(03/01/2002) – In the White Room, STS-109 Mission Specialist Michael J. Massimino (center) waves in excitement over his first Shuttle launch. Helping him with his launch and entry suit are Tim Seymour (left), United Space Alliance mechanical technician, and Danny Wyatt (right), NASA quality assurance specialist. On the mission, Space Shuttle Columbia will rendezvous with the Hubble Space Telescope for the crew to replace and upgrade key telescope systems through five challenging spacewalks. After an extensive 2-1/2 year modification period during which many systems were replaced and enhanced, Columbia is making its 27th flight in the Shuttle program. After the 11-day mission, Columbia is expected to land at Kennedy Space Center March 12