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Space Shuttle Atlantis, STS-135 Launch

(July 8, 2011) Space Shuttle Atlantis' STS-135 mission launched from Launch Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center on July 8, 2011. STS-135 was the last Space Shuttle mission. The crew of four delivered supplies to th More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Space Station Processing Facility, workers help the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Donatello settle onto a work stand. Previously housed in the Operations and Checkout Building, Donatello was brought into the SSPF for routine testing. This is the first time all three MPLMs (Donatello, Raffaello and Leonardo) are in the SSPF. The MPLMs were built by the Italian Space Agency, to serve as reusable logistics carriers and the primary delivery system to resupply and return station cargo requiring a pressurized environment. The third MPLM, Raffaello, is scheduled to fly on Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-114.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Space Station Processing Facility, workers help the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Donatello settle onto a work stand. Previously housed in the Operations and Checkout Buil More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Operations and Checkout Building, an overhead crane carries the Integrated Truss Structure S0 to the payload canister which will transport it to the launch pad for mission STS-110. Seen below the truss is the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Donatello, currently not in use. The S0 truss will be part of the payload on Space Shuttle Atlantis. The S0 truss will be attached to the U.S. Lab, "Destiny," on the 11-day mission, becoming the backbone of the orbiting International Space Station (ISS). Launch is scheduled for April 4 KSC-02pd0344

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Operations and Checkout Building, an overhead crane carries the Integrated Truss Structure S0 to the payload canister which will transport it to the launch pad for mission S More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Space Station Processing Facility, the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Donatello is slowly lowered toward a work stand. Previously housed in the Operations and Checkout Building, Donatello was brought into the SSPF for routine testing. This is the first time all three MPLMs (Donatello, Raffaello and Leonardo) are in the SSPF. The MPLMs were built by the Italian Space Agency, to serve as reusable logistics carriers and the primary delivery system to resupply and return station cargo requiring a pressurized environment. The third MPLM, Raffaello is scheduled to fly on Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-114.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Space Station Processing Facility, the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Donatello is slowly lowered toward a work stand. Previously housed in the Operations and Checkout Buil More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - This view reveals all three Multi-Purpose Logistics Modules on the floor of the Space Station Processing Facility. This is the first time all three - Leonardo, Raffaello and Donatello -- have been in one location. Donatello has been stored in the Operations and Checkout Building since its arrival at KSC and was brought into the SSPF for routine testing. The MPLMs were built by the Italian Space Agency, to serve as reusable logistics carriers and the primary delivery system to resupply and return station cargo requiring a pressurized environment. Raffaello is scheduled to fly on Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-114.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - This view reveals all three Multi-Purpose Logistics Modules on the floor of the Space Station Processing Facility. This is the first time all three - Leonardo, Raffaello and Donate More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello moves away from its stand in the Space Station Processing Facility. Raffaello is the second MPLM built by the Italian Space Agency, serving as a reusable logistics carrier and primary delivery system to resupply and return station cargo requiring a pressurized environment. It is being moved to allow the third MPLM, Donatello, to be brought in for routine testing. Donatello has been stored in the Operations and Checkout Building. This is the first time all three MPLMs are in the SSPF; the other one is the Leonardo. Raffaello is scheduled to fly on Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-114.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello moves away from its stand in the Space Station Processing Facility. Raffaello is the second MPLM built by the Italian Space Agency, ser More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Space Station Processing Facility, the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello glides above the floor as it moves to another stand on the other side. Raffaello is the second MPLM built by the Italian Space Agency, serving as a reusable logistics carrier and primary delivery system to resupply and return station cargo requiring a pressurized environment. It is being moved to allow the third MPLM, Donatello, to be brought in for routine testing. Donatello has been stored in the Operations and Checkout Building. This is the first time all three MPLMs are in the SSPF; the other one is the Leonardo. Raffaello is scheduled to fly on Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-114.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Space Station Processing Facility, the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello glides above the floor as it moves to another stand on the other side. Raffaello is the secon More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Overhead cables carry the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Donatello from the payload canister (lower right) to a work stand in the Space Station Processing Facility. Previously housed in the Operations and Checkout Building, Donatello was brought into the SSPF for routine testing. This is the first time all three MPLMs (Donatello, Raffaello and Leonardo) are in the SSPF. The MPLMs were built by the Italian Space Agency, to serve as reusable logistics carriers and the primary delivery system to resupply and return station cargo requiring a pressurized environment. The third MPLM, Raffaello is scheduled to fly on Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-114.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Overhead cables carry the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Donatello from the payload canister (lower right) to a work stand in the Space Station Processing Facility. Previously hous More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - All three Multi-Purpose Logistics Modules are on the floor of the Space Station Processing Facility. This is the first time the three - Leonardo, Raffaello and Donatello -- have been in one location. Donatello has been stored in the Operations and Checkout Building since its arrival at KSC and was brought into the SSPF for routine testing. The MPLMs were built by the Italian Space Agency, to serve as reusable logistics carriers and the primary delivery system to resupply and return station cargo requiring a pressurized environment. Raffaello is scheduled to fly on Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-114.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - All three Multi-Purpose Logistics Modules are on the floor of the Space Station Processing Facility. This is the first time the three - Leonardo, Raffaello and Donatello -- have be More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Workers watch as the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello is lowered toward a work stand in the Space Station Processing Facility. Raffaello is the second MPLM built by the Italian Space Agency, serving as a reusable logistics carrier and primary delivery system to resupply and return station cargo requiring a pressurized environment. It has been moved across the floor to allow the third MPLM, Donatello, to be brought in for routine testing. Donatello has been stored in the Operations and Checkout Building. This is the first time all three MPLMs are in the SSPF; the other one is the Leonardo. Raffaello is scheduled to fly on Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-114.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Workers watch as the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello is lowered toward a work stand in the Space Station Processing Facility. Raffaello is the second MPLM built by the Ita More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Donatello is suspended by cables over the payload canister in the Space Station Processing Facility. Previously housed in the Operations and Checkout Building, Donatello was brought into the SSPF for routine testing. This is the first time all three MPLMs (Donatello, Raffaello and Leonardo) are in the SSPF. The MPLMs were built by the Italian Space Agency, to serve as reusable logistics carriers and the primary delivery system to resupply and return station cargo requiring a pressurized environment. The third MPLM, Raffaello is scheduled to fly on Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-114.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Donatello is suspended by cables over the payload canister in the Space Station Processing Facility. Previously housed in the Operations and Chec More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Workers in the Space Station Processing Facility prepare to release the overhead crane from the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello now secure on a new work stand. Raffaello is the second MPLM built by the Italian Space Agency, serving as a reusable logistics carrier and primary delivery system to resupply and return station cargo requiring a pressurized environment. It has been moved to allow the third MPLM, Donatello, to be brought in for routine testing. Donatello has been stored in the Operations and Checkout Building. This is the first time all three MPLMs are in the SSPF; the other one is the Leonardo. Raffaello is scheduled to fly on Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-114.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Workers in the Space Station Processing Facility prepare to release the overhead crane from the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello now secure on a new work stand. Raffaello i More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - All three Multi-Purpose Logistics Modules are on the floor of the Space Station Processing Facility. This is the first time the three - Leonardo, Raffaello and Donatello -- have been in one location. Donatello has been stored in the Operations and Checkout Building since its arrival at KSC and was brought into the SSPF for routine testing. The MPLMs were built by the Italian Space Agency, to serve as reusable logistics carriers and the primary delivery system to resupply and return station cargo requiring a pressurized environment. Raffaello is scheduled to fly on Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-114.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - All three Multi-Purpose Logistics Modules are on the floor of the Space Station Processing Facility. This is the first time the three - Leonardo, Raffaello and Donatello -- have be More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Donatello is moved away from the payload canister in the Space Station Processing Facility. Previously housed in the Operations and Checkout Building, Donatello was brought into the SSPF for routine testing. This is the first time all three MPLMs (Donatello, Raffaello and Leonardo) are in the SSPF. The MPLMs were built by the Italian Space Agency, to serve as reusable logistics carriers and the primary delivery system to resupply and return station cargo requiring a pressurized environment. The third MPLM, Raffaello is scheduled to fly on Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-114.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Donatello is moved away from the payload canister in the Space Station Processing Facility. Previously housed in the Operations and Checkout Buil More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Space Station Processing Facility, workers confirm the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Donatello is safely in place on a work stand. Previously housed in the Operations and Checkout Building, Donatello was brought into the SSPF for routine testing. This is the first time all three MPLMs (Donatello, Raffaello and Leonardo) are in the SSPF. The MPLMs were built by the Italian Space Agency, to serve as reusable logistics carriers and the primary delivery system to resupply and return station cargo requiring a pressurized environment. The third MPLM, Raffaello, is scheduled to fly on Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-114.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Space Station Processing Facility, workers confirm the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Donatello is safely in place on a work stand. Previously housed in the Operations and More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello is lifted from its stand in the Space Station Processing Facility to move to another work stand. Raffaello is the second MPLM built by the Italian Space Agency, serving as a reusable logistics carrier and primary delivery system to resupply and return station cargo requiring a pressurized environment. It is being moved to allow the third MPLM, Donatello, to be brought in for routine testing. Donatello has been stored in the Operations and Checkout Building. This is the first time all three MPLMs are in the SSPF; the other one is the Leonardo. Raffaello is scheduled to fly on Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-114.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello is lifted from its stand in the Space Station Processing Facility to move to another work stand. Raffaello is the second MPLM built by More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - A worker on the floor watches as the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello moves toward another work stand in the Space Station Processing Facility. Raffaello is the second MPLM built by the Italian Space Agency, serving as a reusable logistics carrier and primary delivery system to resupply and return station cargo requiring a pressurized environment. It has been moved across the floor to allow the third MPLM, Donatello, to be brought in for routine testing. Donatello has been stored in the Operations and Checkout Building. This is the first time all three MPLMs are in the SSPF; the other one is the Leonardo. Raffaello is scheduled to fly on Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-114.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - A worker on the floor watches as the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello moves toward another work stand in the Space Station Processing Facility. Raffaello is the second MPLM More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Workers on the floor of the Space Station Processing Facility watch as overhead cables carry the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Donatello to a work stand. Previously housed in the Operations and Checkout Building, Donatello was brought into the SSPF for routine testing. This is the first time all three MPLMs (Donatello, Raffaello and Leonardo) are in the SSPF. The MPLMs were built by the Italian Space Agency, to serve as reusable logistics carriers and the primary delivery system to resupply and return station cargo requiring a pressurized environment. The third MPLM, Raffaello is scheduled to fly on Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-114.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Workers on the floor of the Space Station Processing Facility watch as overhead cables carry the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Donatello to a work stand. Previously housed in the More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - An overhead crane is attached to the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello in order to move it to another work stand in the Space Station Processing Facility. Raffaello is the second MPLM built by the Italian Space Agency, serving as a reusable logistics carrier and primary delivery system to resupply and return station cargo requiring a pressurized environment. It is being moved to allow the third MPLM, Donatello, to be brought in for routine testing. Donatello has been stored in the Operations and Checkout Building. This is the first time all three MPLMs are in the SSPF; the other one is the Leonardo. Raffaello is scheduled to fly on Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-114.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - An overhead crane is attached to the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello in order to move it to another work stand in the Space Station Processing Facility. Raffaello is the s More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Workers in the Space Station Processing Facility secure the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello onto a new work stand. Raffaello is the second MPLM built by the Italian Space Agency, serving as a reusable logistics carrier and primary delivery system to resupply and return station cargo requiring a pressurized environment. It has been moved to allow the third MPLM, Donatello, to be brought in for routine testing. Donatello has been stored in the Operations and Checkout Building. This is the first time all three MPLMs are in the SSPF; the other one is the Leonardo. Raffaello is scheduled to fly on Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-114.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Workers in the Space Station Processing Facility secure the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello onto a new work stand. Raffaello is the second MPLM built by the Italian Space More

Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) the Honorable Ray Mabus stands underneath the space shuttle Atlantis during a tour of the NASA Orbiter Processing Facility at Kennedy Space Center.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (Feb. 24, 2011) Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) the Honorable Ray Mabus stands underneath the space shuttle Atlantis during a tour of the NASA Orbiter Processing Facility at Kennedy Space Ce More

S132E010565 - STS-132 - IDC Survey Test taken during STS-132 mission

The original finding aid described this as: Description: View of Integrated Sensor Inspection System Digital Camera (IDC) survey test taken during STS-132 mission, aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis. Subject Term More

S117E05765 - STS-117 - IDC Survey Test taken during STS-117 mission

The original finding aid described this as: Description: Integrated Sensor Inspection System Digital Camera (IDC) survey test taken during STS-117 mission, aboard the Atlantis, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 104. Subje More

S129E008684 - STS-129 - IDC Survey Test during STS-129 Mission

The original finding aid described this as: Description: View of the ISIS (Integrated Sensor Inspection System) Digital Camera (IDC) survey test imagery for the Space Shuttle Atlantis, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 104 More

S132E010564 - STS-132 - IDC Survey Test taken during STS-132 mission

The original finding aid described this as: Description: View of Integrated Sensor Inspection System Digital Camera (IDC) survey test taken during STS-132 mission, aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis. Subject Term More

S132E010567 - STS-132 - IDC Survey Test taken during STS-132 mission

The original finding aid described this as: Description: View of Integrated Sensor Inspection System Digital Camera (IDC) survey test taken during STS-132 mission, aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis. Subject Term More

S129E008687 - STS-129 - IDC Survey Test during STS-129 Mission

The original finding aid described this as: Description: View of the ISIS (Integrated Sensor Inspection System) Digital Camera (IDC) survey test imagery for the Space Shuttle Atlantis, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 104 More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside Orbiter Processing Facility-2 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United Space Alliance technicians close space shuttle Atlantis’ aft doors for the final time. The orbiter is undergoing final preparations for its transfer to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor complex targeted for November. The work is part of Transition and Retirement of the remaining shuttle. Atlantis is being prepared for public display at the visitor complex. Over the course of its 26-year career, Atlantis spent 293 days in space during 33 missions. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis KSC-2012-5615

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside Orbiter Processing Facility-2 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United Space Alliance technicians close space shuttle Atlantis’ aft doors for the final time. The orbite More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In Orbiter Processing Facility 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United Space Alliance technicians, lying on a work platform, remove window #8 from the top of the crew module of space shuttle Atlantis. Inspection and maintenance of the crew module windows is standard procedure between shuttle missions. Atlantis is next slated to deliver an Integrated Cargo Carrier and Russian-built Mini Research Module to the International Space Station on the STS-132 mission. The second in a series of new pressurized components for Russia, the module will be permanently attached to the Zarya module. Three spacewalks are planned to store spare components outside the station, including six spare batteries, a boom assembly for the Ku-band antenna and spares for the Canadian Dextre robotic arm extension. A radiator, airlock and European robotic arm for the Russian Multi-purpose Laboratory Module also are payloads on the flight. Launch is targeted for May 14. Photo credit: NASA/Glenn Benson KSC-2010-1082

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In Orbiter Processing Facility 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United Space Alliance technicians, lying on a work platform, remove window #8 from the top of the crew module o More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Atlantis' main engines and solid rocket boosters ignite on Launch Pad 39A leaving behind a billow of steam as it lifts off on its STS-135 mission to the International Space Station. Atlantis with its crew of four; Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley, Mission Specialists Sandy Magnus and Rex Walheim, lifted off at 11:29 a.m. EDT on July 8, 2011 to deliver the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module packed with supplies and spare parts for the International Space Station. Atlantis also will fly the Robotic Refueling Mission experiment that will investigate the potential for robotically refueling existing satellites in orbit. In addition, Atlantis will return with a failed ammonia pump module to help NASA better understand the failure mechanism and improve pump designs for future systems. STS-135 is the 33rd flight of Atlantis, the 37th shuttle mission to the space station, and the 135th and final mission of NASA's Space Shuttle Program. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts135/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Tony Gray and Kevin O'Connell KSC-2011-5422

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Atlantis' main engines and solid rocket boosters ignite on Launch Pad 39A leaving behind a billow of steam as it lifts off on its More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the external tank for space shuttle Atlantis is lowered toward the solid rocket boosters (the nose cone of one of the boosters is seen here) for mating. The tank and boosters will be secured on the mobile launcher platform below. Atlantis' STS-125 mission is the fifth and final shuttle servicing mission to NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. Launch is targeted for Oct. 8. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-08pd2265

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the external tank for space shuttle Atlantis is lowered toward the solid rocket boosters (the nose cone of one of the boos More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building transfer aisle at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the overhead crane lifts space shuttle Atlantis from its transporter. Atlantis will be raised to vertical for transfer to high bay 3. There it will be stacked with its external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39A to prepare for launch on the STS-125 mission targeted for 1:34 a.m. EDT Oct. 8. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis KSC-08pd2487

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building transfer aisle at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the overhead crane lifts space shuttle Atlantis from its transporter. Atlantis will be raised to vertical More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- After greeting the media on the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the STS-122 crew stands in front of space shuttle Atlantis for a final group photo. From left are Mission Specialists Leland Melvin, Hans Schlegel, Rex Walheim and Stanley Love, Pilot Alan Poindexter and Commander Steve Frick. Schlegel represents the European Space Agency. After a round trip of nearly 5.3 million miles, space shuttle Atlantis and crew returned to Earth with a landing at 9:07 a.m. EST. The shuttle landed on orbit 202 to complete the 13-day STS-122 mission. Main gear touchdown was 9:07:10 a.m. Nose gear touchdown was 9:07:20 a.m. Wheel stop was at 9:08:08 a.m. Mission elapsed time was 12 days, 18 hours, 21 minutes and 44 seconds. During the mission, Atlantis' crew installed the new Columbus laboratory, leaving a larger space station and one with increased science capabilities. The Columbus Research Module adds nearly 1,000 cubic feet of habitable volume and affords room for 10 experiment racks, each an independent science lab. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-08pd0407

