The crew of Space Shuttle mission STS-107, the 113th mission in the history
of Shuttle flight, is at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) this week for the
Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT). The TCDT is held at KSC prior
to each Space Shuttle flight providing flight crews an opportunity to
participate in simulated launch countdown activities.
The seven crew members assigned are Commander Rick D. Husband; Pilot William
C. McCool; Payload Commander Michael P. Anderson; Mission Specialists David
M. Brown, Kalpana Chawla, and Laurel B. Clark; and Israeli Payload
Specialist Ilan Ramon.
At the conclusion of TCDT activities and prior to departure for their homes
in Houston, Texas, media representatives will have an opportunity to speak
informally with and photograph the STS-107 crew.
Media interested in participating in this question-and-answer session should
be at the KSC Press Site by 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20. This is a local media
event only. No live NASA TV coverage is planned.
Media requiring accreditation should contact the KSC Press Site for
instructions.
Mission STS-107 is targeted for launch from KSC on Jan. 16, 2003, during a
launch period that extends from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. EST. The flight is
scheduled to last about 16 days with Shuttle Columbia dedicated to a mixed
complement of competitively selected and commercially sponsored research in
the areas of astronaut health and safety; advanced technology development;
and Earth and space sciences. The crew will work 24 hours a day in two
alternating shifts to carry out the experiments.
