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Lumbering Its Way to Space: Space Shuttle Atlantis Headed for Launch Pad
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Atlantis Enroute to Launch Pad/NASA TV
Relieved Kennedy Space Center managers today sent the Space Shuttle Atlantis on its way to Launch Pad 39A. The recent series of tropical storms had stalled the major mission milestone.
The huge crawler-transporter is ferrying Atlantis and its external tank, solid rocket boosters, and the mobile launch platform to the seaside launch pad. The noisy process began at 9:19 a.m. EDT.
The crawler's maximum speed is 1.6km (one mile) per hour loaded, about 3.2 km (2 miles) per hour unloaded. It takes about five hours to move the shuttle stack from the VAB to its launch pad.
Atlantis and its seven-member crew will fly the final Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission. The launch date is currently set at October 8, but there's a good chance that date might slip by a few days.
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