SPACEPHOTOS

(08/09/2001) -- The STS-105 crew eagerly leads the way to the Astrovan, followed by the Expedition Three (E3) crew, and the drive to Launch Pad 39A for launch. Leading the way are Pilot Rick Sturckow (near) and Commander Scott Horowitz; in the second row, Mission Specialists Patrick Forrester (near) and Daniel Barry; in the third row, E3 cosmonaut Mikhail Tyurin (left), Commander Frank Culbertson (center), and cosmonaut Vladimir Dezhurov (right). Forrester and Tyurin are both making their first space flights. On the mission, Discovery will be transporting the Expedition Three crew and several payloads and scientific experiments to the ISS, including the Early Ammonia Servicer (EAS) tank. The EAS, which will support the thermal control subsystems until a permanent system is activated, will be attached to the Station during two spacewalks. The three-member Expedition Two crew will be returning to Earth aboard Discovery after a five-month stay on the Station. Launch is scheduled for 5:38 p.m. EDT Aug. 9