SPACEPHOTOS

(03/08/2001) --- Technicians in the White Room, Launch Pad 39B, help STS-102 Mission Specialist Paul Richards with his launch and entry suit before he enters Space Shuttle Discovery. The mission is Richards’ first Shuttle flight. In the background is Mission Specialist Susan Helms. Discovery is carrying the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Leonardo on the eighth construction flight to the International Space Station. The primary delivery system used to resupply and return Station cargo requiring a pressurized environment, Leonardo will deliver up to 10 tons of laboratory racks filled with equipment, experiments and supplies for outfitting the newly installed U.S. Laboratory Destiny. Discovery is set to launch March 8 at 6:42 a.m. EST. The 12-day mission is expected to end with a landing at KSC on March 20