SPACE is always about the people --

Shuttle launches are always "Whiz-Bang" for us space nuts, but for me it has been more about the people than the hardware.
If the weather cooperates the STS 120 launch will happen tomorrow. NASA TV's coverage begins tomorrow morning at 6:30 AM (CST).
The crew is shown in the picture. Left to right: Commander Pamela Melroy, Pilot George Zamka, mission specialists Scott Parazynski, Stephanie Wilson, Douglas Wheelock, European Space Agency astronaut Paolo Nespoli of Italy and mission specialist Daniel Tani.
The two commanders -- A wonderful article by Marcia Dunn, who covers the space beat for Space.com, is headlined, "Spaceflights Mark One Giant Leap for Womankind." To quote:

When space shuttle Discovery blasts off Tuesday, a woman will be sitting in the commander's seat. And up at the international space station, a female skipper will be waiting to greet her.

It will be the first time in the 50-year history of spaceflight that two women are in charge of two spacecraft at the same time.

This is no public relations gimmick cooked up by NASA. It's coincidence, which pleases shuttle commander Pamela Melroy and station commander Peggy Whitson.

Further updates on the people and the mission will follow at regular intervals during the next few days.
Victoria Crater on Mars is shown at the Astronomy Picture of the Day from NASA.

Cross-posted at Southwest Blogger
My topical post today at South by Southwest and The Reaction is about this same subject, though the post is different.
Technorati tags: news space program NASA women