U.S. LABORATORY NAME ANNOUNCED TODAY AT KSC

The U.S. Laboratory module, considered the centerpiece of the International Space Station, was named "Destiny" today in honor of its prominent role in the world’s largest science and technology effort. The announcement was made in a brief ceremony in front of the module at the Kennedy Space Center’s Space Station Processing Facility on Tuesday, Dec. 1.

Participating in the ceremony were Roy D. Bridges, Director, Kennedy Space Center, and Randy Brinkley, Program Manager, International Space Station, Johnson Space Center. Astronauts from the STS-98 flight crew participating included Commander Ken Cockrell; Pilot Mark Polansky; and Mission Specialist Marsha Ivins.

The U.S. Laboratory is planned for launch aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour on the sixth International Space Station construction flight currently targeted to occur on Feb. 3, 2000.