KSC-2010-3039

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - On Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, STS-132 Commander Ken Ham and Pilot Tony Antonelli (in basket), dressed in their orange launch-and-entry suits, position themselves jump into a slidewire basket as they practice emergency exit procedures at the pad. Evacuation from the pad's 195-foot level in the event of an emergency is made possible by seven baskets suspended from seven slidewires that extend from the fixed service structure to a landing zone 1,200 feet west of the pad. The crew is participating in a launch dress rehearsal, called the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, or TCDT. TCDT provides each shuttle crew and launch team the opportunity to participate in various simulated countdown activities, including equipment familiarization and emergency procedures. On the STS-132 mission, the six-member 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 aboard space shuttle Atlantis. 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 will provide an additional docking port to the station. STS-132 is the 34th mission to the station and the 132nd shuttle mission overall. Atlantis is targeted to launch on May 14 at 2:19 p.m. For information on the STS-132 mission, visit http:__www.nasa.gov_mission_pages_shuttle_shuttlemissions_sts132_index.html. Photo credit: NASA_Jack Pfaller