KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Seen in the background is Space Shuttle Endeavour on Launch Pad 39A after its rollout to the pad overnight. First motion out of the Vehicle Assembly Building was at 8:10 p.m. July 10, and the shuttle was hard down on the pad at 3:02 a.m. July 11. At far left is the rotating service structure, which can be rolled around to enclose the shuttle for access during processing. Tall brush and grass in the foreground signify the close relationship of Kennedy Space Center and the Merritt Island National Wildlife Center, which surrounds it. Endeavour is scheduled to launch on mission STS-118 on Aug. 7. During the mission, Endeavour will carry into orbit the S5 truss, SPACEHAB module and external stowage platform 3. The mission is the 22nd flight to the International Space Station and will mark the first flight of Mission Specialist Barbara Morgan, the teacher-turned-astronaut whose association with NASA began more than 20 years ago. STS-118 will be the first flight since 2002 for Endeavour, which has undergone extensive modifications, including the addition of safety upgrades already added to orbiters Discovery and Atlantis. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At left, the edge of the crawler-transporter is seen rolling away from Launch Pad 39A after delivering Space Shuttle Endeavour, in the background. Rollout of the shuttle began at 8:10 p.m. July 10 and concluded at 3:02 a.m. July 11. To the left of the shuttle is the rotating service structure, which can be rolled around to enclose the vehicle for access during processing. Behind it is the fixed service structure, topped by an 80-foot-tall lightning mast. Extending from it to Endeavour is the orbiter access arm, which provides access into the vehicle. Endeavour is scheduled to launch on mission STS-118 on Aug. 7. During the mission, Endeavour will carry into orbit the S5 truss, SPACEHAB module and external stowage platform 3. The mission is the 22nd flight to the International Space Station and will mark the first flight of Mission Specialist Barbara Morgan, the teacher-turned-astronaut whose association with NASA began more than 20 years ago. STS-118 will be the first flight since 2002 for Endeavour, which has undergone extensive modifications, including the addition of safety upgrades already added to orbiters Discovery and Atlantis. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At left, the crawler-transporter rolls away from Launch Pad 39A after delivering Space Shuttle Endeavour, in the background. Rollout of the shuttle began at 8:10 p.m. July 10 and concluded at 3:02 a.m. July 11. To the left of the shuttle is the rotating service structure, which can be rolled around to enclose the vehicle for access during processing. Behind it is the fixed service structure, topped by an 80-foot-tall lightning mast. Extending from it to Endeavour is the orbiter access arm, which provides access into the vehicle. Endeavour is scheduled to launch on mission STS-118 on Aug. 7. During the mission, Endeavour will carry into orbit the S5 truss, SPACEHAB module and external stowage platform 3. The mission is the 22nd flight to the International Space Station and will mark the first flight of Mission Specialist Barbara Morgan, the teacher-turned-astronaut whose association with NASA began more than 20 years ago. STS-118 will be the first flight since 2002 for Endeavour, which has undergone extensive modifications, including the addition of safety upgrades already added to orbiters Discovery and Atlantis. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Sandwiched between gray clouds and the Banana Creek can be seen Space Shuttle Endeavour on Launch Pad 39A. The shuttle rolled to the pad overnight to get ready for liftoff on mission STS-118. First motion out of the Vehicle Assembly Building was at 8:10 p.m. July 10, and the shuttle was hard down on the pad at 3:02 a.m. July 11. At far left is the rotating service structure, which can be rolled around to enclose the shuttle for access during processing. At right is the 290-foot-tall water tank, which provides the deluge over the mobile launcher platform for sound suppression during liftoff. The proximity of the water and brush and grass signify the close relationship of Kennedy Space Center and the Merritt Island National Wildlife Center, which surrounds it. Endeavour is scheduled to launch on mission STS-118 on Aug. 7. During the mission, Endeavour will carry into orbit the S5 truss, SPACEHAB module and external stowage platform 3. The mission is the 22nd flight to the International Space Station and will mark the first flight of Mission Specialist Barbara Morgan, the teacher-turned-astronaut whose association with NASA began more than 20 years ago. STS-118 will be the first flight since 2002 for Endeavour, which has undergone extensive modifications, including the addition of safety upgrades already added to orbiters Discovery and Atlantis. