STS-123 Ready To Launch

After suiting up, the astronauts made their way out of the crew quarters in the Operations and Checkout Building to the cheers and applause from the crowd of well-wishers as they head for the silver Astrovan that will take them to Launch Pad 39A where Endeavour waits.

Already at the launch pad, members of the Closeout Crew are inside Endeavour as they prepare the crew compartment for the astronauts' arrival. This crew helps the astronauts strap into their seats and prepare for launch.

About the Mission

NASA astronaut Dominic Gorie commands a crew of six, including Pilot Gregory H. Johnson and Mission Specialists Rick Linnehan, Robert L. Behnken, Mike Foreman, Garrett Reisman and Japanese astronaut Takao Doi. Johnson, Behnken and Foreman will be making their first spaceflight.

During the 16-day mission, the crew's two prime objectives are to deliver and attach to the International Space Station the first component of Japan's new laboratory called Kibo, as well as Canada's new robotics system, the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator, or Dextre. STS-123 is the 25th shuttle mission to the International Space Station.

Expedition 16 Flight Engineer Leopold Eyharts, who arrived at the station aboard Atlantis in February, will return to Earth with the Endeavour crew as Reisman takes his place on the station.

source : http://www.nasa.com