KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In its vertical position, external tank No. 125 is being lifted high into the upper levels of the Vehicle Assembly Building for transfer to a checkout cell in high bay 4 to allow for processing. The tank will be part of the space shuttle stack for mission STS-122 targeted to launch Dec. 6. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On its transporter, external tank No. 125 moves toward the Vehicle Assembly Building, at right. The tank arrived at the Launch Complex 39 Area turn basin on the Pegasus barge from the Michoud Assembly Facility near New Orleans. The external tank will be used on space shuttle Atlantis for mission STS-122 targeted for launch on Dec. 6. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- After its lift and transfer inside the Vehicle Assembly Building, external tank No. 125 is suspended in a checkout cell in high bay 4 for processing. The tank will be part of the space shuttle stack for mission STS-122 targeted to launch Dec. 6. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On its transporter, external tank No. 125 sits in the transfer aisle inside the Vehicle Assembly Building. The tank arrived at the Launch Complex 39 Area turn basin on the Pegasus barge from the Michoud Assembly Facility near New Orleans. The external tank will be used on space shuttle Atlantis for mission STS-122 targeted for launch on Dec. 6. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Vehicle Assembly Building, workers keep an eye on the movement of external tank No. 125 as it is lowered into a checkout cell in high bay 4 for processing. The tank will be part of the space shuttle stack for mission STS-122 targeted to launch Dec. 6. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Vehicle Assembly Building, workers keep an eye on the movement of external tank No. 125 as it is lowered into a checkout cell in high bay 4 for processing. The tank will be part of the space shuttle stack for mission STS-122 targeted to launch Dec. 6. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Above the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building, external tank No. 125 has been raised to a nearly vertical position. It will next be lifted into a checkout cell in high bay 4 to allow for processing. The tank will be part of the space shuttle stack for mission STS-122 targeted to launch Dec. 6. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building, external tank No. 125 is raised off its transporter. The tank will be raised to a vertical position and then lifted into a checkout cell in high bay 4 to allow for processing. The tank will be part of the space shuttle stack for mission STS-122 targeted to launch Dec. 6. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- External tank No. 125 is moved out of the Pegasus barge at the Launch Complex 39 Area turn basin. After offloading, the tank will be transported to the Vehicle Assembly Building. The tank arrived at Kennedy on the Pegasus barge from the Michoud Assembly Facility near New Orleans. The external tank will be used on space shuttle Atlantis for mission STS-122 targeted for launch on Dec. 6. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building, external tank No. 125 is suspended above the floor as it is being raised to a vertical position. It will then be lifted into a checkout cell in high bay 4 to allow for processing. The tank will be part of the space shuttle stack for mission STS-122 targeted to launch Dec. 6. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Seen from below, external tank No. 125 is being lifted high into the upper levels of the Vehicle Assembly Building for transfer to a checkout cell in high bay 4 to allow for processing. The tank will be part of the space shuttle stack for mission STS-122 targeted to launch Dec. 6. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On its transporter, external tank No. 125 moves toward the entrance in the Vehicle Assembly Building. The tank arrived at the Launch Complex 39 Area turn basin on the Pegasus barge from the Michoud Assembly Facility near New Orleans. The external tank will be used on space shuttle Atlantis for mission STS-122 targeted for launch on Dec. 6. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On its transporter, external tank No. 125 maneuvers around a corner on its way to the Vehicle Assembly Building. The tank arrived at the Launch Complex 39 Area turn basin on the Pegasus barge from the Michoud Assembly Facility near New Orleans. The external tank will be used on space shuttle Atlantis for mission STS-122 targeted for launch on Dec. 6. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- External tank No. 125 is moved out of the Pegasus barge at the Launch Complex 39 Area turn basin. After offloading, the tank will be transported to the Vehicle Assembly Building. The tank arrived at Kennedy on the Pegasus barge from the Michoud Assembly Facility near New Orleans. The external tank will be used on space shuttle Atlantis for mission STS-122 targeted for launch on Dec. 6. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building, external tank No. 125 is raised off its transporter. The tank will be raised to a vertical position and then lifted into a checkout cell in high bay 4 to allow for processing. The tank will be part of the space shuttle stack for mission STS-122 targeted to launch Dec. 6. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On its transporter, external tank No. 125 moves through the entrance in the Vehicle Assembly Building. The tank arrived at the Launch Complex 39 Area turn basin on the Pegasus barge from the Michoud Assembly Facility near New Orleans. The external tank will be used on space shuttle Atlantis for mission STS-122 targeted for launch on Dec. 6. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Seen from below, external tank No. 125 is moved toward a checkout cell in high bay 4 in the Vehicle Assembly Building for processing. The tank will be part of the space shuttle stack for mission STS-122 targeted to launch Dec. 6. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- External tank No. 125 is moved toward a checkout cell in high bay 4 in the Vehicle Assembly Building for processing. The tank will be part of the space shuttle stack for mission STS-122 targeted to launch Dec. 6. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder

