Aft Closeouts Prepare Endeavour for TCDT

At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, workers at Launch Pad 39A will begin closeout work on space shuttle Endeavour's aft section today in preparation for tomorrow's STS-134 crew arrival.

Endeavour's six astronauts are scheduled to arrive at Kennedy's Shuttle Landing Facility Tuesday at approximately 7 p.m. EDT to begin the full-dress launch rehearsal and other related training called Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, or TCDT. The crew's arrival will be shown live on NASA TV (www.nasa.gov/ntv).

During the 14-day mission, Endeavour's astronauts will deliver to the International Space Station the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2, a particle physics detector designed to search for various types of unusual matter by measuring cosmic rays and the Express Logistics Carrier-3, a platform that carries spare parts that will sustain station operations once the shuttles are retired later this year.

Endeavour's final flight, on the STS-134 mission to the International Space Station, is targeted to launch at 7:48 p.m. EDT April 19.