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- After greeting the media on the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the STS-122 crew stands in front of space shuttle Atlantis for a final group photo. From More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Tugboats tow the Pegasus barge, with its cargo of external tank No. 125, on the Banana River. Seen in the background are the Atlas V (left) and Titan IV launch complexes. After it is offloaded, the tank will be moved to the Vehicle Assembly Building. The external tank will be used on space shuttle Atlantis for mission STS-122 targeted for launch on Dec. 6. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-07pd2456

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Tugboats tow the Pegasus barge, with its cargo of external tank No. 125, on the Banana River. Seen in the background are the Atlas V (left) and Titan IV launch complexes. Afte More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Orbiter Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, STS-115 crew members inspect equipment in Atlantis's payload bay. The crew is at KSC for Crew Equipment Interface Test activities, which involves equipment familiarization, a routine part of astronaut training and launch preparations. The STS-115 mission will deliver the second port truss segment, the P3/P4 truss, to the International Space Station. The crew will attach the P3 to the first port truss segment, the P1 truss, as well as deploy solar array set 2A and 4A. Launch on Space Shuttle Atlantis is scheduled for late August. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-06pd1205

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Orbiter Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, STS-115 crew members inspect equipment in Atlantis's payload bay. The crew is at KSC for Crew Equipment Interfa More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center, members of the STS-122 crew arrive for launch. From left are Mission Specialists Leopold Eyharts, Stanley Love, Hans Schlegel, Rex Walheim and Leland Melvin. They were greeted by Doug Lyons (left, yellow shirt), launch director for the mission, and Pete Nickolenko (right, green shirt), lead shuttle test director. Eyharts and Schlegel represent the European Space Agency. The crew's arrival signals the imminent launch of space shuttle Atlantis' STS-122 mission, at 2:45 p.m. Feb. 7. This will be the third launch attempt for the mission. Some of the tank's ECO sensors gave failed readings during propellant tanking for launch attempts on Dec. 6 and Dec. 9, subsequently scrubbing further attempts until the cause could be found and repairs made. Atlantis will carry the Columbus module, Europe's largest contribution to the construction of the International Space Station. It will support scientific and technological research in a microgravity environment. Columbus is a multifunctional, pressurized laboratory that will be permanently attached to the Harmony module of the space station to carry out experiments in materials science, fluid physics and biosciences, as well as to perform a number of technological applications. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-08pd0125

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center, members of the STS-122 crew arrive for launch. From left are Mission Specialists Leopold Eyharts, Stanley Love, Hans Schlegel, Rex Walheim and Lel More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-115 Mission Specialist Joseph Tanner adjusts his helmet. Tanner is making his fourth flight on a shuttle. He and other crew members are checking their launch suits and apparatus before the launch on Space Shuttle Atlantis on Aug. 27. Mission STS-115 is scheduled to lift off about 4:30 p.m. Aug. 27. The crew will deliver and install the P3/P4 segment to the port side of the integrated truss system on the International Space Station. The truss includes a new set of photovoltaic solar arrays. When unfurled to their full length of 240 feet, the arrays will provide additional power for the station in preparation for the delivery of international science modules over the next two years. The mission is expected to last 11 days and includes three scheduled spacewalks. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-06pd1933

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-115 Mission Specialist Joseph Tanner adjusts his helmet. Tanner is making his fourth flight on a shuttle. He and other crew members are checking their launch suits and apparat More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Orbiter Processing Facility, STS-115 Mission Specialist Joseph Tanner (foreground) examines tiles on the orbiter Atlantis, the designated launch vehicle for the mission. The crew is at the center for Crew Equipment Interface Test activities, which involves equipment familiarization, a routine part of astronaut training and launch preparations. The mission will deliver the second port truss segment, the P3/P4 Truss, to attach to the first port truss segment, the P1 Truss, as well as deploy solar array set 2A and 4A. Launch on Space Shuttle Atlantis is scheduled for late August. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-06pd1188

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Orbiter Processing Facility, STS-115 Mission Specialist Joseph Tanner (foreground) examines tiles on the orbiter Atlantis, the designated launch vehicle for the mission. More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The morning sky lightens behind Space Shuttle Atlantis while lights on the fixed service structure (FSS) still illuminate the orbiter on Launch Pad 39B. Atlantis was originally scheduled to launch at 12:29 p.m. EDT on this date, but a 24-hour scrub was called by mission managers due to a concern with Fuel Cell 1. Seen poised above the orange external tank is the vent hood (known as the "beanie cap") at the end of the gaseous oxygen vent arm. Vapors are created as the liquid oxygen in the external tank boil off. The hood vents the gaseous oxygen vapors away from the space shuttle vehicle. Extending from the FSS to Atlantis is the orbiter access arm with the White Room at the end. The White Room provides entry into the orbiter through the hatch. During the STS-115 mission, Atlantis' astronauts will deliver and install the 17.5-ton, bus-sized P3/P4 integrated truss segment on the station. The girder-like truss includes a set of giant solar arrays, batteries and associated electronics and will provide one-fourth of the total power-generation capability for the completed station. This mission is the 116th space shuttle flight, the 27th flight for orbiter Atlantis, and the 19th U.S. flight to the International Space Station. STS-115 is scheduled to last 11 days with a planned landing at KSC. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-06pd2050

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The morning sky lightens behind Space Shuttle Atlantis while lights on the fixed service structure (FSS) still illuminate the orbiter on Launch Pad 39B. Atlantis was originally s More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Taken from the Vehicle Assembly Building roof at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, this image shows the Press Site complex with a myriad of vehicles, satellite trucks and trailers belonging to invited guests and media for the launch of space shuttle Atlantis. Atlantis began its final flight, the STS-135 mission, to the International Space Station at 11:29 a.m. EDT on July 8. STS-135 will deliver the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module packed with supplies and spare parts for the International Space Station. Atlantis also will fly the Robotic Refueling Mission experiment that will investigate the potential for robotically refueling existing satellites in orbit. In addition, Atlantis will return with a failed ammonia pump module to help NASA better understand the failure mechanism and improve pump designs for future systems. STS-135 will be the 33rd flight of Atlantis, the 37th shuttle mission to the space station, and the 135th and final mission of NASA's Space Shuttle Program. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts135/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Jeffrey Marino KSC-2011-5267

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Taken from the Vehicle Assembly Building roof at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, this image shows the Press Site complex with a myriad of vehicles, satellite trucks and trailers More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The rotating service structure (left) on Launch Pad 39B is rolled back to reveal Space Shuttle Atlantis. The RSS provides protected access to the orbiter for changeout and servicing of payloads at the pad and then is rolled away before liftoff. Atlantis is scheduled to launch Sept. 6 at 12:29 p.m. EDT on mission STS-115. During the mission, Atlantis' astronauts will deliver and install the 17.5-ton, bus-sized P3/P4 integrated truss segment on the station. The girder-like truss includes a set of giant solar arrays, batteries and associated electronics and will provide one-fourth of the total power-generation capability for the completed station. This mission is the 116th space shuttle flight, the 27th flight for orbiter Atlantis, and the 19th U.S. flight to the International Space Station. STS-115 is scheduled to last 11 days with a planned KSC landing at about 8:03 a.m. EDT on Sept. 17. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton KSC-06pd2039

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The rotating service structure (left) on Launch Pad 39B is rolled back to reveal Space Shuttle Atlantis. The RSS provides protected access to the orbiter for changeout and servi More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- STS-135 Commander Chris Ferguson and Pilot Doug Hurley perform touch-and-go landings aboard a Shuttle Training Aircraft (STA) at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. An STA is a Gulfstream II jet that is modified to mimic the shuttle's handling during the final phase of landing. Ferguson and Hurley practice landings as part of standard procedure before space shuttle Atlantis' launch to the International Space Station. Atlantis and its crew are scheduled to lift off at 11:26 a.m. EDT on July 8 to deliver the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module packed with supplies and spare parts to the station. The STS-135 mission also will fly a system to investigate the potential for robotically refueling existing satellites and return a failed ammonia pump module to help NASA better understand the failure mechanism and improve pump designs for future systems. STS-135 will be the 33rd flight of Atlantis, the 37th shuttle mission to the space station, and the 135th and final mission of NASA's Space Shuttle Program. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts135/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston KSC-2011-5036

