KSC-08pd0181

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the orbiter access arm, which extends from the Fixed Service Structure, is positioned against space shuttle Atlantis following the rollback of the rotating service structure, or RSS. Movement of the RSS began at 7:27 p.m. EST. The RSS provides protected access to the orbiter for crew entry and servicing of payloads at the pad. Rollback of the pad's RSS is one of the milestones in preparation for the launch of mission STS-122, scheduled for 2:45 p.m. EST on Feb. 7. This will be the third launch attempt for Atlantis since December 2007 to carry the Columbus Laboratory to the International Space Station. Beneath the shuttle is the mobile launcher platform which supports the shuttle until liftoff. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett