To the Space Shuttle's Heroic Crew

Peace & safe journey to the crew of the space shuttle, Discovery...

Countdown Continues - 1:30 p.m. Update
The astronauts are buckled into their seats inside Discovery's cabin. The closeout crew has closed the hatch, but not before wishing the astronauts a successful flight. The STS-121 crew is going through final checks inside the orbiter to prepare for launch.

The launch countdown is progressing as planned, with launch expected today at 2:37:51 p.m.

NASA's Freedom Star and Liberty Star are in position for launch. Both recovery ships are currently stationed out in the Atlantic Ocean prepared to tow the solid rocket boosters back to Kennedy. The boosters will then be recycled and put back into service for another shuttle launch.

Steven Lindsey commands a crew of five American astronauts, Pilot Mark Kelly and Mission Specialists Michael Fossum, Lisa Nowak, Stephanie Wilson and Piers Sellers, and one astronaut from the European Space Agency, Thomas Reiter. This is the 18th U.S. flight to the International Space Station and the 32nd flight for Space Shuttle Discovery.

In Discovery's payload bay, the multi-purpose logistics module Leonardo, built by the Italian Space Agency, will deliver supplies, equipment and tools on its fourth trip to the station.

While docked, the STS-121 crew will test new equipment and procedures to improve shuttle safety, as well as make repairs to the station. Reiter will remain with the Expedition 13 crew on the station.

Live Coverage
NASA TV coverage of the launch and live countdown updates from NASA's Launch Blog began at 8:30 a.m. EDT this morning.
+ Watch NASA TV
+ NASA Launch Blog