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- STS-135 Commander Chris Ferguson and Pilot Doug Hurley perform touch-and-go landings aboard a Shuttle Training Aircraft (STA) at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Cent More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-101 Mission Specialist Susan J. Helms adjusts her helmet after climbing into her seat inside Space Shuttle Atlantis for a simulated launch countdown. The countdown is part of Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) activities that also include emergency egress training and familiarization with the payload. Other crew members taking part are Commander James D. Halsell Jr., Pilot Scott J. "Doc" Horowitz and Mission Specialists Mary Ellen Weber, James Voss, Jeffrey N. Williams, and Yury Usachev of Russia. During their mission to the International Space Station, the STS-101 crew will be delivering logistics and supplies, plus preparing the Station for the arrival of the Zvezda Service Module, expected to be launched by Russia in July 2000. Also, the crew will conduct one space walk to perform maintenance on the Space Station. This will be the third assembly flight for the Space Station. STS-101 is scheduled to launch April 24 at 4:15 p.m. from Launch Pad 39A KSC00pp0473

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-101 Mission Specialist Susan J. Helms adjusts her helmet after climbing into her seat inside Space Shuttle Atlantis for a simulated launch countdown. The countdown is part of T More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Atlantis passes the turn basin as it slowly wends its way toward Launch Pad 39A. First motion out of the Vehicle Assembly Building was at 8:19 a.m. The 3.4-mile trip to the pad along the crawlerway will take about 6 hours. The mission payload aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis is the S3/S4 integrated truss structure, along with a third set of solar arrays and batteries. The crew of six astronauts will install the truss to continue assembly of the International Space Station. Launch is targeted for March 15. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley KSC-07pd0390

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Atlantis passes the turn basin as it slowly wends its way toward Launch Pad 39A. First motion out of the Vehicle Assembly Building was at 8:19 a.m. The 3.4-mile tri More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The space shuttle Atlantis is towed from the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Atlantis is switching places with Endeavour which had been in Bay 2 of the Orbiter Processing Facility OPF. In the OPF, Atlantis will undergo final preparations for its transfer to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex targeted for November. The work is part of Transition and Retirement of the remaining space shuttles, Atlantis and Endeavour. Atlantis is being prepared for public display at Kennedy's Visitor Complex. Over the course of its 26-year career, Atlantis spent 293 days in space during 33 missions. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-4521

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The space shuttle Atlantis is towed from the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Atlantis is switching places with Endeavour which had been in Bay 2 of th More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the external fuel tank for space shuttle Atlantis' STS-125 mission is moved out of the checkout cell. The tank will be lowered into high bay 3 onto the mobile launcher platform and attached to the solid rocket boosters already installed. Atlantis' STS-125 mission is the fifth and final shuttle servicing mission to NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. Launch is targeted for May 12. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2009-1166

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the external fuel tank for space shuttle Atlantis' STS-125 mission is moved out of the checkout cell. The tan More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida, officials pose at the site where a Shuttle Program time capsule has been secured vault within the walls of the Space Shuttle Atlantis home at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. From the left are: Pete Nickolenko, deputy director of NASA Ground Processing at Kennedy, Patty Stratton of Abacus Technology, currently program manager for the Information Management Communications Support Contract. During the Shuttle Program she was deputy director of Ground Operations for NASA's Space Program Operations Contractor, United Space Alliance, Rita Wilcoxon, NASA's now retired director of Shuttle Processing, Bob Cabana, director of the Kennedy Space Center and George Jacobs, deputy director of Center Operations, who was manager of the agency's Shuttle Transition and Retirement Project Office. The time capsule, containing artifacts and other memorabilia associated with the history of the program is designated to be opened on the 50th anniversary of the shuttle's final landing, STS-135. The new $100 million "Space Shuttle Atlantis" facility includes interactive exhibits that tell the story of the 30-year Space Shuttle Program and highlight the future of space exploration. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2013-3517

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida, officials pose at the site where a Shuttle Program time capsule has been secured vault within the walls of the Space Shuttle Atlan More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A second shipping container of major flight hardware for space shuttle Atlantis' STS-125 mission to NASA's Hubble Space Telescope arrives at the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center to begin preparations for its targeted October launch. The container holds the Super Lightweight Interchangeable Carrier, or SLIC, and the Orbital Replacement Unit Carrier, or ORUC. The payload carriers will be prepared for the integration of telescope science instruments, both internal and external replacement components, as well as the flight support equipment to be used by the astronauts during the servicing mission. The three payload carriers or pallets are the Flight Support System, the SLIC and the ORUC. At the end of July, a fourth and final carrier, the Multi-Use Lightweight Equipment carrier will join the others in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility where the Hubble payload is being prepared for launch. Photo credit: NASA/Amanda Diller KSC-08pd2021

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A second shipping container of major flight hardware for space shuttle Atlantis' STS-125 mission to NASA's Hubble Space Telescope arrives at the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, members of space shuttle Atlantis' STS-129 crew talk to the media. From left are Commander Charles O. Hobaugh; Mission Specialists Mike Foreman and Leland Melvin; Pilot Barry E. Wilmore, at microphone; and Mission Specialists Robert L. Satcher Jr. and Randy Bresnik. The crew members of space shuttle Atlantis' STS-129 mission are at Kennedy for training related to their launch dress rehearsal, the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test. Launch of Atlantis on its STS-129 mission to the International Space Station is targeted for Nov. 16. For information on the STS-129 mission objectives and crew, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts129/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2009-5578

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, members of space shuttle Atlantis' STS-129 crew talk to the media. From left are Commander Charles O. Hobaugh; Mission Special More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- After a nearly 5.3 million mile round trip to the International Space Station, space shuttle Atlantis slows down with the aid of a drag chute after landing on Runway 15 of the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The shuttle landed on orbit 202 to complete the 13-day STS-122 mission. Main gear touchdown was 9:07:10 a.m. Nose gear touchdown was 9:07:20 a.m. Wheel stop was at 9:08:08 a.m. Mission elapsed time was 12 days, 18 hours, 21 minutes and 44 seconds. During the mission, Atlantis' crew installed the new Columbus laboratory, leaving a larger space station and one with increased science capabilities. The Columbus Research Module adds nearly 1,000 cubic feet of habitable volume and affords room for 10 experiment racks, each an independent science lab. Photo credit: NASA/Kenny Allen, Robert Murray KSC-08pp0440

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- After a nearly 5.3 million mile round trip to the International Space Station, space shuttle Atlantis slows down with the aid of a drag chute after landing on Runway 15 of the Shut More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- On a cloudy and overcast day on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, workers monitor the progress of the rotating service structure (RSS) as it rolls away from space shuttle Atlantis. The RSS provides weather protection and access to the shuttle while it awaits liftoff. RSS "rollback" marks a major milestone in Atlantis' STS-135 mission countdown. Atlantis and its crew of four; Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley and Mission Specialists Sandy Magnus and Rex Walheim, are scheduled to lift off at 11:26 a.m. EDT on July 8 to deliver the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module packed with supplies and spare parts to the International Space Station. Atlantis also will fly the Robotic Refueling Mission experiment that will investigate the potential for robotically refueling existing satellites in orbit. In addition, Atlantis will return with a failed ammonia pump module to help NASA better understand the failure mechanism and improve pump designs for future systems. STS-135 will be the 33rd flight of Atlantis, the 37th shuttle mission to the space station, and the 135th and final mission of NASA's Space Shuttle Program. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts135/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2011-5131

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- On a cloudy and overcast day on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, workers monitor the progress of the rotating service structure (RSS) as it rolls away from space More

Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan -- Cosmonaut Yuri I. Malenchenko (foreground), Expedition Seven commander, and astronaut Edward T. Lu, NASA ISS science officer and flight engineer for Expedition Seven, walk down the Soyuz stand after the Soyuz inspection, seat liner checkMalenchenko and Lu were named as the primary crew, Expedition 7, for the launch to the International Space Station. Russian cosmonaut Alexander Kaleri and NASA astronaut Michael Foale are the backup crewmembers to Malenchenko and Lu. Expedition 6 Commander Ken Bowersox, Flight Engineer Nikolai Budarin and NASA Space Station Science Officer Don Pettit will return to Earth aboard the Soyuz TMA-1 craft in May 2003. The three Expedition 6 crewmembers were launched on Nov. 23, 2002. They have been aboard the Station since November 25. They were originally scheduled to return in March aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis during the STS-114 mission. Malenchenko and Lu will continue to operate the science payloads already on board, as well as maintaining the Station. Photo Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls KSC-03pd1269

Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan -- Cosmonaut Yuri I. Malenchenko (foreground), Expedition Seven commander, and astronaut Edward T. Lu, NASA ISS science officer and flight engineer for Expedition Seven, walk do More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- STS-135 Commander Chris Ferguson, left, and Pilot Doug Hurley head out on the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida to practice touch-and-go landings aboard two Shuttle Training Aircraft. The flight crew of four arrived aboard T-38 training jets to watch two historic milestones of NASA's Space Shuttle Program -- the final landing of shuttle Endeavour, which will bookend its STS-134 mission to the International Space Station, and the final rollout of their vehicle, space shuttle Atlantis, to Launch Pad 39A. STS-135 will be the 33rd flight of Atlantis, the 37th shuttle mission to the space station, and the 135th and final mission of the shuttle program. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts135/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-4076

