Shuttle Payloads Packed for Storage, Flight

The equipment that Atlantis was to take to the Hubble Space Telescope next week continues to be readied for storage at Kennedy Space Center, while Endeavour's payload is nearly ready for flight.

NASA postponed the Oct. 14 Hubble servicing mission until at least mid-February, after telescope computers that transmit science data unexpectedly failed last month.

That made Endeavour's trip to the International Space Station the year's final shuttle mission, targeted for Nov. 14.

This morning, spaceport workers closed Atlantis' payload doors, several days after removing the Hubble cargo's four carriers and transferring them into launch pad 39A's changeout room.

On Thursday, they finished placing protective llumalloy covers around the science instruments and repair tools, which will shield the sensitive equipment from contamination during its transfer into storage next week.

Starting at 4 p.m. today, pad 39A's Rotating Service Structure will swing into the open position necessary to accept Endeavour's cargo.

Also this week, the last supplies were stowed in the Leanardo module that Endeavour will ship to the International Space Station - the heaviest cargo ever loaded into one of the three Italian-made Multi-Purpose Logistics Modules.

The equipment - including a new toilet, kitchen appliances and a device that will turn wastewater into potable water - will allow the space station to support a crew of six, double its current size.

The cargo module's hatch will be closed next Wednesday, and the payload will be delivered to launch pad 39A on Oct. 23.

Atlantis is scheduled to return to the Vehicle Assembly Building early Oct. 20. Endeavour will take its place on pad 39A five days later, moving about 1.5 miles south from its current position on launch pad 39B.

IMAGE NOTE: Click to enlarge the image above. In the Space Station Processing Facility at Kennedy Space Center on Tuesday, a worker, left, hands off a stowage container to another worker in the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Leonardo for the STS-126 mission to the International Space Station. The 15-day flight will deliver equipment and supplies to the International Space Station in preparation for expansion from a three- to six-person resident crew aboard the complex. The mission also will include four spacewalks to service the station Solar Alpha Rotary Joints. Leonardo holds supplies and equipment, including equipment for the regenerative life support system, additional crew quarters and exercise equipment and spare hardware. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett.