SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C#31468 3 OCTOBER 2007

*Payload in Place*

On Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the payload for mission STS-120 has been installed in space station Discovery's cargo bay. The payload includes the Italian-built U.S. Harmony module, which will be delivered to the International Space Station during the mission. The module will serve as the future connecting point between the U.S. Destiny lab, the European Space Agency's Columbus module and the Japanese Kibo module.

The seven STS-120 crew members are due to arrive in Florida on Sunday evening in advance of next week's launch dress rehearsal activities. During the week, the astronauts and ground crews are scheduled to participate in various simulated countdown activities and training exercises. Launch of Discovery is targeted Oct. 23.

Space shuttle Discovery at Launch Pad 39A. On Sunday, Discovery was transported atop the crawler transporter from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39A, where launch preparations are under way. Image credit: NASA/George Shelton + View larger image http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/170419main_07pd2636.jpg

*Mission Information* + STS-120 Mission Overview http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts120/index.html + Harmony Node 2 http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/behindscenes/harmony_payload.html

+ Space Shuttle Discovery http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/shuttleoperations/orbiters/discovery-info.html