Astronauts Preparing for Launch

Images of astronauts in launch suits at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, capturing their readiness and enthusiasm as they prepare for space missions.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The STS-114 crew stands underneath Discovery in the Orbiter Processing Facility. From left are Mission Specialist Stephen Robinson, Pilot James Kelly, Mission Specialist Charles Camarda, astronaut John Young, Commander Eileen Collins and Mission Specialists Andrew Thomas, Wendy Lawrence and Soichi Noguchi, who is with the Japanese Aerospace and Exploration Agency. Young is associate director, Technical, at Johnson Space Center. The crew is spending time becoming familiar with Shuttle and mission equipment. The mission is Logistics Flight 1, which is scheduled to deliver supplies and equipment plus the external stowage platform to the International Space Station.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- Eagerly stepping out from the Operations and Checkout Building are the STS-108 crew, leading the way, and the Expedition 4 crew as they head for Launch Pad 39B and Space Shuttle Endeavour. From front to back are, left to right, Pilot Mark E. Kelly and Commander Dominic L. Gorie; Mission Specialists Daniel M. Tani and Linda A. Godwin; Expedition 4 members Daniel W. Bursch, Commander Yuri Onufrienko and Carl E. Walz. This is the second launch attempt after the first attempt Dec. 4 was scrubbed due to poor weather conditions at KSC. The main goals of the mission are to carry the Expedition 4 crew to the International Space Station as replacement for Expedition 3; carry the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello filled with water, equipment and supplies; and install thermal blankets over equipment at the base of the ISS solar wings. STS-108 is the final Shuttle mission of 2001 and the 107th Shuttle flight overall. Launch is scheduled for 5 19 p.m. EST (22 19

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The STS-114 crew stands underneath Discovery in the Orbiter Processing Facility. From left are Mission Specialist Stephen Robinson, Pilot James Kelly, Mission Specialist Charles Camarda, astronaut John Young, Commander Eileen Collins and Mission Specialists Andrew Thomas, Wendy Lawrence and Soichi Noguchi, who is with the Japanese Aerospace and Exploration Agency. Young is associate director, Technical, at Johnson Space Center. The crew is spending time becoming familiar with Shuttle and mission equipment. The mission is Logistics Flight 1, which is scheduled to deliver supplies and equipment plus the external stowage platform to the International Space Station.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The STS-106 flight crew gather in the white room of Launch Pad 39-B. Crew members pictured are, from left, Mission Specialists Boris V. Morukov, Yuri I. Malenchenko, Daniel C. Burbank, Commander Terrence W. Wilcutt, Pilot Scott D. Altman, Mission Specialists Richard A. Mastracchio and Edward T. Lu. Malenchenko and Morukov are with the Russian Aviation and Space Agency. The flight crew were at Kennedy Space Center to take part in Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) activities. The TCDT provides the crew with emergency egress training and opportunities to inspect their mission payload in the orbiters payload bay. STS-106 is scheduled to launch Sept. 8, 2000, at 8:31 a.m. EDT from Launch Pad 39B. On the 11-day mission, the seven-member crew will perform support tasks on orbit, transfer supplies and prepare the living quarters in the newly arrived Zvezda Service Module. The first long-duration crew, dubbed “Expedition One,” is due to arrive at the St

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At the Operations and Checkout Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the astronauts on space shuttle Atlantis' STS-132 crew, dressed in their orange launch-and-entry suits, pause for a group portrait in front of the Astrovan which will transport them to Launch Pad 39A. From left are Mission Specialists Piers Sellers, Steve Bowen, Michael Good and Garrett Reisman; Pilot Tony Antonelli; and Commander Ken Ham. The white band on Ham's left wrist is a watch protector, which will make putting on his suit's gloves easier. Liftoff of the STS-132 mission is set for 2 20 p.m. EDT on May 14. The six-member STS-132 crew will deliver the Russian-built Mini Research Module-1 to the International Space Station. Named Rassvet, Russian for 'dawn,' the module is the second in a series of new pressurized components for Russia and will be permanently attached to the Earth-facing port of the Zarya control module. Rassvet will be used for cargo storage and will provide a

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Dressed in their launch-and-entry suits, the STS-126 crew members eagerly exit the Operations and Checkout Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. They will head to Launch Pad 39A for a simulated countdown in space shuttle Endeavour. Clockwise from left are Pilot Eric Boe, Mission Specialists Steve Bowen, Shane Kimbrough, Sandra Magnus, Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper and Donald Pettit, and Commander Chris Ferguson. The crew is at Kennedy to take part in the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, which includes equipment familiarization, emergency exit training and the simulated countdown. On the STS-126 mission, space shuttle Endeavour's crew will deliver equipment and supplies to the International Space Station in preparation for expansion from a three- to six-person resident crew aboard the complex. The mission also will include four spacewalks to service the stations Solar Alpha Rotary Joints. Endeavour is targeted to launch Nov. 14.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - STS-125 crew members eagerly stride from the Operations and Checkout Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida to make the trip to Launch Pad 39A for liftoff of space shuttle Atlantis on the STS-125 mission to service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. On the left, front to back, are Pilot Gregory C. Johnson and Mission Specialists John Grunsfeld and Michael Good. On the right, front to back, are Commander Scott Altman and Mission Specialists Megan McArthur, Andrew Feustel and Mike Massimino. Atlantis' 11-day flight will include five spacewalks to refurbish and upgrade the telescope with state-of-the-art science instruments that will expand Hubble's capabilities and extend its operational lifespan through at least 2014. The payload includes a Wide Field Camera 3, fine guidance sensor and the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph. Launch of Atlantis is scheduled for 2:01 p.m. May 11 EDT.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the astronauts on space shuttle Endeavour's STS-130 crew, dressed in their orange launch-and-entry suits, wave to spectators as they walk out of the Operations and Checkout Building for the ride in the Astrovan to Launch Pad 39A. In the left column, from the front, are Commander George Zamka and Mission Specialists Kathryn Hire and Nicholas Patrick. In the right column, from the front, are Pilot Terry Virts and Mission Specialists Stephen Robinson and Robert Behnken. This is the second launch attempt for space shuttle Endeavour's STS-130 crew. The first attempt on Feb. 7 was scrubbed due to unfavorable weather. The primary payload for the STS-130 mission to the International Space Station is the Tranquility node, a pressurized module that will provide additional room for crew members and many of the station's life support and environmental control systems. Attached to one end of Tranquility is a cupola, a unique work are

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The STS-128 crew members eagerly exit NASA Kennedy Space Center's Operations and Checkout Building to head to the Astrovan for the 3.4-mile drive to Launch Pad 39A. Clockwise from left are Pilot Kevin Ford, Mission Specialists Jose Fernandez, Nicole Stott, Danny Olivas, Christer Fuglesang and Patrick Forrester, and Commander Rick Sturckow. At the pad, the astronauts will complete their suitup and enter space shuttle Discovery for the 1:36 a.m. EDT liftoff. The 13-day mission will deliver more than 7 tons of supplies, science racks and equipment, as well as additional environmental hardware to sustain six crew members on the International Space Station. The equipment includes a freezer to store research samples, a new sleeping compartment and the COLBERT treadmill. The mission is the 128th in the Space Shuttle Program, the 37th flight of Discovery and the 30th station assembly flight.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The STS-105 crew exits the Operations and Checkout Building, followed by the Expedition Three (E3) crew. Leading the way are (left to right) Pilot Rick Sturckow and Commander Scott Horowitz; in the second row, Mission Specialists Patrick Forrester and Daniel Barry; in the third row, E3 cosmonaut Mikhail Tyurin, Commander Frank Culbertson, and cosmonaut Vladimir Dezhurov. Forrester and Tyurin are both making their first space flights. On the mission, Discovery will be transporting the Expedition Three crew and several payloads and scientific experiments to the ISS, including the Early Ammonia Servicer (EAS) tank. The EAS, which will support the thermal control subsystems until a permanent system is activated, will be attached to the Station during two spacewalks. The three-member Expedition Two crew will be returning to Earth aboard Discovery after a five-month stay on the Station. Launch is scheduled for 5 38 p.m. EDT Aug. 9. Photo by Scott Andrews; Nikon

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- Eagerly stepping out from the Operations and Checkout Building are the STS-108 crew, leading the way, and the Expedition 4 crew as they head for Launch Pad 39B and Space Shuttle Endeavour. From front to back are, left to right, Pilot Mark E. Kelly and Commander Dominic L. Gorie; Mission Specialists Daniel M. Tani and Linda A. Godwin; Expedition 4 members Daniel W. Bursch, Commander Yuri Onufrienko and Carl E. Walz. This is the second launch attempt after the first attempt Dec. 4 was scrubbed due to poor weather conditions at KSC. The main goals of the mission are to carry the Expedition 4 crew to the International Space Station as replacement for Expedition 3; carry the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello filled with water, equipment and supplies; and install thermal blankets over equipment at the base of the ISS solar wings. STS-108 is the final Shuttle mission of 2001 and the 107th Shuttle flight overall. Launch is scheduled for 5:19 p.m. EST

