Summary

Description	The seven astronauts who will fly on NASA's Return to Flight mission recently completed three days of prelaunch training at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Members of the STS-114 crew took part in the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, marking the first time astronauts boarded a Shuttle on the launch pad in more than two years. The first two days were all about safety. Commander Eileen Collins and her crew learned how to escape from the launch pad using a series of slidewire baskets that could whisk them to a nearby bunker in the unlikely event of an emergency. They also learned to drive M-113 armored personnel carriers. The M-113 is a small tank the astronauts could use to drive safely away from the launch pad if necessary. On the final day of testing, all seven crew members were dressed in bright-orange launch and landing suits and strapped into Space Shuttle Discovery for a realistic launch countdown rehearsal. The Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test is held before every Spac
Date	2005-05-09
Source	images.nasa.gov

Licensing

Public Domain (US Government Work)