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Space Shuttle Endeavour is on Launch Pad 39A and ready for prelaunch processing after a nearly 7-hour trip from the Vehicle Assembly Building. First motion out of the VAB was at 8:10 p.m. July 10, and the shuttle was hard down on the pad at 3:02 a.m. July 11. At far left is the rotating service structure, which can be rolled around to enclose the shuttle for access during processing. Behind the shuttle is the fixed service structure, topped by an 80-foot-tall lightning mast. Endeavour is scheduled to launch on mission STS-118 on Aug. 7. During the mission, Endeavour will carry into orbit the S5 truss, SPACEHAB module and external stowage platform 3. The mission is the 22nd flight to the International Space Station and will mark the first flight of Mission Specialist Barbara Morgan, the teacher-turned-astronaut whose association with NASA began more than 20 years ago. STS-118 will be the first flight since 2002 for Endeavour, which has undergone extensive modifications, including the addition of safety upgrades already added to orbiters Discovery and Atlantis. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Around Launch Pad 39A, photographers pick their spot to snap shots of Space Shuttle Endeavour, which rolled to the pad over night. First motion out of the Vehicle Assembly Building was at 8:10 p.m. July 10, and the shuttle was hard down on the pad at 3:02 a.m. July 11. At far left is the rotating service structure, which can be rolled around to enclose the shuttle for access during processing. Barely visible behind it is the fixed service structure, topped by an 80-foot-tall lightning mast. At right is the 290-foot-tall water tank, which provides the deluge over the mobile launcher platform for sound suppression during liftoff. The proximity of the water and brush and grass signify the close relationship of Kennedy Space Center and the Merritt Island National Wildlife Center, which surrounds it. Endeavour is scheduled to launch on mission STS-118 on Aug. 7. During the mission, Endeavour will carry into orbit the S5 truss, SPACEHAB module and external stowage platform 3. The mission is the 22nd flight to the International Space Station and will mark the first flight of Mission Specialist Barbara Morgan, the teacher-turned-astronaut whose association with NASA began more than 20 years ago. STS-118 will be the first flight since 2002 for Endeavour, which has undergone extensive modifications, including the addition of safety upgrades already added to orbiters Discovery and Atlantis. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At right, the crawler-transporter rolls away from Launch Pad 39A after delivering Space Shuttle Endeavour, in the background. Rollout of the shuttle began at 8:10 p.m. July 10 and concluded at 3:02 a.m. July 11. At far left is the rotating service structure, which can be rolled around to enclose the shuttle for access during processing. Behind it is the fixed service structure, topped by an 80-foot-tall lightning mast. Extending from it is the orbiter access arm, which provides access into the vehicle. Endeavour is scheduled to launch on mission STS-118 on Aug. 7. During the mission, Endeavour will carry into orbit the S5 truss, SPACEHAB module and external stowage platform 3. The mission is the 22nd flight to the International Space Station and will mark the first flight of Mission Specialist Barbara Morgan, the teacher-turned-astronaut whose association with NASA began more than 20 years ago. STS-118 will be the first flight since 2002 for Endeavour, which has undergone extensive modifications, including the addition of safety upgrades already added to orbiters Discovery and Atlantis. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Space Shuttle Endeavour, atop the mobile launcher platform, is hard down on Launch Pad 39A after rolling out over night. First motion out of the Vehicle Assembly Building was at 8:10 p.m. July 10. The components of the shuttle are, first, the orbiter and then the solid rocket boosters flanking the external tank behind it. Attached to the platform and seen below the orbiter's 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. Near the cockpit of Endeavour is the orbiter access arm, which provides access into the vehicle. Endeavour is scheduled to launch on mission STS-118 on Aug. 7. During the mission, Endeavour will carry into orbit the S5 truss, SPACEHAB module and external stowage platform 3. The mission is the 22nd flight to the International Space Station and will mark the first flight of Mission Specialist Barbara Morgan, the teacher-turned-astronaut whose association with NASA began more than 20 years ago. STS-118 will be the first flight since 2002 for Endeavour, which has undergone extensive modifications, including the addition of safety upgrades already added to orbiters Discovery and Atlantis. