KSC-2010-3021

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the crew of space shuttle Atlantis' STS-132 mission, dressed in their orange launch-and-entry suits, are greeted by employees and media representatives on hand as they depart from crew quarters in the Operations and Checkout Building. In the left row, from front, are Pilot Tony Antonelli followed by Mission Specialists Garrett Reisman and Steve Bowen, who is capturing the moment with his own camera. In the right row, from front, are Commander Ken Ham followed by Mission Specialists Michael Good and Piers Sellers. This dress rehearsal for launch is known as the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, or TCDT. Following this practice 'walkout,' the astronauts will ride in the Astrovan to Launch Pad 39A where they will participate in a simulated launch countdown from their seats inside the crew compartment of space shuttle Atlantis. Launch is targeted for 2:19 p.m. EDT on May 14. On the STS-132 mission, the crew will deliver an Integrated Cargo Carrier, or ICC, and the Russian-built Mini-Research Module-1, or MRM-1, to the International Space Station. The ICC is an unpressurized flat bed pallet and keel yoke assembly used to support the transfer of exterior cargo from the shuttle to the space station. The MRM-1, known as Rassvet, is the second in a series of new pressurized components for Russia and will be permanently attached to the Earth-facing port of the Zarya control module. Rassvet, which translates to 'dawn,' will be used for cargo storage and provide an additional docking port to the station. STS-132 is the 34th mission to the station and the 132nd shuttle mission overall. For information on the STS-132 mission, visit http:__www.nasa.gov_mission_pages_shuttle_shuttlemissions_sts132_index.html. Photo credit: NASA_Cory Huston