Shuttle Atlantis once again is being lifted into position to be attached to its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters in NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Vehicle Assembly Building.
About 9:45 p.m. EDT Tuesday, a problem with the overhead crane forced technicians to stop the lifting operation. The issue wouldn’t allow a "fine" adjustment of the 325-ton crane in the north direction. That left Atlantis suspended on its sling over the VAB transfer aisle overnight and this morning. Engineers discovered a wiring problem and fixed it late this morning. Lifting operations resumed about 12:15 p.m.
During the rest of the day and evening, Atlantis will be moved into the VAB’s high bay 1 and attached to its external tank and SRBs.
Shuttle managers will assess schedules and workflow as operations continue, but they’re still looking to support Atlantis’ rollout to Launch Pad 39A on Oct. 13 for its STS-129 mission to the International Space Station.