Posted: Tue, Mar 15, 2011, 6:50 AM ET (1050 GMT)
A shuttle worker fell to his death at the launch pad early Monday. The engineer, identified as James D. Vanover, fell from an unspecified height at Launch Complex 39A, where the space shuttle Endeavour is being prepared for launch next month. The cause of the fall is under investigation. Vanover had worked at the space center for 28 years, but he was one of 550 United Space Alliance employees scheduled to be laid off next month as the shuttle program winds down. The accident suspended work at the pad for the day, although is not expected to delay the April 19th scheduled launch of Endeavour on its final mission.

Related Links:

•  Florida Today article
•  Orlando Sentinel article
•  CBS News article
•  SPACE.com article
•  United Space Alliance press release