Allard Beutel/Erica Hupp
Headquarters, Washington
(Phone: 202/358-4769, -1237)
Jessica Rye/Bruce Buckingham
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
(Phone: 321/867-2468)
April 1, 2005 MEDIA ADVISORY: M05-054
NASA's Space Shuttle Discovery Set for Roll to Launch Pad
Space Shuttle Discovery is set to roll out to Launch Pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla. (KSC). First motion currently is targeted for 12:01 a.m. EDT Tuesday, April 5.
The fully assembled Space Shuttle Vehicle (or "stack") -- consisting of the orbiter, External Tank (ET) and twin Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) -- will be mounted on the Mobile Launcher Platform and delivered to the pad via a crawler transporter. The four-mile journey from the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) to the pad will take about six hours.
Based on the current rollout schedule, media must arrive at the KSC Press Site by 10 p.m. EDT Monday, April 4, for transportation to the viewing area.
Since media arrival times are subject to change, please call the KSC media codaphone at 321/867-2525 for the latest updates.
Discovery's initial move to Launch Pad 39B will be covered live on NASA Television. Live commentary will begin at the first motion of the crawler transporter and continue for about 30 minutes.
NASA TV is available via satellite in the continental U.S. on AMC-6, Transponder 9C, C-Band, at 72 degrees west longitude. The frequency is 3880.0 MHz. Polarization is vertical, and audio is monaural at 6.80 MHz. In Alaska and Hawaii, NASA TV is available on AMC-7, Transponder 18C, C-Band, at 137 degrees west longitude. The frequency is 4060.0 MHz. Polarization is vertical, and audio is monaural at 6.80 MHz. NASA TV is also available on the Internet at: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv Launch of Discovery on its Return to Flight mission, designated STS-114, is targeted for May 15, with a launch window that extends to June 3. During its 12-day mission, Discovery's seven-person crew will test new hardware and techniques to improve Shuttle safety, as well as deliver supplies to the International Space Station.
Discovery was moved from the Orbiter Processing Facility on March 29 to the VAB and attached to its propulsion elements, a redesigned ET and twin SRBs.
In preparation for rollout to the launch pad, work in the VAB included installation of a new digital camera, test of electrical and mechanical attachments between the orbiter and ET, and umbilical checks.
Permanently badged media interested in attending this rollout event are requested to contact the KSC Press Site (321/867-2468) by close of business Monday, April 4.
News media without KSC credentials should submit accreditation requests via the new online accreditation Web site at: https://media.ksc.nasa.gov/ Media may pick up their badges at the Pass and Identification Building on State Road 405 beginning at 6 a.m. Monday. Media must be properly dressed in long pants and closed shoes with low heels. Sleeveless shirts are not allowed.
Note: On Monday, April 4, media at KSC will be allowed to ask questions during the pre-flight briefings being held at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.
For the latest information on NASA's Return to Flight efforts on the Internet, visit: http://returntoflight.org
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The Space Shuttle Discovery prepares for roll out to launch pad 39B

NASA has announced the planned rollout of the Shuttle Discovery from the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) to its launch pad at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. NASA is preparing the shuttle for its "Return to Flight" mission.

The rollout will take nearly 6 hours to cover the 4 mile stretch from the VAB to Launch Pad 39B and will begin at 12:01 a.m. EDT (04:01 UTC) on April 5. The fully assembled Space Shuttle Vehicle stack (orbiter, External Tank (ET) and twin Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs)) will be mounted on the Mobile Launcher Platform and delivered to the pad.

The Return to Flight mission is the 114th Space Shuttle flight, and the 31st flight of the orbiter Discovery.