Space shuttle Atlantis’ six astronauts are expected to arrive at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida today for their prelaunch activities. They left Ellington Field near NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston at about 10:40 a.m. EST on a NASA modified Gulfstream II jet Shuttle Training Aircraft.
Arrival is scheduled for about 12:30 p.m. EST and will be carried live on NASA TV — also online at www.nasa.gov/ntv.
The crew is scheduled to make a brief statement to the media, who are gathered at Kennedy’s Shuttle Landing Facility covering the arrival, before departing to their quarters in the Operations and Checkout Building.
Technicians on Launch Pad 39A completed pressurizing tanks inside Atlantis’ engine and steering jet systems, which are the main propulsion system and orbital maneuvering system, and the reaction control system early this morning.
Countdown officially begins tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m. for Monday’s 2:28 p.m. launch.