WIKIARCHIVES.SPACE

At NASA Kennedy Space Center, a wingtip observer watches as the orbiter Atlantis is lowered through the extendible platforms in VAB high bay 3 for mating with the Solid Rocket Boosters and External Tank (ET) already stacked there on the Mobile Launcher Platform. The observer is tasked with identifying a potential interference with the platforms, in which case he can communicate with the crane operators and move the orbiter accordingly. Once the orbiter is in position, the platforms are extended, and tooling is connected between the orbiter and ET. Atlantis is the designated orbiter for Return to Flight mission STS-121. The lighted planning window for launch extends from Sept. 9 to Sept. 25.