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An aerial view of the Launch Complex at NASA's Kennedy Space Centre shows space shuttles on both pads. At upper right is space shuttle Endeavour, while in the foreground is space shuttle Atlantis, preparing for its launch on the mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope.

This is the first time since July 2001 that two shuttles are on the launch pads at the same time. Endeavour will stand by at pad 39B in the event that a rescue mission is necessary during Atlantis’ mission; if the Hubble crew get into trouble they would not have enough fuel to reach the ISS.

After Endeavour is cleared from its duty as a rescue spacecraft, it will be moved to Launch Pad 39A for the STS-126 mission in November.

Photo Credit: NASA/JPL.