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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA's space shuttle Endeavour is targeted to
roll out to Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on
Tuesday, July 10, as preparations for the STS-118 mission continue. First
motion of Endeavour is scheduled for 12:01 a.m. EDT. After rollout, the
next milestone will be a July 16-19 dress rehearsal of launch, which
includes a practice countdown. Endeavour is targeted to lift off Aug. 7 on
an 11-day mission to the International Space Station.
The fully assembled space shuttle, consisting of the orbiter, external
tank and twin solid rocket boosters, will be mounted on a Mobile Launcher
Platform and delivered to the pad atop a crawler transporter. The crawler
will travel slower than 1 mph during the 3.4-mile journey. The process is
expected to take approximately six hours.
NASA Television will provide live coverage of the rollout beginning at 6
a.m. EDT as Endeavour approaches the launch pad. Video highlights of the
rollout will air on NASA TV's Video File segments.
Permanently badged media should contact the Kennedy News Center at
321-867-2468 by 4 p.m., Monday, July 9, if they plan to attend the
rollout. Media must arrive at Kennedy's press site by 6:30 a.m. EDT on
Tuesday, July 10, for transportation to the viewing area.
The July 16-19 event, known as the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test,
will feature astronauts and ground crews participating in a launch dress
rehearsal. The test provides the crew of each shuttle mission with an
opportunity to practice various simulated countdown activities, including
equipment familiarization and emergency egress training.
U.S. media requesting access to attend the demonstration test events must
apply for credentials separately from the STS-118 mission badge. Foreign
news media accreditation for this event is closed. U.S. media without
permanent Kennedy Space Center credentials should apply online by 4 p.m.,
July 12, at: https://media.ksc.nasa.gov
Endeavour's crew includes Commander Scott Kelly, Pilot Charles Hobaugh
and mission specialists Tracy Caldwell, Richard Mastracchio, Barbara
Morgan, Alvin Drew and Canadian Space Agency astronaut David Williams.
Media Events (All Times Eastern)
July 16 - STS-118 Crew Arrival: The crew is scheduled to arrive at
1 p.m. at the Shuttle Landing Facility and make a brief statement. Media
should arrive at Kennedy's press site by 12 p.m. for transportation to the
facility. The arrival will be carried live on NASA TV.
July 18 - STS-118 Crew Media Q&A: The crew of Endeavour will answer
media questions at Launch Pad 39A at 8:30 a.m. Media must arrive at
Kennedy’s press site by 7:15 a.m. for transportation to the launch pad.
The session will be carried live on NASA TV.
July 19 - STS-118 Crew Walkout Photo Opportunity: The astronauts
will depart for the launch pad from the Operations and Checkout Building
at 7:45 a.m. in preparation for the countdown demonstration test. Media
must arrive at the Kennedy press site by 6:30 a.m. to cover the event.
There will be no live NASA TV coverage.
The events will take place in operational areas, so all media
representatives must be properly dressed in full-length pants, flat shoes
that entirely cover the feet and shirts with sleeves. Tank tops are not
allowed. Dates and times of events are subject to change. To monitor
rollout updates and status changes, please call the NASA News Center
codaphone at 321-867-2525.
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