With liftoff now only a week away, final preps are under way for the launch of space shuttle Atlantis on its STS-132 mission to the International Space Station. Launch officially is set for May 14 at 2:20 p.m. EDT.
At NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Pad 39A, technicians will close shuttle Atlantis’ payload bay doors in support of payload operations.
Commander Ken Ham will lead the six-member astronaut crew during the 12-day flight. The astronauts are enjoying a second day off today before going into quarantine tonight in preparation for their upcoming mission. They’re scheduled to arrive at Kennedy on Monday evening.
Atlantis and crew will deliver an Integrated Cargo Carrier and a Russian-built Mini Research Module. The countdown will begin May 11 at 4 p.m. when countdown clocks at the oceanside launch complex begin ticking backward from the T-43 hour mark.