The STS-115 astronauts kicked off their prelaunch training Tuesday morning at Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39, where they drove M-113 armored personnel carriers that would be used for a quick escape from the pad area in the event of an emergency.

The rest of the day's activities included fire-suppression training, as well as security and range safety briefings. Tuesday evening, Commander Brent Jett and Pilot Chris Ferguson took to the skies in the training aircraft to practice landings at the Shuttle Landing Facility.

Late Monday, the crew flew into Kennedy to begin the terminal countdown demonstration test. Under the late-afternoon Florida sun, the six-member crew met with members of the news media after arriving in T-38 trainer jets. Later in the evening, Jett and Ferguson conducted practice landings in the Shuttle Training Aircraft.

During the week's activities, the astronauts will also participate in equipment and spacesuit checks, and a dress rehearsal with a simulated countdown at the launch pad.

The STS-115 crew consists of Commander Brent W. Jett Jr., Pilot Christopher J. Ferguson and Mission Specialists Heidemarie M. Stefanyshyn-Piper, Joseph R. Tanner, Daniel C. Burbank and Steven G. MacLean, who represents the Canadian Space Agency.

During their 11 days in space, the astronauts will install the integrated P3/P4 truss segment with its two large solar arrays that will provide one-fourth of the total power generation capability of the completed station.

FMI: www.nasa.gov