Shuttle Launch from Kennedy Space Center Days Away: NASA Prepares Endeavour

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Simulated pad emergency on Launch Pad -credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

With the final launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour on STS-134 scheduled for liftoff on April 29th, engineers at the Kennedy Space Center have been busy keeping the orbiter on track. After this launch, only one more launch of the remaining space shuttles is scheduled.

Endeavour will carry six astronauts into orbit as its final mission launches at 3:47 EDT. There had been some concern about potential damage to the space shuttle after some severe storms moved through the area last week, but not damage was found with Endeavour.

After initially opting to extend the 14-day mission by one day, managers at KSC opted to return to the planned two week mission plan. Once the shuttle is in orbit and they are able to evaluate its performance and mission objectives, the flight support team may decide to keep Endeavour in orbit an extra day or two. Barring any changes, the second to the last shuttle will conclude with a scheduled landing back at the Kennedy Space Center on Friday the 13th of May at 9:28AM EDT.

The six crew members for STS-134 are Commander Mark Kelly, Pilot Gregory H. Johnson and Mission Specialists Michael Fincke, Greg Chamitoff, Andrew Feustel and European Space Agency astronaut Roberto Vittori. During the mission the crew will deliver to the International Space Stations the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) and spare parts including two S-band communications antennas, a high-pressure gas tank, additional spare parts for Dextre and micrometeoroid debris shields.

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About D Robert Curry

D Robert Curry - with over 2 decades of experience in the IT sector and an avid aviator, Mr. Curry covers all Science & Technology and Aviation realted news stories. drcurry@newstaar.com