NASA Updates STS-123 Launch Rehearsal Information

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA is updating television coverage and media access information for the practice countdown of the next space shuttle flight, STS-123. The Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, also known as TCDT, is scheduled to take place at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center from Feb. 23 to 25.

The arrival of shuttle Endeavour’s seven astronauts on Saturday, Feb. 23, will not be shown live on NASA Television. Video of the event will be included in that day’s NASA TV Video File.

The arrival times for credentialed foreign media have changed for all TCDT events. For updated information about covering these events, including proper attire and departure locations, credentialed media should visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/media.html


TCDT provides shuttle crews and launch ground teams with an opportunity to participate in simulated countdown activities, including equipment familiarization and emergency training. STS-123 is the 122nd space shuttle flight, the 21st flight for space shuttle Endeavour and the 25th flight to the International Space Station.

Endeavour is targeted to launch March 11 on a 16-day mission to the station. The shuttle’s crew will deliver the first section of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Kibo laboratory and the Canadian Space Agency’s two-armed robotic system, Dextre. Five spacewalks will be conducted during the flight.

Dominic Gorie will command the STS-123 mission. Gregory H. Johnson will be the pilot. Robert L. Behnken, Mike Foreman, Rick Linnehan, Garrett Reisman and Japanese astronaut Takao Doi make up the rest of the crew. Reisman will remain on the station as a resident crew member, replacing station Flight Engineer Leopold Eyharts of the European Space Agency, who will return home on Endeavour. Eyharts launched to the station with the STS-122 crew Feb. 7.

The following updated media events are associated with TCDT. All times are Eastern.

# Feb. 23 - STS-123 crew arrival: The crew will arrive at 9:45 a.m. at the Shuttle Landing Facility and make a statement. The arrival will not be broadcast live, but will be part of the NASA TV Video File.
# Feb. 24 - STS-123 crew media availability: The crew will take questions from news media at Launch Pad 39A at 9:20 a.m. The event will be carried live on NASA TV.
# Feb. 25 - STS-123 crew walkout photo opportunity: The astronauts will depart from the Operations and Checkout Building at 7:45 a.m. in their flight suits in preparation for the countdown demonstration test at the launch pad. The walkout will not be broadcast live, but will be part of the NASA TV Video File.

Dates and times of events are subject to change. Schedule updates are available by calling 321-867-2525.

To attend crew arrival, reporters must pick up badges by 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22, at the Pass and I.D. Building on State Road 405.

Video b-roll of the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test will be available on the NASA TV Video File. For NASA TV downlink information, schedules and links to streaming video, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv