KSC-2009-2720

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, an overhead crane is used to lift the Flight Support System, or FSS, carrier with the Soft Capture Mechanism from the workstand. The FSS will be placed in the payload canister and delivered with other carriers to Launch Pad 39A for installation in space shuttle Atlantis' payload bay. Atlantis' 11-day STS-125 mission to service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope is targeted for launch May 12. It will include five spacewalks in which astronauts will refurbish and upgrade the telescope with state-of-the-art science instruments. As a result, Hubble's capabilities will be expanded and its operational lifespan extended through at least 2014. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller