WIKIARCHIVES.SPACE

The Service Structure driver (inside the cab near bottom of photo) begins rolling back the Rotating Service Structure on Launch Pad 39A to reveal the Space Shuttle Endeavour with its external tank and two solid rocket boosters on top of the Mobile Launcher Platform. Endeavour is ready for launch of mission STS-88 targeted for 3:56 a.m. on Dec. 3. The first U.S. launch for the International Space Station, STS-88 is expected to last 11 days, 19 hours and 49 minutes, and land at 10:17 p.m. EST on Dec. 14. Endeavour carries the Unity connecting module which the crew will be mating with the Russian-built Zarya control module already in orbit. In addition to Unity, two small replacement electronics boxes are on board for possible repairs to Zarya batteries.