In the Space Shuttle Main Engine Processing Facility work to prepare the space shuttle is under way.

In the Space Shuttle Main Engine Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, work to prepare the space shuttle main engines for space shuttle Atlantis' STS-132 mission is under way.

Inspection and maintenance of each main engine is standard procedure between shuttle missions. Atlantis is next slated to deliver an Integrated Cargo Carrier and Russian-built Mini Research Module to the International Space Station on the STS-132 mission. The second in a series of new pressurized components for Russia, the module will be permanently attached to the Zarya module. Three spacewalks are planned to store spare components outside the station, including six spare batteries, a boom assembly for the Ku-band antenna and spares for the Canadian Dextre robotic arm extension. A radiator, airlock and European robotic arm for the Russian Multi-purpose Laboratory Module also are payloads on the flight. Launch is targeted for May 14, 2010. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller