SPACEPHOTOS

(08/10/2001) – Expedition Three Commander Frank Culbertson sends a greeting home while having his flight equipment checked before he enters Space Shuttle Discovery for launch. Helping him are (front) USA Mechanical Technician Al Schmidt and (back) NASA Quality Assurance Specialist Ken Strite. The payload on the STS-105 mission to the International Space Station includes the third flight of the Italian-built Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Leonardo, delivering additional scientific racks, equipment and supplies for the Space Station, and the Early Ammonia Servicer (EAS) tank. The EAS, which will be attached to the Station during two spacewalks, contains spare ammonia for the Station’s cooling system. Also, the Expedition Three crew is aboard to replace the Expedition Two crew on the International Space Station, who will be returning to Earth aboard Discovery after a five-month stay on the Station