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Endeavour, atop the mobile launcher platform, is hard down on Launch Pad 39A after rolling out overnight. First motion out of the Vehicle Assembly Building was at 8:10 p.m. July 10. The components of the shuttle are, first, the orbiter and then the solid rocket boosters flanking the external tank behind it. To the left of the shuttle is the rotating service structure, which can be rolled around to enclose the vehicle for access during processing. Behind it is the fixed service structure, topped by an 80-foot-tall lightning mast. Extending from it to Endeavour is the orbiter access arm, which provides access into the vehicle. Endeavour is scheduled to launch on mission STS-118 on Aug. 7. During the mission, Endeavour will carry into orbit the S5 truss, SPACEHAB module and external stowage platform 3. The mission is the 22nd flight to the International Space Station and will mark the first flight of Mission Specialist Barbara Morgan, the teacher-turned-astronaut whose association with NASA began more than 20 years ago. STS-118 will be the first flight since 2002 for Endeavour, which has undergone extensive modifications, including the addition of safety upgrades already added to orbiters Discovery and Atlantis. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Space Shuttle Endeavour is on Launch Pad 39A and ready for prelaunch processing after a nearly 7-hour trip from the Vehicle Assembly Building. First motion out of the VAB was at 8:10 p.m. July 10, and the shuttle was hard down on the pad at 3:02 a.m. July 11. At far left is the rotating service structure, called the RSS, which can be rolled around to enclose the shuttle for access during processing. Between the RSS and the shuttle is the fixed service structure, topped by an 80-foot-tall lightning mast. Endeavour is scheduled to launch on mission STS-118 on Aug. 7. During the mission, Endeavour will carry into orbit the S5 truss, SPACEHAB module and external stowage platform 3. The mission is the 22nd flight to the International Space Station and will mark the first flight of Mission Specialist Barbara Morgan, the teacher-turned-astronaut whose association with NASA began more than 20 years ago. STS-118 will be the first flight since 2002 for Endeavour, which has undergone extensive modifications, including the addition of safety upgrades already added to orbiters Discovery and Atlantis. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Sandwiched between gray clouds and the Banana Creek can be seen Space Shuttle Endeavour on Launch Pad 39A. The shuttle rolled to the pad overnight to get ready for liftoff on mission STS-118. First motion out of the Vehicle Assembly Building was at 8:10 p.m. July 10, and the shuttle was hard down on the pad at 3:02 a.m. July 11. At far left is the rotating service structure, which can be rolled around to enclose the shuttle for access during processing. The proximity of the water and brush and grass signify the close relationship of Kennedy Space Center and the Merritt Island National Wildlife Center, which surrounds it. Endeavour is scheduled to launch on mission STS-118 on Aug. 7. During the mission, Endeavour will carry into orbit the S5 truss, SPACEHAB module and external stowage platform 3. The mission is the 22nd flight to the International Space Station and will mark the first flight of Mission Specialist Barbara Morgan, the teacher-turned-astronaut whose association with NASA began more than 20 years ago. STS-118 will be the first flight since 2002 for Endeavour, which has undergone extensive modifications, including the addition of safety upgrades already added to orbiters Discovery and Atlantis. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Sandwiched between gray clouds and the Banana Creek can be seen Space Shuttle Endeavour on Launch Pad 39A. The shuttle rolled to the pad overnight to get ready for liftoff on mission STS-118. First motion out of the Vehicle Assembly Building was at 8:10 p.m. July 10, and the shuttle was hard down on the pad at 3:02 a.m. July 11. At far left is the rotating service structure, which can be rolled around to enclose the shuttle for access during processing. The proximity of the water and brush and grass signify the close relationship of Kennedy Space Center and the Merritt Island National Wildlife Center, which surrounds it. Endeavour is scheduled to launch on mission STS-118 on Aug. 7. During the mission, Endeavour will carry into orbit the S5 truss, SPACEHAB module and external stowage platform 3. The mission is the 22nd flight to the International Space Station and will mark the first flight of Mission Specialist Barbara Morgan, the teacher-turned-astronaut whose association with NASA began more than 20 years ago. STS-118 will be the first flight since 2002 for Endeavour, which has undergone extensive modifications, including the addition of safety upgrades already added to orbiters Discovery and Atlantis. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Space Shuttle Endeavour rests on Launch Pad 39A after rolling out from the Vehicle Assembly Building over night. First motion out of the VAB was at 8:10 p.m. July 10, and the shuttle was hard down on the pad at 3:02 a.m. July 11. The shuttle sits on top of the mobile launcher platform. At far left is the rotating service structure, which can be rolled around to enclose the shuttle for access during processing. Behind it is the fixed service structure, topped by an 80-foot-tall lightning mast. At right is the 290-foot-tall water tank, which provides the deluge over the mobile launcher platform for sound suppression during liftoff. Endeavour is scheduled to launch on mission STS-118 on Aug. 7. During the mission, Endeavour will carry into orbit the S5 truss, SPACEHAB module and external stowage platform 3. The mission is the 22nd flight to the International Space Station and will mark the first flight of Mission Specialist Barbara Morgan, the teacher-turned-astronaut whose association with NASA began more than 20 years ago. STS-118 will be the first flight since 2002 for Endeavour, which has undergone extensive modifications, including the addition of safety upgrades already added to orbiters Discovery and Atlantis. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The crawler way, in the foreground, still bears the tracks of the crawler-transporter that delivered Space Shuttle Endeavour to Launch Pad 39A, in the background. At far left is the rotating service structure, which can be rolled around to enclose the shuttle for access during processing. Behind it is the fixed service structure, topped by an 80-foot-tall lightning mast. At right is the 290-foot-tall water tank, which provides the deluge over the mobile launcher platform for sound suppression during liftoff. Endeavour is scheduled to launch on mission STS-118 on Aug. 7. During the mission, Endeavour will carry into orbit the S5 truss, SPACEHAB module and external stowage platform 3. The mission is the 22nd flight to the International Space Station and will mark the first flight of Mission Specialist Barbara Morgan, the teacher-turned-astronaut whose association with NASA began more than 20 years ago. STS-118 will be the first flight since 2002 for Endeavour, which has undergone extensive modifications, including the addition of safety upgrades already added to orbiters Discovery and Atlantis. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - This closeup of Space Shuttle Endeavour on Launch Pad 39A shows the orbiter, one solid rocket booster and the external tank that make up the shuttle assembly. Behind the shuttle is the fixed service structure. The shuttle rests on the mobile launcher platform. The shuttle rolled out to the pad overnight. First motion out of the VAB was at 8:10 p.m. July 10, and the shuttle was hard down on the pad at 3:02 a.m. July 11. Endeavour is scheduled to launch on mission STS-118 on Aug. 7. During the mission, Endeavour will carry into orbit the S5 truss, SPACEHAB module and external stowage platform 3. The mission is the 22nd flight to the International Space Station and will mark the first flight of Mission Specialist Barbara Morgan, the teacher-turned-astronaut whose association with NASA began more than 20 years ago. STS-118 will be the first flight since 2002 for Endeavour, which has undergone extensive modifications, including the addition of safety upgrades already added to orbiters Discovery and Atlantis. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Under a sky brushed with gray clouds sits Space Shuttle Endeavour on Launch Pad 39A. Behind the shuttle are the rotating service structure, which can be rolled around to enclose the shuttle for access during processing, and the fixed service structure, topped by an 80-foot-tall lightning mast. At right is the 290-foot-tall water tank, which provides the deluge over the mobile launcher platform for sound suppression during liftoff. Endeavour is scheduled to launch on mission STS-118 on Aug. 7. During the mission, Endeavour will carry into orbit the S5 truss, SPACEHAB module and external stowage platform 3. The mission is the 22nd flight to the International Space Station and will mark the first flight of Mission Specialist Barbara Morgan, the teacher-turned-astronaut whose association with NASA began more than 20 years ago. STS-118 will be the first flight since 2002 for Endeavour, which has undergone extensive modifications, including the addition of safety upgrades already added to orbiters Discovery and Atlantis. