KSC-2009-4888

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The STS-128 crew members turn toward the Astrovan after exiting NASA Kennedy Space Center's Operations and Checkout Building. The vehicle will take them to Launch Pad 39A. From left are Pilot Kevin Ford, Mission Specialists Jose Fernandez and Nicole Stott, Commander Rick Sturckow, and Mission Specialists Patrick Forrester, Christer Fuglesang and Danny Olivas. At the pad, the astronauts will complete their suit-up and enter space shuttle Discovery for the 11:59 p.m. EDT liftoff. The first launch attempt on Aug. 24 was postponed due to unfavorable weather conditions. The second attempt on Aug. 25 also was postponed due to an issue with a valve in space shuttle Discovery's main propulsion system. The 13-day mission will deliver more than 7 tons of supplies, science racks and equipment, as well as additional environmental hardware to sustain six crew members on the International Space Station. The equipment includes a freezer to store research samples, a new sleeping compartment and the COLBERT treadmill. The mission is the 128th in the Space Shuttle Program, the 37th flight of Discovery and the 30th station assembly flight. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett