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Atlantis Crew Counts Down

Crew assembles in Cape Canaveral for Thursday launch

By Lucas Laursen, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 4, 2007 4:20 PM CST

(Newser) – The crew of the space shuttle Atlantis arrived in Cape Canaveral yesterday to prepare for their Thursday launch, reports Space.com. NASA repaired damage to the foam covering the shuttle’s fuel tank over the weekend and said the repair shouldn’t delay the mission, which will add European research module Columbus to the International Space Station.

Shuttle pilot Alan Poindexter thanked engineers and technicians for preparing the shuttle, saying, “It's really their ship and we appreciate them loaning it to us for a couple of weeks." The 11-day mission is expected to include at least three spacewalks to install Columbus, conduct other stations upgrades and repairs, and swap out one space station crew member.

Space shuttle Atlantis commander Stephen Frick, front, speaking to the media, with his crew behind him from back left, European Space Agency astronaut Leopold Eyharts of France, mission specialist Stanley... (Associated Press)

The crew of the Space shuttle Atlantis from left, European Space Agency astronaut Leopold Eyharts of France, mission specialist Stanley Love, European Space Agency astronaut Hans Schlegel of Germany,... (Associated Press)

The space lab Columbus waits for installation for the next space shuttle launch in the Space Station Processing Facility at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., in this Oct. 31, 2007 file... (Associated Press)

The space shuttle Atlantis nears the launch pad after leaving the Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2007. Atlantis is scheduled for launch... (Associated Press)

The space shuttle Atlantis reaches the launch pad after leaving the Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Saturday Nov. 10, 2007. Atlantis is scheduled for launch... (Associated Press)

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

NASA • space shuttle • International Space Station • Atlantis Space Shuttle • Alan Poindexter • Columbus

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

'Godspeed:' Atlantis Leaves ISS a Final Time

Shuttle takes unprecedented photos of space station on last return trip

Atlantis Docks a Final Time

Last shuttle mission cruising along smoothly

Atlantis Docks With Space Station

Mission to deliver Russian room to be shuttle's last

Atlantis Crew Finishes Mission

Astronauts complete final spacewalk

Space Shuttle Lifts Off Safely

Atlantis heads for space station loaded with spare parts

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What is Newser?