Probably the most exciting part of the processing of the Shuttle to most, is the point at which the readied vehicle is poised and then launched into space! This month we will focus on the place where this all takes place. As we prepare for this webcast, STS-101 is on Pad 39A following 3 scrubs awaiting ideal timing and conditions to insure a safe launch and mission.

This month Mike and Brandt will help you to understand better those ideal conditions and the place where "the action is". From the structure to launch sequencing to launch criteria, the instructional helps below will help you to prepare for the webcast.

WebCast uses RealMedia	See: Wrap-up and The Launch Pad

June Programming

Event type	Date	Grade level	Time	Technology Required	Subject
	Wednesday, June 14	All ages	10am-12noon PDT 1-3pm EDT 5-7pm GMT	Question Forum and RealVideo See the Video Archive	Wrap-up: And the Launch Pad Mike and Brandt will show you around the launch pad and the continued servicing of the shuttle. This will be the final webcast for this series for scholastic year 99/00, so Mike and Brandt will take some time to recap the events.
	Wednesday, June 21	All ages	10-11am PDT 1-2pm EDT 5-6pm GMT	Special Chat Room	Jim Draus monitors and reviews work conducted as part of shuttle processing and launch activities. He is responsible for verifying that goals for safety, cost, schedule and performance in these areas are being met. Canceled due to no attendance.

Step 1:Assign groups to a proportional number of the following suggested questions.
Read about the Launch Pads' structure at:
http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/nasafact/pads.htm and http://www.ksc.nasa.gov/facilities/lc39a.html
• What were some of the major changes to the launch pads when they were adapted from Apollo to Space Shuttle launches?
• What are some of the similarities and some of the differences between the two Launch Pads?
• Given the information about the 12 floors on the Fixed Service Structure, approximately how many stories would there be in a traditional building that is equally tall?
• Describe the "white room" and what it is used for.
  
• What is the "beanie cap" and what is it used for?
• What is the primary purpose of the Rotating Service Structure?
• The Space Shuttle is brought to the pad atop the MLP on the Crawler. Name three of the systems on the MLP the "link" to the pad.
• What is the primary purpose of the release of water just prior to main engine ignition?

Read about the process and launch sequence
• List the steps in Launch preparation for the shuttle itself.
  
• Discuss the timing milestonse of a launch. It may be helpful to see the actual schedule for a current mission
  
• Based on Journal about recent launches, Name three reasons for "scrubbing" launches. It may be helpful also to take a look at some of the Launch criteria
  Read about a launch pad incident. Describe what happened.

Step 2: Ask students to share their work and to formulate questions that will be presented during the live event.