NASA sets space shuttle liftoff for May 31

By Irene Klotz

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (Reuters) - NASA cleared the space shuttle Discovery on Monday for launch on May 31 to deliver the centerpiece of Japan's space program, a massive laboratory named Kibo, to the International Space Station.

Liftoff is scheduled for 5:02 p.m. EDT (2102 GMT) from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, with docking at the space station expected two days later.

"Right now we're in great shape," said the launch director at the U.S. space agency, Mike Leinbach.

In addition to installing Kibo onto the orbital complex, the Discovery astronauts plan to tackle an assortment of maintenance jobs to help prepare the station for an expanded six-member crew.

Three people now live aboard the station full time, in staggered increments ranging from three to six months.

NASA is in the process of figuring out how to repair a paddle wheel that turns one of the station's solar wing panels which will be needed to fully power the outpost.

Astronauts Michael Fossum and Ronald Garan are scheduled to make three spacewalks during Discovery's nine-day stay at the station.

In addition to installing and outfitting Kibo, the spacewalkers will inspect and troubleshoot the broken solar array rotary joint and replace nitrogen tanks needed to pressurize the station's ammonia cooling system.