Spacecraft's 32nd Mission Underway On Schedule

Space shuttle Atlantis roared into an azure blue Florida sky at 1420 Friday, the final planned launch of the veteran spacecraft.

File Photo Courtesy NASA

Launch directors expressed some concern during the final planned hold before Friday's launch because of a ball bearing that was discovered in the payload bay of the spacecraft two days earlier. It was determined that it was the same size and type of bearing that is used in camera mounts in Atlantis' payload bay. But that issue was resolved and the flight controllers gave a "go" for an ontime launch.

During the 12-day flight, Atlantis and six astronauts will fly to the International Space Station, leaving behind a Russian Mini Research Module, a set of batteries for the station's truss and dish antenna, along with other replacement parts.

NASA astronaut Ken Ham (below) will command an all-veteran flight crew: Pilot Tony Antonelli, and Mission Specialists Michael Good, Garrett Reisman, Piers Sellers and Steve Bowen.

After the final STS-132 Flight Readiness Review, John Shannon, Space Shuttle Program manager, pointed out that Atlantis' last planned mission will be an exciting one.

"Twelve days, three [spacewalks], tons of robotics... We're putting on spares that make us feel good about the long-term sustainability of the ISS, replacing batteries that have been up there for a while, and docking a Russian-built ISS module," Shannon said. "This flight has a little bit of everything, and it's been a great preparation for the team."

FMI: www.nasa.gov