KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - A Great Blue Heron on the near bank has a front row perch for the arrival of the Pegasus barge being towed into the turn basin at the Launch Complex 39 Area. The barge holds the redesigned external fuel tank, designated ET-118, that will launch Space Shuttle Atlantis on the next shuttle mission, STS-115. The tank was shipped from the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. After off-loading, the tank will be moved into the Vehicle Assembly Building and lifted into a checkout cell for further work. The tank will fly with many major safety changes, including the removal of the protuberance air load ramps. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
Location Kennedy Space Center, FL
Date June 9, 2006