In pictures: Preparing for space residents

A seven-member crew of US space shuttle Atlantis is busy preparing the International Space Station for its first residents. The inaugural crew will arrive later this year.

Atlantis had a clear view of the space station as it moved in to dock

Astronaut Edward Lu was the first to walk out after the docking

He was soon followed by Russian Yuri Malenchenko

Once inside, the Atlantis crew opened the space station's hatches, one by one

Soon Edward Lu was busy with the checklist for the station

....while Malenchenko took care of the supplies

The space station will be equipped for extended stays in space