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- STS-135 Commander Chris Ferguson, left, and Pilot Doug Hurley head out on the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida to practice touch-and-go landings aboard More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –– On Launch Pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Endeavour has joined space shuttle Atlantis on Launch Pad 39A. In the background is the Atlantic Ocean. This is probably the final time two shuttles will be on launch pads at the same time with the space shuttle fleet set for retirement in 2010. Endeavour will be prepared on the pad for liftoff in the unlikely event that a rescue mission is necessary following space shuttle Atlantis' launch on the STS-125 mission to service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. After Atlantis is cleared to land, Endeavour will move to Launch Pad 39A for its upcoming STS-127 mission to the International Space Station, targeted to launch June 13. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis KSC-2009-2769

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –– On Launch Pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Endeavour has joined space shuttle Atlantis on Launch Pad 39A. In the background is the Atlantic Ocean. This is More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana, left, and NASA Administrator Charles Bolden speak to guests at Space Florida's Exploration Park where the space shuttle Atlantis pauses during its 10-mile journey to the Kennedy Visitor Complex. As part of transition and retirement of the Space Shuttle Program, Atlantis is to be displayed at Kennedy's Visitor Complex beginning in the summer of 2013. Over the course of its 26-year career, Atlantis traveled 125,935,769 miles during 307 days in space over 33 missions. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition Photo credit: NASA/ Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6069

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana, left, and NASA Administrator Charles Bolden speak to guests at Space Florida's Exploration Park where the space shuttle Atlantis pauses during it More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Launch Pad 39A area, Mission STS-117 crew members receive instruction on emergency egress using the slidewire basket system during Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities. Here, Mission Specialists Steven Swanson (left) and Danny Olivas (right) practice exiting from the slidewire basket. The TCDT also includes M-113 armored personnel carrier training, and a simulated launch countdown. The mission payload aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis is the S3/S4 integrated truss structure, along with a third set of solar arrays and batteries. The crew of six astronauts will install the truss to continue assembly of the International Space Station. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-07pd0494

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Launch Pad 39A area, Mission STS-117 crew members receive instruction on emergency egress using the slidewire basket system during Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test act More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the rotating service structure has been retracted from space shuttle Atlantis as the countdown progresses toward launch on Nov. 16 at 2:28 p.m. EST of the STS-129 mission. The movable structure, which provides weather protection and access for technicians to work on the shuttle, began being retracted at 5:20 p.m. EST and was in the park position by 5:56 p.m. STS-129 crew members are Commander Charles O. Hobaugh; Pilot Barry E. Wilmore; and Mission Specialists Leland Melvin, Randy Bresnik, Mike Foreman and Robert L. Satcher Jr. On the STS-129 mission to the International Space Station, the crew will deliver two spare gyroscopes, two nitrogen tank assemblies, two pump modules, an ammonia tank assembly and a spare latching end effector for the station's robotic arm. Atlantis will return to Earth a station crew member, Nicole Stott, who has spent more than two months aboard the orbiting laboratory. STS-129 is slated to be the final space shuttle Expedition crew rotation flight. For information on the STS-129 mission and crew, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts129/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-6299

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the rotating service structure has been retracted from space shuttle Atlantis as the countdown progresses toward launch on Nov More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Atlantis is transported along Kennedy Parkway at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on its 10-mile journey to the Kennedy Visitor Complex where it will be put on public display. As part of transition and retirement of the Space Shuttle Program, Atlantis is to be displayed at Kennedy's Visitor Complex beginning in the summer of 2013. Over the course of its 26-year career, Atlantis traveled 125,935,769 miles during 307 days in space over 33 missions. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition Photo credit: NASA/ Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-6012

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Atlantis is transported along Kennedy Parkway at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on its 10-mile journey to the Kennedy Visitor Complex where it will be put on public More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The solid rocket booster retrieval ship Freedom Star is temporarily docked at Port Canaveral while the booster it was towing is moved alongside for the remainder of the trip upriver to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Freedom Star retrieved the booster after the launch of space shuttle Atlantis' STS-122 mission. The space shuttle's solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. The splashdown area is a square of about 6 by 9 nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. The retrieval ships are stationed approximately 8 to 10 nautical miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate to a speed of 15 knots and quickly close on the boosters. The pilot chutes and main parachutes are the first items to be brought on board. With the chutes and frustum recovered, attention turns to the boosters. The ship's tow line is connected and the booster is returned to the Port and, after transfer to a position alongside the ship, to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. There, the expended boosters are disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-08pd0262

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The solid rocket booster retrieval ship Freedom Star is temporarily docked at Port Canaveral while the booster it was towing is moved alongside for the remainder of the trip uprive More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The STS-117 crew members arrive at the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility aboard T-38 jet aircraft to prepare for launch on Space Shuttle Atlantis on June 8. Mission Specialist Steven Swanson is greeted by Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach. Behind Swanson, at left, is Commander Frederick Sturckow; Mission Specialist Patrick Forrester is at center; Janet Petro, deputy director of Kennedy, is at right. During the 11-day mission and three spacewalks, the crew will work with flight controllers at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston to install a 17-ton segment on the station's girder-like truss and deploy a set of solar arrays, S3/S4. The mission will increase the space station's power capability in preparation for the arrival of new science modules from the European and Japanese space agencies. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-07pd1348

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The STS-117 crew members arrive at the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility aboard T-38 jet aircraft to prepare for launch on Space Shuttle Atlantis on June 8. Mission Specialist Steven S More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility, the Joint Airlock Module, the gateway from which crew members aboard the International Space Station (ISS) will enter and exit the 470-ton orbiting research facility, is settled onto a flatbed trailer for transport to the Operations and Checkout Building in the KSC industrial area. There it will undergo vacuum chamber testing. It will then be moved to the Space Station Processing Facility (SSPF) for further prelaunch preparation and checkout. The massive, spindle-shaped airlock is 20 feet long, has a diameter of 13 feet at its widest point, and weighs six and a half tons. It was manufactured at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center by the Huntsville division of The Boeing Company. The Space Shuttle Atlantis will carry the airlock to orbit on mission STS-104, the tenth International Space Station flight, currently targeted for liftoff in May 2001 KSC00pp1348

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility, the Joint Airlock Module, the gateway from which crew members aboard the International Space Station (ISS) will enter and exit the 470-ton orb More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – This Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, or SCA, a modified Boeing 747, is fitted with struts on top that will attach to space shuttle Atlantis for a piggyback flight. Atlantis landed at Edwards on May 24, which concluded mission STS-125, after two landing opportunities at Kennedy were waved off due to weather concerns. Atlantis is being returned to Florida on a ferry flight on the SCA. Atlantis' next assignment is the STS-129 mission, targeted to launch in November 2009. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky KSC-2009-3448

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – This Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, or SCA, a modified Boeing 747, is fitted with struts on top that will attach to space shuttle Atlantis for a piggyback flight. Atlantis landed at Edwards o More

STS-115 MS MacLean holds Yeast GAP in the FWD MDDK of the Space Shuttle Atlantis during Joint Operations

S115-E-07274 (9-21 Sept. 2006) --- Astronaut Heidemarie M. Stefanyshyn-Piper, STS-115 mission specialist, works with the Yeast-Group Activation Packs (Yeast-GAP) on the middeck of Space Shuttle Atlantis. Yeast- More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Looking along the underbelly toward the main landing gear of the space shuttle Atlantis, technicians monitor weight and center-of-gravity checks in Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of the shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18, 2012, for Atlantis' future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex during November in preparation for the exhibit's grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-3555

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Looking along the underbelly toward the main landing gear of the space shuttle Atlantis, technicians monitor weight and center-of-gravity checks in Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1 at NA More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a battery charge-discharge unit is lifted by crane high above the hardware on the bay's floor. The unit is being moved toward an EXPRESS Logistics Carrier where it will be installed for flight. The carrier is part of the STS-129 payload on space shuttle Atlantis, which will deliver to the International Space Station two spare gyroscopes, two nitrogen tank assemblies, two pump modules, an ammonia tank assembly and a spare latching end effector for the station's robotic arm. STS-129 is targeted to launch Nov. 12. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2009-4680

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a battery charge-discharge unit is lifted by crane high above the hardware on the bay's floor. The unit More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, a technician gets ready to place the cover over the engine cutoff, or ECO, sensor system connector and wiring on space shuttle Atlantis' external tank. The feed-through connector passes the wires from the inside of the tank to the outside. Results of a tanking test on Dec. 18 pointed to an open circuit in the feed-through connector wiring, which is located at the base of the tank. The pins in the replacement connector were precisely soldered to create a connection that allows sensors inside the tank to send signals to the computers onboard Atlantis. The launch date for the shuttle's STS-122 mission has now been targeted for Feb. 7. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-08pd0071

