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KSC-06pd2730

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The STS-116 crew members show their eagerness for the second launch attempt as they exit the Operations and Checkout Building. Commander Mark Polansky (front at right) leads the way. Behind him are Pilot William Oefelein and Mission Specialist Christer Fuglesang, who represents the European Space Agency. On the left side, front to back are Mission Specialists Joan Higginbotham, Nicholas Patrick, Sunita Williams, and Robert Curbeam. Williams will replace Expedition 14 crew member Thomas Reiter, who will return to Earth aboard Discovery in her place. The first launch attempt of STS-116 on Dec. 7 was postponed due a low cloud ceiling over Kennedy Space Center. This is Discovery's 33rd mission and the first night launch since 2002. The 20th shuttle mission to the International Space Station, STS-116 carries another truss segment, P5. It will serve as a spacer, mated to the P4 truss that was attached in September. After installing the P5, the crew will reconfigure and redistribute the power generated by two pairs of U.S. solar arrays. Landing is expected Dec. 19 at KSC. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

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