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Sat, Apr 02, 2005

NASA's Space Shuttle Discovery Set To Roll To Launch Pad

Space Shuttle Discovery is set to roll out to Launch Pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Fla. First motion is currently targeted for 12:01 a.m. EDT Tuesday, April 5.

The fully-assembled Space Shuttle Vehicle, or "stack," -- consisting of the orbiter, External Tank (ET) and twin Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) -- will be mounted on the Mobile Launcher Platform and delivered to the pad via a crawler transporter. The four-mile journey from the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) to the pad will take about six hours.

Discovery's initial move to Launch Pad 39B will be covered live on NASA Television. Live commentary will begin at the first motion of the crawler transporter and continue for about 30 minutes.

NASA TV is available via satellite in the continental U.S. on AMC-6, Transponder 9C, C-Band, at 72 degrees west longitude. The frequency is 3880.0 MHz. Polarization is vertical, and audio is monaural at 6.80 MHz. In Alaska and Hawaii, NASA TV is available on AMC-7, Transponder 18C, C-Band, at 137 degrees west longitude. The frequency is 4060.0 MHz. Polarization is vertical, and audio is monaural at 6.80 MHz. NASA TV is also available on the Internet at www.nasa.gov/ntv.

Launch of Discovery on its Return to Flight mission, designated STS-114, is targeted for May 15 with a launch window that extends to June 3.

During its 12-day mission, Discovery's seven-person crew will test new hardware and techniques to improve Shuttle safety, as well as deliver supplies to the International Space Station.

Discovery was moved from Orbiter Processing Facility on March 29 to the VAB and attached to its propulsion elements, a redesigned ET and twin SRBs.

In preparation for rollout to the launch pad, work in the VAB included the installation of a new digital camera, testing electrical and mechanical attachments between the orbiter and ET, and umbilical checks.

FMI: www.nasa.gov/returntoflight, www.nasa.gov/ntv

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