Atlantis' Tanking Begins, Launch Time 2:20 pm, 14th May

The Space Shuttle Program Mission Management Team met at 4:15 a.m. EDT and gave a "go" to begin loading shuttle Atlantis' external tank with more than 500,000 gallons of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen. The operation began on time at 4:55 a.m. Launch is targeted for 2:20 p.m. There is a 70 percent chance of favorable weather for launch.

At NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A, space shuttle Atlantis is revealed Thursday evening after retraction of the pad's rotating service structure. Image credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

Space shuttle Atlantis is embarking on its final planned mission. 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 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."

Source: Kennedy Space Center, NASA