KSC-2010-2165

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, members of space shuttle Discovery's STS-131 crew walk out of the Operations and Checkout Building in their launch-and-entry suits for the ride in the Astrovan to Launch Pad 39A. The crew is participating in the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, or TCDT. In the left row, from front, are Pilot James P. Dutton Jr. and Mission Specialists Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger and Naoko Yamazaki of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. In the right row, from front, are Commander Alan Poindexter and Mission Specialists Rick Mastracchio and Stephanie Wilson. In the back is Mission Specialist Clayton Anderson. TCDT includes training on the emergency exit systems at the launch pad, driving practice of the M-113 armored personnel carrier and a full launch countdown dress rehearsal. The crew will deliver the multi-purpose logistics module Leonard, filled with resupply stowage platforms and science racks, to the International Space Station aboard space shuttle Discovery. STS-131, targeted for launch on April 5, will be the 33rd shuttle mission to the station and the 131st shuttle mission overall. For information on the STS-131 mission and crew, visit http:__www.nasa.gov_mission_pages_shuttle_shuttlemissions_sts131_index.htm. Photo credit: NASA_Kim Shiflett