Matt Rece photo
The rotating service structure (RSS) is rolled back ahead of a fuel tanking test on June 15, 2011. (Matt Rece photo)

CTTechJunkie’s Matt Rece got a close-up tour of Space Shuttle Atlantis on the pad ahead of its July 8 launch.

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Matt Rece photo
Pictures often don’t give a proper sense of scale. This one does. (Matt Rece photo)
Matt Rece photo
Explosive bolts attach the twin solid rocket boosters to the launch platform. (Matt Rece photo)
Matt Rece photo
Close shot of the twin solid rocket boosters and external tank. (Matt Rece photo)
Matt Rece photo
Close up shot of the connection point of the external fuel tank to Space Shuttle Atlantis. (Matt Rece photo)
Matt Rece photo
Space Shuttle Atlantis on the launch pad June 15, 2011 (Matt Rece photo)
Matt Rece photo
Atlantis’ tail on the launch pad. (Matt Rece photo)
Matt Rece photo
The last bathroom on Earth! This toilet is just outside the ramp Astronauts walk through to get aboard the Shuttle. (Matt Rece photo)
Matt Rece photo
Space Shuttle Atlantis on the launch pad ahead of a tanking test on June 15, 2011 (Matt Rece photo)
Matt Rece photo
Space Shuttle Atlantis as seen from the rotating service structure. (Matt Rece photo)