DISCOVERY—Back in the Saddle.

January 26, 2009—While President Barack Obama took the oath of office (twice) the crew of Space Shuttle Discovery wrapped up its launch pad dress rehearsal for February’s liftoff and I finished some book signings in the Florida Panhandle.

Space Shuttle Discovery is primed for its scheduled February 12^th liftoff, the first of 2009. The crew's mission patch is pictured to the left. That date could slip a day or two due to extra training for the astronauts. They’ll be carrying up new parts for the International Space Station’s infamous water processing unit that’s supposed to turn urine into drinkable water for the crew. Discovery crewmember Koichi Wakata will also take the place of outgoing station crewmember Sandy Magnus. Wakata will be on hand when the final section of Japan’s KIBO laboratory is delivered later this year.

On the book front…This Thursday night, I’ll be at the Orlando Public Library on Central Avenue. The Florida Humanities Council’s Board of Directors is holding a meeting there, and they’ve generously invited me to come and talk about my book “Final Countdown: NASA and the End of the Space Shuttle Program” and NASA’s impact on Florida. It’s at 7:30 pm.

More to come.

photo courtesy of NASA