Agency Targets August 7 Launch

NASA tells ANN the rollout of Space Shuttle Endeavour to Launch Pad 39A is expected to begin Tuesday night. Originally planned for Tuesday morning, the move was canceled by NASA managers because unfavorable weather was predicted to arrive in the launch area before the vehicle would be secured at the pad.

The crawler-transporter will carry the space shuttle assembly on the 3.4-mile journey to the launch pad, a trip that typically takes six to seven hours.

During the STS-118 mission, Endeavour will carry into orbit the S5 truss, SPACEHAB module and external stowage platform 3. The payload (shown in the photo above) was delivered Sunday to the launch pad's payload changeout room.

NASA says it is quickly gearing up for the shuttle's next visit to the International Space Station, targeted for an August 7 launch as reported by ANN. The mission will mark the first flight of Mission Specialist Barbara Morgan, the teacher-turned-astronaut whose association with NASA began more than 20 years ago.

STS-118 will also mark the first flight for Endeavour since 2002.

(Photo courtesy of NASA/Kim Shiflett)

FMI: www.nasa.gov