launch pads at the same time

On Launch Pad 39B (left) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Endeavour has joined space shuttle Atlantis on Launch Pad 39A (right). This is probably the final time two shuttles will be on launch pads at the same time with the space shuttle fleet set for retirement in 2010. Surrounding pad 39B are the lightning towers erected for NASA's Constellation Program, which will use the pad for Ares rocket launches. Endeavour will be prepared on the pad for liftoff in the unlikely event that a rescue mission is necessary following space shuttle Atlantis' launch on the STS-125 mission to service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. After Atlantis is cleared to land, Endeavour will move to Launch Pad 39A for its upcoming STS-127 mission to the International Space Station, targeted to launch June 13. 04/18/2009