KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The morning light spills through the open door of the Vehicle Assembly Building as Space Shuttle Atlantis begins rolling out to Launch Pad 39A. First motion was at 8:19 a.m. The 3.4-mile trip along the crawlerway will take about 6 hours. The mission payload aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis is the S3/S4 integrated truss structure, along with a third set of solar arrays and batteries. The crew of six astronauts will install the truss to continue assembly of the International Space Station. Launch is targeted for March 15. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Atlantis arrives on the hardstand on Launch Pad 39A after a six-hour trek, via the crawler-transporter, from the Vehicle Assembly Building. The first motion out of the assembly building was at 8:19 a.m. The mission payload aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis is the S3/S4 integrated truss structure, along with a third set of solar arrays and batteries. The crew of six astronauts will install the truss to continue assembly of the International Space Station. Launch is targeted for March 15. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Atop the massive mobile launcher platform and crawler-transporter, Space Shuttle Atlantis begins rolling through the open door of the Vehicle Assembly Building for the journey to Launch Pad 39A. First motion was at 8:19 a.m. In front of each of Atlantis' wings are the tail masts, which provide several umbilical connections to the orbiter, including a liquid-oxygen line through one and a liquid-hydrogen line through another. The 3.4-mile trip to the pad along the crawlerway will take about 6 hours. The mission payload aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis is the S3/S4 integrated truss structure, along with a third set of solar arrays and batteries. The crew of six astronauts will install the truss to continue assembly of the International Space Station. Launch is targeted for March 15. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Atlantis, atop the mobile launcher platform and crawler-transporter, has passed through the gate and is on its way up the ramp leading to the hardstand on Launch Pad 39A. At left are the rotating and fixed service structures; at right is the 300-gallon water tower. The shuttle has spent six hours rolling out to Pad 39A, leaving the Vehicle Assembly Building at 8:19 a.m. The mission payload aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis is the S3/S4 integrated truss structure, along with a third set of solar arrays and batteries. The crew of six astronauts will install the truss to continue assembly of the International Space Station. Launch is targeted for March 15. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On a slow roll, Space Shuttle Atlantis moves through the open door of the Vehicle Assembly Building for the journey to Launch Pad 39A. First motion was at 8:19 a.m. The 3.4-mile trip along the crawlerway will take about 6 hours. The mission payload aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis is the S3/S4 integrated truss structure, along with a third set of solar arrays and batteries. The crew of six astronauts will install the truss to continue assembly of the International Space Station. Launch is targeted for March 15. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Atop the massive mobile launcher platform and crawler-transporter, Space Shuttle Atlantis begins rolling through the open door of the Vehicle Assembly Building for the journey to Launch Pad 39A. First motion was at 8:19 a.m. In front of each of Atlantis' wings are the tail masts, which provide several umbilical connections to the orbiter, including a liquid-oxygen line through one and a liquid-hydrogen line through another. The 3.4-mile trip to the pad along the crawlerway will take about 6 hours. The mission payload aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis is the S3/S4 integrated truss structure, along with a third set of solar arrays and batteries. The crew of six astronauts will install the truss to continue assembly of the International Space Station. Launch is targeted for March 15. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Atop the massive mobile launcher platform and crawler-transporter, Space Shuttle Atlantis, accompanied by storks, rolls slowly toward Launch Pad 39A. First motion out of the Vehicle Assembly Building was at 8:19 a.m. In the foreground is the blue water of the turn basin and also the American flag near the NASA News Center. The 3.4-mile trip to the pad along the crawlerway will take about 6 hours. The mission payload aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis is the S3/S4 integrated truss structure, along with a third set of solar arrays and batteries. The crew of six astronauts will install the truss to continue assembly of the International Space Station. Launch is targeted for March 15. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Lined up on the horizon are Space Shuttle Atlantis, the rotating and fixed service structures of Launch Pad 39A, Launch Pad 39B, and the 300-gallon water tower of Pad 39A. The shuttle has spent six hours rolling out to Pad 39A, leaving the Vehicle Assembly Building at 8:19 a.m. The body of water in the foreground is the Banana River. The mission payload aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis is the S3/S4 integrated truss structure, along with a third set of solar arrays and batteries. The crew of six astronauts will install the truss to continue assembly of the International Space Station. Launch is targeted for March 15. