KSC-01PP-0031

Members of the STS-98 crew pose in front of the M-113 armored carrier they were test driving as part of emergency egress training at Launch Pad 39A. From left are Mission Specialists Robert Curbeam and Thomas Jones, Pilot Mark Polansky and Commander Ken Cockrell. Not pictured is the fifth crew member, Mission Specialist Marsha Ivins. The carrier could be used to transport the crew to a nearby bunker, or farther, in the event of an emergency at the pad prior to launch. The STS-98 crew is at KSC to take part in Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities, which also includes a simulated launch countdown. STS-98 is the seventh construction flight to the International Space Station, carrying as payload the U.S. Lab Destiny, a key element in the construction of the ISS