KSC-06pd1989

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Viewed from the NASA News Center across the turn basin in the Launch Complex 39 Area, Space Shuttle Atlantis continues its slow crawl toward the Vehicle Assembly Building from Launch Pad 39B. After this photo was taken, the decision was made to return the shuttle to the launch pad. The rollback was a safety precaution as the area waits for the arrival of Tropical Storm Ernesto. The storm was forecast to be bringing 58-mph to 70-mph winds in the next 24 hours. The revised forecast of lesser winds expected from Ernesto and its projected direction convinced Launch Integration Manager LeRoy Cain and Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach to return the shuttle to the launch pad. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett