CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle mission STS-31 comes full circle as the orbiter Discovery returns to KSC atop the shuttle carrier aircraft. Coaxing the duo into the mate_demate device at the SLF are John Goleno, driving the towing vehicle, and directing him, Peter Seidel. Photo credit: NASA

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The STS-117 crew arrives at NASA's Kennedy Space Center to take part in the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT), a preparation for the launch March 15 to the International Space Station. Here, Mission Specialist Patrick Forrester talks to members of the media at the Shuttle Landing Facility. The TCDT includes emergency egress training and a simulated launch countdown. 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 station. Photo credit: NASA_Kim Shiflett