SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468

*STS-117 Astronauts Take the Test*

STS-117 crew arrive at Kennedy for TCDT Image above: The STS-117 mission astronauts land at Kennedy's Shuttle Landing Facility. Photo credit: NASA/KSC TO VIEW IMAGE GO TO:http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html * 02.21.07 - 12:25 p.m. * The flight crew of Space Shuttle Atlantis arrived at Kennedy Space Center in Fla. today to take part in a full launch dress rehearsal known as the terminal countdown demonstration test. The test typically takes place a few weeks prior to launch and provides the crew an opportunity to participate in various simulated countdown activities, including equipment familiarization and emergency egress training. The astronauts will be at Kennedy from Feb. 21-23 and then return to Johnson Space Center in Houston to continue training for mission STS-117.

The flight of Atlantis to the International Space Station has been targeted for March 15. During the 11-day mission, the six-member crew will install a new truss segment, retract a set of solar arrays and unfold a new set on the starboard side of the station. Lessons learned from two previous missions will provide the astronauts with new techniques and tools to perform their duties.

Commanding the 117 crew is Frederick Sturckow, a veteran of two shuttle missions (STS-88, STS-105), while Lee Archambault will be making his first flight as the shuttle's pilot. Mission Specialists James Reilly (STS-89, STS-104) and Patrick Forrester (STS-105) will be returning to the station. Steven Swanson and John Olivas, both mission specialists, join the crew for their first flight into space.

*STS-117 Mission* + The Crew http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts117/index.html

+ The Mission http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts117/mission_overview.html

+ The Integrated Truss Structure http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/elements/its.html