A NASA helicopter monitors as they arrive in jets for a practice launch dress rehearsal in preparation for their upcoming mission.

A NASA helicopter monitors the arrival of the STS-133 crew as they arrive in T-38 jets at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for a practice launch dress rehearsal called the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) in preparation for their upcoming mission.
TCDT provides each shuttle crew and launch team with an opportunity to participate in various simulated countdown activities, including equipment familiarization and emergency training. Space shuttle Discovery and its STS-133 crew will deliver the Permanent Multipurpose Module, packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2, the dexterous humanoid astronaut helper, to the International Space Station. Launch is targeted for Nov. 1 at 4:40 p.m. For more information on the STS-133 mission, visit www.nasa.gov/shuttle. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller