NASA announced Wednesday it has finalized crew assignments for two space shuttle missions scheduled for launch in 2007. The missions are planned to continue the assembly of the International Space Station.
Astronaut John D. Olivas will join the crew of shuttle mission STS-117, and astronaut Tracy Caldwell will join the crew of mission STS-118. Both will be making their first space flights.
NASA has reassigned astronaut Richard A. Mastracchio to STS-118 from STS-117, while veteran shuttle flier and spacewalker Scott Parazynski, previously assigned to STS-118, has left that crew to prepare for assignment to another mission.
Marine Lt. Col. Frederick W. Sturckow will command STS-117, with Air Force Col. Lee J. Archambault as mission pilot, accompanied by mission specialists James F. Reilly II, retired Army Col. Patrick G. Forrester, Steven R. Swanson, and Olivas. STS-117 will deliver the second starboard truss segment to the space station, along with the third set of U.S. solar arrays, batteries and associated equipment.
Navy Cmdr. Scott J. Kelly will command STS-118, with Marine Lt. Col. Charles O. Hobaugh as pilot. They will be accompanied by Canadian Space Agency astronaut Dafydd R. Williams, educator astronaut Barbara R. Morgan, Mastracchio and Caldwell as mission specialists. STS-118 will deliver the third starboard truss segment to the station, along with an external stowage platform, and logistics and supplies carried by a SPACEHAB cargo module.