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Showing their eagerness for launch, the STS-110 crew wave as they stride out of the Operations and Checkout Building. Leading the way in the front row are Pilot Stephen N. Frick (left) and Commander Michael J. Bloomfield (right); in the second row are Mission Specialists Rex J. Walheim and Ellen Ochoa; third row, Jerry L. Ross and Lee M.E. Morin; in the rear is Mission Specialist Steven L. Smith. STS-110 is the 13th assembly flight to the International Space Station, carrying the S0 Integrated Truss Structure and Mobile Transporter (MT). On the 11-day mission, the mission features four spacewalks to attach the S0 truss, which will become the backbone of the Space Station, to the U.S. Lab, "Destiny." The MT, a space "railcar," is attached to the truss segment and will make its debut run during the flight. Launch is scheduled for 4:40 p.m. EDT (20:40 GMT). Photo by Scott Andrews

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The six STS-134 astronauts pause for a photo after arrival at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility in Florida, to begin final launch preparations for space shuttle Endeavour's mission to the International Space Station scheduled for Monday, May 16 at 8:56 a.m. From left are Commander Mark Kelly, Mission Specialists Greg Chamitoff, Andrew Feustel, European Space Agency astronaut Roberto Vittori,Michael Fincke and Pilot Greg H. Johnson.Endeavour and its crew will deliver the Express Logistics Carrier-3, Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS), a high-pressure gas tank and additional spare parts for the Dextre robotic helper to the station. This will be the final spaceflight for Endeavour.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The STS-127 crew members stride out of the Operations and Checkout Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida to head for Launch pad 39A and a scheduled 6:51 p.m. EDT liftoff on space shuttle Endeavour. Leading the way are Pilot Doug Hurley (left) and Commander Mark Polansky. Behind, left and right, are Mission Specialists Julie Payette of the Canadian Space Agency and Christopher Cassidy, Tom Marshburn and Tim Kopra, and at the rear, Dave Wolf. Today's launch will be the fifth attempt. The mission was scrubbed on June 13 and again June 17 when a hydrogen gas leak occurred during tanking due to a misaligned Ground Umbilical Carrier Plate. The mission was scrubbed July 12 due to weather conditions near the Shuttle Landing Facility at Kennedy that violated rules for launching. Endeavour will deliver the Japanese Experiment Module's Exposed Facility, or JEM-EF, and the Experiment Logistics Module-Exposed Section, or ELM-ES, in the final of three flight

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At the entrance to Space Shuttle Endeavour's cockpit, the STS-113 and Expedition 6 crews gather for a photo during Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities at the pad. From left, in front, are cosmonaut Nikolai Budarin, Commander Ken Bowersox and astronaut Donald Pettit of Expedition 6, and STS-113 Pilot Paul Lockhart. In back, from left, are STS-113 Mission Specialists John Herrington and Michael Lopez-Alegria and Commander James Wetherbee. The TCDT also includes a simulated launch countdown. The 16th assembly flight to the International Space Station, STS-113 will carry the Port 1 (P1) truss aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour as well as the Expedition 6 crew, who will replace Expedition 5 on the Station. Mission STS-113 is scheduled to launch Nov. 10, 2002.

The STS-99 crew wave to onlookers as they step eagerly from the Operations and Checkout Building enroute to Launch Pad 39A for liftoff of Space Shuttle Endeavour. In their orange launch and entry suits, they are (foreground) Pilot Dominic Gorie and Commander Kevin Kregel. Behind them (left to right) are Mission Specialists Janice Voss, Mamoru Mohri of Japan, Gerhard Thiele of Germany and Janet Lynn Kavandi. Mohri is with the National Space Development Agency (NASDA) of Japan, and Thiele is with the European Space Agency. Known as the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM), STS-99 is scheduled for liftoff at 12:30 p.m. EST. The SRTM will chart a new course to produce unrivaled 3-D images of the Earth's surface. The result of the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission could be close to 1 trillion measurements of the Earth's topography. The mission is expected to last 11days, with Endeavour landing at KSC Tuesday, Feb. 22, at 4:36 p.m. EST. This is the 97th Shuttle flight and 14th for Shuttle

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- During a simulated launch countdown, the STS-134 crew pause for a photo opportunity before climbing onboard the Astrovan at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. As part of the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT), the crew members ride to Kennedy's Launch Pad 39A in the silver vehicle and strap into space shuttle Endeavour to practice the steps that will be taken on launch day. From right to left are, Commander Mark Kelly, Pilot Greg H. Johnson , Mission Specialist Mike Fincke, Roberto Vittori, European Space Agency astronaut, and Mission Specialists Andrew Feustel and Greg Chamitoff.Endeavour's six crew members are targeted to launch April 19 at 7:48 p.m. EDT. They will deliver the Express Logistics Carrier-3, Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS), a high-pressure gas tank, additional spare parts for the Dextre robotic helper and micrometeoroid debris shields to the International Space Station. This will be the final spaceflight for Endeavour.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The STS-127 crew members gather at the 225-foot level of the fixed service structure for a photo to commemorate the conclusion of the terminal countdown demonstration test, which ended with a simulated launch countdown. From left are Mission Specialists Tom Marshburn, Christopher Cassidy, Tim Kopra and Julie Payette, Pilot Doug Hurley, Commander Mark Polansky and Mission Specialist Dave Wolf. Behind them are the tops of the orange external fuel tank and one of the two solid rocket boosters. Endeavour's STS-127 mission is the final of three flights dedicated to the assembly of the Japanese Kibo laboratory complex on the International Space Station. Endeavour's launch is scheduled for June 13 at 7:17 a.m. EDT.

PHOTO DATE: 01-29-10LOCATION:BLDG 9NWSUBJECT:STS-131 PRL ingress/egress trainingWORK ORDER: 0349-STS131PRL-01-29-10

STS102-S-002 (February 2001)--- With the full-time occupancy of the International Space Station (ISS), Space Transportation System crew portraits have taken on a new look. These ten astronauts and cosmonauts represent the base STS-102 space travelers, as well as the crew members for the station crews switching out turns aboard the outpost. In the top group are, from the left, astronauts James M. Kelly, pilot; Andrew S.W. Thomas, mission specialist; James D. Wetherbee, mission commander; and Paul W. Richards, mission specialist. The bottom left grouping is the Expedition One crew, which includes, from left, cosmonaut Sergei K. Krikalev, flight engineer; astronaut William M. (Bill) Shepherd, commander; and cosmonaut Yuri P. Gidzenko, Soyuz commander. At bottom right is crew who will replace Shepherd's crew aboard the station, from the left, astronaut James S. Voss; cosmonaut Yury V. Usachev, Expedition Two commander; and astronaut Susan J. Helms. Usachev, Krikalev and Gidzenko all repre

12-59-52-3:In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the prime and backup Expedition 38/39 crewmembers pose for pictures in front of the first stage of the Soyuz rocket Nov. 3 as they enter the homestretch of their preparations for launch. From left to right are backup crewmembers Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency and Max Suraev of Roscosmos, prime crewmembers Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Soyuz Commander Mikhail Tyurin and Flight Engineer Rick Mastracchio of NASA and backup crewmember Reid Wiseman of NASA. Tyurin, Mastracchio and Wakata will launch Nov. 7, Kazakh time, on the Soyuz TMA-11M spacecraft for a six-month mission on the International Space Station.NASA/Victor Zelentsov

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - On the 225-foot level of Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the STS-126 crew poses for a group photo. From left are Mission Specialists Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper and Steve Bowen, Pilot Eric Boe, Commander Chris Ferguson, and Mission Specialists Sandra Magnus, Donald Pettit and Shane Kimbrough. They earlier took part in a simulated launch countdown. The crew is at Kennedy to take part in the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, which includes equipment familiarization, emergency exit training and the simulated countdown. On the STS-126 mission, space shuttle Endeavour's crew will deliver equipment and supplies to the International Space Station in preparation for expansion from a three- to six-person resident crew aboard the complex. The mission also will include four spacewalks to service the stations Solar Alpha Rotary Joints. Endeavour is targeted to launch Nov. 14.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The STS-105 and Expedition Three (E3) crews are smiling as they exit the Operations and Checkout Building on their way to Launch Pad 39A for a second launch attempt. Leading the way are (left to right) Pilot Rick Sturckow and Commander Scott Horowitz; in the second row, Mission Specialists Patrick Forrester and Daniel Barry; in the third row, E3 cosmonaut Mikhail Tyurin, Commander Frank Culbertson, and cosmonaut Vladimir Dezhurov. Forrester and Tyurin are both making their first space flights. Launch countdown activities for the 12-day mission were called off at about 5 12 p.m. Aug. 9 during the T-9 minute hold due to the high potential for lightning, a thick cloud cover and the potential for showers. Highlighting the mission will be the rotation of the International Space Station crew, the third flight of an Italian-built Multi-Purpose Logistics Module delivering additional scientific racks, equipment and supplies for the Space Station, and two spacewalks