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Viewed from above, Space Shuttle Atlantis begins moving through the open door of the Vehicle Assembly Building for the rollout to Launch Pad 39A. First motion was at 8:19 a.m. The 3.4-mile trip along the crawlerway will take about 6 hours. The mission payload aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis is the S3/S4 integrated truss structure, along with a third set of solar arrays and batteries. The crew of six astronauts will install the truss to continue assembly of the International Space Station. Launch is targeted for March 15. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Atop the massive mobile launcher platform and crawler-transporter, Space Shuttle Atlantis, accompanied by storks, rolls slowly toward Launch Pad 39A. First motion out of the Vehicle Assembly Building was at 8:19 a.m. In the foreground is the American flag and mission countdown clock near the NASA News Center. The 3.4-mile trip to the pad along the crawlerway will take about 6 hours. The mission payload aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis is the S3/S4 integrated truss structure, along with a third set of solar arrays and batteries. The crew of six astronauts will install the truss to continue assembly of the International Space Station. Launch is targeted for March 15. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Atlantis passes the turn basin as it slowly wends its way toward Launch Pad 39A. First motion out of the Vehicle Assembly Building was at 8:19 a.m. The 3.4-mile trip to the pad along the crawlerway will take about 6 hours. The mission payload aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis is the S3/S4 integrated truss structure, along with a third set of solar arrays and batteries. The crew of six astronauts will install the truss to continue assembly of the International Space Station. Launch is targeted for March 15. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Majestic in its formation, Space Shuttle Atlantis begins moving through the open door of the Vehicle Assembly Building for the rollout to Launch Pad 39A. First motion was at 8:19 a.m. The 3.4-mile trip along the crawlerway will take about 6 hours. The mission payload aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis is the S3/S4 integrated truss structure, along with a third set of solar arrays and batteries. The crew of six astronauts will install the truss to continue assembly of the International Space Station. Launch is targeted for March 15. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Atlantis arrives on the hardstand on Launch Pad 39A after a six-hour trek, via the crawler-transporter, from the Vehicle Assembly Building. The first motion out of the assembly building was at 8:19 a.m. At left is the open rotating service structure that will be rolled to enclose the shuttle for protection. Next to the shuttle is the fixed service structure. The mission payload aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis is the S3/S4 integrated truss structure, along with a third set of solar arrays and batteries. The crew of six astronauts will install the truss to continue assembly of the International Space Station. Launch is targeted for March 15. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Atlantis arrives on the hardstand on Launch Pad 39A after a six-hour trek, via the crawler-transporter, from the Vehicle Assembly Building. The first motion out of the assembly building was at 8:19 a.m. In the background is the blue Atlantic Ocean. At left is the box-like structure known as the White Room that sits at the end of the orbiter access arm. The mission payload aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis is the S3/S4 integrated truss structure, along with a third set of solar arrays and batteries. The crew of six astronauts will install the truss to continue assembly of the International Space Station. Launch is targeted for March 15. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The morning light streams through the open door of the Vehicle Assembly Building as Space Shuttle Atlantis begins rolling out to Launch Pad 39A. First motion was at 8:19 a.m. The 3.4-mile trip along the crawlerway will take about 6 hours. The mission payload aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis is the S3/S4 integrated truss structure, along with a third set of solar arrays and batteries. The crew of six astronauts will install the truss to continue assembly of the International Space Station. Launch is targeted for March 15. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Atlantis, atop the mobile launcher platform and crawler-transporter, slowly makes its way up the ramp to the hardstand on Launch Pad 39A. At left is the fixed service structure, with the 80-foot lightning mast on top, and the open rotating service structure. Between them is the water tower, containing 300,000 gallons of water used for sound suppression at liftoff. First motion of the shuttle out of the Vehicle Assembly Building was at 8:19 a.m. The 3.4-mile trip to the pad along the crawlerway takes about 6 hours. The mission payload aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis is the S3/S4 integrated truss structure, along with a third set of solar arrays and batteries. The crew of six astronauts will install the truss to continue assembly of the International Space Station. Launch is targeted for March 15. