NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Mission STS-124

Orbiter: Discovery
Mission: STS-124/1J
Primary Payload: Kibo Pressurized Module, Japanese Remote Manipulator System
Target Launch Date: May 31, 2008
Target Launch Time: 5:02 p.m. EDT
Launch Pad: 39A
Mission Duration: 14 days
Landing Site: Kennedy Space Center
Inclination/Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles

Image above: The STS-124 crew members hold up a banner sent to Mission Specialist Karen Nyberg from her high school in Minnesota. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
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Discovery Crew Concludes Countdown Rehearsal

The seven-member crew of STS-124 visited NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 6-9, participating in the three-day terminal countdown demonstration test.

What is the terminal countdown demonstration test?
About two weeks before each space shuttle launch, the astronauts for that mission fly to Kennedy for their final on-site preparations before liftoff. During the week, they check the fit of their spacesuits, practice emergency evacuation procedures at the launch pad, check the mission payload in the shuttle's payload bay, review firefighting methods, and participate in briefings on security and range safety. The astronauts receive instruction on driving the M-113 armored personnel carrier as part of their emergency escape training. In addition, the commander and pilot practice landings in the shuttle training aircraft, which has been modified to simulate the orbiter's unpowered, high-speed glide.

The week's activities culminate in a launch dress rehearsal and simulated countdown with the look and feel of a real launch day. The astronauts don their bright-orange launch and entry suits and travel to the launch pad aboard the "Astrovan," just as they will on launch day. At the pad, they are strapped in their seats aboard the space shuttle that will carry them on their mission, as the mock countdown is completed.