The precise choreography of a 12-day journey to the stars

Space · Published 20 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Launching a spacecraft is not just about power; it is about a synchronized dance of logistics. For mission STS-132, NASA had to coordinate weather windows, mechanical rotations, and robotic maneuvers to deliver critical infrastructure to the International Space Station with surgical precision.

The STS-132 mission, launched on May 14, 2010, served as a vital logistics bridge for the International Space Station. The shuttle Atlantis departed from Launch Pad 39A at 2:20 p.m. EDT, carrying a six-member crew including Commander Ken Ham and Pilot Tony Antonelli. This specific flight was the 32nd mission for the Atlantis orbiter and the 34th shuttle mission to the station. The mission's primary objective was the delivery of an Integrated Cargo Carrier (ICC) and a Russian-built Mini Research Module (MRM1), both essential for expanding the station's capabilities.

The complexity of the mission was evident in the preparatory phases. On the eve of launch, mission managers monitored a 70 percent chance of favorable weather conditions. A key mechanical milestone occurred on May 13, when the rotating service structure was moved away from the spacecraft. Once in orbit, the crew performed a series of high-stakes maneuvers. The ICC was moved into place by Piers Sellers and Garrett Reisman via Canadarm2, the station's robotic arm, as the Zarya module received the Rassvet module, which had been taken from the shuttle's payload bay.

Human presence outside the station was equally critical. The crew conducted three separate spacewalks while Atlantis was docked. These extravehicular activities included installing a spare antenna and a stowage platform, as well as replacing batteries on the P6 Truss that store solar energy. By the end of the 11-day, 18-hour, 29-minute, and 9-second journey, the crew had traveled 4.8 million miles. At 08:48 a.m. EDT on 26 May 2010, the shuttle arrived back in Florida. This happened after a seven-day period of being moored. EDT.

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