( CNN ) -- A space shuttle contract worker fell to his death Monday morning while working at the launch pad , preparing the space shuttle Endeavour for its final flight , according to a NASA official . United Space Alliance , the prime contractor for the U.S. space shuttle program , said in a press release that the victim was one of its employees , James Vanover . `` He fell at the pad , and NASA emergency medical personnel responded but were unable to revive him , '' said Kennedy Space Center spokeswoman Candrea Thomas . Vanover was a swing-arm engineer , United Space Alliance spokeswoman Kari Fluegel said . He supported work on the gaseous oxygen vent hood as well as the orbiter access arm , which is the passageway through which astronauts enter the space shuttle . Relatives told CNN affiliate WKMG that Vanover had worked for 30 years at the Kennedy Space Center and had a new job lined up after he was to be laid off , along with many others affiliated with the space shuttle program , in the coming weeks . Fluegel said the man 's body was found on another level of Launch Pad 39A at the space hub in northeast Florida . NASA has not indicated what caused him to fall . `` The incident is under investigation , '' Thomas said . `` As of right now , all work at the pad has been suspended for the day while we investigate what happened . '' Allard Beutell , a NASA spokesman , told WKMG that `` other than the fact it is a dangerous environment , there was nothing major , no hazardous operation taking place . It was n't like they were fueling up the shuttle -- it was nothing like that . '' Counseling and employee assistance are being provided to Kennedy Space Center workers , NASA said . Virginia Barnes , the CEO of the United Space Alliance , offered her `` heartfelt sympathy '' to Vanover 's family . `` Our focus right now is on providing support for his families and for his coworkers , '' she said in a press release . Endeavour is scheduled to blast off on its final mission April 19 .
NEW : NASA spokesman : ` ` Nothing major , no hazardous operation ( was ) taking place '' Rocket - arm engineer was working on another section of the pad , his spokesman says . The contract worker fell while preparing space shuttle Endeavour for its final launch . Counseling and assistance are being provided to workers , NASA says .