This closeup of Space Shuttle Atlantis on the hardstand of Launch Pad 39B shows the surrounding area in the background.

This closeup of Space Shuttle Atlantis on the hardstand of Launch Pad 39B shows the surrounding area, including the Atlantic Ocean in the background. Above the orange external tank is the "beanie cap" at the end of the external tank gaseous oxygen vent arm. The cap is a vent hood that vacuums away the very cold liquid oxygen vapors as they boil off from the top of the external tank before launch. Lower down is the orbiter access arm, with the White Room on the outer end, extended toward Atlantis' crew access hatch. The slow speed of the crawler results in a 6- to 8-hour trek to the pad approximately 4 miles away. Atlantis' launch window begins Aug. 27 for an 11-day mission to the International Space Station. The STS-115 crew of six astronauts will continue construction of the station and install their cargo, the Port 3/4 truss segment with its two large solar arrays. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder & George Shelton