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STS-120 Mission Overview
 
Launch: Oct. 23, 2007 11:38 a.m. EDT
Landing: Nov. 7, 2007 1:01 p.m. EST
Orbiter: Discovery
Mission Number: STS-120 (120th space shuttle flight)
Launch Window: 10 minutes
Launch Pad: 39A
Mission Duration: 15 days, 2 hours, 23 minutes
Landing Site: KSC
Inclination/Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
Primary Payload: 23rd station flight (10A), U.S. Node 2
 
Mission Patch
 

 
(February 2007) --- The STS-120 patch reflects the role of the mission in the future of the space program. The shuttle payload bay carries Node 2, the doorway to the future international laboratory elements on the International Space Station. On the left the star represents the International Space Station; the red colored points represent the current location of the P6 solar array, furled and awaiting relocation when the crew arrives. During the mission, the crew will move P6 to its final home at the end of the port truss. The gold points represent the P6 solar array in its new location, unfurled and producing power for science and life support. On the right, the moon and Mars can be seen representing the future of NASA. The constellation Orion rises in the background, symbolizing NASA's new exploration vehicle. Through all, the shuttle rises up and away, leading the way to the future. The NASA insignia design for Shuttle flights is reserved for use by the astronauts and for other official use as the NASA Administrator may authorize. Public availability has been approved only in the form of illustrations by the various news media. When and if there is any change in this policy, which is not anticipated, it will be publicly announced.
Crew
 

 
(16 Feb. 2007) --- These seven astronauts take a break from training to pose for the STS-120 crew portrait. Pictured from the left are astronauts Scott E. Parazynski, Douglas H. Wheelock, Stephanie D. Wilson, all mission specialists; George D. Zamka, pilot; Pamela A. Melroy, commander; Daniel M. Tani, Expedition 16 flight engineer; and Paolo A. Nespoli, mission specialist representing the European Space Agency (ESA). The crewmembers are attired in training versions of their shuttle launch and entry suits. Tani is scheduled to join Expedition 16 as flight engineer after launching to the International Space Station on mission STS-120 and is scheduled to return home on mission STS-122.