Preparations are underway to separate Atlantis from the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft or SCA underneath via the mate demate device.

Just before sunrise, preparations are underway to separate space shuttle Atlantis from the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, or SCA, underneath via the mate/demate device on the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The hoist is attached to Atlantis to lower the shuttle to the ground. Atlantis returned from California atop the SCA after its May 24 landing at Edwards Air Force Base, concluding mission STS-125. The ferry flight from Edwards Air Force Base began June 1. Atlantis' next assignment is the STS-129 mission, targeted to launch in November 2009. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis