Aft Closeouts Prepare Endeavour for TCDT

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 07:55:50 -0500

At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, workers at Launch Pad 39A will begin closeout work on space shuttle Endeavour's aft section today in preparation for tomorrow's STS-134 crew arrival.

Endeavour's six astronauts are scheduled to arrive at Kennedy's Shuttle Landing Facility Tuesday at approximately 7 p.m. EDT to begin the full-dress launch rehearsal and other related training called Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, or TCDT. The crew's arrival will be shown live on NASA TV (www.nasa.gov/ntv).

During the 14-day mission, Endeavour's astronauts will deliver to the International Space Station the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2, a particle physics detector designed to search for various types of unusual matter by measuring cosmic rays and the Express Logistics Carrier-3, a platform that carries spare parts that will sustain station operations once the shuttles are retired later this year.

Endeavour's final flight, on the STS-134 mission to the International Space Station, is targeted to launch at 7:48 p.m. EDT April 19.