Published: January 06, 2010

Next Major Milestone for The Upcoming STS-130 Mission

Share With Friends

NASA Shuttle At Launch Pad for Final Scheduled Night Launch; Crew Set to Arrive for Practice Liftoff

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - After reaching its launch pad at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida Wednesday, space shuttle Endeavour now awaits its next major milestone for the upcoming STS-130 mission. Reporters are invited to cover the launch dress rehearsal, known as the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, or TCDT, scheduled to take place at Kennedy from Jan. 19 to 21.

Endeavour arrived at Launch Pad 39A at 8:45 a.m. EST Wednesday on top of a giant crawler-transporter. The crawler-transporter left Kennedy's Vehicle Assembly Building at 4:13 a.m., traveling less than 1 mph during the 3.4-mile journey. The shuttle was secured on the pad at 10:37 a.m.

With Endeavour on the pad, the STS-130 astronauts and ground crews can participate in the practice countdown and related training starting Jan. 19. The rehearsal provides each shuttle crew with an opportunity to participate in various simulated countdown activities, including equipment familiarization and emergency training.

For more information about the space station and its crew, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/station

For more information about the STS-130 mission and crew, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

Source: NASA