S88-53088 (2 Dec. 1988) --- The STS-27 crew strides down the ramp from the Operations and Checkout Building at Kennedy Space Center to grab a van that will take the crew members to Launch Complex 39 for the Dec. 2, 1988 liftoff of Atlantis. Astronaut Robert L. Gibson, commander, waves to well-wishers (out of frame). He is followed by astronaut Guy S. Gardner, pilot, along with the flight?s three mission specialists -- astronauts William M. Shepherd, Richard M.(Mike) Mullane and Jerry L. Ross. Photo credit: NASA

S89-46513 (15 Sept 1989) --- Three members of the STS-34 crew rehearse for their pre-launch procedures at Launch Pad 39B during Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) activities at Kennedy Space Center (KSC). From the foreground, Astronauts Shannon W. Lucid, Michael J. McCulley and Donald E. Williams are at the 195-ft. level of at Pad B. The crew entered Atlantis for the mock countdown. The five astronauts are expected to spend more than five days in Earth orbit next month, with their primary objective being to release the Galileo spacecraft and send it on its way to Jupiter. Not in the frame are Astronauts Franklin R. Chang-Diaz and Ellen S. Baker. (KSC-89PC-898)

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The STS-120 crew gathers at the slidewire basket area on Launch Pad 39A after practicing emergency egress, part of the prelaunch terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT. Seen here in their launch and entry suits are (from left) Pilot George Zamka, Commander Pamela Melroy and Mission Specialist Scott Parazynski. Their name patches reflect the nicknames the crew gave each other for the event. The TCDT at NASA's Kennedy Space Center provides astronauts and ground crews an opportunity to participate in various launch preparation activities, including equipment familiarization and emergency training. The STS-120 mission will deliver the U.S. Node 2 module, named Harmony, aboard space shuttle Discovery to the International Space Station. Discovery is targeted to launch on its 14-day mission at 11:38 a.m. EDT on Oct. 23. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The STS-120 crew gathers at the slidewire basket area on Launch Pad 39A after practicing emergency egress, part of the prelaunch terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT. Seen here in their launch and entry suits are (from left) Pilot George Zamka, Commander Pamela Melroy and (far right) Mission Specialist Daniel Tani. Their name patches reflect the nicknames the crew gave each other for the event. The TCDT at NASA's Kennedy Space Center provides astronauts and ground crews an opportunity to participate in various launch preparation activities, including equipment familiarization and emergency training. The STS-120 mission will deliver the U.S. Node 2 module, named Harmony, aboard space shuttle Discovery to the International Space Station. Discovery is targeted to launch on its 14-day mission at 11:38 a.m. EDT on Oct. 23. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-120 Commander Pamela Melroy is donning her launch and entry suit to take part in a simulated launch countdown, part of the prelaunch terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT. Her name patch reflects the nicknames the crew gave each other for the event. The TCDT provides astronauts and ground crews an opportunity to participate in various launch preparation activities, including equipment familiarization, emergency training and the simulated countdown. The STS-120 mission will deliver the U.S. Node 2 module, named Harmony, aboard space shuttle Discovery to the International Space Station. Launch of Discovery on mission STS-120 is targeted for Oct. 23 at 11:38 a.m. EDT on a 14-day mission. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-120 Mission Specialist Paolo Nespoli is putting on his launch and entry suit for a simulated launch countdown, part of the prelaunch terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT. His name patch reflects the nicknames the crew gave each other for the event. The TCDT provides astronauts and ground crews an opportunity to participate in various launch preparation activities, including equipment familiarization, emergency training and the simulated countdown. The STS-120 mission will deliver the U.S. Node 2 module, named Harmony, aboard space shuttle Discovery to the International Space Station. Launch of Discovery on mission STS-120 is targeted for Oct. 23 at 11:38 a.m. EDT on a 14-day mission. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-120 Mission Specialist Daniel Tani is putting on his launch and entry suit for a simulated launch countdown, part of the prelaunch terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT. His name patch reflects the nicknames the crew gave each other for the event. The TCDT provides astronauts and ground crews an opportunity to participate in various launch preparation activities, including equipment familiarization, emergency training and the simulated countdown. The STS-120 mission will deliver the U.S. Node 2 module, named Harmony, aboard space shuttle Discovery to the International Space Station. Launch of Discovery on mission STS-120 is targeted for Oct. 23 at 11:38 a.m. EDT on a 14-day mission. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the White Room on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-119 Mission Specialist John Phillips has donned the harness over his launch-and-entry suit. The White Room provides access into space shuttle Discovery. Phillips and other crew members will conduct a simulated launch countdown as part of the prelaunch preparation known as Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test. The TCDT also includes equipment familiarization and emergency egress training. Discovery is targeted to launch on the STS-119 mission Feb. 12. During the 14-day mission, the crew will install the S6 truss segment and solar arrays to the starboard side of the International Space Station, completing the station's truss, or backbone. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-120 Pilot George Zamka is donning his launch and entry suit to take part in a simulated launch countdown, part of the prelaunch terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT. His name patch reflects the nicknames the crew gave each other for the event. The TCDT provides astronauts and ground crews an opportunity to participate in various launch preparation activities, including equipment familiarization, emergency training and the simulated countdown. The STS-120 mission will deliver the U.S. Node 2 module, named Harmony, aboard space shuttle Discovery to the International Space Station. Launch of Discovery on mission STS-120 is targeted for Oct. 23 at 11:38 a.m. EDT on a 14-day mission. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-120 Mission Specialist Scott Parazynski is putting on his launch and entry suit for a simulated launch countdown, part of the prelaunch terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT. His name patch reflects the nicknames the crew gave each other for the event. The TCDT provides astronauts and ground crews an opportunity to participate in various launch preparation activities, including equipment familiarization, emergency training and the simulated countdown. The STS-120 mission will deliver the U.S. Node 2 module, named Harmony, aboard space shuttle Discovery to the International Space Station. Launch of Discovery on mission STS-120 is targeted for Oct. 23 at 11:38 a.m. EDT on a 14-day mission. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett