SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468

*STS-118 Crew Continues Countdown Demonstration Test*

STS-118 Mission Specialist Dave Williams checks the fit of his launch and entry suit. Image above: STS-118 Mission Specialist Dave Williams gets help with his boot during fit testing of his launch and entry suit. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton + View Full Size Image http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/170419main_07pd1911.jpg*

07.18.07 - 9:00 a.m. EDT* The seven-member crew of STS-118 is at Kennedy Space Center in Florida this week for the terminal countdown demonstration test, a final round of prelaunch training that concludes with a simulated launch countdown for the crew and the launch team.

Today's test activities include several briefings and an emergency egress walk down for the flight crew at Launch Pad 39A. During this exercise, the astronauts receive training on the slide wire basket system that would carry them safely from the pad in an emergency. Commander Scott Kelly and Pilot Charlie Hobaugh will continue their practice flights aboard the shuttle training aircraft this evening.

Space Shuttle Endeavour arrived at Launch Pad 39A early July 11, and the STS-118 payload -- including the S5 truss, SPACEHAB module and external stowage platform 3 -- is secured inside the orbiters payload bay. Launch is targeted for the evening of Aug. 7.

*Mission Information* + STS-118 Mission Overview http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts118/index.html + STS-118 Briefing Animations http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts118/multimedia/sts118_anim_07102007.html + STS-117 Mission Archive http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts117/main/index.html