CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- News conferences, events and operating hours for NASA's Kennedy Space Center News Center are set for the upcoming launch of space shuttle Discovery. The STS-120 mission to the International Space Station is set to lift off at 11:38 a.m. EDT on Oct. 23.

On Friday, Oct. 19, the seven Discovery crew members are scheduled to arrive at the Kennedy Space Center at 12:30 p.m. Badged media planning to cover the event must be at Kennedy's News Center by 11 a.m. for transportation to the Shuttle Landing Facility. Commander Pam Melroy will make a brief statement to media. NASA Television will provide live coverage.

NASA TV also will broadcast live countdown status briefings and news conferences Oct. 20-22. Complete listings of news briefing times and participants as well as hours of operation for the Kennedy News Center and media credentialing office are available at:

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/news/index.html

For NASA TV streaming video, scheduling and downlink information, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

For the latest information about the STS-120 crew and mission, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

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STS-120 BRIEFING & EVENTS SCHEDULE (All time are Eastern)

All briefings are held inside the Kennedy Press Site auditorium and will be carried live on NASA TV unless otherwise noted.

L-4 Days - Friday, Oct. 19

12:30 p.m. - STS-120 crew arrival at Shuttle Landing Facility

L-3 Days - Saturday, Oct. 20

10 a.m. - Countdown Status Briefing

• Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, NASA Test Director
• Glenn Chin, STS-120 Payload Manager
• Kathy Winters, Shuttle Weather Officer

2 p.m. - Launch countdown officially begins (not on NASA TV)

L-2 Days - Sunday, Oct. 21

10 a.m. - Countdown Status Briefing

• Jeff Spaulding, NASA Test Director
• Glenn Chin, STS-120 Payload Manager
• Kathy Winters, Shuttle Weather Officer

1 p.m. (no earlier than) - STS-120 Launch Readiness News Conference

• LeRoy Cain, Launch Integration Manager, Space Shuttle Program
• Mike Leinbach, Space Shuttle Launch Director
• Alan Thirkettle, ISS Program Manager, ESA
• Mauro Piermaria, ASI ESPERIA Mission Manager
• Kathy Winters, Shuttle Weather Officer

L-1 Day - Monday, Oct. 22

10 a.m. - Countdown Status Briefing

• Steve Payne, NASA Test Director
• Kathy Winters, Shuttle Weather Officer

11:30 a.m. - Live Astronaut Webcast with Sandra Magnus

1 p.m. - Constellation Briefing

• Mark Geyer, Deputy Manager, Constellation Program
• Mark Kirasich, Deputy Manager, Orion Project
• Bob Ess, Manager, Ares 1-X Project

3 p.m. - Rotating Service Structure moves to launch position

Launch Day - Tuesday, Aug. 7

6:30 a.m. - Live launch commentary begins

Launch Day Crew Activities: (times may vary slightly)

• 1:30 a.m. -- Crew wakes up (not on NASA TV)
• 7:08 a.m. -- Weather briefing (CDR, PLT, MS2) (not on NASA TV)
• 7:08 a.m. -- Astronauts don flight suits
• 7:48 a.m. -- Depart for launch pad
• 8:18 a.m. -- Arrive at white room and begin ingress
• 9:33 a.m. -- Close crew hatch
• 11:38 a.m. -- Launch

Launch + 1 hour - Post-launch News Conference

• Chris Scolese, NASA Associate Administrator
• Bill Gerstenmaier, Associate Administrator for Space Operations
• LeRoy Cain, Mission Management Team
• Mike Leinbach, Space Shuttle Launch Director

Kennedy News Center office hours for STS-120

Times may be adjusted in real time depending on mission events and timelines.

• Friday, Oct. 19 --- (Launch minus 4 days) --- 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 20 --- (Launch minus 3 days) --- 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 21 --- (Launch minus 2 days) --- 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• Monday, Oct. 22 --- (Launch minus 1 day) --- 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Oct. 23 --- (Launch) Flight day 1 --- 5 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• Oct. 24 - Nov. 5 --- Flight days 2 - 13 --- 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (except weekends)
• Tuesday, Nov. 6 --- (Landing) Flight day 14 --- TBD

Media Badging Schedule

News media may obtain STS-120 mission credentials from the Kennedy Space Center Pass and Identification Office on State Road 3. Office hours of operation are listed below.

• Friday, Oct. 19 ----- 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 20 ----- 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 21 ----- 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
• Monday, Oct. 22 ----- 6:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Oct. 23 ----- 4:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

News media are required to be under NASA Public Affairs escort at all times while at Kennedy Space Center, except when at the News Center or the Complex 39 cafeteria. No photography is allowed anywhere other than the press site unless prior permission is granted by NASA Public Affairs.

News media are allowed at the press site only when Public Affairs personnel are on duty and the NASA News Center is open.

For the latest information on the STS-120 mission, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle