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NASA News Briefs and Releases BBSNews 2006 Compiled by Kandy Ringer |
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| With the tracks of the crawler transporter visible in the foreground, Space Shuttle Atlantis is in position at Launch Pad 39B for lift off of mission STS-115 to the International Space Station.
Image Courtesy: NASA/Troy Cryder |
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For the images shown above in a larger size, see Atlantis Poised at the Pad.
More NASA images are available in BBSNews NASA Photos. |
NASA via BBSNews - 2006-08-02 --The Space Shuttle Atlantis arrived at its launch pad at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., at 8:54 a.m. EDT Wednesday on top of a giant vehicle known as the crawler transporter.
After two days of weather delays, the crawler transporter began carrying Atlantis out of Kennedy's Vehicle Assembly Building at 1:05 a.m. Wednesday. The crawler's maximum speed during the 4.2-mile journey reached 1 mph.
While at the pad, the shuttle will undergo final testing, payload installation and a "hot fire" test of auxiliary power units to ensure proper function. When testing is completed, the rotating service structure will be moved around the vehicle to protect it from the elements.
The launch window for the Atlantis mission to the International Space Station opens on Sunday, Aug. 27. The mission, designated STS-115, will be the first to perform a major expansion of the station since December 2002.
For information about the STS-115 mission and its crew, visit: Shuttle Information.