Atlantis on Pad 39A
Image Credit:
NASA,
Kim Shiflett
An intricate network of lighting plays across the 130 foot high
Rotating Service Structure
(RSS) in this dramatic night view of the
Space Shuttle Atlantis
on the Kennedy Space Center's
launch pad 39A.
Small human figures visible in silhouette emphasize the
structure's enormous scale.
Seen here
after rolling back before
Thursday's shuttle launch,
the RSS provides pre-launch access to
the orbiter and its payload.
For this mission
to the International Space Station,
STS-122,
Atlantis' payload is the European Space Agency's
Columbus
science laboratory.
During the mission, three space walks are planned to attach
the Columbus lab.
Atlantis is expected to dock with the space station today.