You’re Not Seeing Double, Two Shuttles Sit Ready to Launch at Kennedy Space Center
Monday, September 22nd, 2008
Cape Canaveral, FL - Space shuttle Atlantis (foreground) sits on Launch Pad A and Endeavour on Launch Pad B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. At the left of each shuttle are the open rotating service structures with the payload changeout rooms revealed. The rotating service structures provide protection for weather and access to the shuttle. For the first time since July 2001, two shuttles are on the launch pads at the same time at the center. Endeavour will stand by at pad B in the unlikely event that a rescue mission is necessary during space shuttle Atlantis’ upcoming mission to repair NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, targeted to launch Oct. 10. After Endeavour is cleared from its duty as a rescue spacecraft, it will be moved to Launch Pad 39A for its STS-126 mission to the International Space Station. That flight is targeted for launch Nov. 12.
According to the Cape Canaveral Launch Schedule, on Oct 10 - Space Shuttle Atlantis, NASA Mission STS-125, will service the Hubble Space Telescope. Space shuttle Atlantis’ upcoming 11-day mission is the final shuttle flight to NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. Five spacewalks are planned to install new instruments and thermal blankets, repair two existing instruments, refurbish subsystems and replace gyroscopes and batteries. The result will be six working, complementary science instruments with capabilities beyond what is now available, and an extended operational lifespan through at least 2013. The seven-member crew will enhance the observatory and ensure cutting-edge science. It puts in place advanced technology that improves the discovery power of Hubble by 10 to 70 times.
On Nov 12, Space Shuttle Endeavour, Mission STS-126, will visit the International Space Station. Endeavour will carry a reusable logistics module that will hold supplies and equipment, including additional crew quarters, a second treadmill, equipment for the regenerative life support system and spare hardware. STS-126 is the 27th shuttle mission to the International Space Station.