KSC-02pp0241

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the White Room, STS-109 Mission Specialist Richard M. Linnehan (center) is helped with his launch and entry suit by Rene Arriens (left), USA mechanical technician, and Jean Alexander (right), NASA suit technician. In the foreground is Travis Thompson, USA Orbiter Vehicle closeout chief. On the mission, Space Shuttle Columbia will rendezvous with the Hubble Space Telescope for the crew to replace and upgrade key telescope systems through five challenging spacewalks. After an extensive 2-1/2 year modification period during which many systems were replaced and enhanced, Columbia is making its 27th flight in the Shuttle program. After the 11-day mission, Columbia is expected to land at Kennedy Space Center March 12