Space shuttle Atlantis closes in on space station for linkup, delivering tons of spare parts

Shuttle nears space station, docking scheduled

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Space shuttle Atlantis is closing in on the International Space Station.

Atlantis will do a pirouette for the station cameras late Wednesday morning, for a final check to make sure there’s no damage to the thermal tiles on its belly. Then the shuttle will dock at the orbiting outpost. It will remain there for a week, enough time for the two crews to unload all the newly delivered spare parts.

NASA says so far, all indications are that the shuttle made it through Monday’s liftoff just fine. The astronauts surveyed their ship Tuesday for any signs of launch damage. A quick look at the laser images shows everything in good shape. Experts will continue to analyze the data, as well as all the photos that will be taken of Atlantis before it docks.