PHOTO DATE: 11-19-09LOCATION: Bldg 9NW, CCT-IISUBJECT: STS-130 crew with training teams & ASC/CAP/DES 91020 training in CCT-II

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Dressed in their launch and entry suits, the space shuttle Atlantis STS-122 crew greet the media and employees on hand to cheer them on as the leave the Operations and Checkout Building for Launch Pad 39A. Clockwise, from left front, are Pilot Alan Poindexter; Mission Specialists Leland Melvin, Stanley Love, Leopold Eyharts, Hans Schlegel, and Rex Walheim; and Commander Steve Frick. Eyharts and Schlegel are with the European Space Agency. Eyharts will remain on the International Space Station as a flight engineer for Expedition 16 following the STS-122 mission. The STS-122 crew is preparing for a simulated launch countdown aboard Atlantis, part of terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT, activities at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The TCDT is a dress rehearsal for launch and also provides astronauts and ground crews with equipment familiarization and emergency egress training. On mission STS-122, Atlantis will deliver the Columbus module to th

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Before getting on the Astrovan for the ride to Launch Pad 39A, the STS-123 crew stops to acknowledge well-wishers. From left are Mission Specialists Rick Linnehan, Takao Doi of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Mike Foreman and Robert L. Behnken, Pilot Gregory H. Johnson, Mission Specialist Garrett Reisman and Commander Dominic Gorie. Riesman will remain on the International Space Station as a flight engineer. The crew will make a record-breaking 16-day mission to the International Space Station. On STS-123, Endeavour and its 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. Launch is scheduled for 2:28 a.m. EDT March 11.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space shuttle Endeavour's STS-123 crew members acknowledge well-wishers as they exit the Operations and Checkout Building. In front are Pilot Gregory H. Johnson (left), Mission Specialist Garrett Reisman (center) and Commander Dominic Gorie (right). In the middle are Mission Specialists Robert L. Behnken and Mike Foreman. In the back are Takao Doi of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and Rick Linnehan. Reisman will remain on the International Space Station as a flight engineer. The crew will make a record-breaking 16-day mission to the International Space Station. On STS-123, Endeavour and its 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. Launch is scheduled for 2:28 a.m. EDT March 11. Photo courtesy of Scott Andrews

STS122-S-014 (7 Feb. 2008) --- After suiting up, the STS-122 crewmembers exit the Operations and Checkout Building to board the Astrovan, which will take them to Launch Pad 39A for the launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis on the STS-122 mission. On the right (front to back) are astronauts Steve Frick, commander; Rex Walheim and European Space Agency's (ESA) Hans Schlegel, both mission specialists. On the left (front to back) are astronauts Alan Poindexter, pilot; Leland Melvin, Stanley Love and ESA's Leopold Eyharts, all mission specialists. The launch will be the third attempt for Atlantis since December 2007 to carry the ESA Columbus laboratory to the International Space Station (ISS). During the 11-day mission, the crew's prime objective is to attach the laboratory to the Harmony module, adding to the station's size and capabilities. Eyharts will join Expedition 16 in progress to serve as a flight engineer aboard the ISS.

STS115-S-002 (8 November 2002) --- These six astronauts take a break from training to pose for the STS-115 crew portrait. Astronauts Brent W. Jett, Jr. (right) and Christopher J. Ferguson, commander and pilot, respectively, flank the mission insignia. The mission specialists are, from left to right, astronauts Heidemarie M. Stefanyshyn-Piper, Joseph R. (Joe) Tanner, Daniel C. Burbank, and Steven G. MacLean, who represents the Canadian Space Agency.

With an enthusiastic crowd of KSC workers wishing them a safe journey, the STS-91 crew walks out from the crew quarters in the Operations and Checkout (O&C) Building for their trip to Launch Pad 39A. Leading the group to the Astrovan are Mission Commander Charles J. Precourt (left) and Mission Specialist Wendy B. Lawrence. Pilot Dominic L. Gorie is directly behind Precourt, while Mission Specialists Franklin R. Chang-Diaz, Janet Lynn Kavandi and Valery Victorovitch Ryumin are behind Lawrence. STS-91 is scheduled to be launched on June 2 with a launch window opening around 6:10 p.m. EDT. The mission will feature the ninth and final Shuttle docking with the Russian space station Mir, the first Mir docking for Discovery, the first on-orbit test of the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS), and the first flight of the new Space Shuttle super lightweight external tank. Astronaut Andrew S. W. Thomas will be returning to Earth as a STS-91 crew member after living more than four months aboard Mir

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- During a simulated launch countdown, the STS-134 crew walks out of the Operations and Checkout Building to the waiting Astrovan at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. As part of the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT), the crew members ride to Kennedy's Launch Pad 39A in the silver vehicle and strap into space shuttle Endeavour to practice the steps that will be taken on launch day. From front, left to right, are STS-134 Pilot Greg H. Johnson, Commander Mark Kelly; second row; astronaut Roberto Vittori from the European Space Agency and Mission Specialist Mike Fincke; third row are Mission Specialists Greg Chamitoff and Andrew Feustel.Endeavour's six crew members are targeted to launch April 19 at 7:48 p.m. EDT, they will deliver the Express Logistics Carrier-3, Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS), a high-pressure gas tank, additional spare parts for the Dextre robotic helper and micrometeoroid debris shields to the space station. This will be

The STS-92 crew poses for a photograph in the White Room, the environmentally controlled chamber on the orbiter access arm that provides entry for the crew into the orbiter. Standing, left to right, are Mission Specialists Peter J.K. Jeff” Wisoff and Michael E. Lopez-Alegria; Commander Brian Duffy; Pilot Pamela Ann Melroy; and Mission Specialists William S. McArthur Jr. and Leroy Chiao. Crouching in front is Mission Specialist Koichi Wakata of Japan. The crew is at KSC for Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities that provide emergency egress training, opportunities to inspect the mission payload, and take part in a simulated countdown. STS-92 is scheduled to launch Oct. 5 at 9:38 p.m. EDT on the fifth flight to the International Space Station. It will carry two elements of the Space Station, the Integrated Truss Structure Z1 and the third Pressurized Mating Adapter. The mission is also the 100th flight in the Shuttle program

STS086-S-002 (May 1997) --- These eight astronauts have been assigned as the crew for the STS-86 mission, scheduled for a September 1997 launch and visit to Russia's Mir space station. Wearing the partial pressure launch and entry suits are, from the left, Jean-Loup J.M. Chretien, mission specialist; David A. Wolf, mission specialist; Michael J. Bloomfield, pilot; James D. Wetherbee, mission commander; and Wendy B. Lawrence and C. Michael Foale, both mission specialists. Wearing the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) space suits are Scott F. Parazynski (left) and Vladimir G. Titov, both mission specialists. Chretien and Titov are international mission specialists, representing the French Space Agency (CNES) and Russian Space Agency (RSA), respectively.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The STS-125 crew lines up outside the Astrovan after suiting up in the Operations and Checkout Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. From left are Mission Specialists Michael Good, Mike Massimino, Andrew Feustel, John Grunsfeld and Megan McArthur, Pilot Gregory C. Johnson and Commander Scott Altman. The crew is heading for Launch Pad 39A where they will take part in a simulated launch countdown aboard space shuttle Atlantis. The countdown is the culmination of terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT, activities as preparation before launch. TCDT provides astronauts and ground crews with an opportunity to participate in various simulated countdown activities, including equipment familiarization, emergency training and the countdown. Atlantis STS-125 mission to service NASAs Hubble Space Telescope is targeted for launch Oct. 14.

