KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. - As the Space Shuttle Atlantis sits ready on launch pad 39A for an early evening take-off, Airmen from the Continental U.S. NORAD Region stand ready on the ground and in the skies to provide support. CONR conducts Operation NOBLE EAGLE to protect national assets such as NASA's manned space flight program, and enforces temporary flight restrictions as determined by the Federal Aviation Administration. Air Force photo by Mike Strickler.