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With the mission STS-115 launch window set to open in late August,

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the astronauts spent three days at NASA's Kennedy Space Center for some final prelaunch training.

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On a hot Florida afternoon, the six crew members landed in T-38 trainer jets at the

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Shuttle Landing Facility, where they met with the news media.

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During the week, the astronauts practiced emergency escape methods involving the slidewire baskets and M-113 armored personnel carriers.

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This safety training could help them rapidly exit the launch pad area in the event of an emergency at the pad.

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Commander Brent Jett and Pilot Chris Ferguson practiced landings at the Shuttle Landing Facility using the Shuttle Training Aircraft.

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With Atlantis on the launch pad behind them, the crew members held a question-and-answer

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session with news media as the week's activities progressed.

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The exercises culminated with a launch dress rehearsal and simulated countdown with the look and feel of a real launch day.

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The astronauts -- dressed in the familiar bright-orange launch and entry suits --

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traveled to the launch pad in the "Astrovan," -- just as they will on launch day.

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At the pad, they were strapped in their seats aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis and the launch team took them through the mock countdown.

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After the countdown rehearsal, the astronauts checked the mission payload --

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already stowed in the cargo bay -- before departing in the T-38 jets for their trip back to Houston.

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