14-22-28:At the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, the Expedition 40/41 backup and prime crews pose for photos as part of their traditional pre-launch training ceremonies. From left to right are backup crewmembers Terry Virts of NASA, Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency and prime crewmembers Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency , Soyuz Commander Max Suraev of Roscosmos and Flight Engineer Reid Wiseman of NASA. Wiseman, Suraev and Gerst will launch on May 29, Kazakh time, on the Soyuz TMA-13M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station.NASA/Victor Zelentsov

Greeted by cheers from wellwishers at KSC and eager for their venture into space on the fifth Shuttle-Mir docking mission, the STS-81 astronauts depart the Operations and Checkout Building on their way to Launch Pad 39B. Leading the six-member crew is Mission Commander Michael A. Baker, followed by Pilot Brent W. Jett, Jr. Behind them are Mission Specialists John M. Grunsfeld, Jerry Linenger, Peter J. K. "Jeff" Wisoff, and Marsha S. Ivins. Their trip to the pad will take about 25 minutes aboard the Astrovan. Once there, they will take their positions in the crew cabin of the Space Shuttle Atlantis to await a liftoff during a seven-minute window that will open at 4:27 a.m. EST, January 12

The STS-97 crew leaves the O&C Building on their way to Launch Pad 39B for a simulated launch countdown. Commander Brent Jett (right) leads the way with Pilot Mike Bloomfield behind him. Taking up the rear are (left) Mission Specialists Carlos Noriega, Joe Tanner and (right) Marc Garneau, who is with the Canadian Space Agency. The crew is taking part in Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities that include emergency egress training, familiarization with the payload, and the simulated launch countdown. Mission STS-97is the sixth construction flight to the International Space Station. Its payload includes the P6 Integrated Truss Structure and a photovoltaic (PV) module, with giant solar arrays that will provide power to the Station. The mission includes two spacewalks to complete the solar array connections. STS-97 is scheduled to launch Nov. 30 at about 10:05 p.m. EST

The STS-100 crew strides out of the Operations and Checkout Building on their way to the Astrovan and Launch Pad 39A. From front to back are Pilot Jeffrey S. Ashby and Commander Kent V. Rominger; Mission Specialists Yuri V. Lonchakov and Chris A. Hadfield, Umberto Guidoni and John L. Phillips, with Scott E. Parazynski waving at the rear. At the pad they will take part in a simulated launch countdown. The mission is carrying the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello and the SSRMS, to the International Space Station. Raffaello carries six system racks and two storage racks for the U.S. Lab. The SSRMS is crucial to the continued assembly of the orbiting complex. Launch of mission STS-100 is scheduled for April 19 at 2:41 p.m. EDT from Launch Pad 39A

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The crew of mission STS-123 eagerly leave the Operations and Checkout Building on their way to NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A. In front, from left, are Pilot Gregory H. Johnson, Mission Specialist Garrett Reisman and Commander Dominic Gorie. Behind them, from left, are Mission Specialists Robert L. Behnken, Takao Doi, Mike Foreman and Rick Linnehan. The crew is taking part in a simulated launch countdown, the culmination of the terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT. The TCDT provides astronauts and ground crews with an opportunity to participate in various simulated countdown activities, including equipment familiarization and emergency training. Space shuttle Endeavour is targeted to launch March 11 at 2:28 a.m. EDT on the 16-day STS-123 mission to the International Space Station. Endeavour and its crew will deliver the first section of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory and the Canadian Space Agency's two-

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The crews of Mission STS-113 gather for a group photograph on the 195-foot level of the Fixed Service Structure on Launch Pad 39A. From left are Expedition 6 cosmonaut Nikolai Budarin and astronaut Donald Pettit; STS-113 Pilot Paul Lockhart and Commander James Wetherbee; Expedition 6 Commander Ken Bowersox; STS-113 Mission Specialists Michael Lopez-Alegria and John Herrington. They have been participating in emergency egress training, part of Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities in preparation for their launch. The 16th assembly flight to the International Space Station, STS-113 will carry the Port 1 (P1) truss aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour, as well as Expedition 6, who will replace Expedition 5 on the Station. The mission is scheduled to launch Nov. 10, 2002.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At the Operations and Checkout Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the members of the STS-129 crew line up beside the Astrovan for a portrait in their launch-and-entry suits. The six astronauts for space shuttle Atlantis STS-129 mission are en route to their launch dress rehearsal, the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, at Launch Pad 39A. From left are Mission Specialists Robert L. Satcher Jr., Mike Foreman, Randy Bresnik and Leland Melvin; Pilot Barry E. Wilmore; and Commander Charles O. Hobaugh.Additional training associated with the test was done last month, but the simulated countdown was postponed because of a scheduling conflict with the launch of NASAs Ares I-X test rocket. Launch of Atlantis on its STS-129 mission to the International Space Station is set for Nov. 16. On STS-129, the crew will deliver to the station two spare gyroscopes, two nitrogen tank assemblies, two pump modules, an ammonia tank assembly and a spare latchin

The STS-103 crew greets the media at the Shuttle Landing Facility after arriving aboard T-38 jets to make final preparations for their launch. From left, they are Mission Specialist Claude Nicollier of Switzerland, Pilot Scott J. Kelly, Mission Specialist C. Michael Foale (Ph.D.), Commander Curtis L. Brown Jr. (at microphone), and Mission Specialists John M. Grunsfeld (Ph.D.), Jean-François Clervoy of France, and Steven L. Smith. Nicollier and Clervoy both represent the European Space Agency. The STS-103 mission, to service the Hubble Space Telescope a third time, is scheduled for launch Dec. 11 at 12:13 a.m. EST from Launch Pad 39B

STS080-S-002 (August 1996) --- These five NASA astronauts are in training for the STS-80 mission, scheduled for launch aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia in the fall of this year. From the left are astronauts Kent V. Rominger, pilot; Tamara E. Jernigan, Story Musgrave and Thomas D. Jones, all mission specialists; and Kenneth D. Cockrell, mission commander.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The STS-117 mission crew pose for a photo on the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility after their arrival. From left are astronaut Clayton Anderson, Mission Specialists James Reilly, John "Danny" Olivas, Steven Swanson and Patrick Forrester, Pilot Lee Archambault and Commander Frederick Sturckow. Anderson will be on the mission to join the Expedition 15 crew on the International Space Station. During the 11-day mission and three spacewalks, the crew will work with flight controllers at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston to install a 17-ton segment on the station's girder-like truss and deploy a set of solar arrays, S3/S4. The mission will increase the space station's power capability in preparation for the arrival of new science modules from the European and Japanese space agencies.

This is the official crew portrait of the STS-100 mission. Seated are astronauts Kent V. Rominger, (left) and Jeffrey S. Ashby, commander and pilot, respectively. Standing (from the left) are cosmonaut Yuri V. Lonchakov with astronauts Scott E. Parazynski, Umberto Guidoni of the European Space Agency, Chris A. Hadfield, and John L. Phillips, all mission specialists. The seven launched from the Kennedy Space Center aboard the Space shuttle Orbiter Endeavour on April 19, 2001 for an 11-day mission. The STS-100 mission, the sixth International Space Station (ISS) assembly flight, accomplished the following objectives The delivery of the Canadian-built Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS), Canadarm2, which is needed to perform assembly operations on later flights; The delivery and installation of a UHF antenna that provides space-to-space communications capability for U.S.-based space walks; and carried the Italian-built Multipurpose Logistics Module Raffaello containing six sys

S92-49373 (8 Dec 1992) --- The seven prime flight crewmembers and two alternates assigned to support the STS-55Spacelab D-2 mission pose with their science module. Left to right (front) are Steven R. Nagel, Terence T. (Tom) Henricks, Charles J. Precourt, Bernard A. Harris Jr., Ulrich Walter, Gerhard Thiele and Hans Schlegel; and (back) Renate Brummer and Jerry L. Ross. Nagel is mission commander; Henricks, pilot; and Ross, payload commander. Harris and Precourt will serve as mission specialists. Walter and Schlegel are scheduled to represent the DLR as payload specialists for the mission, while Brummer and Thiele will serve as alternates and fill supportive roles on the ground. The crew was photographed during a tour of the science module before its integration at Kennedy Space Center (KSC).

These seven astronauts composed the crew for the STS-92 mission. In front are astronauts Pamela A. Melroy, pilot; and Brian Duffy, mission commander. In the rear, from the left, are astronauts Leroy Chiao, Michael E. Lopez-Alegria, William S. McArthur, Jr., Peter J.K. (Jeff) Wisoff, and Koichi Wakata, all mission specialists. Wakata represents Japan's National Space Development Agency (NASDA). Launched aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery on October 11, 2000, the 100th shuttle flight was the second to deliver hardware to the International Space Station (ISS). During Four space walks, the crew installed the Z1 truss and the Pressurized Mating Adapter (PMA) 3.

