Launch Pad 39A Operations Resume Today

Technicians at NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Pad 39A are resuming processing operations today in preparation for space shuttle Endeavour's upcoming launch.

This morning, NASA and United Space Alliance managers met with pad workers who expressed a desire to continue shuttle processing following the unexpected death of a co-worker at the pad Monday morning.

Crews will perform checks on the power reactant storage distribution system, or PRSD, and the external fuel tank's camera. The PRSD holds super-cold liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen for use by the shuttle's three fuel cells to produce electricity during flight. The fuel cells combine the chemicals to generate electricity. Water is a byproduct of the process and astronauts typically transfer that water to the space station during the mission.

Endeavour is targeted to launch on its STS-134 mission to the International Space Station on April 19.