At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the seven STS-119 astronauts have wrapped up their Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, or TCDT, and related training.
After climbing into their orange flight suits – the same ones they'll wear on launch day – the crew was driven to Kennedy's Launch Pad 39A.
The highlight of TCDT day is a simulated launch countdown, which includes climbing into Discovery's flight deck aided by NASA's Closeout Crew. The members of the Closeout Crew help the astronauts strap into the space shuttle's crew module and take care of any other last-minute needs that may arise.
The spacecraft's hatch will be closed briefly for leak checks and then opened again while the astronauts perform all of their countdown procedures – much like launch day, only the boosters and engines won't ignite.
Later, the astronauts will fly their T-38 jets back to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Liftoff of space shuttle Discovery to the International Space Station is targeted for 7:32 a.m. EST on Feb. 12.
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