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Shuttle, space station expected to link today

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By MARCIA DUNN The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 30, 2009

CAPE CANAVERAL - Space shuttle Discovery's astronauts - including Clearwater High graduate Nicole Passonno Stott - steered closer to the International Space Station for a linkup today, while checking their ship for any signs of launch damage.

The routine survey began early Saturday evening and was expected to last well into the night.
NASA officials say no fuel tank debris was observed hitting Discovery during Friday's midnight liftoff.

Discovery is loaded with supplies for the space station, now home to six astronauts. Discovery's supply run will leave the space station well stocked; the shuttle is hauling about 17,000 pounds of equipment and science experiments. Six mice, part of a bone loss study, will move in for a three-month stay. So will Stott, the replacement for an astronaut who has been at the orbiting complex for more than a month.
Stott will help put together a $5 million treadmill flying up on Discovery that will expand the space station's gym. The treadmill is named after Comedy Central's Stephen Colbert.

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