KSC-01PP-0273

The STS-98 crew eagerly exits the Operations and Checkout Building to head for Space Shuttle Atlantis on Launch Pad 39A. Leading the crew are Pilot Mark Polansky (left) and Commander Ken Cockrell (right). In the center is Mission Specialist Marsha Ivins. Behind her are Mission Specialists Robert Curbeam (left) and Thomas Jones (right). They will be flying the seventh construction flight to the International Space Station. Atlantis is carrying the U.S. Laboratory Destiny, a key module in the growth of the Space Station. Destiny will be attached to the Unity node on the Space Station using the Shuttle’s robotic arm. Three spacewalks are required to complete the planned construction work during the 11-day mission. Launch is targeted for 6:11 p.m. EST and the planned landing at KSC Feb. 18 about 1:39 p.m. This mission marks the seventh Shuttle flight to the Space Station, the 23rd flight of Atlantis and the 102nd flight overall in NASA’s Space Shuttle program