Discovery's 7 Astronauts a Diverse Bunch

Launch director, Mike Leinbach answers questions during a news conference following a two-day assessment of preparations for the mission of Space Shuttle Discovery at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2006. Launch date for the shuttle is scheduled for Dec. 7.(AP Photo/John Raoux) (John Raoux - AP)

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Discovery's seven astronauts are among the most culturally diverse of any space shuttle crew. There are two African-Americans, an astronaut of Indian descent, the soon-to-be first Swede in space, a British-born mission specialist, an Alaskan and a Jersey Boy.

It's also the greenest crew in eight years when it comes to spaceflight experience: Five astronauts have never flown in a space shuttle before. The last time a shuttle mission had five rookies was a Columbia crew that flew in April 1998.

But commander Mark Polansky said each has been training as an astronaut anywhere from eight to 12 years.

"Even though they've not flown (in space) before, they have been here eight years, training or working on missions in various degrees," Polansky said of the five. "I don't consider them rookies."

Three members of the current crew _ pilot William Oefelein and spacewalkers Robert Curbeam and Christer Fuglesang _ started training in 2002 with another commander. Then came the Columbia tragedy in 2003 and the decision to end the shuttle program by 2010.

The original commander, who had made four space trips already, was asked to step aside to give others a chance. The other crew members were added in late 2004 and early 2005.

Here is a more detailed look at each astronaut:

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Mark Polansky, commander

Age: 50

Hometown: Born in Paterson, N.J., but considers Edison his hometown.

Family: Married, a daughter.