Technicians removed a shoe on the Hubble payload canister at Launch pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

Technicians removed a “shoe” on the Hubble payload canister at Launch pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The canister arrived at the pad on Saturday evening; however, early Sunday morning technicians were unable to place the canister into the pad’s payload changeout room for space shuttle Atlantis’ STS-125 mission. Teflon pads on the “shoes” attached to the outside of the payload canister that help the canister move along the guide rails didn’t fit properly. The shoes were removed and several options were considered, including slightly shaving down the pads so the shoes will fit onto the rails.
STS-125 is the fifth and final shuttle Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission. Atlantis’ launch is targeted for Oct. 10. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett.