[sarex] Shuttle Atlantis Moves to Pad, Crew Ready for Countdown Test

[Arthur Rowe]

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468

:
> Feb. 15, 2007
>
> Katherine Trinidad
> Headquarters, Washington 
> 202-358-3749 
>
> Jessica Rye
> Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
> 321-867-2468 
>
>
> SHUTTLE ATLANTIS MOVES TO PAD, CREW READY FOR COUNTDOWN TEST
>
> CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The space shuttle Atlantis arrived at its 
> launch pad at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., at 3:09 p.m. EST on 
> top of the giant vehicle known as the crawler transporter. The next 
> milestone for the upcoming mission, STS-117, is a full launch dress 
> rehearsal as the six-member crew prepares to continue building the 
> International Space Station. 
>
> The crawler transporter began carrying Atlantis out of Kennedy's 
> Vehicle Assembly Building at 8:19 a.m. It traveled just under 1 mph 
> during the 3.4 mile journey.
>
> While at the pad, the shuttle will undergo final testing, payload 
> installation and a "hot fire" test of auxiliary power units. When 
> testing is completed, the rotating service structure will be moved 
> around the vehicle for protection.
>
> Atlantis' targeted launch date is March 15. During the 11-day mission, 
> the crew will install a new truss segment, retract a set of solar 
> arrays and unfold a new set on the starboard side of the station. The 
> launch marks the first liftoff from Pad 39A in four years. 
>
> The astronauts and ground crews for the mission will participate in a 
> launch dress rehearsal, known as the terminal countdown demonstration 
> test, Feb. 21 to 23 at Kennedy. The test provides the crew of each 
> shuttle mission with an opportunity to participate in various 
> simulated countdown activities, including equipment familiarization 
> and emergency egress training.
>
>
> The crew includes Commander Rick Sturckow, Pilot Lee Archambault and 
> mission specialists Jim Reilly, Patrick Forrester, Steven Swanson and 
> John "Danny" Olivas.
>
> Media Events (All Times Eastern)
>
> Feb. 21 - STS-117 Crew Arrival: The crew will arrive at 1 p.m. at the 
> Shuttle Landing Facility and make a statement. Media should arrive at 
> Kennedy's News Center by noon for transportation to the facility. The 
> arrival will be carried live NASA TV coverage.
>
> Feb. 22 - STS-117 Crew Media Q&A: The crew of Atlantis will take media 
> questions at Launch Pad 39A at 7:40 a.m. Media must arrive at the 
> News Center by 6:30 a.m. for transportation to the launch pad. The 
> session will be carried live on NASA TV.
>
> Feb. 23 - STS-117 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. Media need to arrive at the 
> News Center by 6:45 a.m. to cover the event. There will be no live 
> NASA TV coverage. 
>
>
> For NASA TV downlink information, schedules and links to streaming 
> video, visit:
>
> http://www.nasa.gov/ntv 
> For information about the STS-117 mission and crew, visit:
>
> http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle
>
> 	
> -end-
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