The crew of Space Shuttle mission STS-111, the 110th mission in the history of Shuttle flight, is at Kennedy Space Center 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.
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 both the STS-111 and Expedition Five crews.
Media interested in participating in this question-and-answer session should be at the KSC Press Site by 1 p.m. Friday, May 17. Those attending are required to wear closed-toe shoes and long pants. Shorts or tank tops are not permitted. This is a local media event only. No live NASA TV coverage is planned.
Mission STS-111 is targeted for launch from Kennedy Space Center May 30. The flight is scheduled to last about 12 days and will feature Shuttle Endeavour docking with the International Space Station (ISS) and delivering the Multi-Purpose Logisitics Module Leonardo, the Mobile Base System (MBS), the replacement wrist/roll joint for the Station’s robot arm, and the Expedition Five crew.
Crew members for mission STS-111 are Commander Kenneth Cockrell, Pilot Paul Lockhart, and Mission Specialists Franklin Chang-Diaz and Philippe Perrin, as well as Expedition Five crew members Valeri Korzun, Peggy Whitson and Sergei Treschev. This mission is the seventh flight in space for Franklin Chang-Diaz, making him the second U.S. astronaut to reach this milestone.
NOTE: Media are reminded that previously issued annual badges are no longer valid. Media without newly issued credentials should contact the KSC Press Site at 321/867-2468 for instructions.
