STS-118 Commander Scott Kelly checks the fit of his launch and entry suit.

STS-118 Commander Scott Kelly checks the fit of his launch and entry suit. The fitting is part of the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, or TCDT, activities that include a simulated launch countdown. Kelly is suiting up also for landing practice in the shuttle training aircraft, known as an STA. The STA is a Grumman American Aviation-built Gulf Stream II jet that was modified to simulate an orbiter's cockpit, motion and visual cues, and handling qualities. In flight, the STA duplicates the orbiter's atmospheric descent trajectory from approximately 35,000 feet altitude to landing on a runway. The STS-118 mission is the 22nd flight to the International Space Station and is targeted for launch on Aug. 7. The mission payload aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour includes the S5 truss, a SPACEHAB module and external stowage platform 3. NASA/George Shelton