WIKIARCHIVES.SPACE

The STS-114 crew learn about exiting the slidewire basket at this landing area should they need to leave the Space Shuttle in an emergency situation while on the pad. Crew members seen here are (from left) Commander Eileen Collins and Mission Specialists Andrew Thomas, Soichi Noguchi, Wendy Lawrence, Stephen Robinson and Charles Camarda. Not pictured is Pilot James Kelly. Noguchi is with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. The training is part of Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities. The TCDT is held at KSC prior to each Space Shuttle flight. It provides the crew of each mission an opportunity to participate in simulated countdown activities. The test ends with a mock launch countdown culminating in a simulated main engine cutoff. The crew also spends time undergoing emergency egress training exercises at the launch pad. STS-114 is designated the first Return to Flight mission, with a launch window extending from July 13 to July 31.