The astronauts and ground crews for Space Shuttle Discovery’s upcoming mission, STS-121, will go through a full launch dress rehearsal at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Fla., June 12-15. Media are invited to attend events surrounding the terminal countdown demonstration test, and some of the activities will air on NASA TV.
The demonstration test provides the crew of each shuttle mission with an opportunity to participate in various simulated countdown activities, including equipment familiarization and emergency egress training.
Permanently badged media interested in attending this event should contact the Kennedy Space Center Press Site at 321-867-2468 by 4 p.m. EDT Friday, June 9.
Media approved for accreditation for the STS-121 mission may pick up badges from the Pass and Identification Building on State Road 405 beginning June 12. The badging office is open Monday – Friday from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT.
The crew members taking part in the demonstration test are Commander Steve Lindsey, Pilot Mark Kelly, and Mission Specialists Mike Fossum, Lisa Nowak, Stephanie Wilson, Piers Sellers and Thomas Reiter. The STS-121 mission to the International Space Station is targeted for July 1 in a launch window that extends to July 19.
Media Events (All Times Eastern)
– June 12 – STS-121 Crew Arrival: The crew will arrive at 6 p.m. at the Shuttle Landing Facility and make a statement. Media need to be at the Kennedy News Center at 5 p.m. for transportation to the facility. The crew arrival will be carried live on NASA TV.
– June 14 – STS-121 Crew Media Q & A: Discovery’s crew will take media questions at Launch Pad 39B at 8:45 a.m. Media must arrive at the Kennedy News Center by 7:30 a.m. for transportation to the launch pad. The session will be carried live on NASA TV.
– June 15 – STS-121 Crew Walkout Photo Opportunity: The crew departs the Operations and Checkout Building at 7:45 a.m. in their flight entry suits in preparation for the countdown demonstration test at the launch pad. Media need to arrive at the Kennedy News Center by 6:45 a.m. to cover the event. No live NASA TV coverage.
– June 15 – STS-121 Commander Statement: Commander Steve Lindsey will provide a statement at the Kennedy News Center TV auditorium at 1:45 p.m. No live NASA TV coverage.
Since dates and times of events are subject to change, updates are available by calling: 321-867-2525.
Media must be properly dressed in full-length pants and low-heeled shoes that entirely cover the feet. Sleeveless shirts are not allowed.
NASA’s Video File airs on the Media Channel (Program 103) at 6-8 and 9-11 a.m.; 12-2 and 4-7 p.m.; and 10 p.m.-midnight. All times are Eastern. NASA TV’s Public, Education and Media channels are available on an MPEG-2 digital C-band signal accessed via satellite AMC-6; 72 degrees west longitude, transponder 17C, 4040 MHz, vertical polarization. In Alaska and Hawaii, they’re on AMC-7; 137 degrees west longitude, transponder 18C, at 4060 MHz, horizontal polarization. For digital downlink and links to streaming video, visit:
For information about the STS-121 mission and crew, visit:
