SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468
*Hatch Closed and Secured*
*Launch Time: * 7:38 p.m. EDT
Closeout crewImage above: At Launch Pad 39A, the closeout crew seals the hatch of Space Shuttle Atlantis. Image credit: NASA + View Launch Day Photo Gallery http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts117/multimedia/launch/launch.html
TO VIEW IMAGE GO TO:http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html
*06.08.07 - 6:00 p.m. EDT* In the White Room, the closeout crew wished the STS-117 crew good luck and best wishes as they secured Atlantis' hatch for launch. The astronauts are now going through final checks inside the orbiter to prepare for their journey to the International Space Station.
When Atlantis lifts off from Launch Pad 39A, it will be the first launch from that launch pad in over 4 years.
*Follow the live countdown coverage in progress:* + NASA TV http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html + Launch Blog http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts117/launch/index_Launch-blog.html