Shuttle Endeavour readied for a space trip

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., Dec. 3 (UPI) -- NASA says Kennedy Space Center technicians are testing space shuttle Endeavour's systems, preparing for its move to the Vehicle Assembly Building.

Endeavour's move from the Orbiter Processing Facility is scheduled Dec. 12, but before that can happen, the shuttle's environmental control and life support systems, main engine and aerosurface hydraulics must be checked, NASA said. Technicians also will test and calibrate the system that provides navigational information for the shuttle while it's in orbit.

While the testing is under way, Endeavour's STS-130 astronauts ‪are practicing integrated launch simulations at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Commander George Zamka will lead the STS-130 mission to the International Space Station, with Terry Virts serving as the shuttle's pilot. The STS-130 astronauts are Nicholas Patrick, Robert Behnken, Stephen Robinson and Kathryn Hire. Virts will be making his first trip to space.

The space agency said Endeavour will deliver a third connecting module, the Tranquility node, to the ISS, in addition to the seven-windowed Cupola module that will be used as a control room for robotics. The mission will feature three spacewalks.

Liftoff from the space center in Florida is scheduled for Feb. 4 at 5:52 a.m. EST.