WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:00.000 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.000 The astronauts did come in in T-38 training aircraft, as is the custom for not only terminal countdown demonstration tests, but also for, launch week. 00:00:10.000 --> 00:00:37.000 The astronauts arrived this past Sunday night, late in the afternoon. Again, they come in from their homes and training facilities 00:00:37.000 --> 00:00:47.000 at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. This is our commander, Mark Polansky, and riding in the backseat is Robert Curbeam, 00:00:47.000 --> 00:00:58.000 the mission specialist number two on this flight. Robert Curbeam will be, of course, taking part in the spacewalks. 00:00:58.000 --> 00:01:07.000 That is a critical activity of this mission, of this mission's success. So the astronauts come in T-38 training aircraft to Kennedy 00:01:07.000 --> 00:01:13.000 Space Center, typically three days to four days before launch. This is so they can continue to 00:01:13.000 --> 00:01:22.000 finish up their preparations. They also spend some time in the Shuttle Training Aircraft. The commander and pilot do, 00:01:22.000 --> 00:01:29.000 to get a good feel for what it's like to land back at Kennedy Space Center. 00:01:29.000 --> 00:01:54.000 We saw a glimpse of Joan Higginbotham. Joan is a former employee at Kennedy Space Center, talking to Mike Leinbach who is our launch director. 00:01:54.000 --> 00:02:12.000 Again, the astronauts did come in at sundown, arriving in separate T-38s. In fact, five T-38s brought in our seven astronauts. 00:02:12.000 --> 00:02:18.000 The ones that are pilots actually like to fly themselves, such as William Oefelein and Mark Polansky. 00:02:18.000 --> 00:02:30.000 The others were brought in by other pilots from other crews or future crews. This is Christer Fuglesang, 00:02:30.000 --> 00:02:37.000 who is a representative, sole representative of the European Space Agency on this flight, 00:02:37.000 --> 00:02:59.000 and this is his, will be his first mission into space. 00:02:59.000 --> 00:03:08.000 Suni Williams. Again, Suni is the astronaut that's going to ride up but not come down; she's going to stay on the International Space Station, 00:03:08.000 --> 00:03:14.000 coming back on mission STS-118 that's scheduled for next June of 2007. All the astronauts gather, again speaking with Mike Leinbach, 00:03:14.000 --> 00:03:39.000 our launch director. They will be coming over to the microphone and have a few words to say to the media that have gathered. 00:03:39.000 --> 00:03:50.000 The coordination that's going to be required between the ground and ourselves in orbit is going to be...will be staying six months up in space. 00:03:50.000 --> 00:03:58.000 SUNI WILLIAMS: Thanks, Mark, and thanks for the rest of the crew. Turin called the other day and said, Suni, 00:03:58.000 --> 00:04:01.000 we're waiting for you. So I just can't wait to get to my new home and I'm just really happy for this opportunity. 00:04:01.000 --> 00:04:25.000 ASTRONAUT: I promised my wife I'd say a few words in Spanish. (speaks in Spanish) 00:04:25.000 --> 00:04:31.000 ASTRONAUT: I know you guys are kind of focused in on us right now, but really this is more a tribute to the guys who got our vehicle ready, 00:04:31.000 --> 00:04:40.000 to get all of us ready as well for our 12-day trip and Suni's six-month trip. And this is Bill Oefelein from Alaska. 00:04:40.000 --> 00:04:49.000 BILL OEFELEIN: I'll start, actually, by saying a few words in Alaskan. It's warm out here. 00:04:49.000 --> 00:04:53.000 JOAN HIGGINBOTHAM: It's good to be here. It has been a long time in coming. I actually began my career here 00:04:53.000 --> 00:05:00.000 at the Kennedy Space Center. You don't need to know when, but it was awhile ago. And looking forward to a 00:05:00.000 --> 00:05:19.000 wonderful launch Thursday night. Thank you. 00:05:19.000 --> 00:05:31.000 BUCKINGHAM: And after those kind words, Jim Kennedy also was there. He's our center director and he greeted them upon their arrival. 00:05:31.000 --> 00:05:36.000