KSC-2009-1232

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – On the fixed service structure on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-119 Mission Specialist Richard Arnold leans toward the lever in the slidewire basket, part of the emergency egress equipment. At right, Commander Lee Archambault watches. The astronauts are at Kennedy to prepare for launch as part of the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities. The TCDT includes equipment familiarization and a simulated launch countdown. The crew of space shuttle Discovery is targeted to launch on the STS-119 mission Feb. 12. During Discovery's 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/Kim Shiflett