Discovery shuttle poised for historic final launch

CAPE CANAVERAL: Discovery, NASA’s oldest and most journeyed space shuttle, is poised to launch Thursday on its final mission, wrapping up a near three-decade legacy of orbital travel.

When the storied spacecraft lifts off at 2150 GMT, it will mark the beginning of the end of the US space shuttle program, with Discovery the first of the remaining three shuttles headed for retirement this year.

The closure of the US shuttle program will leave a gaping hole in the American space mission, and leaves astronauts to rely on the Russian Soyuz space capsule for transport to the orbiting International Space Station.

But concerns for the future were brushed aside as excitement mounted at Kennedy Space Center for Discovery”s mission, with technical checks moving along smoothly and no hint of the fuel tank woes that delayed the launch in November.

“Everything is on track and going beautifully with the countdown,” said mission management team director Mike Moses. “We’re really looking forward to a very action-packed, successful mission.”

Cracks on Discovery”s external fuel tank emerged just before launch more than three months ago, causing engineers to puzzle for many weeks over the cause and how to fix it.

In January, engineers agreed that installing small metal strips, called radius blocks, on the 6.7 meter- (22-foot-) long U-shaped aluminum brackets, called stringers, would reinforce their strength.

Shuttle launch director Mike Leinbach said the teams preparing Discovery this time had found “no problems at all” as they count down toward lift-off.

“We’re not tracking any issues and it looks like Discovery will fly this time,” said Leinbach.

The rotating service structure around Discovery was rolled away on Wednesday evening, revealing the shuttle on the launch-pad for the first time.

The six-member crew of astronauts headed to bed at 0400 GMT and were to awaken at 1200 GMT for the launch Thursday, NASA said.

The loading of the external fuel tank was to begin at 1225 GMT. The astronauts were expected to board the shuttle at around 1835 GMT.

The mission will be led by commander Steven Lindsey, pilot Eric Boe and astronauts Alvin Drew, Michael Barratt, Steve Bowen and Nicole Stott.

Astronaut Tim Kopra was scratched from the crew list after a bicycle accident in January. He was replaced by Bowen.

The crew plans to deliver the Permanent Multipurpose Module, with extra storage space and an area for experiments, as well as some spare parts and the Express Logistic Carrier, an external platform for large equipment.

The shuttle is also to bring the first humanoid robot to the ISS. The Robonaut 2, or R2, is a joint project of General Motors and NASA and will stay behind when Discovery leaves as a permanent resident of the ISS.

The weather forecast – clear skies, sunshine and a mild breeze – was considered exceptionally good with only a 20-percent chance of conditions that could delay the launch, NASA weather officer Kathy Winters said.

Discovery first flew in 1984. Final flights for the other two remaining in the fleet, Atlantis and Endeavour, are scheduled for later this year.

Endeavour is set for its final takeoff on April 19 and a last mission for Atlantis is scheduled for June 28, though funding for Atlantis remains in question.

There were initially five space shuttles in the fleet — Challenger exploded shortly after liftoff in 1986 and Columbia disintegrated on its way back to Earth in 2003.

The sixth shuttle, Enterprise, did test flights in the atmosphere but was never flown into space. It is already on display at a museum outside Washington.

SRK to host Indian version of popular TV show Wipeout

After hosting shows such as ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati-3′ and ‘Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Ho? ‘, Baadshah of Bollywood- Shah Rukh Khan would once again be seen hosting a show on the small screen. The show in question is the Indian version of popular reality show ‘Wipeout’ where contestants are given a series of water based adventure tasks to perform.

Some of the contestants confirmed to take part in the show include names such as Raja Chaudhary, Dimpy Mahajan, Claudia Ciesta and Akashdeep. The show is likely to be shot in Argentina and would be aired on NDTV Imagine.

A press conference announcing the launch of the show is happening in Mumbai today where SRK would be present.

Aamir steps back; Kiran Rao will take centre stage for Dhobi Ghat

Aamir Khan started a trend of sorts of showing the first theatrical of his each film to the media and having an informal interaction with them.

