STS-114 astronauts during underwater training

JSC2005-E-14733 (21 March 2005) ---Three STS-114 astronauts give a simultaneous thumbs-up signal to indicate preparedness during an underwater training session in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory in Houston. From the left are Soichi Noguchi of JAXA, Stephen K. Robinson and Andrew S.W. Thomas. A number of SCUBA-equipped divers participated in the dive to assist the astronauts. Noguchi and Robinson have been in training for a lengthy period of time, preparing for three scheduled spacewalks on the first flight marking return to space following the Columbia mission of 2003. Thomas, working inside the Space Shuttle Discovery's cabin, will serve as the lead robotics officer for the inspection of the Orbiter's thermal protection system using a new boom extension outfitted with sensors and cameras. He will also serve as the Intravehicular Activity crewmember helping to suit up and choreograph spacewalkers Noguchi and Robinson for their spacewalks.