Shuttle Mission STS-120

via Space.com, all appears to be in readiness for the launch of yet another in a series of complicated shuttle missions to construct the International Space Station. The tentative launch date for the two week mission is set for October 23.

"Led by veteran shuttle flyer Pamela Melroy -- NASA's second female shuttle commander -- Discovery's STS-120 mission will deliver the Harmony connecting module to the ISS, where the cylindrical module will serve as the connecting point for European and Japanese laboratories. The crew will also move the station's mast-like Port 6 solar array tower and perch it at its permanent home on the port-most edge of the orbital laboratory's metallic truss backbone."

Also on tap is a fifth space walk to test a sticky goo like substance that may enable the astronauts to repair the shuttle's fragile heat shield tiles in case of damage. The substance is to be applied via a caulk like gun to intentionally damaged sample heat tiles identical to the ones used on the bottom of the orbiter.