Hubble Grappled for Release

Space shuttle Atlantis' robotic arm grappled the Hubble Space Telescope at 6:45 a.m. EDT in preparation for its release. Commander Scott Altman next will maneuver Atlantis to the correct orientation to release the observatory. The telescope's aperture door, which protects Hubble's ultra-sensitive optics, will be commanded open to allow starlight to fall upon its optical instruments. Working the arm, Mission Specialist Megan McArthur will maneuver Hubble to a point high above the shuttle bay before releasing the telescope from the shuttle. More

(Source: NASA - May 19)