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, a technician gets ready to place the cover over the engine cutoff, or ECO, sensor system connector and wiring on space shuttle A More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians sitting on the Hyster forklift monitor the progress as they guide replica shuttle main engine RSME number 1 toward space shuttle Atlantis. Three RSMEs will be installed on Atlantis. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of the space shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis’ future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit’s grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-3458

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians sitting on the Hyster forklift monitor the progress as they guide replica shuttle main engine RSME More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Standing under space shuttle Atlantis at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-129 NASA Test Director Steve Payne, left, discusses the newly completed mission with STS-129 Mission Specialist Mike Foreman, center, and NASA pilot Dick Clark. Atlantis touched down on Runway 33, completing the 4.5-million-mile STS-129 mission on orbit 171. Main gear touchdown was at 9:44:23 a.m. EST. Nose gear touchdown was at 9:44:36 a.m., and wheels stop was at 9:45:05 a.m. On STS-129, the six-member crew delivered 14 tons of cargo to the orbiting laboratory, including two ExPRESS Logistics Carriers containing spare parts to sustain station operations after the shuttles are retired next year. For information on the STS-129 mission and crew, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts129/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2009-6620

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Standing under space shuttle Atlantis at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-129 NASA Test Director Steve Payne, left, discusses the newly complete More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - With nearly 7 million pounds of thrust generated with the aid of twin solid rocket boosters, space shuttle Atlantis roars into the blue skies over Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Liftoff on its STS-129 mission came at 2:28 p.m. EST Nov. 16. Aboard are crew members Commander Charles O. Hobaugh; Pilot Barry E. Wilmore; and Mission Specialists Leland Melvin, Randy Bresnik, Mike Foreman and Robert L. Satcher Jr. On STS-129, the crew will deliver two ExPRESS Logistics Carriers to the International Space Station, the largest of the shuttle's cargo carriers, containing 15 spare pieces of equipment including two gyroscopes, two nitrogen tank assemblies, two pump modules, an ammonia tank assembly and a spare latching end effector for the station's robotic arm. Atlantis will return to Earth a station crew member, Nicole Stott, who has spent more than two months aboard the orbiting laboratory. STS-129 is slated to be the final space shuttle Expedition crew rotation flight. For information on the STS-129 mission and crew, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts129/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Rusty Backer and Tom Farrar KSC-2009-6387

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - With nearly 7 million pounds of thrust generated with the aid of twin solid rocket boosters, space shuttle Atlantis roars into the blue skies over Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space C More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United Space Alliance technicians monitor the progress as a large crane lifts the right orbital maneuvering system, or OMS, pod for installation on space shuttle Atlantis. It is the last time an OMS pod will be installed on Atlantis. The OMS provided the shuttle with thrust for orbit insertion, rendezvous and deorbit, and could provide up to 1,000 pounds of propellant to the aft reaction control system. The OMS is housed in two independent pods located on each side of the shuttle’s aft fuselage. Each pod contains one OMS engine and the hardware needed to pressurize, store and distribute the propellants to perform the velocity maneuvers. Atlantis’ OMS pods were removed and sent to the test facility at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico to be cleaned of residual toxic propellant. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of the space shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis’ future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit’s grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis KSC-2012-3406

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United Space Alliance technicians monitor the progress as a large crane lifts the right orbital maneuverin More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- As it rolls back to the Vehicle Assembly Building, Space Shuttle Atlantis, atop the mobile launcher platform, is framed in the photo by winter-stripped branches topped by spring blossoms. In the VAB, the shuttle will be examined for hail damage. A severe thunderstorm with golf ball-sized hail caused divots in the giant tank's foam insulation and minor surface damage to about 26 heat shield tiles on the shuttle's left wing. Further evaluation of the tank is necessary to get an accurate accounting of foam damage and determine the type of repair required and the time needed for that work. A new target launch date has not been determined, but teams will focus on preparing Atlantis for liftoff in late April. Photo credit: NASA/Amanda Diller KSC-07pd0562

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- As it rolls back to the Vehicle Assembly Building, Space Shuttle Atlantis, atop the mobile launcher platform, is framed in the photo by winter-stripped branches topped by spring More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Firing Room at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Steven Hoyle, left, and Russ Brucker, center, receive a VIP award for their efforts associated with the STS-125 mission and NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. Hoyle is the payload test operations manager with NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center; Brucker is the Atlantis payload project manager with United Space Alliance. A crew of seven launched today on space shuttle Atlantis to service Hubble. Liftoff was on time at 2:01 p.m. EDT. Atlantis' 11-day flight will include five spacewalks to refurbish and upgrade the telescope with state-of-the-art science instruments that will expand Hubble's capabilities and extend its operational lifespan through at least 2014. The payload includes a Wide Field Camera 3, fine guidance sensor and the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2009-3074

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Firing Room at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Steven Hoyle, left, and Russ Brucker, center, receive a VIP award for their efforts associated with the STS-125 mission and N More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians oversee the lifting of the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph, or COS, from a stand. The COS will be moved to and placed on the Orbital Replacement Unit Carrier that will be installed in space shuttle Atlantis' payload bay. The COS is part of the payload for the Hubble servicing mission, STS-125, targeted to launch in mid-May. Installing the COS during the mission will effectively restore spectroscopy to Hubble’s scientific arsenal, and at the same time provide the telescope with unique capabilities. COS is designed to study the large-scale structure of the universe and how galaxies, stars and planets formed and evolved. It will help determine how elements needed for life such as carbon and iron first formed and how their abundances have increased over the lifetime of the universe. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2009-2162

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians oversee the lifting of the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph, or COS, from a stand. The COS w More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility, overhead cranes move the U.S. Lab Destiny from its test and integration stand to the Launch Package Integration Stand (LPIS) for a weight and center of gravity determination. Destiny is the payload aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-98 to the International Space Station. The lab is fitted with five system racks and will already have experiments installed inside for the flight. The launch is scheduled for January 2001 KSC00pp1933

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility, overhead cranes move the U.S. Lab Destiny from its test and integration stand to the Launch Package Integration Stand (LPIS) for a weight More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, external fuel tank, ET-138, for space shuttle Atlantis' STS-135 mission, is lowered into high bay-1 for joining with the twin solid rocket boosters on the mobile launcher platform. Shuttle Atlantis' move, or "rollover," from Orbiter Processing Facility-1 to the VAB is targeted for May 10. Once there it will be mated with the external tank and boosters. Atlantis and its crew of four will deliver the Raffaello multipurpose logistics module packed with supplies and spare parts to the International Space Station. STS-135 is targeted to launch June 28, and will be the last spaceflight for the Space Shuttle Program. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2011-3041

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, external fuel tank, ET-138, for space shuttle Atlantis' STS-135 mission, is lowered into high bay-1 for j More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –– Space shuttle Atlantis on Launch Pad 39A is viewed across the lagoon at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Atlantis is targeted to launch May 12 on the STS-125 mission to upgrade NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. Endeavour will be prepared on the pad for liftoff in the unlikely event that a rescue mission is necessary following space shuttle Atlantis' launch May 12 on the STS-125 mission to upgrade NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. After Atlantis is cleared to land, Endeavour will move to Launch Pad 39A for its upcoming STS-127 mission to the International Space Station, targeted to launch June 13. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2009-2753

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –– Space shuttle Atlantis on Launch Pad 39A is viewed across the lagoon at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Atlantis is targeted to launch May 12 on the STS-125 mission to upgrade N More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - During suit check, STS-115 Mission Specialist Steven MacLean signals confidence about the launch on Space Shuttle Atlantis on Aug. 27. MacLean, who represents the Canadian Space Agency, will be making his second flight on a shuttle. Mission STS-115 is scheduled to lift off about 4:30 p.m. Aug. 27. The crew will deliver and install the P3/P4 segment to the port side of the integrated truss system on the International Space Station. The truss includes a new set of photovoltaic solar arrays. When unfurled to their full length of 240 feet, the arrays will provide additional power for the station in preparation for the delivery of international science modules over the next two years. The mission is expected to last 11 days and includes three scheduled spacewalks. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-06pd1924

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - During suit check, STS-115 Mission Specialist Steven MacLean signals confidence about the launch on Space Shuttle Atlantis on Aug. 27. MacLean, who represents the Canadian Space A More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Inside Orbiter Processing Facility-2 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians remove the top emergency escape window from space shuttle Atlantis. The window is being removed in order to gain access to remove hazardous pyrotechnics from the shuttle. The window will be shipped to Johnson Space Center in Houston for inspections and a replacement outer pane will be installed in its place. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of shuttle Atlantis. The shuttle is being prepared for display at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-1003

