
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, engineers examine the fit of the payload bay doors on space shuttle Atlantis as they are closing. During launch preparations, technicians noticed a small section of a braided metal hose that was bent in a shape similar to the Greek letter Omega. The radiator retract hose (seen in the middle), part of the shuttle's cooling system that carries Freon, is designed to flex. Engineers designed a tool to guide the hose back into the storage box. During the starboard door closure, eight incremental stops were performed. After each stop, the aft hose was adjusted and seated in place utilizing the ladder and hose assist tool. The team was satisfied with the final placement of the hose at door closure. STS-122 is the 121st space shuttle flight, the 29th flight for Atlantis and the 24th flight to the International Space Station. The Columbus laboratory module, built by the European Space Agency, is approximately 23 feet long and 15 feet wide, allowing it to hold 10 large racks of experiments. Atlantis is scheduled to launch at 2:45 p.m. Feb. 7. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller
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NASA ID
KSC-08pd0119
Date Created
February 3, 2008
Center
KSC
Media Type
image
Location
Kennedy Space Center, FL
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