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| Image above: The rotating service structure is in
place around Space Shuttle Discovery at Launch Pad 39B, leaving only
the top of the external tank and boosters visible. Image Credit: NASA |
At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the P5 truss segment and SPACEHAB
single logistics module are tucked away and awaiting launch inside Space
Shuttle Discovery's payload bay. The payload bay doors were closed for
flight on Nov. 16.
The STS-116 crew participated in a launch dress rehearsal and simulated
countdown earlier that day, wrapping up the four-day terminal countdown
demonstration test that took place at Kennedy from Nov. 13-16.
The next major prelaunch milestone is the Flight Readiness Review, set
for Nov. 28-29. The STS-116 mission will be the 20th flight to the International
Space Station. The launch window opens Dec. 7.
NASA managers plan to hold a news conference at approximately 3 p.m.
EST, Wednesday, Nov. 29 to discuss the status of the upcoming mission.
The news conference will be at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, and
begin after the conclusion of the traditional Flight Readiness Review.
The news conference follows a two-day assessment of preparations for
Discovery's mission, designated STS-116. The Nov. 28-29 meeting may produce
a number of key decisions about the assembly flight, including selection
of an official launch date. The current target date for the Discovery's
launch is no earlier than 9:36 p.m. EST on Dec. 7.
Briefing participants:
-- Bill Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for Space Operations
-- Wayne Hale, Space Shuttle Program manager
-- Mike Leinbach, NASA launch director
The start of the news conference will depend on the ending time of the
Review. It will air live on NASA TV.
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