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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- On Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, STS-124 crew members pause on the 195-foot level of the fixed service structure before entering space shuttle Discovery. From left are Commander Mark Kelly and Mission Specialists Karen Nyberg, Mike Fossum, Ron Garan and Akihiko Hoshide, who represents the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. The crew is taking part in a simulated launch countdown, part of the launch dress rehearsal known as the terminal countdown demonstration test. The simulation serves as a practice exercise in which both the launch team and flight crew rehearse launch day time lines and procedures. The test culminates in a simulated ignition and automated shutdown of the orbiter's main engines. On the STS-124 mission, the crew will deliver and install the Japanese Experiment Module – Pressurized Module and Japanese Remote Manipulator System. Discovery's launch is targeted for May 31. Photo credit: NASA/Amanda Diller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- On Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, STS-124 crew members pause on the 195-foot level of the fixed service structure before entering space shuttle Discovery. From left are Commander Mark Kelly and Mission Specialists Karen Nyberg, Mike Fossum, Ron Garan and Akihiko Hoshide, who represents the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. The crew is taking part in a simulated launch countdown, part of the launch dress rehearsal known as the terminal countdown demonstration test. The simulation serves as a practice exercise in which both the launch team and flight crew rehearse launch day time lines and procedures. The test culminates in a simulated ignition and automated shutdown of the orbiter's main engines. On the STS-124 mission, the crew will deliver and install the Japanese Experiment Module – Pressurized Module and Japanese Remote Manipulator System. Discovery's launch is targeted for May 31. Photo credit: NASA/Amanda Diller

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