NASA's Space Shuttle Discovery Set to Roll to Launch Pad

[KSC News Center <ksc@mediaservices.nasa.gov>]

04.01.05

Allard Beutel 
Headquarters, Washington
(Phone: 202/358-4769)

Jessica Rye
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
(321) 867-6185 

RELEASE: 30-05

NASA'S SPACE SHUTTLE DISCOVERY SET TO ROLL TO LAUNCH PAD

Space Shuttle Discovery is set to roll out to Launch Pad 39B at NASA's 
Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Fla. First motion is currently targeted 
for 12:01 a.m. EDT Tuesday, April 5. 

The fully-assembled Space Shuttle Vehicle, or "stack," -- consisting 
of the orbiter, External Tank (ET) and twin Solid Rocket Boosters 
(SRBs) -- will be mounted on the Mobile Launcher Platform and 
delivered to the pad via a crawler transporter. The four-mile journey 
from the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) to the pad will take about 
six hours. 

Based on the current rollout schedule, media must arrive at the KSC 
Press Site by 10 p.m. on Monday, April 4, for transportation to the 
viewing area. 

Since media arrival times are subject to change, please call the KSC 
media codaphone at 321/867-2525 for the latest updates. 

Discovery's initial move to Launch Pad 39B will be covered live on 
NASA Television. Live commentary will begin at the first motion of 
the crawler transporter and continue for about 30 minutes. 

NASA TV is available via satellite in the continental U.S. on AMC-6, 
Transponder 9C, C-Band, at 72 degrees west longitude. The frequency 
is 3880.0 MHz. Polarization is vertical, and audio is monaural at 
6.80 MHz. In Alaska and Hawaii, NASA TV is available on AMC-7, 
Transponder 18C, C-Band, at 137 degrees west longitude. The frequency 
is 4060.0 MHz. Polarization is vertical, and audio is monaural at 
6.80 MHz. NASA TV is also available on the Internet at: 

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv 

Launch of Discovery on its Return to Flight mission, designated 
STS-114, is targeted for May 15 with a launch window that extends to 
June 3. During its 12-day mission, Discovery's seven-person crew will 
test new hardware and techniques to improve Shuttle safety, as well 
as deliver supplies to the International Space Station. 

Discovery was moved from Orbiter Processing Facility on March 29 to 
the VAB and attached to its propulsion elements, a redesigned ET and 
twin SRBs. 

In preparation for rollout to the launch pad, work in the VAB included 
the installation of a new digital camera, testing electrical and 
mechanical attachments between the orbiter and ET, and umbilical 
checks. 

Permanently badged media interested in attending this roll out event 
are requested to contact the KSC Press Site (321/867-2468) by close 
of business Monday, April 4. 

News media without KSC credentials should submit accreditation 
requests via the new online accreditation Web site at: 

https://media.ksc.nasa.gov/ 

Media may pick up their badges at the Pass and Identification Building 
on State Road 405 beginning at 6 a.m. Monday. Media must be properly 
dressed in long pants and closed shoes with low heels. Sleeveless 
shirts are not allowed. 

Note: On Monday, April 4, media at KSC will be allowed to ask 
questions at the pre-flight briefings being held at NASA's Johnson 
Space Center. 

For the latest information on NASA's Return to Flight efforts on the 
Internet, visit: 

http://www.nasa.gov/returntoflight

	
-end-



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