The STS-98 crew wave to onlookers as they walk out of the Operations and Checkout Building dressed for a simulated launch countdown at Launch Pad 39A. From left to right, they are Mission Specialist Thomas Jones, Pilot Mark Polansky, Mission Specialists Marsh Ivins and Robert Curbeam, being led by Commander Ken Cockrell. The crew is taking part in Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities, which include the countdown and emergency egress training at the pad. STS-98 is the seventh construction flight to the International Space Station, carrying as payload the U.S. Lab Destiny, a key element in the construction of the ISS. Launch of STS-98 is scheduled for Jan. 19 at 2:11 a.m. EST

STS116-S-073 (22 Dec. 2006) --- Following the successful completion of a 13-day mission on Runway 15 at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility, crewmembers address those on hand to greet them. Mark L. Polansky, commander, stands at the microphone. William A. Oefelein, pilot, is at second right. Others, from the left, are astronauts Robert L. Curbeam Jr., Joan E. Higginbotham and European Space Agency astronaut Christer Fuglesang--all mission specialists. ESA astronaut Thomas Reiter, who is returning from a six-month stay on the International Space Station, and astronaut Nicholas J.M. Patrick, a mission specialist, are not pictured. During the mission, three spacewalks attached the P5 integrated truss structure to the station, and completed the rewiring of the orbiting laboratory's power system. A contingency spacewalk was added to retract a stubborn solar array. Main gear touchdown was at 5:32 p.m. (EST). Nose gear touchdown was at 5:32:12 p.m. and wheel stop was at

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The STS-100 crew poses for a photo on the 195-foot level of Launch Pad 39As Fixed Service Structure. Standing, from left, are Mission Specialists Scott Umberto Guidoni, Scott E. Parazynski, Chris A. Hadfield, Yuri V. Lonchakov, and John L. Phillips; Commander Kent V. Rominger; and Pilot Jeffrey S. Ashby. Hadfield is with the Canadian Space Agency, Guidoni with the European Space Agency and Lonchakov with the Russian Aviation and Space Agency. Behind them can be seen the tip of one white solid rocket booster and the orange external tank. The STS-100 mission is carrying the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello and the SSRMS, to the International Space Station. Raffaello carries six system racks and two storage racks for the U.S. Lab. The SSRMS is crucial to the continued assembly of the orbiting complex. Launch of mission STS-100 is scheduled for April 19 at 2:41 p.m. EDT from Launch Pad 39A

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- On Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, STS-124 crew members pause on the 195-foot level of the fixed service structure before entering space shuttle Discovery. From left are Commander Mark Kelly and Mission Specialists Karen Nyberg, Mike Fossum, Ron Garan and Akihiko Hoshide, who represents the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. The crew is taking part in a simulated launch countdown, part of the launch dress rehearsal known as the terminal countdown demonstration test. The simulation serves as a practice exercise in which both the launch team and flight crew rehearse launch day time lines and procedures. The test culminates in a simulated ignition and automated shutdown of the orbiter's main engines. On the STS-124 mission, the crew will deliver and install the Japanese Experiment Module - Pressurized Module and Japanese Remote Manipulator System. Discovery's launch is targeted for May 31.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Members of the STS-41D flight crew are, from left to right, Michael L. Coats, Charles D. Walker, Steven A. Hawley, Judith A. Resnik, Richard M. Mullane, and Henry Hartsfield.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The STS-121 crew pause in their prelaunch activities to talk to the media. They are standing in the landing area of the slidewire baskets. With the microphone is Pilot Mark Kelly. The crew members are (from left) Mission Specialists Michael Fossum and Lisa Nowak, Kelly, Commander Steven Lindsey, and Mission Specialists Stephanie Wilson, Piers Sellers and Thomas Reiter of Germany, who represents the European Space Agency. The crew is at Kennedy for Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities. Over several days, the crew will practice emergency egress from the pad and suit up in their orange flight suits for the simulated countdown to launch. Space Shuttle Discovery is designated to launch July 1 on mission STS-121. It will carry supplies to the International Space Station.

Expedition 43 NASA Astronaut Scott Kelly, left, Russian Cosmonauts Gennady Padalka, center, and Mikhail Kornienko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and backup crew members NASA Astronaut Jeff Williams, Alexey Ovchinin, and Sergei Volkov of Roscosmos pose for a group photo near a model of the Soyuz rocket during media day, Saturday, March 21, 2015 at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Kelly, Padalka, and Kornienko are preparing for launch to the International Space Station in their Soyuz TMA-16M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan March 28, Kazakh time (March 27 Eastern time.) As the one-year crew, Kelly and Kornienko will return to Earth on Soyuz TMA-18M in March 2016.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The STS-111 and Expedition 5 crews eagerly exit from the Operations and Checkout Building for launch aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour. It is the second launch attempt in six days. From front to back are Pilot Paul Lockhart and Commander Kenneth Cockrell; astronaut Peggy Whitson; Expedition 5 Commander Valeri Korzun (RSA) and cosmonaut Sergei Treschev (RSA); and Mission Specialists Philippe Perrin (CNES) and Franklin Chang-Diaz. This mission marks the 14th Shuttle flight to the Space Station and the third Shuttle mission this year. Mission STS-111 is the 18th flight of Endeavour and the 110th flight overall in NASA's Space Shuttle program. On mission STS-111, astronauts will deliver the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module, the Mobile Base System (MBS), and the Expedition Five crew to the Space Station. During the seven days Endeavour will be docked to the Station, three spacewalks will be performed dedicated to installing MBS and the replacement wrist-rol

STS-131 TCDT - CREW ARRIVAL

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The STS-124 crew exits the Operations and Checkout Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center and heads to Launch Pad 39A for a simulated launch countdown. Leading the way are Pilot Ken Ham (left) and Commander Mark Kelly. Behind them, left and right, are Mission Specialists Ron Garan and Karen Nyberg, Akihiko Hoshide and Mike Fossum, and Greg Chamitoff at the rear. The simulation is part of the launch dress rehearsal called the terminal countdown demonstration test. TCDT provides astronauts and ground crews with an opportunity to participate in various simulated countdown activities, including equipment familiarization and emergency training. On the STS-124 mission, the crew will deliver and install the Japanese Experiment Module - Pressurized Module and Japanese Remote Manipulator System. Discovery's launch is targeted for May 31.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - After looking over some of the hardware in the Space Station Processing Facility, STS-114 crew members answer questions from the media. At the microphone is Commander Eileen Collins. Behind her are (left to right) Mission Specialists Charles Camarda, Wendy Lawrence, Stephen Robinson, Soichi Noguchi (with the Japanese Space Agency) and Andrew Thomas, and Pilot James Kelly. The crew is at KSC for Crew Equipment Interface Test (CEIT) activities. During CEIT, the crew has an opportunity to get a hands-on look at the payloads with which theyll be working on-orbit. The Return to Flight mission STS-114 will carry the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello, filled with supplies for the International Space Station, and a replacement Control Moment Gyroscope. Launch of STS-114 has a launch window of May 12 to June 3.

STS077-S-002 (February 1996) --- These six astronauts have been named to fly aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour in support of the Spacehab-04 mission, scheduled for launch in May of this year. On the front row are astronauts John H. Casper (right), mission commander; and Curtis L. Brown Jr., pilot. In the rear, from the left, are astronauts Daniel W. Bursch, Mario Runco Jr., Marc Garneau and Andrew S. W. Thomas, all mission specialists. Garneau represents the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the astronauts on space shuttle Endeavour's STS-130 crew, dressed in their orange launch-and-entry suits, wave to spectators as they walk out of the Operations and Checkout Building for the ride in the Astrovan to Launch Pad 39A. In the left column, from the front, are Commander George Zamka and Mission Specialists Kathryn Hire and Nicholas Patrick. In the right column, from the front, are Pilot Terry Virts and Mission Specialists

The STS-84 crew gets a ride in an M-113 armored personnel carrier while participating in Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) activities at Launch Pad 39A. At right, from front to back, are Mission Specialist Jean-Francois Clervoy of the European Space Agency, Mission Specialist Carlos I. Noriega, Pilot Eileen Marie Collins and Commander Charles J. Precourt. On left, from front to back, are Mission Specialists C. Michael Foale, Elena V. Kondakova of the Russian Space Agency, and Edward Tsang Lu. George Hoggard, a training officer with KSC Fire Services, is seated next to Lu. STS-84 will be the sixth docking of the Space Shuttle with the Russian Space Station Mir. .

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At the Shuttle Landing Facility, Launch Director Mike Leinbach welcomes members of the STS-116 crew upon their arrival at KSC aboard T-38 jet aircraft for the launch of Space Shuttle Discovery on Dec. 7. From left are Leinbach, Pilot William Oefelein, Mission Specialist Christer Fuglesang representing the European Space Agency, Mission Specialists Robert Curbeam and Nicholas Patrick, Commander Mark Polansky (back to camera) and Mission Specialist Sunita Williams joining Expedition 14 in progress on the International Space Station. On the mission, the STS-116 crew will deliver truss segment, P5, to the International Space Station and begin the intricate process of reconfiguring and redistributing the power generated by two pairs of U.S. solar arrays. The P5 will be mated to the P4 truss that was delivered and attached during the STS-115 mission in September.

