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3,049 media by topic ∙ page 1 of 31

Neil Armstrong and David R. Scott prepare to board Gemini VIII

Neil Armstrong and David R. Scott prepare to board Gemini VIII

Description (March 16, 1966) Commander Neil Armstrong (right) and pilot David R. Scott prepare to board the Gemini-Titan VIII. Gemini VIII successfully launched at 11:41 a.m. EST, March 16, 1966. The mission co... More

X-15 #2 just after launch. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.

X-15 #2 just after launch. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.

Description: The X-15 #2 (56-6671) launches away from the B-52 mothership with its rocket engine ignited. The white patches near the middle of the ship are frost from the liquid oxygen used in the propulsion sy... More

St. Simeon; St. Gabinius; St. Eucharius; St. Silvanus

St. Simeon; St. Gabinius; St. Eucharius; St. Silvanus

Public domain scan of 17-18th-century print, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

God schept de zon en de maan - Public domain portrait engraving

God schept de zon en de maan - Public domain portrait engraving

God, een oude man met baard, zweeft boven de aarde. Met zijn linkerhand schept hij de zon. Met zijn rechterhand schept hij de maan. Bijbelvers onder de voorstelling. Prent maakt deel uit van een album.

Vrouw bekijkt, zittend op een wereldbol en steunend op een hemelglobe, de ondergaande zon

Vrouw bekijkt, zittend op een wereldbol en steunend op een hemelglobe,...

Public domain photograph - night sky, astronomy, universe, space, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Vrouw bekijkt, zittend op een wereldbol en steunend op een hemelglobe, de ondergaande zon

Vrouw bekijkt, zittend op een wereldbol en steunend op een hemelglobe,...

Public domain photogrpah of 17th-century portrait painting, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Vrouw staande op een wereldbol, omgeven door de zon, maan, sterren en planeten

Vrouw staande op een wereldbol, omgeven door de zon, maan, sterren en ...

Public domain photograph of portrait print, engraving, 16th-17th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Vrouw staande op een wereldbol, omgeven door de zon, maan, sterren en planeten

Vrouw staande op een wereldbol, omgeven door de zon, maan, sterren en ...

Public domain photograph of portrait print, engraving, 16th-17th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

XXV Frimaire An XIII (16 Décembre 1804) / Fête du Sacre et Couronnement de leurs Majestés Impériales. / Vue de la Décoration elevée en face de la Place de Grève [...].

XXV Frimaire An XIII (16 Décembre 1804) / Fête du Sacre et Couronnemen...

Evénements, déclarations législatives (chronologique). (Serie's title) Estampe présentée dans un passe-partout.

Cornelis van der Griendt - De komeet van Donati, 10 oktober 1858

Cornelis van der Griendt - De komeet van Donati, 10 oktober 1858

Ontwerp voor een prent. Public domain photograph - night sky, astronomy, universe, space, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Mon fils, l'apparition d'une comète coincide..

Mon fils, l'apparition d'une comète coincide..

Mon fils, l'apparition d'une comète coïncide toujours avec quelqu'événement mémorable. Celle-ci, nous présageait tes triomphes dans le pensionnat Galuchet! Courtesy of Boston Public Library

Une surprise - Drawing. Public domain image.

Une surprise - Drawing. Public domain image.

A surprise Courtesy of Boston Public Library Public domain scan of 1850s woodcut print, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Cornelis van der Griendt - De komeet van Donati, 1858

Cornelis van der Griendt - De komeet van Donati, 1858

De komeet van Donati, 10 oktober 1858. Op de voorgrond een man met hond bij een rivier. Op de achtergrond links een kerktoren.

Cornelis van der Griendt - De komeet van Donati, 1858

Cornelis van der Griendt - De komeet van Donati, 1858

De komeet van Donati, 10 oktober 1858. Op de voorgrond een man met hond bij een rivier. Op de achtergrond links een kerktoren.

Cornelis van der Griendt - De komeet van Donati, 1858

Cornelis van der Griendt - De komeet van Donati, 1858

De komeet van Donati, 10 oktober 1858. Op de voorgrond een man met hond bij een rivier. Op de achtergrond links een kerktoren.

Cornelis van der Griendt - De komeet van Donati, 1858

Cornelis van der Griendt - De komeet van Donati, 1858

De komeet van Donati, 10 oktober 1858. Op de voorgrond een man met hond bij een rivier. Op de achtergrond links een kerktoren.

Cornelis van der Griendt - De komeet van Donati, 1858

Cornelis van der Griendt - De komeet van Donati, 1858

De komeet van Donati, 10 oktober 1858. Op de voorgrond een man met hond bij een rivier. Op de achtergrond links een kerktoren.

Cornelis van der Griendt - De komeet van Donati, 1858

Cornelis van der Griendt - De komeet van Donati, 1858

De komeet van Donati, 10 oktober 1858. Op de voorgrond een man met hond bij een rivier. Op de achtergrond links een kerktoren.

De komeet van Donati, 1858 - Rijksmuseum public domain dedication image

De komeet van Donati, 1858 - Rijksmuseum public domain dedication imag...

Public domain photograph - night sky, astronomy, universe, space, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

De komeet van Donati, 1858 - Rijksmuseum public domain dedication image

De komeet van Donati, 1858 - Rijksmuseum public domain dedication imag...

Public domain photograph - night sky, astronomy, universe, space, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

De komeet van Donati, 1858 - Rijksmuseum public domain dedication image

De komeet van Donati, 1858 - Rijksmuseum public domain dedication imag...

Public domain photograph - night sky, astronomy, universe, space, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

De komeet van Donati, 1858 - Rijksmuseum public domain dedication image

De komeet van Donati, 1858 - Rijksmuseum public domain dedication imag...

Public domain photograph - night sky, astronomy, universe, space, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Patricq Kroon - Stembus als komeet

Patricq Kroon - Stembus als komeet

Een groep politici (Staalman, Kuyper, Kolkman, Loman, Tydeman, Treub, Borgesius en Troelstra) kijken met telescopen naar een stembus die als een komeet over een stad door de nachthemel schiet. Ontwerp voor een ... More

Shin-Bijutsukai pattern book. 1900s Japan, public domain image.

Shin-Bijutsukai pattern book. 1900s Japan, public domain image.

The new monthly magazine of various designs by the famous artists of to-day. Date: 1901-1902. Monthly issues bound together subsequent to publication.

Brachiopods, James McDonald. Museum of New Zealand collection

Brachiopods, James McDonald. Museum of New Zealand collection

Public domain vintage photo from New Zealand archive, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Planetarium, Peninsula Nature and Science Center, Newport News, Virginia

Planetarium, Peninsula Nature and Science Center, Newport News, Virgin...

Picryl description: Public domain photo of vintage Virginia postcard, free to use, no copyright restrictions image.

Where will it strike next? / K.

Where will it strike next? / K.

Illustration shows a comet labeled "Allds Investigation" striking a planet labeled "Albany Legislature" causing it to explode among planets labeled "Aldrich, Penrose, Payne, Vreeland, Dalzell, Cannon, Hitchcock... More

A visitor in the morning sky: an impression of Halley's Comet in the early morning heavens, with Venus and the decrescent moon as its attendants

A visitor in the morning sky: an impression of Halley's Comet in the e...

Reproduction of drawing by Elizabeth Shippen Green Elliott. Illus. in: Harper's weekly, v. 54, 1910 May 21, p. 3. Freitag, no. 854. Published in: Halley's Comet: a bibliography / compiled by Ruth S. Freitag. Wa... More

Underneath the tango moon - gramophone disc, record label

Underneath the tango moon - gramophone disc, record label

Male vocal duet, with orchestra Public domain photograph of gramophone disc label - sticker, record label, music record, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Cedar Breaks -BettymayaF (8) - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery

Cedar Breaks -BettymayaF (8) - Public Domain image, National Parks Gal...

Public domain photograph - night sky, astronomy, universe, space, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Under the Stars at Del Norte - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery

Under the Stars at Del Norte - Public Domain image, National Parks Gal...

A bright star takes center stage against a dark night sky and the outline of a camper.

Buffalo National River - Pruitt Bridge

Buffalo National River - Pruitt Bridge

A cluster of stars above a steel truss bridge Public domain photograph - night sky, astronomy, universe, space, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

S132E007197 - STS-132 - Earth Observations taken by STS-132 Crew

S132E007197 - STS-132 - Earth Observations taken by STS-132 Crew

The original finding aid described this as: Description: Earth Observations taken by the STS-132 Crew aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis. View of sunrise. Subject Terms: STS-132, Earth Observations (From Spa... More

S129E007532 - STS-129 - Earth Observation taken by the STS-129 Crew

S129E007532 - STS-129 - Earth Observation taken by the STS-129 Crew

The original finding aid described this as: Description: Earth observations taken by the STS-129 crew aboard the space shuttle Atlantis. View of sunrise. Subject Terms: STS-129, Earth Observations (From Spac... More

Soleil, Mercure, Vénus. Lyon Municipal Library public domain dedication

Soleil, Mercure, Vénus. Lyon Municipal Library public domain dedicatio...

France Public domain photograph - night sky, astronomy, universe, space, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Gros plan sur Saturne. Lyon Municipal Library public domain dedication

Gros plan sur Saturne. Lyon Municipal Library public domain dedication

France Public domain photograph - night sky, astronomy, universe, space, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

The drama of the heavens--Adler Planetarium, operated by Chicago Park District / Beard.

The drama of the heavens--Adler Planetarium, operated by Chicago Park ...

Poster shows stars, planets, and constellations over a planetarium building. Work Projects Administration Poster Collection (Library of Congress). Posters of the WPA / Christopher DeNoon. Los Angeles: Wheatly P... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A contrast in speed and design, the F/A-18 Super Hornet jet (behind) flies alongside a World War II Vought F4U Corsair during the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Space and Air Show Nov. 8-9 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This year’s show brought together the best in military aircraft, such as the F/A-18 Super Hornet and F-16 Fighting Falcon, coupled with precision pilots and veteran astronauts to celebrate spaceflight and aviation. The event included a water rescue demonstration by the 920th Rescue Wing. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-08pd3598

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A contrast in speed and design, the F/A-18 S...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A contrast in speed and design, the F/A-18 Super Hornet jet (behind) flies alongside a World War II Vought F4U Corsair during the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Space and Air Sho... More

Bumper V-2 Launch, NASA history collection

Bumper V-2 Launch, NASA history collection

(July 24, 1950) A new chapter in space flight began in July 1950 with the launch of the first rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida: the Bumper 8. Shown above, Bumper 8 was an ambitious two-stage rocket program t... More

Hermes A-1 Test Rockets. NASA public domain image colelction.

Hermes A-1 Test Rockets. NASA public domain image colelction.

Full Description: The first Hermes A-1 test rocket was fired at White Sand Proving Ground (WSPG). Hermes was a modified V-2 German rocket, utilizing the German aerodynamic configuration; however, internally it ... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in the early '80s, the Space Shuttle Enterprise undergoes Pathfinder fit checks at a tower. The Enterprise was built as a test vehicle and was not equipped for spaceflight. Enterprise eventually became the property of the Smithsonian Institution. Vandenberg AFB is located on the Central Coast of California about 150 miles northwest of Los Angeles. The property is comprised of parts of five Mexican land grants and a sixth grant that was transferred virtually intact to the Army. Vandenberg now is operated by the 30th Space Wing, and is the only military installation in the United States from which unmanned government and commercial satellites are launched into polar orbit. It is also the only site from which intercontinental ballistic missiles ICBMs are launched toward the Kwajalein Atoll to verify weapon systems performance. Vandenberg's military service dates back to 1941, when known as Camp Cooke it served as an Army training facility for armored and infantry troops. The main camp closed in June 1946 and was reactivated in August 1950 after the outbreak of the Korean War. The 13th and 20th Armored Divisions and the 40th, 44th, 86th, and 91st Infantry Divisions trained at Cooke. With the advent of the missile age in the 1950s, the Air Force persuaded Secretary of Defense Charles E. Wilson to direct the Army to transfer 64,000 acres of North Camp Cooke to the Air Force for use as a missile launch and training base. In 1958, Camp Cooke was renamed Vandenberg Air Force Base in honor of the late General Hoyt S. Vandenberg, second Air Force Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force and chief architect of today's modern Air Force. Photo Credit: NASA KSC-99PP-1051

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in t...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in the early '80s, the Space Shuttle Enterprise undergoes Pathfinder fit checks at a tower. The Enterprise was built as a test vehicle and was n... More

Carnaval kunstenaars Hamdorf Laren

Carnaval kunstenaars Hamdorf Laren

Carnaval kunstenaars Hamdorf Laren The post-war recovery of the Netherlands, 1952. The Netherlands experienced a period of economic depression and high unemployment in the immediate post-war period that lasted... 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

F-100A Super Sabre Airplane. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.

