NASA: Space Shuttle Atlantis ready for launch
Filed under: News
With little more than an hour to go until the launch of NASA’s Space Shuttle Atlantis, the six-man crew will already be onboard and prepped for launch. The shuttle will take off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida; there is a 90 percent chance of clear skies, so the launch should go ahead without delay.
The crew will be heading for the International Space Station, where they will be delivering two gyroscopes and other equipment and spare parts before the shuttle program is retired. NASA is taking full advantage of the huge cargo bay on Space Shuttle Atlantis.
According to Computer World, the equipment heading for the International Space Station is critical to its operation. NASA knows that they have to deliver the equipment in order of priority, with many future launches already planned. This is just the first of many missions to give the scientists what they need to continue their work on board the space station.
The mission will last 11 days, in that time the astronauts will have to make three space walks. They will also make use of the shuttles robotic arm to move two platforms full of spare parts. They will then be attached to the backbone of the space station.
According to NASA, there is 27,250 pounds worth of equipment being delivered, such as pump modules, high-pressure gas tank and much more. For more details, visit Computer World.
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