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - As afternoon storm clouds sweep across a dune near Launch Pad 39A, Space Shuttle Endeavour is seen from the back side. In front of it is the 290-foot-tall water tower that provides the deluge over the mobile launcher platform for sound suppression during liftoff. The shuttle arrived at the pad in the early morning after an 8:30 p.m. rollout on July 10. Endeavour is scheduled to launch on mission STS-118 on Aug. 7. During the mission, Endeavour will carry into orbit the S5 truss, SPACEHAB module and external stowage platform 3. The mission is the 22nd flight to the International Space Station and will mark the first flight of Mission Specialist Barbara Morgan, the teacher-turned-astronaut whose association with NASA began more than 20 years ago. STS-118 will be the first flight since 2002 for Endeavour, which has undergone extensive modifications, including the addition of safety upgrades already added to orbiters Discovery and Atlantis. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At sunset, Space Shuttle Endeavour, atop the lighted mobile launcher platform, exits the Vehicle Assembly Building for rollout to Launch Pad 39A. First motion out of the VAB was at 8:10 p.m. July 10, and the shuttle was hard down on the pad at 3:02 a.m. July 11. Seen below the orbiter's wings and attached to the launcher platform 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 shuttle and platform are being carried by the crawler-transporter. The trip will take between six and eight hours. Endeavour is scheduled to launch on mission STS-118 on Aug. 7. During the mission, Endeavour will carry into orbit the S5 truss, SPACEHAB module and external stowage platform 3. The mission is the 22nd flight to the International Space Station and will mark the first flight of Mission Specialist Barbara Morgan, the teacher-turned-astronaut whose association with NASA began more than 20 years ago. STS-118 will be the first flight since 2002 for Endeavour, which has undergone extensive modifications, including the addition of safety upgrades already added to orbiters Discovery and Atlantis. Photo credit: NASA/Tom Farrar

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Near sunset, Space Shuttle Endeavour, atop the mobile launcher platform, begins moving through the doors of the Vehicle Assembly Building for rollout to Launch Pad 39A. First motion out of the VAB was at 8:10 p.m. July 10, and the shuttle was hard down on the pad at 3:02 a.m. July 11. Seen below the orbiter's wings and attached to the launcher platform 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. Endeavour is scheduled to launch on mission STS-118 on Aug. 7. During the mission, Endeavour will carry into orbit the S5 truss, SPACEHAB module and external stowage platform 3. The mission is the 22nd flight to the International Space Station and will mark the first flight of Mission Specialist Barbara Morgan, the teacher-turned-astronaut whose association with NASA began more than 20 years ago. STS-118 will be the first flight since 2002 for Endeavour, which has undergone extensive modifications, including the addition of safety upgrades already added to orbiters Discovery and Atlantis. Photo credit: NASA/Tom Farrar

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- A gopher tortoise searches for food at the edge of a road near Launch Pad 39A. Their primary food sources are low-growing grasses and herbs, with their favorite foods being gopher apple and saw palmetto berries. They will eat the pads, fruits, and flowers of prickly pear cactus as well. They will occasionally also eat bones from dead animals, presumably to get calcium. The gopher tortoise is a cold-blooded reptile that averages 10 inches in length and 9 pounds in weight. Wild tortoises may live from 40 - 60 years, while tortoises in captivity can live more than 100 years. Their range extends from southeastern Louisiana to southeastern South Carolina and throughout all 67 counties in Florida. The gopher tortoise is federally protected as a threatened species except in Florida, where it is listed as a Species of Special Concern by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Lands surrounding the Kennedy Space Center are part of the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Approximately one half of the Refuge's 140,000 acres consists of brackish estuaries and marshes. The remaining lands consist of coastal dunes, scrub oaks, pine forests and flatwoods, and palm and oak hammocks. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley