 class are Clayton C. Anderson, Lee J. Archambault, Tracy E. Caldwell (Ph.D.), Gregory E. Chamitoff (Ph.D.), Timothy J. Creamer, Christopher J. Ferguson, Michael J. Foreman, Michael E. Fossum, Kenneth T. Ham, Patricia C. Hilliard (M.D.), Gregory C. Johnson, Gregory H. Johnson, Stanley G. Love (Ph.D.), Leland D. Melvin, Barbara R. Morgan, William A. Oefelein, John D. Olivas (Ph.D.), Nicholas J.M. Patrick (Ph.D.), Alan G. Poindexter, Garrett E. Reisman (Ph.D.), Steven R. Swanson, Douglas H. Wheelock, Sunita L. Williams, Neil W. Woodward III, George D. Zamka; and the international candidates are Leopold Eyharts, Paolo Nespoli, Hans Schlegel, Roberto Vittori, Bjarni V. Tryggvason, and Marcos Pontes

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The STS-120 crew is at Kennedy for a crew equipment interface test, or CEIT. In Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3, from left in blue flight suits, STS-120 Mission Specialist Stephanie D. Wilson, Commander Pamela A. Melroy, Pilot George D. Zamka, Mission Specialist Scott E. Parazynski (back to camera), Mission Specialist Douglas H. Wheelock and Mission Specialist Paolo A. Nespoli (holding camera), a European Space Agency astronaut from Italy, are given the opportunity to operate the cameras that will fly on their mission. Among the activities standard to a CEIT are harness training, inspection of the thermal protection system and camera operation for planned extravehicular activities, or EVAs. The STS-120 mission will deliver the Harmony module, christened after a school contest, which will provide attachment points for European and Japanese laboratory modules on the International Space Station. Known in technical circles as Node 2, it is similar to the six-sided Unity module that links the U.S. and Russian sections of the station. Built in Italy for the United States, Harmony will be the first new U.S. pressurized component to be added. The STS-120 mission is targeted to launch on Oct. 20. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton

Members of the 1998 astronaut candidate class (group 17) learn about the use of the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) Processing Facility. At left is one of the main shuttle engines. The class is at KSC for training activities, including fire training and a flight awareness program, plus touring the OPF, VAB, SSPF, launch pads, SLF, Apollo/Saturn V Center, the crew headquarters, as well as the SSME Processing Facility. The U.S. candidates in the '98 class are Clayton C. Anderson, Lee J. Archambault, Tracy E. Caldwell (Ph.D.), Gregory E. Chamitoff (Ph.D.), Timothy J. Creamer, Christopher J. Ferguson, Michael J. Foreman, Michael E. Fossum, Kenneth T. Ham, Patricia C. Hilliard (M.D.), Gregory C. Johnson, Gregory H. Johnson, Stanley G. Love (Ph.D.), Leland D. Melvin, Barbara R. Morgan, William A. Oefelein, John D. Olivas (Ph.D.), Nicholas J.M. Patrick (Ph.D.), Alan G. Poindexter, Garrett E. Reisman (Ph.D.), Steven R. Swanson, Douglas H. Wheelock, Sunita L. Williams, Neil W. Woodward III, George D. Zamka; and the international candidates are Leopold Eyharts, Paolo Nespoli, Hans Schlegel, Roberto Vittori, Bjarni V. Tryggvason, and Marcos Pontes

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On their tour of KSC, members of the 1998 astronaut candidate class (group 17) stop at the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) Processing Facility for a close up look at a main shuttle engine. The class is taking part in training activities, including fire training and a flight awareness program, plus touring the OPF, VAB, SSPF, launch pads, SLF, Apollo/Saturn V Center, the crew headquarters, as well as the SSME Processing Facility. The U.S. candidates in the '98 class are Clayton C. Anderson, Lee J. Archambault, Tracy E. Caldwell (Ph.D.), Gregory E. Chamitoff (Ph.D.), Timothy J. Creamer, Christopher J. Ferguson, Michael J. Foreman, Michael E. Fossum, Kenneth T. Ham, Patricia C. Hilliard (M.D.), Gregory C. Johnson, Gregory H. Johnson, Stanley G. Love (Ph.D.), Leland D. Melvin, Barbara R. Morgan, William A. Oefelein, John D. Olivas (Ph.D.), Nicholas J.M. Patrick (Ph.D.), Alan G. Poindexter, Garrett E. Reisman (Ph.D.), Steven R. Swanson, Douglas H. Wheelock, Sunita L. Williams, Neil W. Woodward III, George D. Zamka; and the international candidates are Leopold Eyharts, Paolo Nespoli, Hans Schlegel, Roberto Vittori, Bjarni V. Tryggvason, and Marcos Pontes

