Mission Discovery: Space Shuttle Commander, Pilot Ready to Fly

NASA's only active female shuttle commander and a born flier are ready to launch into orbit next week to continue assembly of the International Space Station (ISS).

Veteran astronaut Pamela Melroy will command the space shuttle Discovery's planned Tuesday launch, with first-time spaceflyer George Zamka serving as pilot during their STS-120 mission to the ISS.

"This is a fantastic moment for any crew...arriving where your vehicle is ready and waiting for you at the pad," Melroy told reporters here at NASA's Kennedy Space Center Friday. "We're really excited to be here."

Melroy, Zamka and five crewmates are set to launch toward the ISS on Oct. 23 at 11:38 a.m. EDT (1538 GMT) to install a new connecting module to the space station. The astronauts will also relocate an older solar array segment and ferry a new crewmember to the orbital laboratory during their planned 14-day mission.

'Pambo' in charge

Known by the nickname 'Pambo' to her crew, Melroy is a retired U.S. Air Force colonel from Rochester, New York, who is making her third spaceflight with Discovery's STS-120 mission.