These 5 astronauts and cosmonaut, all members of the STS-112 mission, pose for a crew portrait. Pictured from left to right are Astronauts Sandra H. Magnus, mission specialist; David A. Wolf, mission specialist; Pamela A. Melroy, pilot; Jeffrey S. Ashby, commander; Piers J. Sellers, mission specialist; and cosmonaut Fyodor Yurchikhin, mission specialist representing Rosaviakosmos. STS-112 launched aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis October 7, 2002 for an 11-day mission completing three sessions of Extra Vehicular Activity(EVA). Its primary mission was to install the Starboard (S1) Integrated Truss Structure and Equipment Translation Aid (CETA) Cart to the ISS. The S1 truss provides structural support for the orbiting research facility's radiator panels, which use ammonia to cool the Station's complex power system. The S1 truss, attached to the S0 (S Zero) truss installed by the previous STS-110 mission, flows 637 pounds of anhydrous ammonia through three heat rejection radiators. The tr

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- After their arrival at the Shuttle Landing Facility of NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the STS-120 crew lines up for a photo. From left are From left are Commander Pamela Melroy, Pilot George Zamka and Mission Specialists Scott Parazynski, Stephanie Wilson, Doug Wheelock, Paolo Nespoli and Daniel Tani. Nespoli represents the European Space Agency. Tani will be remaining on the International Space Station to join the Expedition 16 crew after the mission is complete. The crew has returned to Kennedy to prepare for launch aboard space shuttle Discovery at 11:38 a.m. EDT on Oct. 23. The mission will be the 23rd shuttle flight to the International Space Station, delivering the Italian-built U.S. Node 2, called Harmony. The 14-day mission includes five spacewalks -- four by shuttle crew members and one by the stations Expedition 16 crew -- to install Harmony and move the P6 solar arrays to their permanent position and deploy them. Discovery is expected to co

The STS-96 crew wave to onlookers as they walk out of the Operations and Checkout Building enroute to Launch Pad 39B and liftoff of Space Shuttle Discovery, targeted for 6:49 a.m. EDT. In their orange launch and entry suits, they are (clockwise from bottom left) Mission Specialists Tamara E. Jernigan, Julie Payette, Ellen Ochoa, Valery Ivanovich Tokarev and Daniel T. Barry, Pilot Rick D. Husband, and Commander Kent V. Rominger. Payette is with the Canadian Space Agency, and Tokarev is with the Russian Space Agency. STS-96 is a 10-day logistics and resupply mission for the International Space Station, carrying about 4,000 pounds of supplies, to be stored aboard the station for use by future crews, including laptop computers, cameras, tools, spare parts, and clothing. The mission also includes such payloads as a Russian crane, the Strela; a U.S.-built crane; the Spacehab Oceaneering Space System Box (SHOSS), a logistics items carrier; and STARSHINE, a student-involved experiment. It will

S89-51626 (18 Dec 1989) --- The astronaut crewmembers of the STS-36 mission occupy the flight deck of the crew compartment trainer in the Johnson Space Center's Space Shuttle mockup and integration laboratory. They are, left to right, Astronauts John H. Casper, pilot; Pierre J. Thuot, David C. Hilmers and Richard M. (Mike) Mullane, mission specialists; and John O. Creighton, mission commander. Mullane will be stationed on the mid deck for launch, while Thuot will man that position during entry. The photograph was made by William H. Bowers, crew photo instructor.

An international crew assigned to STS-99 takes a break from training to pose for the traditional crew portrait at NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC). In front are international astronauts and mission specialists Mamoru Mohri, representing Japan's Space Agency (NASDA), and Gerhard P. J. Thiele of Germany, representing the European Space Agency (ESA). In back are astronauts Janice Voss, mission specialist; Kevin R. Kregel, mission commander; Dominic L. Gorie, pilot; and Janet L. Kavandi, mission specialist. STS-99 was a Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM), the most ambitious Earth mapping mission to date. Two radar anternas, one located in the Shuttle bay and the other located on the end of a 60-meter deployable mast, was used during the mission to map Earth's features. The goal was to provide a 3-dimensional topographic map of the world's surface up to the Arctic and Antarctic Circles. Launched aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavor on February 11, 2000, the 11-day mission provided enough

Five NASA astronauts and a Russian cosmonaut assigned to the STS-88 mission pose for a crew portrait. Seated in front (left to right) are mission specialists Sergei K. Krikalev, representing the Russian Space Agency (RSA), and astronaut Nancy J. Currie. In the rear from the left, are astronauts Jerry L. Ross, mission specialist; Robert D. Cabana, mission commander; Frederick W. Rick” Sturckow, pilot; and James H. Newman, mission specialist. The STS-88 mission launched aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavor on December 4, 1998 at 2 35 a.m. (CST) to deliver the Unity Node to the International Space Station (ISS).

JSC2007-E-49821 (3 Oct. 2007) --- Astronauts Stephen N. Frick (left), STS-122 commander; Alan G. Poindexter, pilot; Leland D. Melvin, Rex J. Walheim, European Space Agency's (ESA) Hans Schlegel and Stanley G. Love, all mission specialists, await the start of a training session in the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at the Johnson Space Center. The crewmembers are attired in training versions of their shuttle launch and entry suits.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A, the crew for space shuttle Endeavour's STS-123 mission poses for a group portrait following a question-and-answer session with the media. From left are Commander Dominic Gorie; Mission Specialist Garrett Reisman; Pilot Gregory H. Johnson; and Mission Specialists Robert L. Behnken, Mike Foreman, Takao Doi of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and Rick Linnehan. Endeavour is on the pad in the background. The crew is at Kennedy for a full launch dress rehearsal, known as the terminal countdown demonstration test or TCDT. The terminal countdown demonstration test provides astronauts and ground crews with an opportunity to participate in various simulated countdown activities, including equipment familiarization and emergency training. Endeavour is targeted to launch March 11 at 2:28 a.m. EDT on a 16-day mission to the International Space Station. On the mission, Endeavour and its crew will deliver the firs

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The STS-125 crew gathers near Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida before taking questions from the media. Standing left to right are Mission Specialists Michael Good and Megan McArthur, Commander Scott Altman, Pilot Gregory C. Johnson, and Mission Specialists Mike Massimino, John Grunsfeld and Andrew Feustel. Behind them can be seen the white solid rocket boosters and orange external fuel tank of space shuttle Atlantis with the fixed service structure at right. The crew is at Kennedy to take part in terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT, activities before launching on space shuttle Atlantis mission to service NASAs Hubble Space Telescope. TCDT provides astronauts and ground crews with an opportunity to participate in various simulated countdown activities, including equipment familiarization, emergency training and a simulated launch countdown. Atlantis is targeted to launch Oct. 10.

STS-131 TCDT - PAD Q & A

STS066-S-002 (September 1994) --- These five NASA astronauts and one European Space Agency (ESA) crew member are in training for the 13th flight of the Space Shuttle Atlantis. Donald R. McMonagle (front right) is mission commander, and Curtis L. Brown, Jr. (front center) is pilot. The other crew members are Ellen S. Ochoa, payload commander; Scott E. Parazynski, (rear left) and Joseph R. Tanner (rear center), mission specialists, along with ESA astronaut Jean-François Clervoy (front left), mission specialist. Clervoy, Parazynski and Tanner, members of the 1992 astronaut class, are making their initial flights in space.

STS-95 crew members exit the Operations & Checkout Building after suiting up for their practice countdown at Launch Pad 39-B. Pictured are (front) Mission Specialist Scott E. Parazynski, Pilot Steven W. Lindsey, Payload Specialist Chiaki Mukai (M.D., Ph.D.), representing the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA); (back) Mission Specialist Stephen K. Robinson, Mission Specialist Pedro Duque of Spain, representing the European Space Agency (ESA), Payload Specialist John H. Glenn Jr., senator from Ohio, and Mission Commander Curtis L. Brown. The STS-95 crew are at KSC to participate in a Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) which includes mission familiarization activities, emergency egress training, and the simulated main engine cut-off exercise. The STS-95 mission, targeted for liftoff on Oct. 29, includes research payloads such as the Spartan solar-observing deployable spacecraft, the Hubble Space Telescope Orbital Systems Test Platform, the International Extreme U

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The STS-134 crew members arrived on the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at about 9 a.m. EDT to get ready for space shuttle Endeavour's launch to the International Space Station scheduled for Monday, May 16 at 8:56 a.m. From left are Commander Mark Kelly, Mission Specialists Greg Chamitoff, Andrew Feustel, European Space Agency astronaut Roberto Vittori, Michael Fincke, at the microphone and Pilot Greg H. Johnson.Endeavour and its crew will deliver the Express Logistics Carrier-3, Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS), a high-pressure gas tank and additional spare parts for the Dextre robotic helper to the station. This will be the final spaceflight for Endeavour.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- After emergency exit practice on Launch Pad 39A, the STS-109 crew poses for a photo on the 225-foot level of the Fixed Service Structure. Clockwise from left are Mission Specialist John Grunsfeld; Pilot Duane Carey; Mission Specialist Richard Linnehan; Commander Scott Altman; and Mission Specialists Michael Massimino, James Newman and Nancy Currie. Behind them at left can be seen one of the twin solid rocket boosters and the larger external tank that will propel Columbia and the crew into space. The goal of mission STS-109, a Hubble Servicing Mission, is to replace Solar Array 2 with Solar Array 3, replace the Power Control Unit, remove the Faint Object Camera and install the ACS, install the Near Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer (NICMOS) Cooling System, and install New Outer Blanket Layer insulation. The launch will be the first for Columbia after returning from California where it underwent extensive maintenance, inspections and enhance

