The last time the International Space Station (ISS) had a major repair/construction was in late 2002, and since then, only scheduled spacewalks by astronauts have been the only way to make repairs to the ISS.

The two truss segments - P3 and P4 - have been prepared for the scheduled August launch of Atlantis. These will add another set of solar panel wings to the ISS. The batteries too have been replaced by NASA in fear that they won't be able to store and provide enough energy as they have been in the ground for too long.

A part of these segments to be sent to the ISS is the 10-foot wide Solar Alpha Rotary Joint which will keep these solar panels aimed at the sun. Other cargo that are waiting to be boarded onto the space shuttle Atlantis are Europe's Experiment Module, the Japanese Experiment Module, and a starboard truss.

Hopefully, everything goes as planned for the Atlantis so that the construction plans for the ISS and other experiments to be conducted there will finally be carried out.