The 1998 astronaut candidate class (group 17) gather in the Space Shuttle Main Engine Processing (SSMEP) Facility. In the foreground is one of the main shuttle engines. The class is at KSC for training activities, including fire training and a flight awareness program, plus touring the OPF, SSME Processing Facility, VAB, SSPF, launch pads, SLF, Apollo/Saturn V Center and the crew headquarters. The U.S. candidates in the '98 class are Clayton C. Anderson, Lee J. Archambault, Tracy E. Caldwell (Ph.D.), Gregory E. Chamitoff (Ph.D.), Timothy J. Creamer, Christopher J. Ferguson, Michael J. Foreman, Michael E. Fossum, Kenneth T. Ham, Patricia C. Hilliard (M.D.), Gregory C. Johnson, Gregory H. Johnson, Stanley G. Love (Ph.D.), Leland D. Melvin, Barbara R. Morgan, William A. Oefelein, John D. Olivas (Ph.D.), Nicholas J.M. Patrick (Ph.D.), Alan G. Poindexter, Garrett E. Reisman (Ph.D.), Steven R. Swanson, Douglas H. Wheelock, Sunita L. Williams, Neil W. Woodward III, George D. Zamka; and the international candidates are Leopold Eyharts, Paolo Nespoli, Hans Schlegel, Roberto Vittori, Bjarni V. Tryggvason, and Marcos Pontes

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On the grounds of the Kennedy Space Center, members of the 1998 astronaut candidate class (Group 17) watch as candidate Clayton C. Anderson practices using firefighting equipment during fire training. The class is at KSC for training activities, including a flight awareness program, plus touring the OPF, VAB, SSPF, SSME Processing Facility, launch pads, SLF, Apollo/Saturn V Center, and the crew quarters. The other U.S. candidates in the '98 class are Lee J. Archambault, Tracy E. Caldwell (Ph.D.), Gregory E. Chamitoff (Ph.D.), Timothy J. Creamer, Christopher J. Ferguson, Michael J. Foreman, Michael E. Fossum, Kenneth T. Ham, Patricia C. Hilliard (M.D.), Gregory C. Johnson, Gregory H. Johnson, Stanley G. Love (Ph.D.), Leland D. Melvin, Barbara R. Morgan, William A. Oefelein, John D. Olivas (Ph.D.), Nicholas J.M. Patrick (Ph.D.), Alan G. Poindexter, Garrett E. Reisman (Ph.D.), Steven R. Swanson, Douglas H. Wheelock, Sunita L. Williams, Neil W. Woodward III, George D. Zamka; and the international candidates are Leopold Eyharts, Paolo Nespoli, Hans Schlegel, Roberto Vittori, Bjarni V. Tryggvason, and Marcos Pontes

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On the grounds of the Kennedy Space Center, members of the 1998 astronaut candidate class (Group 17) watch as candidate Tracy E. Caldwell (Ph.D.) practices using firefighting equipment during fire training. The class is at KSC for training activities, including a flight awareness program, plus touring the OPF, VAB, SSPF, SSME Processing Facility, launch pads, SLF, Apollo/Saturn V Center, and the crew quarters. The other U.S. candidates in the '98 class are Clayton C. Anderson, Lee J. Archambault, Gregory E. Chamitoff (Ph.D.), Timothy J. Creamer, Christopher J. Ferguson, Michael J. Foreman, Michael E. Fossum, Kenneth T. Ham, Patricia C. Hilliard (M.D.), Gregory C. Johnson, Gregory H. Johnson, Stanley G. Love (Ph.D.), Leland D. Melvin, Barbara R. Morgan, William A. Oefelein, John D. Olivas (Ph.D.), Nicholas J.M. Patrick (Ph.D.), Alan G. Poindexter, Garrett E. Reisman (Ph.D.), Steven R. Swanson, Douglas H. Wheelock, Sunita L. Williams, Neil W. Woodward III, George D. Zamka; and the international candidates are Leopold Eyharts, Paolo Nespoli, Hans Schlegel, Roberto Vittori, Bjarni V. Tryggvason, and Marcos Pontes

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3, STS-120 Mission Specialists Scott E. Parazynski, Douglas H. Wheelock and Paolo A. Nespoli inspect tools they will use during the mission. Nespoli is a European Space Agency astronaut from Italy. With them is Allison Bolinger, an EVA technician with NASA. The STS-120 crew is at Kennedy for a crew equipment interface test, or CEIT, which includes harness training, inspection of the thermal protection system and camera operation for planned extravehicular activities, or EVAs. The STS-120 mission will deliver the Harmony module, christened after a school contest, which will provide attachment points for European and Japanese laboratory modules on the International Space Station. Known in technical circles as Node 2, it is similar to the six-sided Unity module that links the U.S. and Russian sections of the station. Built in Italy for the United States, Harmony will be the first new U.S. pressurized component to be added. The STS-120 mission is targeted to launch on Oct. 20. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The STS-120 crew is at Kennedy for a crew equipment interface test, or CEIT. In Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3, from left in blue flight suits, STS-120 Mission Specialist Stephanie D. Wilson, Pilot George D. Zamka, Commander Pamela A. Melroy, Mission Specialist Scott E. Parazynski (holding camera) and Mission Specialist Douglas H. Wheelock are given the opportunity to operate the cameras that will fly on their mission. Among the activities standard to a CEIT are harness training, inspection of the thermal protection system and camera operation for planned extravehicular activities, or EVAs. The STS-120 mission will deliver the Harmony module, christened after a school contest, which will provide attachment points for European and Japanese laboratory modules on the International Space Station. Known in technical circles as Node 2, it is similar to the six-sided Unity module that links the U.S. and Russian sections of the station. Built in Italy for the United States, Harmony will be the first new U.S. pressurized component to be added. The STS-120 mission is targeted to launch on Oct. 20. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The STS-120 crew is at Kennedy for a crew equipment interface test, or CEIT. Inspecting the thermal protection system, or TPS, tiles under space shuttle Discovery in Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3 are, from left, Expedition 16 Flight Engineer Daniel M. Tani; Mission Specialist Douglas H. Wheelock; Pilot George D. Zamka; Mission Specialist Paolo A. Nespoli, a European Space Agency astronaut from Italy; Allison Bolinger, an EVA technician with NASA; Mission Specialists Scott E. Parazynski and Stephanie D. Wilson; and Erin Schlichenmaier, of TPS Engineering with United Space Alliance. Among the activities standard to a CEIT are harness training, inspection of the thermal protection system and camera operation for planned extravehicular activities, or EVAs. The STS-120 mission will deliver the Harmony module, christened after a school contest, which will provide attachment points for European and Japanese laboratory modules on the International Space Station. Known in technical circles as Node 2, it is similar to the six-sided Unity module that links the U.S. and Russian sections of the station. Built in Italy for the United States, Harmony will be the first new U.S. pressurized component to be added. The STS-120 mission is targeted to launch on Oct. 20. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton

In the Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3, members of the 1998 astronaut candidate class (group 17) get a close-up view of the tiles, part of the thermal protection system, on the underside of the orbiter Atlantis overhead. The class is at KSC for training activities, including fire training and a flight awareness program, plus touring the OPF, SSME Processing Facility, VAB, SSPF, launch pads, SLF, Apollo/Saturn V Center and the crew headquarters. The U.S. candidates in the '98 class are Clayton C. Anderson, Lee J. Archambault, Tracy E. Caldwell (Ph.D.), Gregory E. Chamitoff (Ph.D.), Timothy J. Creamer, Christopher J. Ferguson, Michael J. Foreman, Michael E. Fossum, Kenneth T. Ham, Patricia C. Hilliard (M.D.), Gregory C. Johnson, Gregory H. Johnson, Stanley G. Love (Ph.D.), Leland D. Melvin, Barbara R. Morgan, William A. Oefelein, John D. Olivas (Ph.D.), Nicholas J.M. Patrick (Ph.D.), Alan G. Poindexter, Garrett E. Reisman (Ph.D.), Steven R. Swanson, Douglas H. Wheelock, Sunita L. Williams, Neil W. Woodward III, George D. Zamka; and the international candidates are Leopold Eyharts, Paolo Nespoli, Hans Schlegel, Roberto Vittori, Bjarni V. Tryggvason, and Marcos Pontes

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The STS-120 crew is at Kennedy for a crew equipment interface test, or CEIT. Inspecting the thermal protection system, or TPS, tiles under space shuttle Discovery in Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3 are, from left, Expedition 16 Flight Engineer Daniel M. Tani; Mission Specialist Douglas H. Wheelock; Pilot George D. Zamka; Mission Specialist Paolo A. Nespoli (kneeling), a European Space Agency astronaut from Italy; Mission Specialist Scott E. Parazynski; Commander Pamela A. Melroy; Allison Bolinger (kneeling), an EVA technician with NASA; Mission Specialist Stephanie D. Wilson; and Erin Schlichenmaier, with United Space Alliance TPS Engineering. Among the activities standard to a CEIT are harness training, inspection of the thermal protection system and camera operation for planned extravehicular activities, or EVAs. The STS-120 mission will deliver the Harmony module, christened after a school contest, which will provide attachment points for European and Japanese laboratory modules on the International Space Station. Known in technical circles as Node 2, it is similar to the six-sided Unity module that links the U.S. and Russian sections of the station. Built in Italy for the United States, Harmony will be the first new U.S. pressurized component to be added. The STS-120 mission is targeted to launch on Oct. 20. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The STS-120 crew is at Kennedy for a crew equipment interface test, or CEIT. Receiving instruction from Allison Bolinger, an EVA technician with NASA, under space shuttle Discovery in Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3 are, from left in blue flight suits, Mission Specialist Douglas H. Wheelock; Commander Pamela A. Melroy; Expedition 16 Flight Engineer Daniel M. Tani; Pilot George D. Zamka; and Mission Specialists Stephanie D. Wilson, Scott E. Parazynski and Paolo A. Nespoli, a European Space Agency astronaut from Italy. Among the activities standard to a CEIT are harness training, inspection of the thermal protection system and camera operation for planned extravehicular activities, or EVAs. The STS-120 mission will deliver the Harmony module, christened after a school contest, which will provide attachment points for European and Japanese laboratory modules on the International Space Station. Known in technical circles as Node 2, it is similar to the six-sided Unity module that links the U.S. and Russian sections of the station. Built in Italy for the United States, Harmony will be the first new U.S. pressurized component to be added. The STS-120 mission is targeted to launch on Oct. 20. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At the Apollo/Saturn V Center, some of the 1998 astronaut candidate class (group 17) line up for a photo while standing under the engines of the Saturn V rocket on display. The U.S. candidates include Clayton C. Anderson, Lee J. Archambault, Tracy E. Caldwell (Ph.D.), Gregory E. Chamitoff (Ph.D.), Timothy J. Creamer, Christopher J. Ferguson, Michael J. Foreman, Michael E. Fossum, Kenneth T. Ham, Patricia C. Hilliard (M.D.), Gregory C. Johnson, Gregory H. Johnson, Stanley G. Love (Ph.D.), Leland D. Melvin, Barbara R. Morgan, William A. Oefelein, John D. Olivas (Ph.D.), Nicholas J.M. Patrick (Ph.D.), Alan G. Poindexter, Garrett E. Reisman (Ph.D.), Steven R. Swanson, Douglas H. Wheelock, Sunita L. Williams, Neil W. Woodward III, George D. Zamka; and international candidates Leopold Eyharts, Paolo Nespoli, Hans Schlegel, Roberto Vittori, Bjarni V. Tryggvason, and Marcos Pontes. The class is at KSC for training activities, including fire training and a flight awareness program, plus touring the OPF, SSME Processing Facility, VAB, SSPF, launch pads, SLF, Apollo/Saturn V Center and the crew headquarters

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The STS-120 crew is at Kennedy for a crew equipment interface test, or CEIT. Inspecting the thermal protection system, or TPS, tiles on space shuttle Discovery in Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3 are Mission Specialists Douglas H. Wheelock and Paolo A. Nespoli, a European Space Agency astronaut from Italy, and Expedition 16 Flight Engineer Daniel M. Tani (with camera). Among the activities standard to a CEIT are harness training, inspection of the thermal protection system and camera operation for planned extravehicular activities, or EVAs. The STS-120 mission will deliver the Harmony module, christened after a school contest, which will provide attachment points for European and Japanese laboratory modules on the International Space Station. Known in technical circles as Node 2, it is similar to the six-sided Unity module that links the U.S. and Russian sections of the station. Built in Italy for the United States, Harmony will be the first new U.S. pressurized component to be added. The STS-120 mission is targeted to launch on Oct. 20. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton