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Grand Rounds Scenic Byway - Huge Lego Spaceship in the Mall of America

Grand Rounds Scenic Byway - Huge Lego Spaceship in the Mall of America

The original finding aid described this photograph as: Original Caption: A lego spaceman hovers in the air above mall walkers. Location: Location: Minnesota (44.854° N 93.243° W) Status: Public domain. Photo... More

Space shuttle STS-127 - LAUNCH - Public domain NASA photogrpaph

Space shuttle STS-127 - LAUNCH - Public domain NASA photogrpaph

Description: SEQUENTIAL STILL COVERAGE OF LIFTOFF. FRAME VEHICLE AND LAUNCHER PLUS ONE VEHICLE LENGTH. Item: DD083-39A Date Taken: 7/15/2009 Image Type: DIGITAL STILLS STS127 LAUNCH AND LANDING

Space Shuttle Discovery, STS-51 G Launch

Space Shuttle Discovery, STS-51 G Launch

(June 17, 1985) On June 17, 1985, Space Shuttle Discovery's STS-51 G mission launched on a Comsat deployment mission. It deployed three communication satellites. The mission lasted a little over seven days. ..I... More

Rendezvous Docking Simulator, NASA Gemini program

Rendezvous Docking Simulator, NASA Gemini program

(February 7, 1964) Multiple exposure of Rendezvous Docking Simulator. The Gemini spacecraft was supported in a gimbal system by an overhead crane and gantry arrangement which provided 6 degrees of freedom - rol... More

Astronaut Edward White Ready For Gemini IV Liftoff

Astronaut Edward White Ready For Gemini IV Liftoff

(June 3, 1965) Astronaut Edward H. White II, pilot for NASA's Gemini IV mission is shown in the crew's ready room at Launch Complex 16, suited and ready to ride the van to Launch Complex 19 for insertion in the... More

ASTRONAUT JAMES A. LOVELL, JR.. NASA public domain image colelction.

ASTRONAUT JAMES A. LOVELL, JR.. NASA public domain image colelction.

Astronaut James A. Lovell Jr., pilot for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Gemini-7 spaceflight, walks to the elevator at Pad 19 one hour and 40 minutes before launch of the spacecraft. Moments ... More

"Time tested and best on earth" up to date.

"Time tested and best on earth" up to date.

Public domain photograph of American trade card, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Katapultstol från rymsfarkosten Vostok.

Katapultstol från rymsfarkosten Vostok.

Katapultstol från rymsfarkosten Vostok. Public domain photograph - Sweden in 20th century, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Rymdfarkosten "Vostok" på utställingen "Folkekonomiens presentationer i SSSR" i Moskva.

Rymdfarkosten "Vostok" på utställingen "Folkekonomiens presentationer ...

Rymdfarkosten "Vostok" på utställingen "Folkekonomiens presentationer i SSSR" i Moskva.

Huvudet av rymdfarkosten "Vostok" på utställingen "Folkekonomiens presentationer i SSSR" i Moskva.

Huvudet av rymdfarkosten "Vostok" på utställingen "Folkekonomiens pres...

Huvudet av rymdfarkosten "Vostok" på utställingen "Folkekonomiens presentationer i SSSR" i Moskva.

Rymdfarkost "Vostoh" (med raketförarens sista stag). Rymdfarkosterna av denna typ har flugit 259 varv kring jorden (omkring 10,5 milj km) med kosmonauterna: JA Gagarin, GS Titov, AG Nikolajev, PR Popovitj, VF Bukovsky, VV Nikolajeva-Teresjkova. Vikt med raketförarnas sista steg = 6,17 ton. Exakta vikten av sista steget = 4725 kg, tillbehör = 2 ton. Kabinens >> diameter = 2,3 meter. Apparatens längd = 7,35 inkl raketens sista steg.

Rymdfarkost "Vostoh" (med raketförarens sista stag). Rymdfarkosterna a...

Rymdfarkost "Vostoh" (med raketförarens sista stag). Rymdfarkosterna av denna typ har flugit 259 varv kring jorden (omkring 10,5 milj km) med kosmonauterna: JA Gagarin, GS Titov, AG Nikolajev, PR Popovitj, VF B... More

Tête á Tête on the 968th Floor of a Skyscraper (Tête á Tête am Wolkenkratzer 968 Etage)

Tête á Tête on the 968th Floor of a Skyscraper (Tête á Tête am Wolkenk...

Moriz Jung (Austrian (born Czechoslovakia) Moravia 1885–1915 Manilowa (Carpathians))

STS098-307-029 - STS-098 - Earth observations taken during STS-98 mission

STS098-307-029 - STS-098 - Earth observations taken during STS-98 miss...

The original finding aid described this as: Description: Earth observations taken during the STS-98 mission from the space shuttle Atlantis. Subject Terms: STS-98, ATLANTIS (ORBITER), EARTH OBSERVATIONS (FROM... More

STS098-715-008 - STS-098 - Earth observations taken during STS-98 mission

STS098-715-008 - STS-098 - Earth observations taken during STS-98 miss...

The original finding aid described this as: Description: Earth observations taken during the STS-98 mission from the space shuttle Atlantis. Subject Terms: STS-98, ATLANTIS (ORBITER), EARTH OBSERVATIONS (FROM... More

Marisco Ltd. workers repair the aging hull of the decommissioned Balao-class submarine USS Bowfin (SS 287).

Marisco Ltd. workers repair the aging hull of the decommissioned Balao...

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (Oct. 05, 2004) Marisco Ltd. workers repair the aging hull of the decommissioned Balao-class submarine USS Bowfin (SS 287) at their shipyard near the former Naval Air Station Barber's Point... More

Production. B-17 heavy bomber. The tail and rudder of a mighty B-17F (Flying Fortress) bomber near completion at the Boeing plant in Seattle. The Flying Fortress has performed with great credit in the South Pacific, over Germany and elsewhere. It is a four-engine, heavy bomber capable of flying high altitudes

Production. B-17 heavy bomber. The tail and rudder of a mighty B-17F (...

Picryl description: Public domain image of a bomber aircraft, military aviation, air forces, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Frimärke ur Gösta Bodmans filatelistiska motivsamling, påbörjad 1950.Frimärke från Ryssland, 1962. Motiv av jordglob och rymdskepp. "Gagarin: den första kosmonauten. 1-årsminne av Jurin Gagarins rymdresa runt jorden 12-4-1961 - 12-4-1962".

Frimärke ur Gösta Bodmans filatelistiska motivsamling, påbörjad 1950.F...

Frimärke ur Gösta Bodmans filatelistiska motivsamling, påbörjad 1950.Frimärke från Ryssland, 1962. Motiv av jordglob och rymdskepp. "Gagarin: den första kosmonauten. 1-årsminne av Jurin Gagarins rymdresa runt j... More

Frimärke ur Gösta Bodmans filatelistiska motivsamling, påbörjad 1950.Frimärke från Ryssland, 1960. Motiv av Kremlin med Sovjetstjärnan. "Rymdskeppet Sputnik II över Moskwa och jorden med rymdhundarna Belka och Strelka som apssagerare 19-20 augusti 1960".

Frimärke ur Gösta Bodmans filatelistiska motivsamling, påbörjad 1950.F...

Frimärke ur Gösta Bodmans filatelistiska motivsamling, påbörjad 1950.Frimärke från Ryssland, 1960. Motiv av Kremlin med Sovjetstjärnan. "Rymdskeppet Sputnik II över Moskwa och jorden med rymdhundarna Belka och ... More

The First Redstone Rocket Firing

The First Redstone Rocket Firing

Full Description: (August 20, 1953) The first Redstone was fired at Cape Canaveral, Florida on August 20, 1953. Redstone was the first major rocket development program for United States by the Peenemuende group... More

Launch of the Gemini 5 spacecraft from Pad 19 at 9 a.m. Aug. 21, 1965.

Launch of the Gemini 5 spacecraft from Pad 19 at 9 a.m. Aug. 21, 1965.

S65-50774 (21 Aug. 1965) --- The National Aeronautics and Space Administration launched the Gemini-5 spacecraft from Pad 19 at 9 a.m. (EST) Aug. 21, 1965, on a planned eight-day orbital mission. Astronaut L. Go... More

NASA Jupiter rocket - Early Rockets, Army ballistic missile agency

NASA Jupiter rocket - Early Rockets, Army ballistic missile agency

The Jupiter rocket was designed and developed by the Army Ballistic Missile Agency (ABMA). ABMA launched the Jupiter-A at Cape Canaveral, Florida, on March 1, 1957. The Jupiter vehicle was a direct derivative o... More

Photograph of John Glenn in Space during Mercury-Atlas 6

Photograph of John Glenn in Space during Mercury-Atlas 6

Original caption: CAPE CANAVERAL, FLA. - Astronaut John Glenn photographed in space by an automatic sequence motion picture camera. Glenn is in a state of weightlessness traveling at 17,500 MPH as these pictur... More

Pioneer I on the Launch Pad. NASA public domain image. Kennedy space center.

Pioneer I on the Launch Pad. NASA public domain image. Kennedy space c...

Thor-Able I with the Pioneer I spacecraft atop, prior to launch at Eastern Test Range at what is now Kennedy Space Center. Pioneer I launched on October 11, 1958, the first spacecraft launched by the 11 day old... More

Little Joe Launch Vehicle, NASA Mercury project

Little Joe Launch Vehicle, NASA Mercury project

Launching of the Little Joe launch vehicle on November 4, 1959 took place at Wallops Island, Va. This was the first attempt to launch an instrumented capsule with a Little Joe booster. Only the LJ1A and the LJ6... More

Juno II (AM-11) launch vehicle. NASA public domain image colelction.

Juno II (AM-11) launch vehicle. NASA public domain image colelction.

A Juno II launched an Explorer VII satellite on October 13, 1959. Explorer VII, with a total weight of 91.5 pounds, carried a scientific package for detecting micrometeors, measuring the Earth's radiation balan... More

Jerrie Cobb Poses beside Mercury Capsule

Jerrie Cobb Poses beside Mercury Capsule

Jerrie Cobb poses next to a Mercury spaceship capsule. Although she never flew in space, Cobb, along with twenty-four other women, underwent physical tests similar to those taken by the Mercury astronauts with ... More

View of Explorer VII. NASA public domain image colelction.

View of Explorer VII. NASA public domain image colelction.

A Juno II launched an Explorer VII satellite on October 13, 1959. Explorer VII, with a total weight of 91.5 pounds, carried a scientific package for detecting micrometeors, measuring the Earth's radiation balan... More

Sam the Monkey After His Ride in the Little Joe 2 Spacecraft

Sam the Monkey After His Ride in the Little Joe 2 Spacecraft

(December 4, 1959) Sam, the Rhesus monkey, after his ride in the Little Joe-2 (LJ-2) spacecraft. A U.S. Navy destroyer safely recovered Sam after he experienced three minutes of weightlessness during the flight... More

Luna 1 coat of arms. NASA public domain image colelction.

Luna 1 coat of arms. NASA public domain image colelction.

Description: Luna 1 was the first spacecraft to reach the Moon, and the first of a series of Soviet automatic interplanetary stations successfully launched in the direction of the Moon. The spacecraft was spher... More

Researcher Examines Pellets for Micrometeorite Impact Studies

Researcher Examines Pellets for Micrometeorite Impact Studies

A researcher at the NASA Lewis Research Center manipulates cartridge pellets and a strain gauge target as part of a study on the impact of micrometeorites striking space vehicles. Early in the space program NAS... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. --The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, at right, fly past Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center where space shuttle Endeavour waits to launch on the STS-123 mission. At left, the rotating service structure has closed around the shuttle, with only the tip of the external tank showing. The aircraft had flown earlier to support the Daytona 500, also celebrating its 50th anniversary, and chose to fly over Kennedy on their way to their next assignment. Endeavour is being prepared for launch on the STS-123 mission targeted for March 11. Photo credit: NASA/Amanda Diller KSC-08pd0356

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. --The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, at right...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. --The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, at right, fly past Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center where space shuttle Endeavour waits to launch on the STS-123 mission. At left, the... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Launch Complex 39A, the P1 Truss Segment is lifted to the level of the Payload Changeout Room. The P1 truss is the primary payload for Mission STS-113 to the International Space Station. It is the first port truss segment which will be attached to the Station’s central truss segment, S0. Once delivered, the P1 truss will remain stowed until flight 12A.1. The mission will also deliver the Expedition 6 crew to the Station and return Expedition 5 to Earth. Space Shuttle Endeavour is scheduled to launch no earlier than Nov. 10 on the 11-day mission. KSC-02pd1505

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Launch Complex 39A, the P1 Truss Seg...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Launch Complex 39A, the P1 Truss Segment is lifted to the level of the Payload Changeout Room. The P1 truss is the primary payload for Mission STS-113 to the International Spac... More

At the Russian Mission Control Center in Korolev, Russia, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden (left) and cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev, now a manager in the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), pose for pictures Nov. 20 following the docking of the Soyuz MS-03 spacecraft to the International Space Station. Aboard the Soyuz were Expedition 50-51 crewmembers Peggy Whitson of NASA, Oleg Novitskiy of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Thomas Pesquet of the European Space Agency. Bolden served as commander of the space shuttle Discovery on the STS-60 mission in February 1994 in which Krikalev served as a mission specialist. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2016e183855

At the Russian Mission Control Center in Korolev, Russia, NASA Adminis...

At the Russian Mission Control Center in Korolev, Russia, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden (left) and cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev, now a manager in the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), pose for pictures... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, shuttle Atlantis is lifted by an overhead crane and moved into a high bay where it will be attached to its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters which are already on the mobile launcher platform. Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley and Mission Specialists Sandra Magnus and Rex Walheim are expected to launch in mid-July, taking with them the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module packed with supplies, logistics and spare parts. The STS-135 mission also will fly a system to investigate the potential for robotically refueling existing spacecraft 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-2011-3822

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Ken...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, shuttle Atlantis is lifted by an overhead crane and moved into a high bay where it will be attached to its ext... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The external fuel tank for space shuttle Atlantis' STS-129 mission is being lifted from the checkout cell of NASA Kennedy Space Center's Vehicle Assembly Building for transfer into high bay 2 and assembly with the solid rocket boosters already stacked on the mobile launch platform. The STS-129 mission is targeted to launch Nov. 12 on an 11-day supply mission to the International Space Station. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2009-5179

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The external fuel tank for space shuttle Atlant...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The external fuel tank for space shuttle Atlantis' STS-129 mission is being lifted from the checkout cell of NASA Kennedy Space Center's Vehicle Assembly Building for transfer into high b... More

This aerial photo captures many of the facilities involved in Space Shuttle launches. At center is the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). The curved road on the near side is the newly restored crawlerway leading into the VAB high bay 2, where a mobile launcher platform/crawler-transporter currently sits. The road restoration and high bay 2 are part of KSC’s Safe Haven project, enabling the storage of orbiters during severe weather. The crawlerway also extends from the east side of the VAB out to the two Space Shuttle launch pads. In the distance is the Atlantic Ocean. To the right of the far crawlerway is the turn basin, into which ships tow the barge for offloading new external tanks from Louisiana KSC-00pp0735

This aerial photo captures many of the facilities involved in Space Sh...

This aerial photo captures many of the facilities involved in Space Shuttle launches. At center is the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). The curved road on the near side is the newly restored crawlerway leading ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Orbiter Processing Facility-2 (OPF-2) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians help position a special crane around space shuttle Atlantis so that work can begin to remove the spacecraft’s forward reaction control system. The system provided some of the maneuvering capabilities to the spacecraft during its missions. Atlantis glided to a landing, July 21, 2011, at Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility, completing NASA’s final space shuttle mission, STS-135. The shuttle is in OPF-2 being decommissioned and prepared for eventual display at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Photo credit: Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-6443

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Orbiter Processing Facility-2 (OPF-2) at NA...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Orbiter Processing Facility-2 (OPF-2) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians help position a special crane around space shuttle Atlantis so that work can begin to remo... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the crawler-transporter 2, or CT-2, is on its way to the Park Site west of the Vehicle Assembly Building. The transporter has new brakes and mufflers and a recently-painted white roof deck. The Ground Systems Development and Operations Program office at Kennedy is overseeing the upgrades to CT-2 so that it can carry NASA’s Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket, which is under design, and new Orion spacecraft to the launch pad. The crawler-transporters were used to carry the mobile launcher platform and space shuttle to Launch Complex 39 for space shuttle launches for 30 years. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2013-1510

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the crawler-transporter 2, or CT-2, is on its way to the Park Site west of the Vehicle Assembly Building. The transporter has new brakes and muf... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Technicians in the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla. install thermal insulation on NASA's Juno magnetometer boom. The boom structure is attached to Juno's solar array #1 that will help power the NASA spacecraft on its mission to Jupiter. The solar-powered spacecraft will orbit Jupiter's poles 33 times to find out more about the gas giant's origins, structure, atmosphere and magnetosphere and investigate the existence of a solid planetary core. Juno is scheduled to launch aboard an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral, Fla. Aug. 5. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/juno. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller It will splash down into the Atlantic Ocean where the ship and its crew will recover it and tow it back through Port Canaveral for refurbishing for another launch. The STS-124 mission is the second of three flights launching components to complete the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory. The shuttle crew will install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system, or RMS. Photo credit: USA/Jeff Suter KSC-2011-2821

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Technicians in the Astrotech payload processin...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Technicians in the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla. install thermal insulation on NASA's Juno magnetometer boom. The boom structure is attached to Juno's solar a... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Orbiter Processing Facility-2 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United Space Alliance technicians have removed the auxiliary power units from space shuttle Endeavour and are inspecting them and preparing them for transport. The work is part of Endeavour’s transition and retirement processing. The spacecraft is being prepared for public display at the California Science Center in Los Angeles. Endeavour flew 25 missions, spent 299 days in space, orbited Earth 4,671 times and traveled 122, 883, 151 miles over the course of its 19-year career. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis KSC-2012-1894

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Orbiter Processing Facility-2 at NASA’s Ken...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Orbiter Processing Facility-2 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United Space Alliance technicians have removed the auxiliary power units from space shuttle Endeavour and are ... More

Television Infrared Observation Satellite TIROS

Television Infrared Observation Satellite TIROS

Scientist giving a vibration test to TIROS, Television Infrared Observation Satellite, at the Astro-Electronic Products Division of RCA in Princeton, New Jersey. TIROS was NASA's first experimental step to dete... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- In the glow of a setting sun, Space Shuttle Endeavour is revealed after the rollback of the Rotating Service Structure (left) on Launch Pad 39A. At the top of the external tank can be seen the “beanie cap,” a venting apparatus at the end of the Gaseous Oxygen Vent Arm. Endeavour is expected to lift off on mission STS-100 on April 19, carrying the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello and the Canadian robotic arm, SSRMS, with a crew of seven to the International Space Station KSC-01pp0909

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- In the glow of a setting sun, Space Shu...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- In the glow of a setting sun, Space Shuttle Endeavour is revealed after the rollback of the Rotating Service Structure (left) on Launch Pad 39A. At the top of the external tank ca... More

The Mars Odyssey spacecraft is removed from the Air Force C-17 cargo airplane that brought it from Denver, Colo.., location of the Lockheed Martin plant where the spacecraft was built. Mars Odyssey will be moved on a transport trailer from KSC’s Shuttle Landing Facility to the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility 2 (SAEF-2) located in the KSC Industrial Area. In the SAEF it will undergo final assembly and checkout. This includes installation of two of the three science instruments, integration of the three-panel solar array, and a spacecraft functional test. It will be fueled and then mated to an upper stage booster, the final activities before going to the launch pad. Launch is planned for April 7, 2001 the first day of a 21-day planetary window. Mars Odyssey will be inserted into an interplanetary trajectory by a Boeing Delta II launch vehicle from Pad A at Complex 17 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. The spacecraft will arrive at Mars on Oct. 20, 2001, for insertion into an initial elliptical capture orbit. Its final operational altitude will be a 250-mile-high, Sun-synchronous polar orbit. Mars Odyssey will spend two years mapping the planet's surface and measuring its environment KSC01pp0033

The Mars Odyssey spacecraft is removed from the Air Force C-17 cargo a...

The Mars Odyssey spacecraft is removed from the Air Force C-17 cargo airplane that brought it from Denver, Colo.., location of the Lockheed Martin plant where the spacecraft was built. Mars Odyssey will be move... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the 250-ton high bay crane suspends space shuttle Discovery above the transfer aisle, ready to lift the shuttle into the upper levels and lower it into High Bay 1. Visible on Discovery's underside are the umbilical areas, the external fuel tank attach points. In High Bay 1, Discovery will be attached to the external tank and solid rocket boosters already stacked on the mobile launcher platform. Discovery is scheduled to roll out to Launch Pad 39A the first week of August to prepare for the STS-128 mission to the International Space Station. The shuttle will carry the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module containing life support racks and science racks and the Lightweight Multi-Purpose Experiment Support Structure Carrier in its payload bay. Launch of Discovery is targeted for late August. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky KSC-2009-4251

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Ken...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the 250-ton high bay crane suspends space shuttle Discovery above the transfer aisle, ready to lift the shuttl... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, this aerial view of the mobile launcher park site area north of the 525-foot-tall Vehicle Assembly Building shows a new mobile launcher, or ML, for the Constellation Program under construction. In the background are the Atlantic Ocean and Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, at upper left, from which Atlas V rockets are launched. When completed, the tower will be approximately 345 feet tall and have multiple platforms for personnel access. Its base is being made lighter than space shuttle mobile launcher platforms so the crawler-transporter can pick up the heavier load of the tower and a taller rocket. For information on the Constellation Program, visit http://www.nasa.gov/constellation. Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston KSC-2009-6975

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, this...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, this aerial view of the mobile launcher park site area north of the 525-foot-tall Vehicle Assembly Building shows a new mobile launcher, or ML, ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A forklift operator offloads NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probe B, enclosed in a protective shipping container, from a flatbed truck at the Astrotech payload processing facility near NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida where Applied Physics Laboratory technicians will begin spacecraft testing and prelaunch preparations. The twin RBSP spacecraft arrived at Kennedy’s Shuttle Landing Facility in the cargo bay of a U.S. Air Force C-17 aircraft earlier in the day. The RBSP mission will help us understand the sun’s influence on Earth and near-Earth space by studying the Earth’s radiation belts on various scales of space and time. The RBSP instruments will provide the measurements needed to characterize and quantify the plasma processes that produce very energetic ions and relativistic electrons. The mission is part of NASA’s broader Living With a Star Program that was conceived to explore fundamental processes that operate throughout the solar system, and in particular those that generate hazardous space weather effects in the vicinity of Earth and phenomena that could impact solar system exploration. RBSP is scheduled to begin its mission of exploration of Earth's Van Allen Radiation Belts and the extremes of space weather after launch. Launch aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket is scheduled for August 23. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/rbsp. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-2638

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A forklift operator offloads NASA's Radiation B...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A forklift operator offloads NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probe B, enclosed in a protective shipping container, from a flatbed truck at the Astrotech payload processing facility near NASA’... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Workers monitor the progress of Space Shuttle Atlantis as it moves through the doors of the Vehicle Assembly Building along the crawlerway toward Launch Pad 39A. First motion out of the VAB was at 4:43 a.m. EST. Rollout is a milestone for Atlantis' launch to the International Space Station on mission STS-122, targeted for Dec. 6. On this mission, Atlantis will deliver the Columbus module to the International Space Station. The European Space Agency's largest contribution to the station, Columbus is a multifunctional, pressurized laboratory that will be permanently attached to U.S. Node 2, called Harmony. The module is approximately 23 feet long and 15 feet wide, allowing it to hold 10 large racks of experiments. The laboratory will expand the research facilities aboard the station, providing crew members and scientists from around the world the ability to conduct a variety of experiments in the physical, materials and life sciences. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-07pd3259

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Workers monitor the progress of Space Sh...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Workers monitor the progress of Space Shuttle Atlantis as it moves through the doors of the Vehicle Assembly Building along the crawlerway toward Launch Pad 39A. First motion out o... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- This is a version of space shuttle Atlantis' orbiter tribute, or OV-104, which hangs in Firing Room 4 of the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. In the lower-left corner, it features Atlantis soaring above Earth and threaded through the design are the mission patches for each of Atlantis’ flights. Atlantis' accomplishments include seven missions to the Russian space station Mir and several assembly, construction and resupply missions to the International Space Station. Atlantis also flew the last Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission on STS-125. In the tribute, the planet Venus represents the Magellan probe being deployed during STS-30, and Jupiter represents the Galileo probe being deployed during STS-34. The inset photos illustrate various aspects of shuttle processing as well as significant achievements, such as the glass cockpit and the first shuttle docking with Mir during STS-71. The inset photo in the upper-left corner shows a rainbow over Atlantis on Launch Pad 39A and shuttle Endeavour on Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy. Endeavour was the assigned vehicle had Atlantis’ STS-125 mission needed rescue, and this was the last time both launch pads were occupied at the same time. The stars in the background represent the many people who have worked with Atlantis and their contributions to the vehicle’s success. Graphic design credit: NASA/Amy Lombardo. NASA publication number: SP-2010-08-161-KSC KSC-2010-4450A

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- This is a version of space shuttle Atlantis' o...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- This is a version of space shuttle Atlantis' orbiter tribute, or OV-104, which hangs in Firing Room 4 of the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. In the lower... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Atlantis, secured atop a mobile launch platform, ascends the five percent grade to the top of the hardstand on Launch Pad 39A. The rotating service structure, adjoined to the fixed service structure at left, has been rolled back in preparation for the shuttle's arrival. First motion out of the Vehicle Assembly Building was at 4:43 a.m. EST, and the shuttle was hard down on the pad at 11:51 a.m. Rollout is a milestone for Atlantis' launch to the International Space Station on mission STS-122, targeted for Dec. 6. On this mission, Atlantis will deliver the Columbus module to the International Space Station. The European Space Agency's largest contribution to the station, Columbus is a multifunctional, pressurized laboratory that will be permanently attached to U.S. Node 2, called Harmony. The module is approximately 23 feet long and 15 feet wide, allowing it to hold 10 large racks of experiments. The laboratory will expand the research facilities aboard the station, providing crew members and scientists from around the world the ability to conduct a variety of experiments in the physical, materials and life sciences. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-07pd3269

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Atlantis, secured atop a m...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Atlantis, secured atop a mobile launch platform, ascends the five percent grade to the top of the hardstand on Launch Pad 39A. The rotating service structure, adjoine... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Discovery rolls toward Launch Pad 39B. Launch Pad 39A is in the background. The shuttle rests on a mobile launcher platform that sits atop a crawler-transporter. First motion from NASA's Vehicle Assembly Building was at 12:45 p.m. EDT. The rollout is an important step before launch of Discovery on mission STS-121 to the International Space Station. Discovery's launch is targeted for July 1 in a launch window that extends to July 19. During the 12-day mission, Discovery's crew will test new hardware and techniques to improve shuttle safety, as well as deliver supplies and make repairs to the station. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton KSC-06pd0883

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Discovery rolls toward La...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Discovery rolls toward Launch Pad 39B. Launch Pad 39A is in the background. The shuttle rests on a mobile launcher platform that sits atop a crawler-transporter. ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Endeavour passes the fork in the crawlerway between Launch Pad 39B, at right, and Launch Pad 39A. First motion of the 3.4-mile rollaround was at 3:16 a.m. EDT. Endeavour was on standby on Pad 39B to be used in the unlikely event that a rescue mission was necessary during space shuttle Atlantis' STS-125 mission to NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. The payload on the STS-127 mission includes the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo Exposed Facility and the Experiment Logistics Module Exposed Section of the International Space Station. They will be installed on the Kibo laboratory already on the station. Launch of STS-127 is targeted for June 13. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2009-3330

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, spac...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Endeavour passes the fork in the crawlerway between Launch Pad 39B, at right, and Launch Pad 39A. First motion of the 3.4-mile ro... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Space Florida President Frank DiBello addresses guests at a presentation during which XCOR Aerospace announced plans to open a manufacturing operation in Brevard County. The company's suborbital Lynx Mark II spacecraft possibly will take off and land at Kennedy's shuttle landing facility. XCOR Aerospace is a small, privately held California corporation with focus on the research, development, project management and production of reusable launch vehicles, rocket engines and rocket propulsion systems. XCOR will focus on space tourism, experimental flights and launching satellites. Photo credit: NASA/ Frankie Martin KSC-2012-4571

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Spac...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Space Florida President Frank DiBello addresses guests at a presentation during which XCOR Aerospace announced plans to open a manufacturing ope... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In High Bay 3 of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a large yellow, metal sling lowers shuttle Discovery to its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters. The lift and mate operation began Sept. 9 and wrapped up early Sept. 10. Discovery is scheduled to roll out to Launch Pad 39A later this month in preparation for its launch to the International Space Station on the STS-133 mission. Targeted to lift off Nov. 1, Discovery will take the Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM) packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2 (R2) to the station. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2010-4626

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In High Bay 3 of the Vehicle Assembly Building...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In High Bay 3 of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a large yellow, metal sling lowers shuttle Discovery to its external fuel tank and solid rocket ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians remove engine No. 1, one of three space shuttle main engines from shuttle Endeavour using a specially designed engine installer, called a Hyster forklift. The work is part of Endeavour's transition and retirement processing. The spacecraft is being prepared for public display at the California Science Center in Los Angeles. Endeavour flew 25 missions, spent 299 days in space, orbited Earth 4,671 times and traveled 122,883,151 miles over the course of its 19-year career. Endeavour's STS-134 and final mission was completed after landing on June 1, 2011. Photo credit: NASA/Chris Chamberland KSC-2011-4695

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA's Ken...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians remove engine No. 1, one of three space shuttle main engines from shuttle Endeavour using a specia... 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 h...

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. -- The Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility, or C3PF, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida is going through major renovations to support the manufacturing of The Boeing Company's CST-100 spacecraft. Known throughout the space shuttle era as Orbiter Processing Facilty-3, or OPF-3, the facility's orbiter-specific platforms were removed recently to make room for a clean-floor factory-like facility. The modernization will allow Boeing to process its new fleet of low-Earth-orbit bound spacecraft, which is under development in collaboration with NASA's Commercial Crew Program, or CCP. Boeing is leasing the excess government facility for next-generation commercial activities through a land-use agreement with Space Florida. To learn more about CCP and its industry partners, visit www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew. Photo credit: Dimitri Gerondidakis KSC-2012-6485

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facil...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility, or C3PF, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida is going through major renovations to support the manufacturing of The Boeing Compan... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- Space Shuttle Discovery begins rolling into the fog that shrouds Kennedy Space Center. Discovery is on its way from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39B and mission STS-102 to the International Space Station. Its payload is the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Leonardo, a “moving van,” to carry laboratory racks filled with equipment, experiments and supplies to and from the Space Station aboard the Space Shuttle. The flight will also carry the Expedition Two crew up to the Space Station, replacing Expedition One, who will return to Earth on Discovery. Launch is scheduled for March 8 at 6:45 a.m. EST KSC01padig067

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- Space Shuttle Discovery begins rolling i...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- Space Shuttle Discovery begins rolling into the fog that shrouds Kennedy Space Center. Discovery is on its way from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39B and mission STS-... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Launch Complex 36-A, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, a Lockheed Martin Atlas Centaur IIA (AC-144) rocket is lifted up the launch tower. The rocket will be used in the launch of TDRS-J, scheduled for Nov. 20. The third in a series of telemetry satellites, TDRS-J will help replenish the current constellation of geosynchronous TDRS satellites. The TDRS System is the primary source of space-to-ground voice, data and telemetry for the Space Shuttle. It also provides communications with the International Space Station and scientific spacecraft in low-Earth orbit such as the Hubble Space Telescope. This new advanced series of satellites will extend the availability of TDRS communications services until about 2017. KSC-02pd1525

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Launch Complex 36-A, Cape Canaveral A...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Launch Complex 36-A, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, a Lockheed Martin Atlas Centaur IIA (AC-144) rocket is lifted up the launch tower. The rocket will be used in the launch o... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- Space Shuttle Endeavour sits on Launch Pad 39A waiting for the Rotating Service Structure to be rolled back into its protective position. The launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour on mission STS-99 was delayed when NASA managers decided to replace the Enhanced Master Events Controller that became suspect during the Jan. 31 launch countdown. The next scheduled launch is NET Feb. 9 KSC-00pp0142

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- Space Shuttle Endeavour sits on Launch ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- Space Shuttle Endeavour sits on Launch Pad 39A waiting for the Rotating Service Structure to be rolled back into its protective position. The launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour on ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Discovery is attached to Launch Pad 39A as the sun rises over NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It took the spacecraft about six hours to make the journey, known as "rollout," from the Vehicle Assembly Building to the pad. Rollout sets the stage for Discovery's STS-133 crew to practice countdown and launch procedures during the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test in mid-October. Targeted to liftoff Nov. 1, Discovery will take the Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM) packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2 (R2) to the International Space Station. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2010-4736

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Discovery is attached to Launch ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Discovery is attached to Launch Pad 39A as the sun rises over NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It took the spacecraft about six hours to make the journey, known as "... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Crews in Orbiter Processing Facility-2 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida remove space shuttle Discovery's right-hand inner heat shield from engine No. 1. The removal is part of Discovery's transition and retirement processing. Work performed on Discovery is expected to help rocket designers build next-generation spacecraft and prepare the shuttle for future public display.Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2011-2396

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Crews in Orbiter Processing Facility-2 at NASA'...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Crews in Orbiter Processing Facility-2 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida remove space shuttle Discovery's right-hand inner heat shield from engine No. 1. The removal is part of Di... More

The logo for the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS-H) is predominantly displayed on the fairing that will encapsulate the satellite for launch. The fairing is in KSC’s Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility (SAEF-2) where TDRS is undergoing testing. The TDRS is scheduled to be launched from CCAFS June 29 aboard an Atlas IIA/Centaur rocket. One of three satellites (labeled H, I and J) being built in the Hughes Space and Communications Company Integrated Satellite Factory in El Segundo, Calif., the latest TDRS uses an innovative springback antenna design. A pair of 15-foot-diameter, flexible mesh antenna reflectors fold up for launch, then spring back into their original cupped circular shape on orbit. The new satellites will augment the TDRS system’s existing Sand Ku-band frequencies by adding Ka-band capability. TDRS will serve as the sole means of continuous, high-data-rate communication with the space shuttle, with the International Space Station upon its completion, and with dozens of unmanned scientific satellites in low earth orbit KSC-00pp0714

The logo for the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS-H) is predomi...

The logo for the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS-H) is predominantly displayed on the fairing that will encapsulate the satellite for launch. The fairing is in KSC’s Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulatio... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, workers are disconnecting and dismantling components on shuttle Endeavour. Seen here is the view from inside the spacecraft's airlock looking toward the payload bay. The work is part of Endeavour's transition and retirement processing. The spacecraft is being prepared for public display at the California Science Center in Los Angeles. Endeavour flew 25 missions, spent 299 days in space, orbited Earth 4,671 times and traveled 122,883,151 miles over the course of its 19-year career. Endeavour's STS-134 and final mission was completed after landing on June 1, 2011. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-4911

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA's Ken...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, workers are disconnecting and dismantling components on shuttle Endeavour. Seen here is the view from inside t... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building, space shuttle Endeavour is lifted off its transporter. The shuttle will be raised to a vertical position and lifted up into high bay 1 to be attached to its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters in preparation for launch on the STS-123 mission, targeted for March 11. The mission will deliver the first section of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory and the Canadian Space Agency's two-armed robotic system, Dextre. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis KSC-08pd0275

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the transfer aisle of the Vehicle As...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building, space shuttle Endeavour is lifted off its transporter. The shuttle will be raised to a vertical position and lifted up int... More

Wernher von Braun during a visit to McDonnell Aircraft to inspect Mercury spacecraft manufacturing

Wernher von Braun during a visit to McDonnell Aircraft to inspect Merc...

