SPACEPHOTOS

(04/08/2002) - Jerry Ross jokes with the Closeout Crew in the White Room as he prepares to enter Space Shuttle Atlantis for launch. The White Room provides entry into the cockpit area of the orbiter. The 13th assembly flight to the International Space Station, STS-110 is carrying the S0 Integrated Truss Structure and Mobile Transporter (MT). On the 11-day mission, astronauts, including Ross, will make four spacewalks to attach the S0 truss, which will become the backbone of the Space Station, to the U.S. Lab, 'Destiny.' The MT, a space 'railcar,' is attached to the truss segment and will make its debut run during the flight. Ross is making his seventh Shuttle flight, a new record in the history of the Shuttle program, and will complete his ninth spacewalk, also a record. Launch is scheduled for 4:40 p.m. EDT (20:40 GMT)