The seven-member crew of Space Shuttle Discovery is set to arrive at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida this afternoon, beginning a final round of prelaunch training. During the four-day terminal countdown demonstration test, the astronauts will be fitted for their orange launch and entry suits, practice an emergency egress from the launch pad, and drive the M-113 armored personnel carrier. The training schedule is highlighted by a launch dress rehearsal in which the fully suited crew participates in a simulated countdown.
Space Shuttle Discovery arrived at Launch Pad 39B on Nov. 9 following an overnight move from the Vehicle Assembly Building. The P5 integrated truss segment and SPACEHAB module were installed in the orbiter's payload bay on Saturday.
The STS-116 mission is the 20th to the International Space Station and construction flight 12A.1. The launch window opens Dec. 7.
