Published: March 02, 2011

NASA's Space Shuttle 'Endeavour' Set For Final Trip To Launch Pad

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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Journalists are invited to cover space shuttle Endeavour's move from the Vehicle Assembly Building, or VAB, to Launch Pad 39A on Wednesday, March 9, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Six astronauts are targeted to launch aboard the shuttle on April 19. The STS-134 mission to the International Space Station is the final scheduled flight for Endeavour before it is retired.

Endeavour's first motion out of the VAB is scheduled for 8 p.m. EST. NASA Television will provide live coverage of the rollout. NASA TV's Video File will broadcast highlights of the move. The shuttle's 3.4-mile journey atop a giant crawler-transporter is expected to take approximately six hours.

Activities include an 8 p.m. photo opportunity of the move followed by an interview availability at 8:30 p.m. with Endeavour Flow Director Dana Hutcherson. Media representatives must arrive at Kennedy's news center by 7:30 p.m. for the rollout photo opportunity.

NASA also will provide a sunrise photo opportunity at the launch pad on March 10, following Endeavour's arrival. Reporters must be at the news center by 6 a.m. for transportation to the viewing area. Updates for events are available at 321-867-2525.

To attend rollout and the sunrise pad photo opportunity, U.S. media representatives must apply by 5 p.m. on Monday, March 7. Accreditation for international media representatives is closed. Reporters requesting accreditation must apply online at:

https://media.ksc.nasa.gov

Badges for rollout may be picked up starting at 6 a.m. on March 9 at the Kennedy Space Center Badging Office on State Road 405.

During the 14-day mission to the space station, Endeavour's astronauts will deliver the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, a particle physics detector designed to search for various types of unusual matter by measuring cosmic rays.

The crew also will deliver the Express Logistics Carrier 3, a platform that carries spare parts that will sustain station operations once the shuttles are retired later this year.

For NASA TV downlink information, schedules and links to streaming video, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

For more information about the STS-134 mission and crew, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts134/index.html

Source: NASA