JSC2010-E-196887 (20 Dec. 2010) --- Attired in training versions of their shuttle launch and entry suits, the STS-135 crew members take a brief break for a portrait in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. From the left are NASA astronauts Doug Hurley, pilot; Chris Ferguson, commander; Rex Walheim and Sandy Magnus, both mission specialists. STS-135 is planned to be the final mission of the space shuttle program.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The STS-111 and Expedition 5 crews head for the Astrovan to take them to Launch Pad 39A and the second launch attempt aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour. From left to right, front to back, are Mission Specialists Philippe Perrin (CNES) and Franklin Chang-Diaz; Expedition 5 Commander Valeri Korzun, astronaut Peggy Whitson and cosmonaut Sergei Treschev; Pilot Paul Lockhart and Commander Kenneth Cockrell. This mission marks the 14th Shuttle flight to the Space Station and the third Shuttle mission this year. Mission STS-111 is the 18th flight of Endeavour and the 110th flight overall in NASA's Space Shuttle program. On mission STS-111, astronauts will deliver the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module, the Mobile Base System (MBS), and the Expedition Five crew to the Space Station. During the seven days Endeavour will be docked to the Station, three spacewalks will be performed dedicated to installing MBS and the replacement wrist-roll joint on the Station's C

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-130 Mission Specialist Robert Behnken responds to a question asked by a media representative during a question-and-answer session. From left are Commander George Zamka; Pilot Terry Virts; and Mission Specialists Kathryn Hire, Stephen Robinson, Nicholas Patrick and Robert Behnken.The crew members of space shuttle Endeavour's upcoming mission are at Kennedy for training related to their launch dress rehearsal, the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test. The primary payload on STS-130 is the International Space Station's Node 3, Tranquility, a pressurized module that will provide room for many of the station's life support systems. Attached to one end of Tranquility is a cupola, a unique work area with six windows on its sides and one on top. Endeavour's launch is targeted for Feb. 7.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - -- The STS-128 crew members wave to spectators as they pause in front of the Astrovan that will take them to Launch Pad 39A. From left are Mission Specialists Danny Olivas, Nicole Stott, Christer Fuglesang, Jose Hernandez and Patrick Forrester, Pilot Kevin Ford and Commander Rick Sturckow. At the pad, the astronauts will complete their suit-up and enter space shuttle Discovery for the 11:59 p.m. EDT liftoff. The first launch attempt on Aug. 24 was postponed due to unfavorable weather conditions. The second attempt on Aug. 25 also was postponed due to an issue with a valve in space shuttle Discovery's main propulsion system. The 13-day mission will deliver more than 7 tons of supplies, science racks and equipment, as well as additional environmental hardware to sustain six crew members on the International Space Station. The equipment includes a freezer to store research samples, a new sleeping compartment and the COLBERT treadmill. The mission is the 128th in

JSC2001-02205 (9 August 2001) --- The seven STS-109 crew members wait for a training and photo session to begin in the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at the Johnson Space Center (JSC). From the left are astronauts Duane G. Carey and Scott D. Altman, pilot and mission commander, respectively, and Richard M. Linnehan, Michael J. Massimino, James H. Newman, John M. Grunsfeld, and Nancy J. Currie, all mission specialists. STS-109 will be the 108th shuttle flight and the fourth Hubble Space Telescope (HST) servicing mission.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Crew members for space shuttle Discovery's STS-124 mission stride out of the Operations and Checkout Building eager to get to the Astrovan that will take them to Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Leading the way are Pilot Ken Ham (left) and Commander Mark Kelly (right). Behind Ham are (front to back) Mission Specialists Ron Garan, Akihiko Hoshide and Gregory Chamitoff. Behind Kelly are (front to back) Mission Specialists Karen Nyberg and Mike Fossum. Hoshide represents the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Chamitoff will join the Expedition 17 crew on the International Space Station as a flight engineer, taking the place of astronaut Garrett Reisman, who will return to Earth on Discovery. The STS-124 mission is the second of three flights launching components to complete the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory. The shuttle crew will install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system, or RMS.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Return to Flight STS-114 crew heads for the bus that will transport them to Launch Pad 39B. In the left column, back to front, are Mission Specialists Andrew Thomas, Charles Camarda and Wendy Lawrence, and Pilot James Kelly. In the right column, back to front, are Mission Specialists Stephen Robinson and Soichi Noguchi and Mission Commander Eileen Collins. The crew is scheduled to launch on this historic mission at 3 51 p.m. EDT today from Launch Pad 39B. It is the 114th Space Shuttle flight and the 31st for Discovery. The 12-day mission is expected to end with touchdown at the Shuttle Landing Facility at 11 06 a.m. July 25.

The STS-93 crew wave to onlookers as they walk out of the Operations and Checkout Building for the second time enroute to Launch Pad 39-B and liftoff of Space Shuttle Columbia. After Space Shuttle Columbia's July 20 launch attempt was scrubbed at the T-7 second mark in the countdown, the launch was rescheduled for Thursday, July 22, at 12:28 a.m. EDT. The target landing date is July 26, 1999, at 11:24 p.m. EDT. In their orange launch and entry suits, they are (starting at rear, left to right) Mission Specialists Michel Tognini of France, who represents the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES), and Catherine G. Coleman (Ph.D.); Pilot Jeffrey S. Ashby; Mission Specialist Steven A. Hawley (Ph.D.); and Commander Eileen M. Collins. STS-93 is a five-day mission primarily to release the Chandra X-ray Observatory, which will allow scientists from around the world to study some of the most distant, powerful and dynamic objects in the universe. The new telescope is 20 to 50 times more sensi

jsc2018e050835 - At the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, the Expedition 56 backup and prime crewmembers pose for pictures May 29 in front of a model of a Soyuz rocket. From left to right are the backup crewmembers, David Saint-Jacques of the Canadian Space Agency, Oleg Kononenko of Roscosmos and Anne McClain of NASA and the prime crew, Serena Aunon-Chancellor of NASA, Sergey Prokopyev of Roscosmos and Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency. Aunon-Chancellor, Prokopyev and Gerst will launch June 6 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on the Soyuz MS-09 spacecraft for a six-month mission on the International Space Station...NASA/Victor Zelentsov.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At the slidewire basket landing on Launch Pad 39A, the space shuttle Atlantis STS-122 crew responds to questions from the media. From left are Commander Steve Frick (with the microphone); Pilot Alan Poindexter; and Mission Specialists Leland Melvin, Rex Walheim, Hans Schlegel, Stanley Love and Leopold Eyharts. Schlegel and Eyharts are with the European Space Agency. Eyharts will remain on the International Space Station as a flight engineer for Expedition 16 following the STS-122 mission. The STS-122 crew is at NASA's Kennedy Space Center to take part in terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT, activities, a standard part of launch preparations. The TCDT provides astronauts and ground crews with equipment familiarization, emergency egress training and a simulated launch countdown. On mission STS-122, Atlantis will deliver the European Space Agency's Columbus module to the International Space Station. Columbus is a multifunctional, pressurized

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Dressed in their bright-orange launch-and-entry suits, the final four astronauts to launch aboard a space shuttle exit the Astronaut Crew Quarters in the Operations and Checkout Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. In the left row, STS-135 Pilot Doug Hurley is followed by Mission Specialist Sandy Magnus. In the right row, Commander Chris Ferguson is followed by Mission Specialist Rex Walheim. The astronauts, who will head to Launch Pad 39A aboard the silver Astrovan, are scheduled to lift off aboard space shuttle Atlantis at 11:26 a.m. EDT on July 8 for their mission to the International Space Station.STS-135 will deliver the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module packed with supplies and spare parts for the orbiting outpost. Atlantis also will fly the Robotic Refueling Mission experiment that will investigate the potential for robotically refueling existing satellites in orbit. In addition, Atlantis will return with a failed ammonia pump modu

Gathered at Launch Pad 39B, the STS-97 crew pause for a photo. Standing left to right are Mission Specialist Carlos Noriega, Pilot Michael Bloomfield, Commander Brent Jett and Mission Specialists Joseph Tanner and Marc Garneau, who is with the Canadian Space Agency. Behind them can be seen the top of the external tank and solid rocket boosters. The mission to the International Space Station carries the P6 Integrated Truss Segment containing solar arrays and batteries that will be temporarily installed to the Unity connecting module by the Z1 truss, recently delivered to and installed on the Station on mission STS-92. The two solar arrays are each more than 100 feet long. They will capture energy from the sun and convert it to power for the Station. Two spacewalks will be required to install the solar array connections. STS-97 is scheduled to launch Nov. 30 at about 10:06 p.m. EST

The crew of the Space Shuttle Atlantis gives the "all's well" thumb's-up sign after leaving the 100-ton orbiter following their landing at 6:55 a.m. (PDT), 11 April 1991, at NASA's Ames Dryden Flight Research Facility (later redesignated Dryden Flight Research Center), Edwards, California, to conclude mission STS-37. They are, from left, Kenneth D. Cameron, pilot; Steven R. Nagel, mission commander; and mission specialists Linda M. Godwin, Jerry L. Ross, and Jay Apt. During the mission,which began with launch April 5 at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, the crew deployed the Gamma Ray Observatory. Ross and Jay also carried out two spacewalks, one to deploy an antenna on the Gamma Ray Observatory and the other to test equipment and mobility techniques for the construction of the future Space Station. The planned five-day mission was extended one day because of high winds at Edwards.

