Feb. 21, 2008
Katherine Trinidad
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-3749
katherine.trinidad@nasa.gov
Candrea Thomas
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
candrea.k.thomas@nasa.gov
MEDIA ADVISORY: M08-037
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 For information about the STS-123 mission and crew, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle
