The STS-115 crew flew into NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida late this afternoon to begin the terminal countdown demonstration test. Under the late-afternoon Florida sun, the six-member crew met with members of the news media after arriving in T-38 trainer jets. This evening, Commander Brent Jett and Pilot Chris Ferguson are scheduled to conduct practice landings in the Shuttle Training Aircraft.
During the week's activities, astronauts participate in equipment and spacesuit checks, briefings, training exercises, and a dress rehearsal with a simulated countdown at the launch pad.
The STS-115 crew consists of Commander Brent W. Jett Jr., Pilot Christopher J. Ferguson and Mission Specialists Heidemarie M. Stefanyshyn-Piper, Joseph R. Tanner, Daniel C. Burbank and Steven G. MacLean, who represents the Canadian Space Agency.
During their 11 days in space, the astronauts will install the integrated P3/P4 truss segment with its two large solar arrays that will provide one-fourth of the total power generation capability of the completed station.