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Inside Orbiter Processing Facility-2 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians remove the top emergency escape window from space shuttle Atlantis. The window is being re More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA's Pegasus barge moves through the bridge at Port Canaveral, Fla. The barge contains the external fuel tank designated ET-133 that will be used for space shuttle Atlantis' STS-129 mission. The barge is delivering the external tank to the Turn Basin dock at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida where it will be offloaded and moved into the Vehicle Assembly Building. The tank was shipped aboard the Pegasus from NASA's Michould Assembly Facility near New Orleans. Pegasus was towed to Port Canaveral by the Freedom Star Retrieval Ship. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-4388

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA's Pegasus barge moves through the bridge at Port Canaveral, Fla. The barge contains the external fuel tank designated ET-133 that will be used for space shuttle Atlantis' STS-129 mi More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Fireworks celebrate the arrival of the space shuttle Atlantis at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex following a 10-mile journey. As part of transition and retirement of the Space Shuttle Program, Atlantis is to be displayed at Kennedy's visitor complex beginning in the summer of 2013. Over the course of its 26-year career, Atlantis traveled 125,935,769 miles during 307 days in space over 33 missions. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-6114

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Fireworks celebrate the arrival of the space shuttle Atlantis at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex following a 10-mile journey. As part of transition and retirement of the Space More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Vehicle Assembly Building, United Space Alliance technicians Brenda Morris and Brian Williams are applying foam and molds on Space Shuttle Atlantis' external tank to areas damaged by hail. The white hole with a red circle around it (upper right) is a hole prepared for molding and material application. The red material is sealant tape so the mold doesn't leak when the foam rises against the mold. The white/translucent square mold is an area where the foam has been applied and the foam has risen and cured against the mold surface. In late February, Atlantis' external tank received hail damage during a severe thunderstorm that passed through the Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39 area. The hail caused visible divots in the giant tank's foam insulation as well as minor surface damage to about 26 heat shield tiles on the shuttle's left wing. The March launch was postponed and has not yet been rescheduled due to the repair process. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton KSC-07pd0849

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Vehicle Assembly Building, United Space Alliance technicians Brenda Morris and Brian Williams are applying foam and molds on Space Shuttle Atlantis' external tank to areas More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United Launch Alliance technicians provide assistance as a large crane is lowered toward the right orbital maneuvering system, or OMS, pod for space shuttle Atlantis. It will be the last time an OMS pod is installed on Atlantis. The OMS provided the shuttle with thrust for orbit insertion, rendezvous and deorbit, and could provide up to 1,000 pounds of propellant to the aft reaction control system. The OMS is housed in two independent pods located on each side of the shuttle’s aft fuselage. Each pod contains one OMS engine and the hardware needed to pressurize, store and distribute the propellants to perform the velocity maneuvers. Atlantis’ OMS pods were removed and sent to the test facility at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico to be cleaned of residual toxic propellant. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of the space shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis’ future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit’s grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis KSC-2012-3400

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United Launch Alliance technicians provide assistance as a large crane is lowered toward the right orbital More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In Orbiter Processing Facility 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, preparations are under way to install the chin panel on space shuttle Atlantis. The chin panel is a semicircular-shaped section of reinforced carbon-carbon that fits under the shuttle's nose cap and is part of its thermal protection system. Atlantis is next slated to deliver an Integrated Cargo Carrier and Russian-built Mini Research Module to the International Space Station on the STS-132 mission. The second in a series of new pressurized components for Russia, the module will be permanently attached to the Zarya module. Three spacewalks are planned to store spare components outside the station, including six spare batteries, a boom assembly for the Ku-band antenna and spares for the Canadian Dextre robotic arm extension. A radiator, airlock and European robotic arm for the Russian Multi-purpose Laboratory Module also are payloads on the flight. Launch is targeted for May 14, 2010. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2010-1243

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In Orbiter Processing Facility 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, preparations are under way to install the chin panel on space shuttle Atlantis. The chin panel is a semicirc More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Firing Room 4 of the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, launch team members monitor the countdown to the launch of space shuttle Atlantis on its STS-135 mission to the International Space Station. Seen here is NASA Test Director Steve Payne. Atlantis with its crew of four; Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley, Mission Specialists Sandy Magnus and Rex Walheim, lifted off at 11:29 a.m. EDT on July 8, 2011 to deliver the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module packed with supplies and spare parts for the station. Atlantis also will fly the Robotic Refueling Mission experiment that will investigate the potential for robotically refueling existing satellites in orbit. In addition, Atlantis will return with a failed ammonia pump module to help NASA better understand the failure mechanism and improve pump designs for future systems. STS-135 will be the 33rd flight of Atlantis, the 37th shuttle mission to the space station, and the 135th and final mission of NASA's Space Shuttle Program. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts135/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-5292

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Firing Room 4 of the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, launch team members monitor the countdown to the launch of space shuttle Atlantis on its STS-135 More

The STS-106 rush from the Operations and Checkout Building and wave to onlookers on their way to Launch Pad 39B. In rows (front to back) are Commander Terrence W. Wilcutt (left), Pilot Scott D. Altman (right); Mission Specialists Edward T. Lu (left), Yuri I. Malenchenko (right); Richard A. Mastracchio (left), Boris V. Morukov (right); and Daniel C. Burbank (left). Liftoff of Space Shuttle Atlantis is set for 8:45 a.m. EDT on the fourth flight to the International Space Station. On the 11-day mission, the seven-member crew will perform support tasks on orbit, transfer supplies and prepare the living quarters in the newly arrived Zvezda Service Module. The first long-duration crew, dubbed “Expedition One,” is due to arrive at the Station in late fall KSC-00padig029

The STS-106 rush from the Operations and Checkout Building and wave to onlookers on their way to Launch Pad 39B. In rows (front to back) are Commander Terrence W. Wilcutt (left), Pilot Scott D. Altman (right); More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, external fuel tank 130 is in place in high bay 2 where it will undergo checkout before stacking with the solid rocket boosters and space shuttle Atlantis for the STS-125 mission. The fuel tank was previously designated for the STS-127 mission. The STS-125 Hubble servicing mission is targeted to launch May 12. Photo credit: NASA/Tim Jacobs KSC-08pd3923

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, external fuel tank 130 is in place in high bay 2 where it will undergo checkout before stacking with the soli More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Endeavour is ready for the rollover from Orbiter Processing Facility 2 to the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla. The first motion of the shuttle out of its hangar was at 6:56 a.m. EDT. In the VAB, Endeavour will be lifted into High Bay 1 and mated to the external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters already installed on the mobile launcher platform. Endeavour is scheduled to roll out to Launch Pad 39B in about a week. Endeavour will be prepared on the pad for liftoff in the unlikely event that a rescue mission is necessary following space shuttle Atlantis' launch on the STS-125 mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope. After Atlantis is cleared to land, Endeavour will move to Launch Pad 39A for its upcoming STS-127 mission to the International Space Station, targeted to launch in mid-June. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2009-2568

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Endeavour is ready for the rollover from Orbiter Processing Facility 2 to the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla. The first motion of the shuttle More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At SPACEHAB, in Cape Canaveral, looking over equipment for their mission are (far left) STS-101 Pilot Scott J. "Doc" Horowitz (Ph.D). and (second from right) Mission Specialist Edward Tsang Lu. Horowitz, Lu and other members of the crew are taking part in a Crew Equipment Interface Test, which gives them an opportunity to look over equipment and payloads that will fly on the mission. Space Shuttle Atlantis will be carrying the SPACEHAB Double Module, which carries internal logistics and resupply cargo for station outfitting. Launch of Atlantis on mission STS-101 is scheduled no earlier than April 13, 2000 KSC-00pp0029

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At SPACEHAB, in Cape Canaveral, looking over equipment for their mission are (far left) STS-101 Pilot Scott J. "Doc" Horowitz (Ph.D). and (second from right) Mission Specialist Edw More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - With nearly 7 million pounds of thrust generated by twin solid rocket boosters and three main engines, space shuttle Atlantis clears the tower on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Liftoff on its STS-129 mission came at 2:28 p.m. EST Nov. 16. Aboard are crew members Commander Charles O. Hobaugh; Pilot Barry E. Wilmore; and Mission Specialists Leland Melvin, Randy Bresnik, Mike Foreman and Robert L. Satcher Jr. On STS-129, the crew will deliver two ExPRESS Logistics Carriers to the International Space Station, the largest of the shuttle's cargo carriers, containing 15 spare pieces of equipment including two gyroscopes, two nitrogen tank assemblies, two pump modules, an ammonia tank assembly and a spare latching end effector for the station's robotic arm. Atlantis will return to Earth a station crew member, Nicole Stott, who has spent more than two months aboard the orbiting laboratory. STS-129 is slated to be the final space shuttle Expedition crew rotation flight. For information on the STS-129 mission and crew, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts129/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Tom Farrar and Tony Gray KSC-2009-6392

