After some severe weather in Florida on Saturday, engineers at the Space Center have been performing high-tech X-ray scans of the tops and bottoms of 50 support beams, called stringers, Atlantis’ external fuel tank. The scans should be complete by the end of the week, and officials say that they do not expect to find any issues. The shuttle was not damaged during the storms.
On Monday, technicians were also scheduled to replace a suspected leaky valve in Atlantis’ space shuttle main engine No. 3. While technicians complete their preflight inspections and preparations, the crew for STS-135 of Space Shuttle Atlantis begins their prelaunch countdown dress rehearsal, referred to as the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, and other training in preparation for the final launch of any space shuttle.
To watch the Final Space Shuttle Launch of Atlantis live over the internet, and other NASA events you can watch NASA TV in HD here: