Discovery to lift off with big Japanese lab, small US toy

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2008

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (AFP) — The US space shuttle Discovery is set to blast into outer space carrying spare toilet parts, a tiny Disney doll and a huge Japanese experimental laboratory, NASA said on Friday.

Shuttle experts looked forward to fair weather as they began final preparations for Saturday's launch from Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, Florida at 17:02 (2102 GMT), NASA officials said.

"Discovery and crew are ready to fly," said National Aeronautics and Space Administration shuttle test manager Jeff Spaulding. "All of our systems are in great shape. We are tracking no issues."

The Discovery's main task is to carry the largest element of a new Japanese laboratory Kibo for installation at the International Space Station (ISS). The mission...