KSC-01PP-0235

Looking relaxed and happy one day before launch, the STS-98 crew gather at <a href='.._.._subjects_lc39a.htm'> Launch Pad 39A<_a>. From left, they are Pilot Mark Polansky, Commander Ken Cockrell and Mission Specialists Marsha Ivins, Robert Curbeam and Thomas Jones. Behind them can be seen the Fixed Service Structure, with its 80-foot lightning rod, where Space Shuttle <a href='.._.._subjects_atlantis.htm'> Atlantis<_a> is poised for launch. This mission marks the seventh Shuttle flight to the <a href='.._.._subjects_iss.htm'> International Space Station<_a> and the first Shuttle mission of the year. On the mission, the crew will deliver the U.S. Laboratory <a href='.._.._subjects_destiny.htm'> Destiny<_a> to the growing Space Station. Destiny will be attached to the Unity node using the Shuttle’s robotic arm. Three spacewalks are required to complete the planned construction work. The 11-day STS-98 mission is scheduled to launch Feb. 7 at 6:11 p.m. EST, with a planned KSC landing about 1:39 p.m. on Feb. 18