Next Shuttle to ISS Set for Aug. 25, 1:36 AM

Space Shuttle Discovery will launch on the STS-128 mission in the wee hours on Tuesday, August 25th on a mission to the International Space Station to deliver the the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module containing life support racks, science racks and other science supplies. The exact time of launch from the Kennedy Space Center is 1:36 AM EDT.

Swedish physicist Christer Fuglesang, a member of the European Astronaut Corps, is scheduled to fly to the International Space Station on the STS-128 mission. During this two week mission, Christer will carry out experiments and make two spacewalks outside the Station performing maintenance and construction tasks and overseeing the operations of Leonardo, the European-built Multi Purpose Logistics Module, that will bring scientific hardware and experiments to the ISS. Video with Fuglesang.

Mexican-American astronaut José Moreno Hernández [video] will also be a part of the STS-128 crew. Astronaut Nicole P. Scott will depart STS-128 to become a member of the now six-member ISS as Flight Engineer on Expedition 20 and Expedition 21. Both astronauts will be on their first orbital flight.