In this undated photograph, Dr. von Braun is shown during a visit to McDonnell Aircraft to inspect Mercury spacecraft manufacturing.

The crated Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS-H) is pulled inside the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility (SAEF-2) after its arrival at KSC. The TDRS will undergo testing in the SAEF-2. One of three satellites (labeled H, I and J) being built in the Hughes Space and Communications Company Integrated Satellite Factory in El Segundo, Calif., the latest TDRS uses an innovative springback antenna design. A pair of 15-foot-diameter, flexible mesh antenna reflectors fold up for launch, then spring back into their original cupped circular shape on orbit. The new satellites will augment the TDRS system’s existing Sand Ku-band frequencies by adding Ka-band capability. TDRS will serve as the sole means of continuous, high-data-rate communication with the space shuttle, with the International Space Station upon its completion, and with dozens of unmanned scientific satellites in low earth orbit. The TDRS is scheduled to be launched from CCAFS June 29 aboard an Atlas IIA/Centaur rocket KSC-00pp0711

The crated Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS-H) is pulled inside...

The crated Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS-H) is pulled inside the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility (SAEF-2) after its arrival at KSC. The TDRS will undergo testing in the SAEF-2. One of t... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Technicians prepare shuttle Atlantis for its final planned move from Orbiter Processing Facility-1 to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The move called "rollover" is a major milestone in processing for the STS-135 mission to the International Space Station. Inside the VAB, the shuttle will be attached to its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters. Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley and Mission Specialists Sandra Magnus and Rex Walheim are targeted to launch in early July, taking with them the Raffaello multipurpose logistics module packed with supplies, logistics and spare parts. The STS-135 mission also will fly a system to investigate the potential for robotically refueling existing spacecraft 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/Frankie Martin KSC-2011-3652

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Technicians prepare shuttle Atlantis for its f...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Technicians prepare shuttle Atlantis for its final planned move from Orbiter Processing Facility-1 to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA's GOES-P meteorological satellite is moved to the edge of the cargo bay of a U.S. Air Force C-17 aircraft for offloading. GOES-P, the latest Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite, was developed by NASA for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA. GOES-P is designed to watch for storm development and observed current weather conditions on Earth. Launch of GOES-P is targeted for no earlier than Feb. 25, 2010, from Launch Complex 37 aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta IV rocket. For information on GOES-P, visit http://goespoes.gsfc.nasa.gov/goes/spacecraft/n_p_spacecraft.html. Photo credit: NASA/Amanda Diller KSC-2009-6864

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kenne...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA's GOES-P meteorological satellite is moved to the edge of the cargo bay of a U.S. Air Force C-17 aircraft f... 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 vi...

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. -- An Atlas/Centaur booster arrives at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in preparation for the launch of TDRS-J. The third in a series of telemetry satellites, TDRS-J will help replenish the current constellation of geosynchronous TDRS satellites. The TDRS System is the primary source of space-to-ground voice, data and telemetry for the Space Shuttle. It also provides communications with the International Space Station and scientific spacecraft in low-Earth orbit such as the Hubble Space Telescope. This new advanced series of satellites will extend the availability of TDRS communications services until about 2017. KSC-02pd1489

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- An Atlas/Centaur booster arrives at Cap...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- An Atlas/Centaur booster arrives at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in preparation for the launch of TDRS-J. The third in a series of telemetry satellites, TDRS-J will help reple... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Workers prepare to lift the TDRS-J spacecraft for its move to a workstand in the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility-2 (SAEF-2) for final checkout and processing before launch, currently targeted for Nov. 20. TDRS-J is the third in the current series of three Tracking and Data Relay Satellites designed to replenish the existing on-orbit fleet of six spacecraft, the first of which was launched in 1983. The Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System is the primary source of space-to-ground voice, data and telemetry for the Space Shuttle. It also provides communications with the International Space Station and scientific spacecraft in low-earth orbit, such as the Hubble Space Telescope, and launch support for some expendable vehicles. This new advanced series of satellites will extend the availability of TDRS communications services until approximately 2017. KSC-02pp1638

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Workers prepare to lift the TDRS-J space...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Workers prepare to lift the TDRS-J spacecraft for its move to a workstand in the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility-2 (SAEF-2) for final checkout and processing before ... More

Dream Chaser Spacecraft Arrives at NASA Armstrong

Dream Chaser Spacecraft Arrives at NASA Armstrong

SNC delivers Dream Chaser to NASA Armstrong posing it with the HL-10 lifting body flown the 1960s. Monroe Conner

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Mike Williams, a thermal protection system technician with United Space Alliance, arranges weights atop a freshly installed section of tile on the right wing of space shuttle Endeavour at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The weights will hold the section in place while the adhesive hardens beneath. Ongoing transition and retirement activities are preparing the spacecraft for public display at the California Science Center in Los Angeles. Endeavour flew 25 missions during its 19-year career. Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston KSC-2012-1944

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Mike Williams, a thermal protection system tech...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Mike Williams, a thermal protection system technician with United Space Alliance, arranges weights atop a freshly installed section of tile on the right wing of space shuttle Endeavour at... More

Syncom, the First Geosynchronous Satellite

Syncom, the First Geosynchronous Satellite

By 1960, Hughes, RCA and ATT were urging NASA to develop a different type of communications satellite. Hughes believed that geosynchronous satellites, which orbit Earth 22,300 miles (35,900 km) above the ground... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- Under gray skies, the Rotating Service Structure rolls back into its protective position around Space Shuttle Endeavour on Launch Pad 39A. The launch of Endeavour on mission STS-99 was delayed when NASA managers decided to replace the Enhanced Master Events Controller that became suspect during the Jan. 31 launch countdown. The next scheduled launch is NET Feb. 9 KSC00pp0144

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- Under gray skies, the Rotating Service ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- Under gray skies, the Rotating Service Structure rolls back into its protective position around Space Shuttle Endeavour on Launch Pad 39A. The launch of Endeavour on mission STS-9... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, a technician works to replace the protective cover on the Super Lightweight Interchangeable Carrier, or SLIC. The cover was removed to clean the carrier of contaminants found Sept. 17 during preparations to deliver NASA's Hubble Space Telescope servicing payload to Launch Pad 39A. Cleanliness is extremely important for space shuttle Atlantis’ STS-125 mission to Hubble, and the teams have insured that the SLIC is ready to fly. The SLIC, which holds battery module assemblies, 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 carrier is one of four being transferred to Launch Pad 39A. At the pad, the carriers will be loaded into Atlantis’ payload bay. Launch of Atlantis is targeted for Oct. 10. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-08pd2655

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, a technician works to replace the protective cover on the Super Lightweight Interchangeable Carrier, or SLIC. ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In Orbiter Processing Facility-2 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United Space Alliance senior aerospace technician and spacecraft operator Charles J. Beason toggles the switches on space shuttle Endeavour’s flight deck during Space Shuttle Program transition and retirement activities. Endeavour is being prepared for public display at the California Science Center in Los Angeles. Over the course of its 19-year career, Endeavour spent 299 days in space during 25 missions. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis KSC-2012-1971

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In Orbiter Processing Facility-2 at NASA's Kenn...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In Orbiter Processing Facility-2 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United Space Alliance senior aerospace technician and spacecraft operator Charles J. Beason toggles the switche... More

Wernher von Braun views a demonstration of a simulated spacecraft

Wernher von Braun views a demonstration of a simulated spacecraft

Edward O. Buckbee, the first Director of the Alabama Space Science Center (left), and Dr. Wernher von Braun (right) view a demonstration of a simulated spacecraft which uses an actual hybrid rocket engine for l... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a crawler-transporter moves toward NASA's new mobile launcher (ML) support structure. The crawler will transport the ML from a construction site, north of the Vehicle Assembly Building, to the Mobile Launcher east park site. Once there, the ML can be outfitted with ground support equipment, such as umbilicals and access arms, for future rocket launches. It took about two years to construct the 355-foot-tall structure, which will support NASA's future human spaceflight program. The base of the launcher is lighter than space shuttle mobile launcher platforms so the crawler-transporter can pick up the heavier load of the tower and a taller rocket. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2010-4877

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a c...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a crawler-transporter moves toward NASA's new mobile launcher (ML) support structure. The crawler will transport the ML from a construction sit... More

Modell av vädersateliten "Nimbus".

Modell av vädersateliten "Nimbus".

Modell av vädersateliten "Nimbus". Public domain photograph of a spacecraft, space exploration, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Lockheed-Martin technicians at Astrotech's payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla. remove the protective wrapping from NASA's Juno spacecraft to begin final testing and preparations for launch. The solar-powered spacecraft will orbit Jupiter's poles 33 times to find out more about the gas giant's origins, structure, atmosphere and magnetosphere and investigate the existence of a solid planetary core. Juno is scheduled to launch aboard an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral, Fla. Aug. 5. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/juno. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller It will splash down into the Atlantic Ocean where the ship and its crew will recover it and tow it back through Port Canaveral for refurbishing for another launch. The STS-124 mission is the second of three flights launching components to complete the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory. The shuttle crew will install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system, or RMS. Photo credit: USA/Jeff Suter KSC-2011-2829

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Lockheed-Martin technicians at Astrotech's pay...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Lockheed-Martin technicians at Astrotech's payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla. remove the protective wrapping from NASA's Juno spacecraft to begin final testing and preparati... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, crawler-transporter No. 2 moves a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform at Launch Pad 39A. The activity was part of testing to check out recently completed modifications to ensure its ability to carry launch vehicles such as the space agency's Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket to the pad. NASA's Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is leading the 20-year life-extension project for the crawler. A pair of behemoth machines called crawler-transporters has carried the load of taking rockets and spacecraft to the launch pad for more than 40 years at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Each weighing six and a half million pounds and larger in size than a professional baseball infield, the crawler-transporters are powered by locomotive and large electrical power generator engines. The crawler-transporters will stand ready to keep up the work for the next generation of launch vehicles to lift astronauts into space. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6289

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, cra...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, crawler-transporter No. 2 moves a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform at Launch Pad 39A. The activity was part of testing to check out r... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the heat shield for the agency's Orion spacecraft arrived aboard the Super Guppy aircraft. The largest of its kind ever built, the heat shield is planned for installation on the Orion crew module in March next year. The Orion spacecraft is scheduled to make its first unpiloted flight test, Exploration Flight Test-1 EFT-1, in September 2014. The Orion spacecraft is designed to meet requirements for traveling beyond low-Earth orbit. The spacecraft will serve as the exploration vehicle that will carry crews to space, sustain the astronauts during the space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep space. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/orion Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston KSC-2013-4238

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kenne...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the heat shield for the agency's Orion spacecraft arrived aboard the Super Guppy aircraft. The largest of its ki... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Endeavour is hard down on Launch Pad 39B. The shuttle and mobile launcher platform it sits on rest atop the crawler-transporter that carried them from the Vehicle Assembly Building. First motion out of the VAB was at 11:15 p.m. Sept. 18. At left of the shuttle is the open rotating service structure with the payload changeout room revealed. Endeavour completed the 4.2-mile journey to Launch Pad 39B on Sept. 19 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/Dimitri Gerondidakis KSC-08pd2675

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Endeavour is hard down on Launch...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Endeavour is hard down on Launch Pad 39B. The shuttle and mobile launcher platform it sits on rest atop the crawler-transporter that carried them from the Vehicle Assembly... 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 Buildi...

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 Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, boundary layer transition, or BLT, tile is being affixed to space shuttle Discovery before its launch on the STS-119 mission in February 2009. The specially modified tiles and instrumentation package will monitor the heating effects of early re-entry boundary layer transition at high mach numbers. These data support analytical modeling and design efforts for both the space shuttles and NASA next-generation spacecraft, the Orion crew exploration vehicle. On the STS-119 mission, Discovery also will carry the S6 truss segment to complete the 361-foot-long backbone of the International Space Station. The truss includes the fourth pair of solar array wings and electronics that convert sunlight to power for the orbiting laboratory. Photo credit: NASA/Tim Jacobs KSC-08pd3288

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3 at NASA's...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, boundary layer transition, or BLT, tile is being affixed to space shuttle Discovery before its launch on t... 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 Servi...

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the sun begins it rise in the East overlooking Launch Pad 39A and space shuttle Discovery, newly arrived for its upcoming launch. First motion on its 3.4-mile trip from the Vehicle Assembly Building was at 7:58 p.m. EST Jan. 31, and was secured or "hard down" on the pad a little before 3 a.m. Feb. 1. Discovery's next launch opportunity to the International Space Station on the STS-133 mission is targeted for Feb. 24. For more information on STS-133, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2011-1319

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the sun begins it rise in the East overlooking Launch Pad 39A and space shuttle Discovery, newly arrived for its upcoming launch. First motion ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, an overhead crane moves the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module, or MPLM, toward a payload canister. Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley and Mission Specialists Sandra Magnus and Rex Walheim are targeted to lift off on space shuttle Atlantis July 8, taking with them the MPLM packed with supplies, logistics and spare parts to the International Space Station. The STS-135 mission also will fly a system to investigate the potential for robotically refueling existing spacecraft 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/Jim Grossmann KSC-2011-4412

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility at NA...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, an overhead crane moves the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module, or MPLM, toward a payload canist... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The blue cones of light, known as shock or mach diamonds, beneath Space Shuttle Discovery's main engines confirm its rapid rise into the night sky after liftoff on mission STS-116. Mach diamonds are a formation of shock waves in the exhaust plume of an aerospace propulsion system. Liftoff occurred on time at 8:47 p.m. EST. This was the second launch attempt for mission STS-116. The first launch attempt on Dec. 7 was postponed due a low cloud ceiling over Kennedy Space Center. This is Discovery's 33rd mission and the first night launch since 2003. The 20th shuttle mission to the International Space Station, STS-116 carries another truss segment, P5. It will serve as a spacer, mated to the P4 truss that was attached in September. After installing the P5, the crew will reconfigure and redistribute the power generated by two pairs of U.S. solar arrays. Landing is expected Dec. 21 at KSC. Photo credit: NASA/Tony Gray & Don Kight KSC-06pp2766

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The blue cones of light, known as shock...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The blue cones of light, known as shock or mach diamonds, beneath Space Shuttle Discovery's main engines confirm its rapid rise into the night sky after liftoff on mission STS-116... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians prepare to move an aft access platform into place behind shuttle Atlantis, following the installation of the spacecraft's three main engines. Shown is the right-hand orbital maneuvering system (OMS) pod and engine taken from the right-hand access arm. Atlantis is being prepared for the "launch on need," or potential rescue mission, for the final planned shuttle flight, Endeavour's STS-134 mission. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/shuttle. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2010-5830

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA's Ken...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians prepare to move an aft access platform into place behind shuttle Atlantis, following the installat... More

In the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility, the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS-H) at right sits while one-half of the fairing (left) is moved closer to it. After encapsulation in the fairing, TDRS will be transported to Launch Pad 36A, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station for launch scheduled June 29 aboard an Atlas IIA/Centaur rocket. One of three satellites (labeled H, I and J) being built in the Hughes Space and Communications Company Integrated Satellite Factory in El Segundo, Calif., the latest TDRS uses an innovative springback antenna design. A pair of 15-foot-diameter, flexible mesh antenna reflectors fold up for launch, then spring back into their original cupped circular shape on orbit. The new satellites will augment the TDRS system’s existing Sand Ku-band frequencies by adding Ka-band capability. TDRS will serve as the sole means of continuous, high-data-rate communication with the space shuttle, with the International Space Station upon its completion, and with dozens of unmanned scientific satellites in low earth orbit KSC00pp0749

In the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility, the Tracking an...

In the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility, the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS-H) at right sits while one-half of the fairing (left) is moved closer to it. After encapsulation in the fairing... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The giant external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters attached to space shuttle Endeavour bask in the sunlight as the rotating service structure (RSS) moves away on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The structure provides weather protection and access to the shuttle while it awaits lift off on the pad. RSS "rollback," as it's called, began at 11:44 a.m. EDT on May 15 and was completed at 12:24 p.m. STS-134 will deliver the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS), Express Logistics Carrier-3, a high-pressure gas tank and additional spare parts for the Dextre robotic helper to the International Space Station. May 16 at 8:56 a.m. will be the second launch attempt for Endeavour. The first attempt on April 29 was scrubbed because of an issue associated with a faulty power distribution box called the aft load control assembly-2 (ALCA-2). STS-134 will be the final spaceflight for Endeavour. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts134/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2011-3551

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The giant external fuel tank and twin solid roc...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The giant external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters attached to space shuttle Endeavour bask in the sunlight as the rotating service structure (RSS) moves away on Launch Pad 39A a... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The early morning sun falls on Launch Pad 39A and Space Shuttle Discovery, which is waiting for launch on mission STS-92 Oct. 5, 2000. Leading to the pad (from the foreground) is the ramp leading from the crawlerway, the specially built road that provides the Shuttles access to the pads from the Vehicle Assembly Building. At the right of the pad is the 300,000-gallon water tank that is part of the sound suppression system during launches. Beyond is the Atlantic Ocean. At the far left can be seen Launch Pad 39B with its water tank KSC-00pp1298

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The early morning sun falls on Launch P...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The early morning sun falls on Launch Pad 39A and Space Shuttle Discovery, which is waiting for launch on mission STS-92 Oct. 5, 2000. Leading to the pad (from the foreground) is ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Orbiter Processing Facility-2 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a United Space Alliance technician monitors the progress as an overhead crane moves one of Endeavour’s main propulsion system tanks away from the mid-body of the orbiter. The tanks will be retained for possible future use on the agency’s Space Launch System Program. The work is part of Endeavour’s transition and retirement processing. The spacecraft is being prepared for public display at the California Science Center in Los Angeles. Endeavour flew 25 missions, spent 299 days in space, orbited Earth 4,671 times and traveled 122, 883, 151 miles over the course of its 19-year career. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle. Photo credit: Dimitri Gerondidakis KSC-2012-1883

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Orbiter Processing Facility-2 at NASA’s Ken...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Orbiter Processing Facility-2 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a United Space Alliance technician monitors the progress as an overhead crane moves one of Endeavour’s main pr... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 2 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, replica shuttle main engines 3 RSME has been installed on the space shuttle Endeavour. The orbiter is surrounded by work platforms allowing access to all areas of the spacecraft. The work is part of Transition and Retirement of the remaining space shuttles, Endeavour and Atlantis. Endeavour is being prepared for public display at the California Science Center in Los Angeles. Its ferry flight to California is targeted for mid-September. Endeavour was the last space shuttle added to NASA’s orbiter fleet. Over the course of its 19-year career, Endeavour spent 299 days in space during 25 missions. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition Photo credit: NASA/ Dimitri Gerondidakis KSC-2012-3784

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 2 at NASA’s ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 2 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, replica shuttle main engines 3 RSME has been installed on the space shuttle Endeavour. The orbiter is surro... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – On Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the rotating service structure is open, revealing space shuttle Atlantis on the pad for the STS-125 mission, the fifth and final shuttle servicing mission for NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. On the RSS, the payload canister is in position at the payload changeout room to receive the Hubble hardware. The payload comprises four carriers holding various equipment for the mission. The hardware will be transported back to Kennedy’s Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility where it will be stored until a new target launch date can be set for Atlantis’ STS-125 mission in 2009. Atlantis’ October target launch date was delayed after a device on board Hubble used in the storage and transmission of science data to Earth shut down on Sept. 27. Replacing the broken device will be added to Atlantis’ servicing mission to the telescope. Photo credit: NASA/Tim Jacobs KSC-08pd3113

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – On Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Cent...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – On Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the rotating service structure is open, revealing space shuttle Atlantis on the pad for the STS-125 mission, the fifth and fi... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A C-17 aircraft arrives on the Shuttle Landing Facility parking apron at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The aircraft is delivering the MAVEN spacecraft for processing ahead of a launch later this year on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. MAVEN, short for Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution, will orbit Mars to study the Red Planet's upper atmosphere in unprecedented detail. Photo credit: NASA/Tim Jacobs KSC-2013-3165

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A C-17 aircraft arrives on the Shuttle Landing ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A C-17 aircraft arrives on the Shuttle Landing Facility parking apron at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The aircraft is delivering the MAVEN spacecraft for processing ahead of a ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Sunrise at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida finds space shuttle Atlantis on Launch Pad 39A after the payload canister carrying the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module (MPLM) was lifted into the payload changeout room on the rotating service structure. Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley and Mission Specialists Sandra Magnus and Rex Walheim are targeted to lift off on space shuttle Atlantis July 8, taking with them the MPLM packed with supplies, logistics and spare parts to the International Space 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/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-4505

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Sunrise at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Flor...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Sunrise at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida finds space shuttle Atlantis on Launch Pad 39A after the payload canister carrying the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module (MPLM) w... More