Topic: Gallery: Atlantis Rolls Towards Last Launch

[sam]

What a beautiful shot! Universe Today photographer Alan Walters had the opportunity to be inside the Vehicle Assembly Building early this morning (12 am EDT) as space shuttle Atlantis began her slow crawl to launchpad 39A, in what is scheduled to be her last flight. If everything goes as planned, STS-132 will launch on May 14 at 2:19 p.m. EDT (6:19 GMT). While Alan had a great view from inside the VAB (see more below), he wasn't the only one with a unique vantage point. The six-member crew of STS-132 got to ride along on the crawler-transporter during the 6-miles trek to the pad. "Riding the crawler last night was absolutely fantastic," said commander Ken Ham. He said the crawler, powered by destroyer engines, reminded him of a Navy ship even though it moves across gravel instead of rolling waves. "It is incredible to see that battleship on the ground."

http://www.universetoday.com/2010/04/22/gallery-atlantis-rolls-towards-last-launch/

[Clive]

It looks almost surreal.