Loading

The sun sets on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida from around space shuttle Atlantis.

NASA

NASA
Washington, DC, United States

The sun sets on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida following rollback of the pad’s rotating service structure, or RSS, from around space shuttle Atlantis. The RSS is retracted in preparation for Atlantis’ liftoff on the STS-125 mission to service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. The rotating structure provides protected access to the shuttle for changeout and servicing of payloads at the pad. After the RSS is rolled back, the orbiter is ready for fuel cell activation and external tank cryogenic propellant loading operations. Atlantis' crew will service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope for the fifth and final time. The flight will include five spacewalks during which astronauts will refurbish and upgrade the telescope with state-of-the-art science instruments. As a result, Hubble's capabilities will be expanded and its operational lifespan extended through at least 2014. Launch is scheduled for 2:01 p.m. EDT on May 11. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

Details

  • Title: The sun sets on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida from around space shuttle Atlantis.
  • Location: Kennedy Space Center, FL
  • Owner: KSC
  • Album: cbabir
  • About Title: To help you find images you’re searching for, previously untitled images have been labelled automatically based on their description

Get the app

Explore museums and play with Art Transfer, Pocket Galleries, Art Selfie, and more

Flash this QR Code to get the app
Google apps