SPACEPHOTOS

(11/30/2000) --- As dawn breaks on the horizon, Space Shuttle Endeavour is seen standing ready for launch, targeted for 10:06 p.m. EST tonight on mission STS-97 to the International Space Station. The Rotating Service Structure was rolled back just before dawn. On top of the orange external tank is the Gaseous Oxygen Vent Arm and its vent hood, known as the “beanie cap.” The hood is raised to clear the external tank 2.5 minutes before launch. The orbiter carries the P6 Integrated Truss Segment containing solar arrays that will be temporarily installed to the Unity connecting module by the Z1 truss, recently delivered to and installed on the Station on mission STS-92. The two solar arrays are each more than 100 feet long. They will capture energy from the sun and convert it to power for the Station. Two spacewalks will be required to install the solar array connections