Sun, May 04, 2008
STS-124 Targeted For May 31 Launch
After safely reaching its launch pad at NASA's Kennedy Space
Center, the space shuttle Discovery now awaits its next major
milestone for the upcoming STS-124 mission. A launch dress
rehearsal, known as the terminal countdown demonstration test, is
scheduled to take place at Kennedy from May 6 to 9.
Discovery arrived at the pad at 0425 EDT Saturday on top of the
giant crawler-transporter. The massive moving platform left
Kennedy's Vehicle Assembly Building at 2347 EDT Friday, traveling
less than 1 mph during the 3.4-mile journey. The shuttle was
secured on the launch pad at 0606 EDT Saturday.
NASA aims to launch Discovery May 31 on a 13-day mission to the
International Space Station. The shuttle's seven crew members will
deliver the Kibo laboratory's large Japanese Pressurized Module, or
JPM, and its remote manipulator system to the International Space
Station. Three spacewalks will be conducted during the flight.
Mark Kelly will command the STS-124 mission. Ken Ham will be the
pilot. The mission specialists are Karen Nyberg, Ron Garan, Mike
Fossum, Greg Chamitoff and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
astronaut Akihiko Hoshide.
Chamitoff will remain on the station as a resident crew member,
replacing station Flight Engineer Garrett Reisman, who will return
home on Discovery.
The STS-124 astronauts and ground crews will participate in the
practice countdown. The terminal countdown demonstration test
provides each shuttle crew with an opportunity to participate in
various simulated countdown activities, including equipment
familiarization and emergency training.
STS-124 is the 123rd shuttle flight, the 35th flight for
Discovery and the 26th flight to the station.
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