The mastermind behind Atlantis’ slow 10-mile march through Kennedy Space Center is sweating bullets nonetheless.

Atlantis is the last of NASA’s space shuttles to hit the road. It was the last to blast into orbit, more than a year ago, and its final crew members were expected to join a few dozen other astronauts at Friday’s daylong hurrah.

"It’s only a priceless artifact driving 9.8 miles and it weighs 164,000 pounds,” said Tim Macy, director of project development and construction for Kennedy’s visitor complex operator Delaware North Cos.

"Other than that, no pressure at all,” Macy said, laughing. "Only the eyes of the country and the world and everybody at NASA is watching us. But we don’t feel any pressure.” He paused. "Of course, we feel pressure!”

The relocation of Atlantis has been plotted out for months, he noted, and experienced shuttle workers will take part.

"It’s not like it’s Tim and his buddies out here loading this up,” Macy said last week. "We’re using the expertise of NASA.”

Atlantis will travel a mere 2 mph atop a 76-wheeled platform. The roundabout loop will take the shuttle past Kennedy’s headquarters building for a ceremony and then to a still-under-design industrial park for public viewing. Tourist tickets run as high as $90 apiece for a chance to see the spaceship up close.

Crews removed 120 light poles, 23 traffic signals and 56 traffic signs in order for Atlantis to squeeze by. One high-voltage power line also had to come down. Staff trimmed back some scrub pines, but there was none of the widespread tree-axing that occurred in Los Angeles.

Atlantis will traverse just one incline, a highway ramp. The rest of the course is sea-level flat.

The grand entrance into Atlantis’ new home also should be smooth going. One complete wall of the exhibit hall was kept off, carport-style, so the shuttle could roll right in. Construction will begin on the missing wall early next week.

Once safely inside, Atlantis will be plastic-wrapped for protection until the building is completed. The grand opening is set for July 2013.

Total exhibit cost: $100 million, a price borne by Delaware North.

Discovery, the oldest and most traveled space shuttle, was the first to leave the nest, zooming off to the Smithsonian in Virginia in April atop a modified jumbo jet. Endeavour, the baby of the fleet, headed west in September.

source engadget