Prelaunch Test Under Way

May 2, 2005 Prelaunch Test Under Way

The STS-114 Return to Flight crew arrived at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida late Sunday to participate in the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test. The three-day event allows the crew to practice prelaunch activities, including launch pad safety training and a countdown dress rehearsal. The Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test takes place before each Space Shuttle mission.

After arrival at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the STS-114 crew members pause on the runway while Commander Eileen Collins makes a brief statement to the media. Image credit: NASA/KSC

July 13 to 31 is the new launch planning window for the Space Shuttle Discovery mission. This gives NASA time to do additional work to ensure a safe Return to Flight for Discovery and its crew.

The Return to Flight mission is the 114th Space Shuttle flight, and the 31st flight of Discovery.

"Our intent with this effort is to make certain we are as safe as we know how to be before we launch the Space Shuttle and its crew," said Administrator Mike Griffin. "We want it to be right."

"We'll be ready to fly when the Space Shuttle is ready," said Mission Commander Eileen Collins.


print this article email this article download pdf blog this article bookmark this article     Stumble it Digg this share on Facebook retweet share on Reddit add to delicious
Rate this story - not rated yet


May 2, 2005 all stories

Comments: 0

not rated yet
  • Stumble this up

  • Digg this

  • share this

  • hide
  • Related Stories



Other News

Fermi Telescope Peers Deep into Microquasar

Fermi Telescope Peers Deep into Microquasar (w/ Video)

Space & Earth / Astronomy

created 12 hours ago | popularity 4.5 / 5 (6) | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope has made the first unambiguous detection of high-energy gamma-rays from an enigmatic binary system known as Cygnus X-3. The system pairs a hot, massive ...


The Energy Sources of Ultraluminous Galaxies

The Energy Sources of Ultraluminous Galaxies

Space & Earth / Astronomy

created 13 hours ago | popularity 4.4 / 5 (10) | comments 1

(PhysOrg.com) -- Ultraluminous infrared galaxies ((ULIRGs) are galaxies whose luminosity exceeds that of a trillion suns; for comparison, the Milky Way galaxy has a typical (and much more modest) luminosity ...


Space shuttle Atlantis, 7 astronauts back on Earth (AP)

Space shuttle Atlantis, 7 astronauts back on Earth

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created 13 hours ago | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

(AP) -- Space shuttle Atlantis and its seven astronauts returned to Earth with a smooth touchdown Friday to end an 11-day flight that resupplied the International Space Station.


New climate targets may not change daily life much (AP)

New climate targets may not change daily life much

Space & Earth / Environment

created 17 hours ago | popularity 3.8 / 5 (10) | comments 3

(AP) -- Americans' day-to-day lives won't change noticeably if President Barack Obama achieves his newly announced goal of slashing carbon dioxide pollution by one-sixth in the next decade, experts say.


China is set to launch its second moon orbiter next October, state media have reported

China to launch second lunar probe: state media

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created 18 hours ago | popularity 5 / 5 (4) | comments 0

China will launch its second moon orbiter next October, state media reported Friday, as it powers ahead with a space programme that has sparked concerns abroad.