KSC-2010-5119

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the crew members of space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 pose in front of an M-113 armored personnel carrier. From left, are Mission Specialists Michael Barratt and Nicole Stott, Pilot Eric Boe, Commander Steve Lindsey, and Mission Specialists Tim Kopra and Alvin Drew. An M-113 is kept at the foot of the launch pad in case an emergency egress from the vicinity of the pad is needed, and training on the vehicle is part of the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT). TCDT provides each shuttle crew and launch team an opportunity to participate in various simulated activities, including equipment familiarization and a launch countdown. Space shuttle Discovery and its STS-133 crew will deliver the Permanent Multipurpose Module, packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2, the dexterous humanoid astronaut helper, to the International Space Station. Launch is targeted for Nov. 1 at 4:40 p.m. For more information on the STS-133 mission, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett