Processing payload bay doors begins to open with the help of the yellow strongbacks attached.

In Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, one of space shuttle Atlantis’ payload bay doors begins to open with the help of the yellow strongbacks attached. Strongbacks are used to support and operate the doors when the shuttle is not in space.

The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of shuttle Atlantis. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis' future home -- a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann