KSC-2009-3014

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – On Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, workers begin to close the doors of space shuttle Atlantis' payload bay that is filled with hardware for the STS-125 mission to service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. In view at the bottom of the bay are the Flight Support System with the Soft Capture mechanism and Multi-Use Lightweight Equipment Carrier with the Science Instrument Command and Data Handling Unit, or SIC&DH. Atlantis' crew will service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope for the fifth and final time. The flight will include five spacewalks during which astronauts will refurbish and upgrade the telescope with state-of-the-art science instruments. As a result, Hubble's capabilities will be expanded and its operational lifespan extended through at least 2014. Launch is scheduled for 2:01 p.m. EDT on May 11. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett