Interspace News

STS-124 Arrives For TCDT

The crew of space shuttle Discovery's STS-124 mission arrive at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility to take part in the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, or TCDT. Next to the T-38 jet aircraft are Pilot Ken Ham (left) and Mission Specialist Akihiko Hoshide. They are greeted at right by Mike Leinbach, shuttle launch director, and Stephanie Stilson, NASA Flow Director for Discovery. TCDT is a rehearsal for launch that includes practicing emergency procedures, handling on-orbit equipment, and simulating a launch countdown. Photo Credit: NASA

STS-124 Crew Arrives For TCDT

The crew of space shuttle Discovery's STS-124 mission arrive at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility to take part in the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, or TCDT. Here, Commander Mark Kelly is greeted by Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach. Behind Leinbach is Mission Specialist Greg Chamitoff. TCDT is a rehearsal for launch that includes practicing emergency procedures, handling on-orbit equipment, and simulating a launch countdown. On the STS-124 mission, the crew will deliver and install the Japanese Experiment Module – Pressurized Module and Japanese Remote Manipulator System. Discovery's launch is targeted for May 31. Visit The Manned Spaceflight Section For Full Coverage. Be Sure To Watch The TCDT Q&A Life In The Firing Room! Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

STS-124 Crew Arrives For TCDT

The crew of space shuttle Discovery's STS-124 mission arrive at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility to take part in the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, or TCDT. Here, Commander Mark Kelly (center left) and Mission Specialist Greg Chamitoff (center right) are greeted by Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach (far left) and NASA Flow Director for Discovery Stephanie Stilson. TCDT is a rehearsal for launch that includes practicing emergency procedures, handling on-orbit equipment, and simulating a launch countdown.

STS-124 TCDT

STS-124 Commander Mark Kelly is seen through the cockpit window of NASA's Shuttle Training Aircraft, or STA, before taxiing to the runway at the NASA Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility to practice space shuttle landings. The STA is a Grumman American Aviation-built Gulf Stream II jet that was modified to simulate an orbiter's cockpit, motion and visual cues, and handling qualities. In flight, the STA duplicates the orbiter's atmospheric descent trajectory from approximately 35,000 feet altitude to landing on a runway.

STS-124 TCDT

NASA's Shuttle Training Aircraft, or STA, soars into the sky (at right) over the NASA Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility. At the controls are STS-124 Commander Mark Kelly and Pilot Ken Ham, who will be practicing space shuttle landings. At left, in the background, is the Vehicle Assembly Building. The STA is a Grumman American Aviation-built Gulf Stream II jet that was modified to simulate an orbiter's cockpit, motion and visual cues, and handling qualities. More Photos Can Be Found In The Manned Spaceflight Section Photo Credit: NASA

STS-124 TCDT

With Launch Pad 39B in the background, STS-124 Pilot Ken Ham drives the M113 armored personnel carrier as part of emergency training. Behind him at right is Mission Specialist Karen Nyberg. At center is Battalion Chief George Hoggard providing supervision. Ham and other crew members are at NASA's Kennedy Space Center for a dress launch rehearsal called the terminal countdown demonstration test. TCDT provides astronauts and ground crews with an opportunity to participate in various simulated countdown activities, including equipment familiarization and emergency training Photo Credit: NASA

STS-124 TCDT

STS-124 Commander Mark Kelly is ready to practice driving the M113 armored personnel carrier as part of emergency training. He and other crew members are at NASA's Kennedy Space Center for a dress launch rehearsal called the terminal countdown demonstration test. TCDT provides astronauts and ground crews with an opportunity to participate in various simulated countdown activities, including equipment familiarization and emergency training. On the STS-124 mission, the crew will deliver and install the Japanese Experiment Module – Pressurized Module and Japanese Remote Manipulator System. Discovery's launch is targeted for May 31. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

STS-124 TCDT

The STS-124 crew holds a good-luck banner presented to Mission Specialist Karen Nyberg that was created and signed by students at Henning Public School in the town of Henning, Minn. Holding the banner are (from left) Mission Specialist Mike Fossum, Pilot Ken Ham, Commander Mark Kelly, Nyberg, Mission Specialists Ron Garan, Akihiko Hoshide and Greg Chamitoff. Hoshide represents the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. In the background is the 300-gallon water tower (left) and the fixed service structure Photo Credit: NASA

STS-124 TCDT

In the slidewire basket area of Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the STS-124 crew gets instruction about landing safely. Lined up from left are Mission Specialist Akihiko Hoshide, Commander Mark Kelly, Mission Specialists Ron Garan and Karen Nyberg, Pilot Ken Ham, and Mission Specialists Mike Fossum and Greg Chamitoff. Hoshide represents the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. The crew is at Kennedy for a dress launch rehearsal called the terminal countdown demonstration test Photo Credit: NASA

STS-124 TCDT Payload Inspection

On Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, STS-124 crew members get a close look at the orbital docking system in space shuttle Discovery's payload bay. Seen from left are Mission Specialists Ron Garan, Mike Fossum and Greg Chamitoff. The payload bay walkdown is part of the launch dress rehearsal called the terminal countdown demonstration test. TCDT provides astronauts and ground crews with an opportunity to participate in various simulated countdown activities, including equipment familiarization and emergency training. On the STS-124 mission, the crew will deliver and install the Japanese Experiment Module – Pressurized Module and Japanese Remote Manipulator System. Discovery's launch is targeted for May 31. More Photos Can Be Found In The Manned Spaceflight Section Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

STS-124 TCDT Payload Inspection

On Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, STS-124 crew members get a close look at the Japanese Experiment Module – Pressurized Module and other equipment in space shuttle Discovery's payload bay. At left is Commander Mark Kelly; on the floor looking up is Pilot Ken Ham. The payload bay walkdown is part of the launch dress rehearsal called the terminal countdown demonstration test. TCDT provides astronauts and ground crews with an opportunity to participate in various simulated countdown activities, including equipment familiarization and emergency training. On the STS-124 mission, the crew will deliver and install the Japanese Experiment Module – Pressurized Module and Japanese Remote Manipulator System. Discovery's launch is targeted for May 31. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

STS-124 TCDT Walkout

The STS-124 crew heads to the Astrovan for the ride to Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center for a simulated launch countdown. From left are Mission Specialists Akihiko Hoshide, Ron Garan, Greg Chamitoff and Mike Fossum, Pilot Ken Ham, Mission Specialist Karen Nyberg and Commander Mark Kelly. The simulation is part of the launch dress rehearsal called the terminal countdown demonstration test. TCDT provides astronauts and ground crews with an opportunity to participate in various simulated countdown activities, including equipment familiarization and emergency training. On the STS-124 mission, the crew will deliver and install the Japanese Experiment Module – Pressurized Module and Japanese Remote Manipulator System. Discovery's launch is targeted for May 31. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

STS-124 TCDT Crew Photo

The STS-124 crew heads to the Astrovan for the ride to Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center for a simulated launch countdown. From left are Mission Specialists Akihiko Hoshide, Ron Garan, Greg Chamitoff and Mike Fossum, Pilot Ken Ham, Mission Specialist Karen Nyberg and Commander Mark Kelly. The simulation is part of the launch dress rehearsal called the terminal countdown demonstration test. TCDT provides astronauts and ground crews with an opportunity to participate in various simulated countdown activities, including equipment familiarization and emergency training. On the STS-124 mission, the crew will deliver and install the Japanese Experiment Module – Pressurized Module and Japanese Remote Manipulator System. Discovery's launch is targeted for May 31. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

STS-124 TCDT Crew Departure

The crew for the STS-124 mission departs NASA's Kennedy Space Center after a successful launch dress rehearsal called the terminal countdown demonstration test. Commander Mark Kelly (right) waits his turn to climb into the cockpit of the T-38 training jet for the flight back to Houston. Mission Specialist Greg Chamitoff is already seated. The crew is expected to return in late May for the May 31 launch of space shuttle Discovery. On the STS-124 mission, the crew will deliver and install the Japanese Experiment Module – Pressurized Module and Japanese Remote Manipulator System. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett