Monday, July 11 2005 19:20 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Houston: Countdown began today (July 11, 2005) for the launch of Discovery, the first shuttle to be launched since the Columbia crash two years ago, which will carry a photograph of India-born astrologer Kalpana Chawla and mementos from her colleagues who perished in the tragedy.

Jean P Harrison, widower of Chawla said he was sending a photograph of his wife aboard Discovery, which is poised for lift-off day with five-man, two-woman crew on Wednesday (July 13, 2005). The picture of Kalpana is from her college days in India, where she is sitting in her dorm room surrounded by photographs of aircraft and one of a space shuttle.

The countdown for the Discovery launch began at 0330 hrs (IST) today, which will continue into the Wednesday launch.

Relatives of at least three of the seven Columbia astronauts, Jonathan Clark - widower of astronaut Laurel; Sandy Anderson, widow of astronaut Michael Anderson; and Doug Brown, brother of astronaut David Brown plan to attend the launch of Discovery.

They are also sending mementoes up with Discovery's crew, such as flags, gold medallions, a Columbia mission pin. The Columbia families said they hoped Discovery's mission will be flawless, enabling NASA its pursuit of new missions to the moon and Mars.

"But then, there is also the pain of knowing that our loved ones didn't come back. So that leaves an emptiness that is somewhat reminded by the fact that there's another launch," said Jonathan Clark, the NASA flight surgeon whose astronaut- wife, Laurel, died aboard Columbia.

Columbia crashed in February 2003 when a chunk of foam that separated from its external tank during launch caused it to disintegrate upon re-entry into atmosphere.

Preparations for Discovery's launch from the Kennedy Space Centre at Cape Canaveral are in full swing and all efforts are being taken to make the launch and return safe.

There have been many safety improvements to the Shuttle, including a redesigned External Tank, new sensors and a boom that will allow astronauts to inspect the Shuttle for any potential damage.

NASA test director Jeff Spaulding, who supervises countdown activities, said the sense of excitement among members of the launch team is growing.

"Certainly, for the past several months everyone has had their heads down," he said. "It's only recently that we have begun to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

"There is a great anticipation for launch, and maybe a quiet reserve as well, just remembering where we have been. "Discovery, itself, is in excellent shape," Spaulding said.

The seven member 'Return to Flight' crew headed by Eileen Collins arrived at Kennedy aboard a NASA Gulfstream II jet on Saturday, flying in from Houston a day early to avoid treacherous travel conditions caused by Hurricane Dennis.

The crew will fly to the International Space Station primarily to test and evaluate new safety procedures. After reaching the space station, two of them plan to do three spacewalks to revive a pair of crippled steering gyroscopes.

Commander Eileen Collins and her crew will exchange the supplies they deliver for clutter that has accumulated on the station since the last shuttle visit in December 2002.

The mission's lift-off, stated at 1451 hrs (IST) on Wednesday, depends on the weather conditions as shuttle's external heat shield is too fragile for flight through rain.