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - With nearly 7 million pounds of thrust generated by twin solid rocket boosters and three main engines, space shuttle Atlantis clears the tower on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Ce More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - After rollout from the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, space shuttle Endeavour is secure on the launch pad. Workers on the pad connect lines on the mobile launcher platform. Endeavour completed the 4.2-mile rollout at 6:59 a.m. EDT. For the first time since July 2001, two shuttles are on the launch pads at the same time at the center. Endeavour will stand by at pad B in the unlikely event that a rescue mission is necessary during space shuttle Atlantis' upcoming mission to repair NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, targeted to launch Oct. 10. After Endeavour is cleared from its duty as a rescue spacecraft, it will be moved to Launch Pad 39A for the STS-126 mission to the International Space Station. That flight is targeted for launch Nov. 12. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-08pd2699

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - After rollout from the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, space shuttle Endeavour is secure on the launch pad. Workers on the pad connect lines on the mobile launc More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the high bay of the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, a worker from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center documents the installation of a pallet support strut on the Super Lightweight Interchangeable Carrier for the Hubble Space Telescope. The Super Lightweight Interchangeable Carrier, or SLIC, is one of four carriers supporting hardware for space shuttle Atlantis' STS-125 mission to service the telescope. SLIC is built with state-of-the-art, lightweight, composite materials - carbon fiber with a cyanate ester resin and a titanium metal matrix composite. These composites have greater strength-to-mass ratios than the metals typically used in spacecraft design. The Orbital Replacement Unit Carrier, or ORUC, and the Flight Support System, or FSS, have also arrived at Kennedy. The Multi-Use Lightweight Equipment carrier will be delivered in early August. The carriers will be prepared for the integration of telescope science instruments, both internal and external replacement components, as well as the flight support equipment to be used by the astronauts during the Hubble servicing mission, targeted for launch Oct. 8. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-08pd2095

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the high bay of the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, a worker from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center documents the installation of a pallet suppor More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1, technicians work on the Forward Reaction Control System (FRCS) of space shuttle Atlantis as it sits in the transfer aisle prior to installation. The FRCS provides the thrust for attitude (rotational) maneuvers (pitch, yaw and roll) and for small velocity changes along the orbiter axis (translation maneuvers). Processing of Atlantis is under way for mission STS-115, the 19th flight to the International Space Station. KSC-05pd2545

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1, technicians work on the Forward Reaction Control System (FRCS) of space shuttle Atlantis as it sits in the transfer aisle prior to installati More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-112 Pilot Pamela Melroy takes a break from training at Pad 39B during Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities, which include a simulated launch countdown. Launch of STS-112 aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis is scheduled for Oct. 2, between 2 and 6 p.m. EDT. STS-112 is the 15th assembly mission to the International Space Station. Atlantis will be carrying the S1 Integrated Truss Structure, the first starboard truss segment, to be attached to the central truss segment, S0, and the Crew and Equipment Translation Aid (CETA) Cart A. The CETA is the first of two human-powered carts that will ride along the ISS railway, providing mobile work platforms for future spacewalking astronauts. KSC-02pd1345

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-112 Pilot Pamela Melroy takes a break from training at Pad 39B during Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities, which include a simulated launch countdown. Launch of S More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On Launch Pad 39A, a technician explains how test equipment -- the blue monitor -- will be used to validate the circuit on test wiring from the electrical harness in space shuttle Atlantis' aft main engine compartment connected with the engine cut-off system. The test wiring leads from the tail mast on the mobile launcher platform to the interior where the Time Domain Reflectometry, or TDR, test equipment will be located to test the sensor system. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-07pd3631

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On Launch Pad 39A, a technician explains how test equipment -- the blue monitor -- will be used to validate the circuit on test wiring from the electrical harness in space shuttl More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A canister, carrying the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module (MPLM) for space shuttle Atlantis' STS-135 mission to the International Space Station, arrives at Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The canister will be lifted to the payload changeout room. The payload ground-handling mechanism then will be used to transfer Raffaello out of the canister into Atlantis' payload bay. Next, the rotating service structure that protects the shuttle from the elements and provides access will be rotated back into place. Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley and Mission Specialists Sandra Magnus and Rex Walheim are targeted to lift off on Atlantis July 8, taking with them the MPLM packed with supplies, logistics and spare parts to the station. The STS-135 mission also will fly a system to investigate the potential for robotically refueling existing satellites and return a failed ammonia pump module to help NASA better understand the failure mechanism and improve pump designs for future systems. STS-135 will be the 33rd flight of Atlantis, the 37th shuttle mission to the space station, and the 135th and final mission of NASA's Space Shuttle Program. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts135/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis KSC-2011-4453

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A canister, carrying the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module (MPLM) for space shuttle Atlantis' STS-135 mission to the International Space Station, arrives at Launch Pad 39A at NASA More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-110 Mission Specialist Steven Smith is wished good luck by a member of the Closeout Crew before entering Space Shuttle Atlantis for launch. The White Room provides entry into the cockpit area of the orbiter. This is Smith's fourth Shuttle flight. STS-110 is carrying the S0 Integrated Truss Structure and Mobile Transporter (MT) on this 13th assembly flight to the International Space Station. On the 11-day mission, astronauts, including Smith, will make four spacewalks to attach the S0 truss, which will become the backbone of the Space Station, to the U.S. Lab, "Destiny." The MT, a space "railcar," is attached to the truss segment and will make its debut run during the flight. Launch is scheduled for 4:40 p.m. EDT (20:40 GMT) KSC-02pp0477

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-110 Mission Specialist Steven Smith is wished good luck by a member of the Closeout Crew before entering Space Shuttle Atlantis for launch. The White Room provides entry into t More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a strongback crane is lowered toward the EXPRESS Logistics Carrier to lift it to a stand. The carrier is part of the payload on space shuttle Atlantis, which will deliver to the International Space Station components including two spare gyroscopes, two nitrogen tank assemblies, two pump modules, an ammonia tank assembly and a spare latching end effector for the station's robotic arm. STS-129 is targeted to launch Nov. 12. Photo credit: NASA/Tim Jacobs KSC-2009-2247

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a strongback crane is lowered toward the EXPRESS Logistics Carrier to lift it to a stand. The carri More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a crane lifts the plasma contactor unit, or PCU, that will be installed on the Express Logistics Carrier, or ELC. The PCU is used to disperse electrical charge build-ups on the International Space Station. The carrier is part of the STS-129 payload on space shuttle Atlantis, which will deliver to the International Space Station two spare gyroscopes, two nitrogen tank assemblies, two pump modules, an ammonia tank assembly and a spare latching end effector for the station's robotic arm. STS-129 is targeted to launch Nov. 12. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2009-5127

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a crane lifts the plasma contactor unit, or PCU, that will be installed on the Express Logistics Carri More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A second shipping container of major flight hardware for space shuttle Atlantis' STS-125 mission to NASA's Hubble Space Telescope is placed in the airlock at the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The container holds the Super Lightweight Interchangeable Carrier and the Orbital Replacement Unit Carrier. In the facility, preparations will begin for its targeted October launch. The payload carriers will be prepared for the integration of telescope science instruments, both internal and external replacement components, as well as the flight support equipment to be used by the astronauts during the servicing mission. The three payload carriers or pallets are the Flight Support System, the SLIC and the ORUC. At the end of July, a fourth and final carrier, the Multi-Use Lightweight Equipment carrier will join the others in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility where the Hubble payload is being prepared for launch. Photo credit: NASA/Amanda Diller KSC-08pd2024

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A second shipping container of major flight hardware for space shuttle Atlantis' STS-125 mission to NASA's Hubble Space Telescope is placed in the airlock at the Payload Hazardous Servi More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The STS-112 crew listen to further instructions about emergency egress from the Shuttle. Standing, left to right, are Mission Specialist Piers Sellers, Commander Jeffrey Ashby, Pilot Pamela Melroy, Mission Specialists Fyodor Yurchikhin (with the Russian Space Agency), David Wolf and Sandra Magnus. The training is part of Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities, which include a simulated launch countdown. Mission STS-112 aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis is scheduled to launch no earlier than Oct. 2, between 2 and 6 p.m. EDT. STS-112 is the 15th assembly mission to the International Space Station. Atlantis will be carrying the S1 Integrated Truss Structure, the first starboard truss segment, to be attached to the central truss segment, S0, and the Crew and Equipment Translation Aid (CETA) Cart A. The CETA is the first of two human-powered carts that will ride along the ISS railway, providing mobile work platforms for future spacewalking astronauts. KSC-02pd1340

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The STS-112 crew listen to further instructions about emergency egress from the Shuttle. Standing, left to right, are Mission Specialist Piers Sellers, Commander Jeffrey Ashby, P More