CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Inside Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians close shuttle Atlantis’ hatch in preparation for the Mylar Pull Test. During the test, the hatch is closed and a scale is used to measure the force required to pull a piece of Mylar paper out from between the door and structural wall thermal barriers. The pull test is performed to ensure the integrity of the hatch and that it has closed properly. Atlantis is being processed for the STS-132 mission targeted for launch May 14. The six-member crew will deliver an Integrated Cargo Carrier and a Russian-built Mini Research Module to the International Space Station. Photo credit: NASA_Jim Grossmann
Photographer NASA_Jim Grossmann
Album STS-132