[sarex] Atlantis Returns to Florida

[Arthur Rowe]

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468

*Endeavour Readies for August Launch;
Atlantis Returns to Florida*

*07.03.07 12:40 p.m. EDT*
Fresh off the success of STS-117, NASA is quickly gearing up for the 
shuttle's next visit to the International Station, the STS-118 mission, 
targeted for an Aug. 7 launch. The mission will deliver the S5 truss to 
the station and will mark the first flight of Mission Specialist Barbara 
Morgan, the teacher-turned-astronaut whose association with NASA began 
more than 20 years ago.

Processing for STS-118 continues at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in 
Florida. Orbiter Endeavour arrived inside the Vehicle Assembly Building 
on Monday after a short roll from the nearby Orbiter Processing 
Facility. In the assembly building's transfer aisle, Endeavour was 
lifted vertically, transferred to a high bay and will be attached to its 
external tank and solid rocket boosters. STS-118 will be the first 
flight for Endeavour since 2002.

Image above: Endeavour, top, rolls to the Vehicle Assembly Building and 
Atlantis, bottom, lands at after a piggy back ride from the west coast. 
Photo credit: NASA/KSC
+ Full Size Top Image 
<http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/181608main_endeavour_rolls_full.jpg> 
| + Full Size Bottom Image 
<http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/181607main_atlantis_lands_full.jpg>

Meanwhile, Orbiter Atlantis made its graceful landing at Kennedy Space 
Center this morning mounted atop a modified 747 jetliner called the 
Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, officially concluding the STS-117 mission.

+ STS-118 Mission Overview 
<http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts118/index.html> 

+ STS-117 Mission Summary 
<http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/behindscenes/sts117_overview.html> 
| + Photos and Videos 
<http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts117/multimedia/index.html>