SPACEPHOTOS

(08/09/2001) -- After a 24-hour delay of the STS-105 launch, Commander Scott Horowitz is the first off the Astrovan returning the crews to the Operations and Checkout Building. Behind him is Mission Specialist Daniel Barry. Launch countdown activities for the 12-day mission were called off at about 5:12 p.m. Aug. 9 during the T-9 minute hold due to the high potential for lightning, a thick cloud cover and the potential for showers. These were clear violations of launch weather criteria. The next launch attempt will be on Friday, Aug. 10, at the preferred launch time of about 5:15 p.m. The launch window extends for about 5 minutes. On the mission, Space Shuttle Discovery will be transporting the Expedition Three crew and several scientific experiments and payloads to the International Space Station, including the Early Ammonia Servicer (EAS) tank. The EAS, which will support the thermal control subsystems until a permanent system is activated, will be attached to the Station during two spacewalks. The three-member Expedition Two crew will be returning to Earth aboard Discovery after a five-month stay on the Station