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the clear morning light, Space Shuttle Atlantis , atop the mobile launcher platform and crawler-transporter, slowly makes its way to Launch Pad 39A. First motion out of the Vehicle Assembly Building was at 8:19 a.m. The 3.4-mile trip to the pad along the crawlerway will take about 6 hours. The mission payload aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis is the S3/S4 integrated truss structure, along with a third set of solar arrays and batteries. The crew of six astronauts will install the truss to continue assembly of the International Space Station. Launch is targeted for March 15. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Flags are flying at the entrance to Launch Pad 39A, where Space Shuttle Atlantis has come to a stop. At left are the rotating and fixed service structures; at right is the 300-gallon water tower. The shuttle has spent six hours rolling out to Pad 39A, leaving the Vehicle Assembly Building at 8:19 a.m. The mission payload aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis is the S3/S4 integrated truss structure, along with a third set of solar arrays and batteries. The crew of six astronauts will install the truss to continue assembly of the International Space Station. Launch is targeted for March 15. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Sunlight bathes Space Shuttle Atlantis and oak Leaves frame the image as the shuttle moves slowly toward Launch Pad 39A. First motion out of the Vehicle Assembly Building was at 8:19 a.m. The 3.4-mile trip to the pad along the crawlerway will take about 6 hours. The mission payload aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis is the S3/S4 integrated truss structure, along with a third set of solar arrays and batteries. The crew of six astronauts will install the truss to continue assembly of the International Space Station. Launch is targeted for March 15. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Across the expanse of the turn basin, Space Shuttle Atlantis is seen as it creeps toward Launch Pad 39A. At left is the 525-foot-tall Vehicle Assembly Building. First motion was at 8:19 a.m. The 3.4-mile trip along the crawlerway will take about 6 hours. The mission payload aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis is the S3/S4 integrated truss structure, along with a third set of solar arrays and batteries. The crew of six astronauts will install the truss to continue assembly of the International Space Station. Launch is targeted for March 15. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Pelicans and seagulls witness the slow rollout of Space Shuttle Atlantis to Launch Pad 39A. First motion out of the Vehicle Assembly Building was at 8:19 a.m. The 3.4-mile trip to the pad along the crawlerway will take about 6 hours. The mission payload aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis is the S3/S4 integrated truss structure, along with a third set of solar arrays and batteries. The crew of six astronauts will install the truss to continue assembly of the International Space Station. Launch is targeted for March 15. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Atlantis, atop the mobile launcher platform and crawler-transporter, slowly makes its way to Launch Pad 39A, at left. First motion of the shuttle out of the Vehicle Assembly Building was at 8:19 a.m. The 3.4-mile trip to the pad along the crawlerway takes about 6 hours. The mission payload aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis is the S3/S4 integrated truss structure, along with a third set of solar arrays and batteries. The crew of six astronauts will install the truss to continue assembly of the International Space Station. Launch is targeted for March 15. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the clear morning light, Space Shuttle Atlantis, atop the mobile launcher platform and crawler-transporter, slowly makes its way to Launch Pad 39A. First motion out of the Vehicle Assembly Building was at 8:19 a.m. The 3.4-mile trip to the pad along the crawlerway will take about 6 hours. The mission payload aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis is the S3/S4 integrated truss structure, along with a third set of solar arrays and batteries. The crew of six astronauts will install the truss to continue assembly of the International Space Station. Launch is targeted for March 15. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- As Space Shuttle Atlantis, atop the mobile launcher platform and crawler-transporter, slowly makes its way to Launch Pad 39A, it passes the payload canister (foreground) that delivered the payload to the pad. First motion of the shuttle out of the Vehicle Assembly Building was at 8:19 a.m. The 3.4-mile trip to the pad along the crawlerway takes about 6 hours. The mission payload aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis is the S3/S4 integrated truss structure, along with a third set of solar arrays and batteries. The crew of six astronauts will install the truss to continue assembly of the International Space Station. Launch is targeted for March 15. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Atop the massive mobile launcher platform and crawler-transporter, Space Shuttle Atlantis looms above a flock of pelicans perched on the retaining wall below. The shuttle is rolling out to Launch Pad 39A. First motion out of the Vehicle Assembly Building was at 8:19 a.m. The 3.4-mile trip to the pad along the crawlerway will take about 6 hours. The mission payload aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis is the S3/S4 integrated truss structure, along with a third set of solar arrays and batteries. The crew of six astronauts will install the truss to continue assembly of the International Space Station. Launch is targeted for March 15. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley