KSC-2009-3023

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – On Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Atlantis is revealed after the rotating service structure, or RSS, has been rolled back. The RSS is retracted in preparation for Atlantis’ liftoff on the STS-125 mission to service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. In the background, at left, space shuttle Endeavour has been rolled out to Pad 39B and will be prepared for liftoff in the unlikely event that a rescue mission is necessary following space shuttle Atlantis' launch. 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

Date: 2009-05-10
Collection: KSC
Archive: NASA Image and Video Library
Type: photograph