KSC-08pd1203

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- During a media event at the slidewire landing area of Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, STS-124 Mission Specialist Akihiko Hoshide (with microphone) responds to reporters' questions. With him are (from left) Commander Mark Kelly, Pilot Ken Ham, and Mission Specialists Karen Nyberg, Ron Garan, Mike Fossum and Greg Chamitoff. Hoshide represents the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. The crew is at Kennedy for a dress launch rehearsal called the terminal countdown demonstration test. TCDT provides astronauts and ground crews with an opportunity to participate in various simulated countdown activities, including equipment familiarization and emergency training. On the STS-124 mission, the crew will deliver and install the Japanese Experiment Module – Pressurized Module and Japanese Remote Manipulator System. Discovery's launch is targeted for May 31. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett