Oct. 22, 2008 Candrea Thomas Kennedy Space Center, Fla. 321-867-2468 candrea.k.thomas@nasa.gov Katherine Trinidad Headquarters, Washington 202-358-3749 katherine.trinidad@nasa.gov MEDIA ADVISORY: M08-213 NASA'S SHUTTLE ENDEAVOUR MOVES TO LAUNCH PAD, PRACTICE LIFTOFF SET CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Endeavour is scheduled to move from Launch Pad 39B to Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., as early as 8 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 23, as preparations for the STS-126 mission move forward. Endeavour is targeted to lift off Nov. 14 to the International Space Station. Early Thursday morning, NASA managers will decide when to move the shuttle based on the progress of removing the payload canister from the pad following installation into the pad's changeout room. The payload was delivered to Pad A early Wednesday morning. Endeavour had been scheduled to move Saturday, Oct. 25, but possibly severe weather now is forecast for the area. The latest information about the rollaround will be available by calling 321-867-2525. NASA Television will provide live video of Endeavour's rollaround beginning at 8 a.m. Video highlights of the rollout will air on the NASA TV Video File. Reporters with Kennedy credentials for this event are invited to a photo opportunity of the move and interview availability with Endeavour Flow Director Ken Tenbusch at 1:30 p.m. For the photo opportunity, media need to be at Kennedy's News Center by 7 a.m. for transportation to the viewing site. For the Tenbusch interview, media need to be at the News Center at 12:30 p.m. for transportation to the launch pad. The move will take approximately seven hours. After reaching its launch pad, Endeavour will await its next major milestone. A launch dress rehearsal, known as the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, is scheduled to take place at Kennedy from Oct. 27 to 29. During Endeavour's 15-day mission, the shuttle's seven crew members will deliver supplies and equipment necessary to double the station crew size from three to six members, and during four spacewalks, service the station's two Solar Alpha Rotary Joints, which allow its solar arrays to track the sun. The shuttle also will deliver Expedition 18 crew member Sandra Magnus and return Expedition 17 flight engineer Greg Chamitoff, who has been aboard the station for more than five months. Chris Ferguson will command Endeavour. Eric Boe is the pilot. Mission specialists are Steve Bowen, Shane Kimbrough, Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper, Donald Pettit and Magnus. The Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test provides each shuttle crew with an opportunity to participate in various simulated countdown activities, including equipment familiarization and emergency training. The following media events are associated with the test. All times are Eastern. - Oct. 26: STS-126 crew arrival. The crew will arrive between 2:45 p.m. and 4 p.m. at the Shuttle Landing Facility and make a statement. Arrival will be broadcast live on NASA TV. - Oct. 28: STS-126 crew media availability. The astronauts will take questions from reporters at Launch Pad 39A at 8:30 a.m. The session will be carried live on NASA TV. - Oct. 29: STS-126 crew walkout photo opportunity. The astronauts will depart from the Operations and Checkout Building at 7:45 a.m. in their flight entry suits in preparation for the countdown demonstration test at the launch pad. The walkout will not be broadcast live but will be part of the NASA TV Video File. Schedule updates are available by calling 321-867-2525. To attend crew arrival, reporters must pick up badges before 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, at the Kennedy Badging Facility on State Road 405. For information about covering these events, including proper attire and meeting locations, credentialed media should visit: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/media.html Video b-roll of the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test will be available on the NASA TV Video File. For NASA TV downlink information, schedules and links to streaming video, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv For more information about the STS-126 mission and crew, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle -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
