KSC-2009-4481

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a Shuttle Training Aircraft, or STA, approaches the runway during landing practice. STS-128 Commander Rick Sturckow and Pilot Kevin Ford are using the STAs to practice shuttle landings. The practice is in preparation for launch of space shuttle Discovery's STS-128 mission in late August 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. The STS-128 crew is at Kennedy for a launch dress rehearsal called the terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT, which includes emergency exit training and equipment familiarization, as well as a simulated launch countdown. Discovery will deliver 33,000 pounds of equipment to the station, including science and storage racks, a freezer to store research samples, a new sleeping compartment and the COLBERT treadmill. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett