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Discovery's STS-124 mission targeted for launch May 31

NASA is targeting May 31 as the launch date for space shuttle Discovery's STS-124 mission.

STS-124 is the 26th shuttle flight to the International Space Station and the second of three flights to deliver components of the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory.

Image above: As space shuttle Discovery's payload bay doors are closing, seen at center is a Ku-band antenna that is used in space to transmit and receive information from the ground. Photo credit: NASA/Chris Rhodes

The Japanese Pressurized Module will be the station's largest science laboratory, measuring 37 feet long and 14 feet in diameter, about the size of a large tour bus. The shuttle also will deliver the lab's robotic arm system that support operations outside of Kibo. The lab's logistics module, which was installed in a temporary location during STS-123 in March, will be attached to the new lab.

Mark Kelly will command the seven-member crew, which includes Pilot Ken Ham, Mission Specialists Karen Nyberg, Ron Garan, Mike Fossum, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide and Greg Chamitoff, KD5PKZ.

Chamitoff will replace Expedition 16/17 Flight Engineer Garrett Reisman, KE5HAE and remain aboard the station as a member of the Expedition 17 crew. Reisman will return to Earth with the STS-124 crew.