NASA's Shuttle Discovery Moves to Launch Pad, Practice Liftoff Set

July 29, 2009

John Yembrick
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1100


Candrea Thomas
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468


MEDIA ADVISORY: M09-143

NASA'S SHUTTLE DISCOVERY MOVES TO LAUNCH PAD, PRACTICE LIFTOFF SET

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Reporters are invited to cover space shuttle
Discovery's move to the launch pad on Aug. 3 and the mission crew's
dress rehearsal activities Aug. 5 to Aug. 7 at NASA's Kennedy Space
Center in Florida.

The first motion of Discovery from the Vehicle Assembly Building to
Launch Pad 39A is scheduled for 12:01 a.m. EDT. The 3.4 mile journey
is expected to take approximately six hours. Activities include a 6
a.m. photo opportunity of the shuttle's move and an interview
availability with Discovery Flow Director Stephanie Stilson at 7 a.m.
Reporters must arrive at Kennedy's news center by 5:30 a.m. Monday
for transportation to the viewing area.

Live coverage of the move will be shown on NASA Television starting
at
6 a.m. Video highlights of the move will air on NASA TV Video File.

International media accreditation for these events is closed. U.S.
reporters without permanent Kennedy credentials must apply for
accreditation online by 4 p.m. Thursday, July 30, at:

https://media.ksc.nasa.gov

Badges must be picked up before 4 p.m. Friday, July 31, at the
Kennedy
Space Center Badging Office on State Road 405.

Discovery's astronauts and ground crews will participate in the
practice countdown, known as the terminal countdown demonstration
test. The test provides each shuttle crew with an opportunity to
participate in various simulated countdown activities, including
equipment familiarization and emergency training.

The following media events are associated with the test. All times
are
Eastern.

- Aug. 5 - STS-128 crew arrival. The astronauts will arrive at
approximately 11:30 a.m. at the Shuttle Landing Facility and make a
statement. The arrival will be broadcast live on NASA TV.

- Aug. 6 - STS-128 crew media availability. The crew will take
questions from reporters at Launch Pad 39A at 8:40 a.m. The session
will be carried live on NASA TV.

-Aug. 7 - STS-128 crew walkout photo opportunity. The astronauts will
depart from the Operations and Checkout Building at 8:15 a.m. in
their flight entry suits in preparation for the countdown
demonstration test at the launch pad. The walkout will not be
broadcast live, but will air on NASA TV Video File.

For information about covering these events, including proper attire
and meeting locations, credentialed journalists should visit:

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

Updates for all events are available at 321-867-2525.

For NASA TV downlink information, schedules and links to streaming
video, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

For more information about the STS-128 mission and crew, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

-end-