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Shuttle Atlantis Crew Poised For Dress Rehearsal Starting Today

By Staff Writer | August 7, 2006

      Astronauts and ground crews for the Space Shuttle Atlantis upcoming mission, STS-115, will participate in a full dress rehearsal beginning today and continuing this week at NASA Kennedy Space Center, Fla., preparing for a launch as early as Aug. 27.

      This demonstration test provides the crew of each shuttle mission with an opportunity to participate in various simulated countdown activities, including equipment familiarization and emergency egress training.

      STS-115 crew members are mission commander Brent Jett, Pilot Chris Ferguson and mission specialists Joe Tanner, Dan Burbank, Heide Stefanyshyn-Piper and Steve MacLean of the Canadian Space Agency.

      The launch window for Atlantis’ STS-115 mission to the International Space Station opens on Aug. 27.

      To kick off the dress rehearsal, the crew will arrive at 5 p.m. at the Shuttle Landing Facility and make a statement.

      On Wednesday, the Atlantis crew will take media questions at Launch Pad 39B at 8:30 a.m. ET.