04.29.05 Melissa Mathews/Katherine Trinidad Headquarters, Washington (Phone: 202/358-1272/3749) Jessica Rye/Bruce Buckingham Kennedy Space Center, Fla. (Phone: 321/867-2468) MEDIA ADVISORY: M05-070 NASA INVITES MEDIA TO SHUTTLE COUNTDOWN DRESS REHEARSAL The Space Shuttle Discovery crew will go through a countdown dress rehearsal at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., May 1 - 4. This is part of the preparation and training for NASA's Return to Flight mission (STS-114). The Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) is held at KSC prior to each Space Shuttle flight. It provides Shuttle crews the opportunity to participate in simulated countdown activities. The test ends with a mock launch countdown culminating in a simulated main engine cutoff. The crew also spends time doing emergency egress training at the launch pad. Discovery's crew members: Commander Eileen Collins; Pilot James Kelly; and Mission Specialists Soichi Noguchi, Stephen Robinson, Andrew Thomas, Wendy Lawrence, and Charles Camarda. TCDT media events: (All times, EDT) Sunday, May 1 (KSC Press Site opens at 6 p.m.) (Media must be at the Press Site by 7:30 p.m. Media must plan to arrive on base via the State Road 405 security checkpoint.) 9 p.m. - PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: The seven-member crew of mission STS-114 arrives at KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility. 9:10 p.m. - STATEMENT from STS-114 Commander Eileen Collins Monday, May 2 (Media must be at the Press Site by 4:30 p.m.) 6:15 p.m. - PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: Commander Eileen Collins and Pilot Jim Kelly perform Shuttle Training Aircraft flights (departure only). Tuesday, May 3 (KSC Press Site opens at 6 a.m.) (Media must arrive at the Press Site by 7:00 a.m.) 8:45 a.m. - MEDIA Q&A and PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: News media may speak informally with the crew and photograph them at Launch Pad 39B. Media must be present to ask questions, and the event will be carried live on NASA TV. Wednesday, May 4 (KSC Press Site opens at 5:30 a.m.) (Live NASA TV coverage starts at 6:30 a.m. with commentary from Firing Room 3; concludes at approximately 11 a.m.) 7:45 a.m. - PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: STS-114 crew departs for Launch Pad 39B. (Media must arrive at the Press Site by 6 a.m.) 11:50 a.m. - PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: STS-114 crew returns to Crew Quarters. (Departure from the Press Site at 11 a.m.) 1:45 p.m. - STATEMENT: STS-114 Commander Eileen Collins makes brief statement to the media at the Press Site. 2:30 p.m. - PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: STS-114 crew departs for Houston from the Shuttle Landing Facility. (Departure from the press site immediately following the commander's statement) KSC News Center hours for STS-114 TCDT Sunday, May 1: 6 p.m. - 11 p.m. Monday, May 2: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 3: 6 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 4: 5:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Media accreditation for STS-114 is closed at KSC. Media must be under public affairs escort at KSC, except when driving to or from the News Center or the Complex 39 cafeteria. Media are allowed at the KSC Press Site only when the NASA News Center is open. Media already approved for the STS-114 launch do not need to reapply for TCDT credentials. Credentials will be honored from this event through STS-114 landing. Media may pick up their badges for TCDT and STS-114 launch at the Pass and Identification Building on State Road 405 from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Media must have two forms of identification to be issued a badge. Media must be properly dressed in long pants and closed shoes with low heels. Sleeveless shirts are not allowed. Since media arrival times are subject to change, call the KSC media codaphone at: 321/867-2525 for the latest updates. NASA TV information: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv For information about 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
