Liftoff Scheduled For 0439 EST February 7th

After reaching its launch pad at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida Wednesday, space shuttle Endeavour now awaits its next major milestone for the upcoming STS-130 mission. The launch dress rehearsal, known as the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, or TCDT, is scheduled to take place at Kennedy from Jan. 19 to 21.

Endeavour arrived at Launch Pad 39A at 0845 EST Wednesday on top of a giant crawler-transporter. The crawler-transporter left Kennedy's Vehicle Assembly Building at 0413 EST traveling less than 1 mph during the 3.4-mile journey. The shuttle was secured on the pad at 1037 EST.

With Endeavour on the pad, the STS-130 astronauts and ground crews can participate in the practice countdown and related training starting Jan. 19. The rehearsal provides each shuttle crew with an opportunity to participate in various simulated countdown activities, including equipment familiarization and emergency training.

The six astronauts for Endeavour's STS-130 mission will deliver a third connecting module, the Tranquility node, to the International Space Station. Endeavour's Feb. 7 target liftoff is at 0439 EST, making it the final scheduled space shuttle night launch.

FMI: www.nasa.gov