KSC-05pd-0899

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The STS-114 crew gathers for media questions at the slidewire basket landing area on Launch Pad 39B. Pilot James Kelly (far right) responds to a question. The other crew members are, from left, Mission Specialists Andrew Thomas, Wendy Lawrence and Stephen Robinson, Commander Eileen Collins, and Mission Specialists Charles Camarda and Soichi Noguchi, who is with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. The TCDT is held at KSC prior to each Space Shuttle flight. It provides the crew of each mission an opportunity to participate in simulated countdown activities. The test ends with a mock launch countdown culminating in a simulated main engine cutoff. The crew also spends time undergoing emergency egress training exercises at the launch pad. STS-114 is designated the first Return to Flight mission, with a launch window extending from July 13 to July 31.