NASA's Shuttle Discovery To Make Its Final Trip To Launch Pad
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Journalists are invited to cover space shuttle
Discovery's last move from the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) to
Launch Pad 39A on Sept. 20 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Six astronauts are set to launch aboard the shuttle on Nov. 1. The
STS-133 mission to the International Space Station is the final
scheduled flight for Discovery before it is retired.
Live coverage of Discovery's rollout will air on NASA Television
beginning at 8 p.m. EDT. NASA TV's Video File will broadcast
highlights of the move.
Discovery's first motion out of the VAB to the pad is scheduled for 8
p.m. 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 Discovery Flow Director Stephanie
Stilson. Media must arrive at Kennedy's news center by 7:30 p.m. for
the rollout photo opportunity.
There also will be a sunrise photo opportunity at the launch pad on
Sept. 21, following Discovery's arrival. Reporters need to be at the
news center for transportation to the viewing area by 6 a.m. Updates
for events are available at 321-867-2525.
To attend rollout and the sunrise pad photo opportunity, international
journalists must apply by 5 p.m. Sept. 13 to allow time for
processing their requests. U.S. media representatives must apply by
Sept. 17. Reporters requesting accreditation must apply online at:
https://media.ksc.nasa.gov
Badges for rollout may be picked up starting at 6 a.m., Sept. 20, at
the Kennedy Space Center Badging Office on State Road 405.
The 11-day mission will be the 35th flight to the station and the 39th
flight for Discovery. The mission will deliver and install the
Permanent Multipurpose Module, the Express Logistics Carrier 4 - an
external platform that holds large equipment - and critical spare
components for the space station. Discovery also will deliver
Robonaut 2, or R2, to become a permanent resident of the station as
the first human-like robot in space.
For NASA TV downlink information, schedules and links to streaming video, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/ntv
For more information about the STS-133 mission and crew, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov
Source: NASA
