04.01.05 Allard Beutel Headquarters, Washington (Phone: 202/358-4769) Jessica Rye Kennedy Space Center, Fla. (321) 867-6185 RELEASE: 30-05 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. Based on the current rollout schedule, media must arrive at the KSC Press Site by 10 p.m. on Monday, April 4, for transportation to the viewing area. Since media arrival times are subject to change, please call the KSC media codaphone at 321/867-2525 for the latest updates. 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: http://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. Permanently badged media interested in attending this roll out event are requested to contact the KSC Press Site (321/867-2468) by close of business Monday, April 4. News media without KSC credentials should submit accreditation requests via the new online accreditation Web site at: https://media.ksc.nasa.gov/ Media may pick up their badges at the Pass and Identification Building on State Road 405 beginning at 6 a.m. Monday. Media must be properly dressed in long pants and closed shoes with low heels. Sleeveless shirts are not allowed. Note: On Monday, April 4, media at KSC will be allowed to ask questions at the pre-flight briefings being held at NASA's Johnson Space Center. For the latest information on NASA's Return to Flight efforts on the Internet, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/returntoflight -end- To subscribe to the list, send a message to: ksc-subscribe@newsletters.nasa.gov To remove your address from the list, send a message to: ksc-unsubscribe@newsletters.nasa.gov
