KSC-2009-3657

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A Shuttle Training Aircraft approaches touchdown on the runway at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. STS-127 Commander Mark Polansky and Pilot Doug Hurley are practicing landings in the STA in preparation for launch of space shuttle Endeavour on the STS-127 mission on June 13 to the International Space Station. The STA is a Grumman American Aviation-built Gulfstream II jet that was modified to simulate a shuttle’s cockpit, motion and visual cues, and handling qualities. Endeavour will deliver the Japanese Experiment Module's Exposed Facility, or JEM-EF, and the Experiment Logistics Module-Exposed Section, or ELM-ES. on STS-127. The mission is the final of three flights dedicated to the assembly of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory complex on the space station. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett