As the lift of the Space Test Program-Houston-3, or STP-H3, payload begins in the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida, workers inspect the bottom surface of the platform for sharp edges and cleanliness, prior to installation onto the Express Logistics Carrier-3, or ELC-3.
STP-H3 is a compliment of four individual Department of Defense experiments that will test concepts in low earth orbit for long duration flights. As the final planned mission of the Space Shuttle Program, shuttle Endeavour and its STS-134 crew will deliver the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, the ELC-3 as well as critical spare components to the International Space Station. Endeavour is targeted for launch Feb. 26, 2011. For more information visit, http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts134/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett