WIKIARCHIVES.SPACE

After taking part in a simulated launch countdown aboard space shuttle Atlantis, the STS-125 crew members gather at the slidewire basket area on the fixed service structure at Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. At left is Mission Specialist Andrew Feustel; at right is Mission Specialist Mike Massimino. The baskets are used for emergency escape from the shuttle. The countdown is the culmination of terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT, activities as preparation before launch. TCDT provides astronauts and ground crews with an opportunity to participate in various launch activities, including equipment familiarization, emergency training and the countdown. Atlantis’ STS-125 mission to service NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope is targeted for launch Oct. 14.