Since Taare Zameen Par, Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Naa, Ghajini, 3 Idiots and Peepli Live, Aamir has always personally shown the first look or theatrical promo of his films to the media.

But for the first time, in over 3 years, he will not be present for the launch of the first look of Dhobi Ghat.

Taken by surprise? Well, the story goes that Aamir wants Kiran Rao to take the centre stage and wants everyone to know that this is a Kiran Rao film. Hence, on Nov 17, when there is a dekho at the glimpses of the film, Aamir Khan will not be there. Instead, it’ll be Kiran Rao taking over the media interaction this time.

Dhobi Ghat will be releasing on Jan 21. It stars Aamir Khan and Prateik in lead roles.

Akshay Kumar to kidnap the media

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Getting the correct buzz right through the making till the very release has traditionally played a major role in hyping up a film. Tees Maar Khan has aimed at being

nothing different with a highlight a week keeping this Farah Khan directed film in news ever since it was announced.

Now add another highlight which is bound to make audience look forward to what new does this Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif starrer has to offer. The music of

the film would be launched in Mumbai on Friday and if sources are to be believed, it would turn out to be one of its own kind and never-seen-before event.

“It is definitely not going to be a regular press conference coupled with the screening of a few songs. It is going to be an altogether different affair”,

says a highly placed source from the marketing team of Tees Maar Khan, “A film like Tees Maar Khan has to be pitched differently.”

Extending the reason behind the ‘difference’ that Tees Maar Khan is aiming for, the source adds, “When it comes to regular music launches, there is at

least one such event that happens in Bollywood, whether for a big or a small film. There is visibility that comes in but nothing which is long lasting. Also,

one doesn’t always find a launch to compliment the theme and the genre of a film as all of them look just the same. If Tees Maar Khan too had to do

the same, its music may well have arrived on the stands without quite going for one such event.”

With music by Vishal-Shekhar and a guest composition (for the title track) by Shirish Kunder (who is also the producer of the film), Tees Maar Khan

music is being looked at with a keen interest as it also brings the team together once again after Om Shanti Om. However, with continued suspense

being created around the launch of the film’s soundtrack, one reaches out to the woman at the hot seat, Farah herself.

“Well, a suspense has to be suspense, so why break it before its due date”, Farah teases here, “Sunday is just a few days away so why not wait for a little

while longer. All I can confirm though are two things – 1) The launch is going to be unconventional and would take you by total surprise. You have never seen

music of a film release like this ever before. 2) Going by the genre of the film, our protagonist Tees Maar Khan is going to take you for a ride for

sure, so keep your seat belts fastened and be prepared for the unexpected. Beyond that, if I utter a word, I would just end up revealing it all.”

Well, even though the film is touted to be a racy masala entertainer, seems like Farah and Co. chose the ‘suspense, thrill and action’ genre for the launch

here. Hope it indeed does lead to a grand finale!

Numan Langrials degree declared fake

LAHORE: The degree of PML-Q MNA Nauman Langrial has been declared fake on Sunday.

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Numan Langrials degree declared fake

Iraq wants oil companies to develop 11 fields

BAGHDAD: Iraq’s oil minister is calling on international oil companies that won contracts to develop 11 oil and gas fields to show they are able to meet their obligations.

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Iraq wants oil companies to develop 11 fields

Afridi wants to lead Pakistan to WCup glory

LONDON: Former Pakistan Test captain Shahid Afridi vowed to return to England on Sunday, saying the limited over series starting next month will be the launch pad for his ambitions to win the 2011 World Cup.

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Afridi wants to lead Pakistan to WCup glory

European stocks steady after day-earlier losses

LONDON: European stock markets steadied Thursday following the previous day’s losses while the euro clambered up from four-year lows.

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European stocks steady after day-earlier losses

My dancing was extempore: Shammi

His energetic, untamed, inimitable and sometimes crazy dance moves were a hit with all age groups.

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My dancing was extempore: Shammi

Internet to run out of IP addresses in 500 days

SYDNEY: It has emerged that the IP addresses used in helping to distinguish one computer from another are expected to run out in approximately 500 days.

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Internet to run out of IP addresses in 500 days

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