Jakarta, ID
Monday, May 28 2012, 10:20 AM

Sci-Tech

Shuttle fueled, Colbert gives launch a 'go'

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Space shuttle Discovery is fueled and ready for an early morning flight to the international space station.

Discovery is scheduled to blast off at 1:36 a.m. (0536 GMT) Tuesday with a full load of supplies. Forecasters put the odds of good launch weather at 80 percent.

The seven astronauts will deliver equipment and experiments, including a half-dozen mice for a bone loss study and a new $5 million treadmill named after TV comedian Stephen Colbert.

Colbert wasn't going to be at the launch but said in a recorded message that he couldn't be prouder that a treadmill will soon be installed at the space station "to help finally slim down all those chubby astronauts."

He added: "I am 'go' to launch me. Let's light this candle!"