‘Discovery’ at the Launch Pad

January 14, 2009 — Space shuttle Discovery arrived at Launch Pad 39A today, in preparation for its flight to deliver the final pair of power-generating solar array wings to the International Space Station. On top of the crawler transporter, Discovery began its 3.4-mile trip from the Vehicle Assembly Building to the launch pad at 5:17 a.m. EST. Rollout was delayed slightly so technicians could work minor technical issues related to aft skirt purge and the Mobile Launcher Platform heaters, which are needed when temperatures are below 45 degrees. The shuttle arrived at the pad gate at approximately 10:08 a.m. and was secured to the pad at 12:16 p.m. NASA Commander Lee Archambault will lead a crew of seven, along with Pilot Tony Antonelli, and Mission Specialists Joseph Acaba, John Phillips, Steve Swanson, Richard Arnold and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Koichi Wakata. The astronauts will fly to Kennedy Space Center for a full-dress rehearsal called the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, scheduled for January 19-21. They will also check out the spacecraft and payload, try on their custom-made flight suits and review safety procedures. Discovery's STS-119 mission to the International Space Station is targeted to lift off at 7:32 a.m. EST, February 12.

Space shuttle Discovery arrives at Launch Pad 39A. Photo credit: NASA The shuttle moves slowly atop a crawler transporter. Photo credit: NASA

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