NASA prepares Atlanis' final launch

2011-05-21 06:44:07 GMT+7 (ICT)

CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA (BNO NEWS) -- The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on Friday announced that space shuttle Atlantis will begin moving to its launch pad at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 31 to prepare July's final launch.

Atlantis' historic final shuttle launch scheduled for July 8 will begin when the Kennedy's Vehicle Assembly Building carries out its six-hour roll out on May 31.

During the STS-135 flight to the International Space Station, Atlantis' four astronauts will deliver the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module filled with supplies and spare parts to sustain station operations once the shuttles are retired.

On Wednesday, space shuttle Endeavour successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS) after the crew completed their first full day in space, and on Friday, crew members completed their mission's first spacewalk.

Astronauts Drew Feustel and Greg Chamitoff were able to successfully installed antennas for the External Wireless Communication system, routed cables, set up the antenna, installed handrails, and connected power cables during their six-hour plus spacewalk. The spacewalk, however, was cut short because Chamitoff's carbon dioxide sensor in his spacesuit failed, forcing officials to conclude the spacewalk 10 minutes ahead of time.

Endeavour launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 8.56 a.m. local time on Monday after several weeks of delay due to a technical problem. It was the last scheduled launch of the spacecraft before its retirement, which it will spend at the California Science Center in Los Angeles.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-05-21

Bye bye Nasa! dont let the door hit you in the back.