S125-E-005085 (11 May 2009) --- Backdropped by a blue and white part of Earth, the STS-125 external fuel tank (ET) begins its relative separation from the Space Shuttle Atlantis following launch.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Atlantis' external fuel tank-solid rocket booster stack, atop a mobile launcher platform, rolls through the doors of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center into high bay 3. The ET/SRB stack was moved from high bay 1 to make room for the ET-SRB stack for space shuttle Endeavour. Atlantis is targeted for launch on the STS-125 mission on May 12 to service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. Endeavour will fly on the STS-127 mission to the International Space Station and bring the final segments for Japan's Kibo laboratory. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- External Tank 130 rolls into the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Pegasus barge transported the fuel tank from the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. ET 130, which will be used on the Hubble servicing mission, STS-125, will be moved into a high bay for checkout. The fuel tank was previously designated for the STS-127 mission. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Just after sunrise, External Tank 130 is seen inside the Pegasus barge docked at the turn basin at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The barge transported the fuel tank from the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. ET 130, which will be used on the Hubble servicing mission, STS-125, will be moved to the Vehicle Assembly Building and into a high bay for checkout. The fuel tank was previously designated for the STS-127 mission. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- External Tank 130 arrives in the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. ET 130, which will be used on the Hubble servicing mission, STS-125, will be moved into a high bay for checkout. The fuel tank was previously designated for the STS-127 mission. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Controlled by a United Space Alliance technician, a transporter moves External Tank 130 toward the open door of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Pegasus barge transported the fuel tank from the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. ET 130, which will be used on the Hubble servicing mission, STS-125, will be moved into a high bay for checkout. The fuel tank was previously designated for the STS-127 mission. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- External Tank 130 rolls toward the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Pegasus barge transported the fuel tank from the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. ET 130, which will be used on the Hubble servicing mission, STS-125, will be moved into a high bay for checkout. The fuel tank was previously designated for the STS-127 mission. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- External Tank 130 is towed away from the turn basin at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. At right is the Pegasus barge that carried it from the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. ET 130, which will be used on the Hubble servicing mission, STS-125, is being moved to the Vehicle Assembly Building, seen at left, and into a high bay for checkout. The fuel tank was previously designated for the STS-127 mission. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- External Tank 130 moves out of the Pegasus barge docked at the turn basin at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The barge transported the fuel tank from the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. ET 130, which will be used on the Hubble servicing mission, STS-125, will be moved to the Vehicle Assembly Building and into a high bay for checkout. The fuel tank was previously designated for the STS-127 mission. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- External Tank 130 moves out of the Pegasus barge docked at the turn basin at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The barge transported the fuel tank from the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. ET 130, which will be used on the Hubble servicing mission, STS-125, is being moved to the Vehicle Assembly Building, seen at left, and into a high bay for checkout. The fuel tank was previously designated for the STS-127 mission. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The doors of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center open to reveal space shuttle Atlantis' external fuel tank-solid rocket booster stack in high bay 1. The stack on the mobile launcher platform will be moved to high bay 3 to make room for the ET-SRB stack for space shuttle Endeavour. Atlantis is targeted for launch on the STS-125 mission on May 12 to service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. Endeavour will fly on the STS-127 mission to the International Space Station and bring the final segments for Japan's Kibo laboratory. Photo credit: NASA/Tim Jacobs

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Atlantis' external fuel tank-solid rocket booster stack, atop a mobile launcher platform, rolls away from the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. It is being moved from high bay 1 to high bay 3 to make room for the ET-SRB stack for space shuttle Endeavour. Atlantis is targeted for launch on the STS-125 mission on May 12 to service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. Endeavour will fly on the STS-127 mission to the International Space Station and bring the final segments for Japan's Kibo laboratory. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Atlantis' external fuel tank-solid rocket booster stack, atop a mobile launcher platform, has been rolled out of high bay 1 in the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. It is being moved to high bay 3 to make room for the ET-SRB stack for space shuttle Endeavour. Atlantis is targeted for launch on the STS-125 mission on May 12 to service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. Endeavour will fly on the STS-127 mission to the International Space Station and bring the final segments for Japan's Kibo laboratory. Photo credit: NASA/Tim Jacobs

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – After moving out of high bay 1 in the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, space shuttle Atlantis' external fuel tank-solid rocket booster stack, atop a mobile launcher platform, rolls into high bay 3. The move makes room in high bay 1 for the ET-SRB stack for space shuttle Endeavour. Atlantis is targeted for launch on the STS-125 mission on May 12 to service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. Endeavour will fly on the STS-127 mission to the International Space Station and bring the final segments for Japan's Kibo laboratory. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Atlantis' external fuel tank-solid rocket booster stack, atop a mobile launcher platform, presents an unusual sight – without the shuttle – as it is transferred from high bay 1 to high bay 3 in the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. It is being moved to high bay 3 to make room for the ET-SRB stack for space shuttle Endeavour. Atlantis is targeted for launch on the STS-125 mission on May 12 to service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. Endeavour will fly on the STS-127 mission to the International Space Station and bring the final segments for Japan's Kibo laboratory. Photo credit: NASA/Tim Jacobs

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – After moving out of high bay 1 in the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, space shuttle Atlantis' external fuel tank-solid rocket booster stack, atop a mobile launcher platform, rolls toward high bay 3. The move makes room in high bay 1 for the ET-SRB stack for space shuttle Endeavour. Atlantis is targeted for launch on the STS-125 mission on May 12 to service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. Endeavour will fly on the STS-127 mission to the International Space Station and bring the final segments for Japan's Kibo laboratory. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The doors of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center open to reveal space shuttle Atlantis' external fuel tank-solid rocket booster stack in high bay 1. The stack on the mobile launcher platform will be moved to high bay 3 to make room for the ET-SRB stack for space shuttle Endeavour. Atlantis is targeted for launch on the STS-125 mission on May 12 to service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. Endeavour will fly on the STS-127 mission to the International Space Station and bring the final segments for Japan's Kibo laboratory. Photo credit: NASA/Tim Jacobs

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Atlantis' external fuel tank-solid rocket booster stack, atop a mobile launcher platform, presents an unusual sight – without the shuttle – as it is transferred from high bay 1 to high bay 3 in the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. It is being moved to high bay 3 to make room for the ET-SRB stack for space shuttle Endeavour. Atlantis is targeted for launch on the STS-125 mission on May 12 to service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. Endeavour will fly on the STS-127 mission to the International Space Station and bring the final segments for Japan's Kibo laboratory. Photo credit: NASA/Tim Jacobs