KSC-2009-3490

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – On the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Atlantis is lowered toward the ground after being demated from the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft seen at left. Atlantis' wheels still must be lowered. Covering the rear of Atlantis is the tail cone, which protects the aft engine area and provides a more efficient aeronautical dimension during a piggyback flight. Atlantis returned from California atop the SCA, a modified Boeing 747, after its May 24 landing at Edwards Air Force Base, concluding mission STS-125. The ferry flight from Edwards Air Force Base began June 1. Atlantis' next assignment is the STS-129 mission, targeted to launch in November 2009. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller