Atlantis, one of three remaining shuttle spacecraft, was 17 days from launch when an isolated hailstorm peppered the space shuttle. Fearing extensive External Tank insulation problems, the space shuttle stack returned to the Vehicle Assembly Building for insulation repairs. Over 2,200 dings were sanded, refilled and recoated with a BX265 topcoat. After ten weeks of repairs, the assembly is ready to roll back to the launch pad for a June launch date. Pictured here is the orbiter (OV-104) Atlantis on a previous trip to the Launch Pad A. On a cool Florida morning a mist hangs along the Cape Canaveral beach. Cross country high pressure gas lines (in the foreground) supply nitrogen and helium gases for launch pad purges and testing. The launch pad structure, towering 300 feet, awaits the arrival of Atlantis.