KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In high bay 3 of the Vehicle Assembly Building, the orbiter Atlantis has been lowered onto the mobile launcher platform below for mating with the external tank and solid rocket boosters already in place. After the stacking, Atlantis will undergo a shuttle interface test and other prelaunch processing. Atlantis' launch window begins Aug. 28. During its 11-day mission to the International Space Station, the STS-115 crew of six astronauts will continue construction of the station and install their cargo, the Port 3/4 truss segment with its two large solar arrays. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder
Location Kennedy Space Center, FL
Date July 24, 2006