July 29, 2009 Candrea Thomas Kennedy Space Center, Fla. 321-867-2468 candrea.k.thomas@nasa.gov John Yembrick Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1100 john.yembrick-1@nasa.gov MEDIA ADVISORY: M09-143 NASA'S SHUTTLE DISCOVERY MOVES TO LAUNCH PAD, PRACTICE LIFTOFF SET CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Reporters are invited to cover space shuttle Discovery's move to the launch pad on Aug. 3 and the mission crew's dress rehearsal activities Aug. 5 to Aug. 7 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The first motion of Discovery from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39A is scheduled for 12:01 a.m. EDT. The 3.4 mile journey is expected to take approximately six hours. Activities include a 6 a.m. photo opportunity of the shuttle's move and an interview availability with Discovery Flow Director Stephanie Stilson at 7 a.m. Reporters must arrive at Kennedy's news center by 5:30 a.m. Monday for transportation to the viewing area. Live coverage of the move will be shown on NASA Television starting at 6 a.m. Video highlights of the move will air on the NASA TV Video File. International media accreditation for these events is closed. U.S. reporters without permanent Kennedy credentials must apply for accreditation online by 4 p.m. Thursday, July 30, at: https://media.ksc.nasa.gov Badges must be picked up before 4 p.m. Friday, July 31, at the Kennedy Space Center Badging Office on State Road 405. Discovery's astronauts and ground crews will participate in the practice countdown, known as the terminal countdown demonstration test. The 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. - Aug. 5 - STS-128 crew arrival. The astronauts will arrive at approximately 11:30 a.m. at the Shuttle Landing Facility and make a statement. The arrival will be broadcast live on NASA TV. - Aug. 6 - STS-128 crew media availability. The crew will take questions from reporters at Launch Pad 39A at 8:40 a.m. The session will be carried live on NASA TV. - Aug. 7 - STS-128 crew walkout photo opportunity. The astronauts will depart from the Operations and Checkout Building at 8:15 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 air on the NASA TV Video File. For information about covering these events, including proper attire and meeting locations, credentialed journalists should visit: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/media.html Updates for all events are available at 321-867-2525. For NASA TV downlink information, schedules and links to streaming video, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv For more information about the STS-128 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