Astronauts included in the STS-62 crew portrait include (standing left to right) mission specialists Charles D. Gemar, Marsha S. Ivins, and Pierre J. Thuot. Seated left to right are Andrew M. Allen, pilot; and John H. Casper, commander. Launched aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia on March 4, 1994 at 8 53 00 am (EST), the STS-62 mission carried two primary payloads; the U.S Microgravity Payload-2 (USMP-2) and the Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology-2 (OAST-2).

STS-86 crew members pose for a group photograph outside the hatch to the crew cabin of the Space Shuttle Atlantis at Launch Pad 39A. Kneeling in front, from left, are Mission Specialists Vladimir Georgievich Titov of the Russian Space Agency, David A. Wolf and Wendy B. Lawrence. Standing, from left, are Pilot Michael J. Bloomfield, Mission Specialist Scott E. Parazynski, Commander James D. Wetherbee, and Mission Specialist Jean-Loup J.M. Chretien of the French Space Agency, CNES. STS-86 will be the seventh docking of the Space Shuttle with the Russian Space Station Mir. During the docking, Wolf will transfer to the orbiting Russian station and become a member of the Mir 24 crew, replacing U.S. astronaut C. Michael Foale, who has been on the Mir since the last docking mission, STS-84, in May. Launch of Mission STS-86 aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis is targeted for Sept. 25

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-130 Mission Specialist Kathryn Hire responds to a question posed by a media representative during a question-and-answer session. From left are Commander George Zamka; Pilot Terry Virts; and Mission Specialists Kathryn Hire, Stephen Robinson, Nicholas Patrick and Robert Behnken.The crew members of space shuttle Endeavour's upcoming mission are at Kennedy for training related to their launch dress rehearsal, the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test. The primary payload on STS-130 is the International Space Station's Node 3, Tranquility, a pressurized module that will provide room for many of the station's life support systems. Attached to one end of Tranquility is a cupola, a unique work area with six windows on its sides and one on top. Endeavour's launch is targeted for Feb. 7.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the STS-133 crew takes a break from a simulated launch countdown to ham it up on the 195-foot level of Launch Pad 39A. From left are, Pilot Eric Boe, Mission Specialist Michael Barratt, Commander Steve Lindsey, and Mission Specialists Tim Kopra, Nicole Stott, and Alvin Drew. The simulation is part of a week-long Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT).Discovery and its STS-133 crew will deliver the Permanent Multipurpose Module, packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2, the dexterous humanoid astronaut helper, to the International Space Station. Launch is targeted for Nov. 1 at 4:40 p.m.

Waving to onlookers, the STS-101 crew eagerly walk to the waiting Astrovan that will take them to Launch Pad 39A and the second attempt at liftoff of Space Shuttle Atlantis. In their orange launch and entry suits, they are (left to right) Mission Specialists Susan J. Helms, Yury Usachev, James S. Voss, Mary Ellen Weber and Jeffrey N. Williams; Pilot Scott J. Horowitz; and Commander James D. Halsell Jr. The first launch attempt on April 24 was scrubbed due to unfavorable weather conditions. The mission will take the crew to the International Space Station to deliver logistics and supplies and to prepare the Station for the arrival of the Zvezda Service Module, expected to be launched by Russia in July 2000. Also, the crew will conduct one space walk. This will be the third assembly flight to the Space Station. Liftoff is targeted for 3:52 p.m. EDT. The mission is expected to last about 10 days, with Atlantis landing at KSC Saturday, May 6, about 11:53 a.m. EDT

The crew of STS-90 participate in Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) activities at KSC's Launch Pad 39B. The TCDT is held at KSC prior to each Space Shuttle flight to provide crews with the opportunity to participate in simulated countdown activities. The crew include, left to right, Commander Richard Searfoss, Payload Specialist James Pawelczyk, Ph.D., Mission Specialist Dafydd (Dave) Williams, M.D., with the Canadian Space Agency, Mission Specialist Richard Linnehan, D.V.M., Pilot Scott Altman, Mission Specialist Kathryn (Kay) Hire, and Payload Specialist Jay Buckey, M.D. Columbia is targeted for launch of STS-90 on April 16 at 2:19 p.m. EDT and will be the second mission of 1998. The mission is scheduled to last nearly 17 days

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the STS-133 crew takes a break from a simulated launch countdown and simulated pad emergency to take a group photo on the 195-foot level of Launch Pad 39A. From left are, Pilot Eric Boe, Mission Specialist Michael Barratt, Commander Steve Lindsey, and Mission Specialists Tim Kopra, Nicole Stott, and Alvin Drew. The simulations are part of a week-long Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT).Discovery and its STS-133 crew will deliver the Permanent Multipurpose Module, packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2, the dexterous humanoid astronaut helper, to the International Space Station. Launch is targeted for Nov. 1 at 4:40 p.m.

JSC2008-E-052124 (16 July 2008) --- Attired in training versions of their shuttle launch and entry suits, the STS-119 crewmembers await the start of a training session in the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at Johnson Space Center. From the left are Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Koichi Wakata, Expedition 18 flight engineer; NASA astronauts Tony Antonelli, STS-119 pilot; Lee Archambault, commander; John Phillips, Joseph Acaba, Richard Arnold and Steve Swanson, all mission specialists.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- On the slidewire basket bunker area of Launch Pad 39A, the STS-118 crew talks to the media before the crew's morning training activities in the terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT. At right, Mission Specialist Tracy Caldwell has the microphone. The others, from left, are Commander Scott Kelly, Pilot Charlie Hobaugh and Mission Specialists Alvin Drew, Rick Mastracchio, Dave Williams and Barbara Morgan. Williams represents the Canadian Space Agency. Morgan joined NASA's Teacher in Space program in 1985 and was selected as an astronaut in 1998. TCDT activities include M-113 training, payload familiarization, the emergency egress training at the pad and a simulated launch countdown. The mission is the 22nd flight to the International Space Station and Space Shuttle Endeavour will carry a payload including the S5 truss, a SPACEHAB module and external stowage platform 3. STS-118 is targeted for launch on Aug. 7. NASA/George Shelton

JOHNSON SPACE CENTER, Houston - STS131-S-002 - Attired in training versions of their shuttle launch and entry suits, these seven astronauts take a break from training to pose for the STS-131 crew portrait. Seated are NASA astronauts Alan Poindexter (right), commander; and James P. Dutton Jr., pilot. Pictured from the left (standing) are NASA astronauts Rick Mastracchio, Stephanie Wilson, Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Naoko Yamazaki and NASA astronaut Clayton Anderson, all mission specialists.

The STS-85 flight crew members pose with their T-38 jet trainer aircraft at the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) after their arrival from NASAs Johnson Space Center to begin final preparations for the STS-85 mission. They are (from left): Mission Specialist Stephen K. Robinson; Payload Commander N. Jan Davis; Pilot Kent V. Rominger; Payload Specialist Bjarni V. Tryggvason; Commander Curtis L. Brown, Jr.; and Mission Specialist Robert L. Curbeam, Jr. The primary payload aboard the Space Shuttle orbiter Discovery for the 11-day space flight is the Cryogenic Infrared Spectrometers and Telescopes for the Atmosphere-2 (CRISTA-SPAS-2). Other STS-85 payloads include the Manipulator Flight Demonstration (MFD), and Technology Applications and Science-1 (TAS-1) and International Extreme Ultraviolet Hitchhiker-2 (IEH-2) experiments

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The STS-110 crew poses on the 225-foot level of the Fixed Service Structure on the launch pad during Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities. Kneeling in front are Pilot Stephen Frick and Mission Specialist Jerry Ross. Behind them are Mission Specialists Ellen Ochoa and Rex Walheim. In the rear are Commander Michael Bloomfield and Mission Specialists Lee Morin and Steven Smith. The TCDT, which includes emergency egress training and a simulated launch countdown, is held at KSC prior to each Space Shuttle flight. Scheduled for launch April 4, the 11-day mission will feature Shuttle Atlantis docking with the International Space Station (ISS) and delivering the S0 truss, the centerpiece-segment of the primary truss structure that will eventually extend over 300 feet

of 3