The Atlantic ocean is the backdrop for Space Shuttle Atlantis' seaside launch pad. Image credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Atlantis STS-122 Mission Patch

The european space lab "Columbus" in NASA's Kennedy Space Center International Space Station Processing Facility as seen from the visitor galley on October, 22nd 2007.

A technician watches as the European-built Columbus laboratory is moved into the payload bay of space shuttle Atlantis. Columbus will be attached to the International Space Station during mission STS-122. Image credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Astronaut Rex Walheim checked the fit of the pressure suit he will wear during the launch of space shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-122. The check was part of the countdown dress rehearsal at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The rehearsal itself is taking place this morning at the Florida launch site. Photo credit: NASA

Space shuttle Atlantis rests on Pad 39A awaiting launch on mission STS-122. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

An international space station's solar array rotary joint (SARJ) shown inside a NASA presentation.
Image Credit: NASA

On Launch Pad 39A, one of space shuttle Atlantis' payload bay doors is nearly closed. Inside can still be seen the Columbus Laboratory (below), the integrated cargo carrier - lite (middle) and the orbital docking system (above).

The Columbus Control Center in Germany. This center works together with space station controllers in the US and Russia. It controls the Columbus lab module.
Image Credit: DLR

An artists view of the Columbus module attached to the international space station ISS.

Image Credit: DLR

Astronaut Daniel Tani, Expedition 16 flight engineer, smiles for a photo while floating in the Harmony node of the International Space Station. Tani will fly back to earth with Discovery. Image credit: NASA

Platforms are extended toward Space Shuttle Atlantis from the fixed service structure, at left, as processing begins following the shuttle's arrival at Launch Pad 39A. First motion out of the Vehicle Assembly Building was at 4:43 a.m. EST, and the shuttle was hard down on the pad at 11:51 a.m.

The Rotating Service Structure (RSS) is rotated away from space shuttle Atlantis to get it ready for its STS-122 mission launch.

ECO Sensors during Testing
Image Credit: NASA

Atlantis STS-122 launch attempt for december 6th is scurbbed.

NASA TV airs a first new briefing after the December, 6th 2007 STS-122 launch scrub.

Atlantis sitting at the PAD after the scrub of its December, 6th 2007 launch attempt. Tanking is on hold, but detanking has not begun. First there is an inspection of the external tank performance.

The rotating service structure is rotating back to shuttle Atlantis after the launch scrub on Dec, 6th.

Space Shuttle program manager Wanye Hale at the December, 7th press briefing.
Image Credit: NASA TV

Tanking has begun for Atlantis' STS-122 mission's second launch attempt.

Image Credit: NASA TV