Crew Checks Out Robotic Arm, Surveys OMS Pods

After launching from Kennedy Space Center’s historic Launch Pad 39A at 11:29 a.m. EDT, space shuttle Atlantis’ crew has begun orbit operations in earnest, preparing to dock to the International Space Station at 11:06 a.m. Sunday morning. Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley, and Mission Specialists Sandy Magnus and Rex Walheim are activating and checking out the shuttle robotic arm this evening in preparation for a standard survey of Atlantis’ Orbital Maneuvering System pods at 6:49 p.m. EDT. Prior to that, at 6:44 p.m., the crew will play back video they recorded from Atlantis’ window 4 of the external tank separation. The crew sleep period begins at 7:59 p.m.

NASA Television also will air two special videos this evening.

Flight Day 2 begins with crew wake up at 3:59 a.m. Saturday.