KSC-2010-3237

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, members of the STS-132 launch team take their stations in Firing Room 4 for the start of the countdown to launch of space shuttle Atlantis' STS-132 mission. From left are United Space Alliance Orbiter Test Conductors Lauren Sally and Scott Kraftchick and NASA Test Directors William Heidtman and Jeffrey Skaja. The clocks in Kennedy’s Launch Control Center started ticking backward at 4 p.m. EDT at the T-43 hour mark. Launch is targeted for 2:20 p.m. on May 14. On the STS-132 mission, the six-member crew will deliver an Integrated Cargo Carrier, or ICC, and the Russian-built Mini-Research Module-1, or MRM-1, to the International Space Station. The ICC is an unpressurized flat bed pallet and keel yoke assembly used to support the transfer of exterior cargo from the shuttle to the space station. The MRM-1, known as Rassvet, is the second in a series of new pressurized components for Russia and will be permanently attached to the Earth-facing port of the Zarya control module. Rassvet, which translates to 'dawn,' will be used for cargo storage and will provide an additional docking port to the station. STS-132 is the 34th mission to the station and the 132nd shuttle mission overall. For information on the STS-132 mission, visit http:__www.nasa.gov_mission_pages_shuttle_shuttlemissions_sts132_index.html. Photo credit: NASA_Kim Shiflett