Technicians Close Endeavour’s Hatch for Launch

The hatch on space shuttle Endeavour has been closed and latched for flight. The countdown is proceeding as planned but weather remains a concern around the launch site at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, with clouds moving in from the north.

NASA’s recovery ships, Liberty Star and Freedom Star are stationed in the Atlantic Ocean, ready to capture the solid rocket boosters after they splash down and return them to Kennedy Space Center for refurbishing.