We are not tracking any major issues which would delay launch," said NASA Launch Director, Mike Leinbach. "Our countdown starts on June 28 leading to T-0 on July 1. We see no reason why we can't go July 1 from our perspective. We are in good shape with Discovery on the Pad and good shape with Atlantis as well." The STS-121 mission will visit the International Space Station and continue evaluating new shuttle safety improvements. At least two spacewalks are planned during the 12-day mission, which also includes repair work to the station. More You find: [url]http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html[/url]

19 June 2006
ESA PR 19-2006. ESA astronaut Paolo Nespoli, of Italian nationality, was today assigned to the crew of the Space Shuttle flight which in summer 2007 will launch Node 2, an Italian-built U.S. connecting module, to the International Space Station.

For his first space flight, Nespoli will serve as mission specialist, joining five NASA astronauts: Air Force Col. Pamela A. Melroy, who will command the STS-120 Shuttle mission (a veteran Shuttle pilot and the second woman to be named commander); Marine Corps Col. George D. Zamka, on his first space flight, who will serve as pilot; and mission specialists Scott E. Parazynski, Army Col. Douglas H. Wheelock and Navy Capt. Michael J. Foreman, also on his first space flight.