NASA has released the first-ever up close, high-definition video of Kennedy Space Center’s Final Inspection Team walkdown in the final hours before a space shuttle launch. The footage was shot on May 14 at Kennedy’s Launch Pad 39A during the countdown for shuttle Atlantis’ STS-132 mission.
The six-member inspection team, also known as the “Ice Team,” walks on every level of the launch pad’s fixed service structure and mobile launcher platform base, inspecting the shuttle, external fuel tank, solid rocket boosters, pad structure and ground equipment for signs of ice buildup, debris or anything else that might be amiss prior to launch. As part of the inspection, photos are taken and transmitted to the launch team for review.
A NASA videographer was included on the team for Atlantis’ launch to document this important and hazardous process. The footage was captured with a Panasonic HPX 3700 high definition, cinema-style
camera with 1080 progressive scanning at 24 frames per second.
The video will be broadcast in standard definition on NASA Television’s Video File. For NASA TV downlink information, schedules and links to streaming video, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/ntv
For more information about Atlantis’ STS-132 mission and the Space
Shuttle Program, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle
