KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Mike Hyatt (left) and Saul Ngy, technicians with United Space Alliance, prepare to install a spar on the wing of the orbiter Atlantis. The Reinforced Carbon Carbon (RCC) panels are mechanically attached to the wing with a series of floating joints - spars - to reduce loading on the panels caused by wing deflections. The aluminum and the metallic attachments are protected from exceeding temperature limits by internal insulation.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Mike Hyatt (left) and Saul Ngy, technicians with United Space Alliance, prepare to install a spar on the wing of the orbiter Atlantis. The Reinforced Carbon Carbon (RCC) panels are mechanically attached to the wing with a series of floating joints - spars - to reduce loading on the panels caused by wing deflections. The aluminum and the metallic attachments are protected from exceeding temperature limits by internal insulation.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Mike Hyatt (left) and Saul Ngy, technicians with United Space Alliance, prepare to install a spar on the wing of the orbiter Atlantis. The Reinforced Carbon Carbon (RCC) panels are mechanically attached to the wing with a series of floating joints - spars - to reduce loading on the panels caused by wing deflections. The aluminum and the metallic attachments are protected from exceeding temperature limits by internal insulation.

RTF