The STS-120 crew has arrived in Florida, the launch is scheduled for Tuesday

NASA says that the Discovery will be launched on time despite allegations of malfunctions in the heat shield

In the photo: The Discovery crew - in front of Commander Pam Melroy at a press conference after the arrival of the crew members at the Kennedy Space Center.

NASA's STS-120 training plane landed at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Friday. "There is always something special when you land in Florida for a launch" says mission commander Pam Melroy. "We talk to the members of the launch team and read the launch preparation reports. The talks are over now we have to do. And I am happy to say that we are here and ready to do the task"

Melroy said she and her crew are "absolutely confident" that the reinforced carbon heat shield is capable of protecting them on the way home.

The arrival of the crew members was made possible after a flight readiness survey was published on Tuesday, after which NASA managers announced October 23 as the official launch day. Discovery is scheduled to launch at 11:38 a.m. EST (17:36 p.m. Israel time) for its mission to the International Space Station.

The 14-day mission will include five spacewalks, including four by members of the Space Shuttle crew and one spacewalk by the 16th crew of the International Space Station. Discovery is expected to complete its mission and return home at 04:47 EST on November 6 (11:47 Israel time). Towards the day of the launch there are 40% chances that the weather may prevent the launch.