F-100A Super Sabre Airplane. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.

Description: NACA Photographer North American F-100A (NACA-200) Super Sabre Airplane take-off. The blowing-tupe boundary-layer control on the leading- and trailing-edge provided large reductions in takeoff and ... More

Bubble chamber event (Roll 164857) nuclear reaction catalyzed by mu mesons. Photograph taken March 29, 1957. Bubble Chamber-134

Bubble chamber event (Roll 164857) nuclear reaction catalyzed by mu me...

Digital Preservation File Name and Format: 434-LB-6-XBD9907-01699.TIF Photographs Documenting Scientists, Special Events, and Nuclear Research Facilities, Instruments, and Projects at the Berkeley Lab

Models of Men Used to Make Couches

Models of Men Used to Make Couches

Date July 7, 1959.Description: Molded astronaut couches line the NASA Langley Research Centers model shop wall. The names of the test subjects--Langley employees--are written on the back. The couches are simila... More

NASA 4000 POUND ROCKET MODEL - Glenn Research Center History

NASA 4000 POUND ROCKET MODEL - Glenn Research Center History

4000 POUND ROCKET MODEL NASA Identifier: C-1959-52028

Little Joe (LJ6) Launch, NASA Mercury project

Little Joe (LJ6) Launch, NASA Mercury project

Description: Launching of the LJ6 Little Joe on October 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 L... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA and Sierra Nevada Space Systems (SNSS) of Sparks, Nev., sign a Space Act Agreement that will offer the company technical capabilities from Kennedy Space Center's uniquely skilled work force. Sitting, from left, are Kennedy Public Affairs Director Lisa Malone; NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden; Kennedy Center Director Bob Cabana; and Mark Sirangelo, head of Sierra Nevada. Standing, from left, are Frank DiBello, president of Space Florida; Joyce Riquelme, manager of Kennedy's Center Planning and Development Office; John Curry, director of Sierra Nevada's Systems Integration, Test and Operations; Kennedy Deputy Director Janet Petro; Jim Voss, vice president of Sierra Nevada's Space Exploration Systems; and Merri Sanchez, senior director of Sierra Nevada's Space Exploration Systems. Kennedy will help Sierra Nevada with the ground operations support of its lifting body reusable spacecraft called "Dream Chaser," which resembles a smaller version of the space shuttle orbiter. The spacecraft would carry as many as seven astronauts to the space station. Through the new agreement, Kennedy's work force will use its experience of processing the shuttle fleet for 30 years to help Sierra Nevada define and execute Dream Chaser's launch preparations and post-landing activities. In 2010 and 2011, Sierra Nevada was awarded grants as part of the initiative to stimulate the private sector in developing and demonstrating human spaceflight capabilities for NASA's Commercial Crew Program. The goal of the program, which is based in Florida at Kennedy, is to facilitate the development of a U.S. commercial crew space transportation capability by achieving safe, reliable and cost-effective access to and from the space station and future low Earth orbit destinations. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2011-5116

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA and Sierra Nevada Space Systems (SNSS) of...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA and Sierra Nevada Space Systems (SNSS) of Sparks, Nev., sign a Space Act Agreement that will offer the company technical capabilities from Kennedy Space Center's uniquely skilled wo... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Operations and Checkout Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, members of space shuttle Endeavour's STS-130 crew put on their launch-and-entry suits before heading to the Astrovan for the ride to Launch Pad 39A. The crew is participating in a dress rehearsal for their upcoming launch, known as the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test. Making his second spaceflight on STS-130 is Mission Specialist Robert Behnken, seen here. The primary payload for the STS-130 mission is the International Space Station's Tranquility node, a pressurized module that will provide room for many of the station's life support systems. Attached to one end of Tranquility is a cupola, a unique work area with six windows on its sides and one on top. The cupola resembles a circular bay window and will provide a vastly improved view of the station's exterior. The multi-directional view will allow the crew to monitor spacewalks and docking operations, as well as provide a spectacular view of Earth and other celestial objects. The module was built in Turin, Italy, by Thales Alenia Space for the European Space Agency. Launch of STS-130 is targeted for Feb. 7. For information on the STS-130 mission and crew, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts130/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2010-1354

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Operations and Checkout Building at NASA...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Operations and Checkout Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, members of space shuttle Endeavour's STS-130 crew put on their launch-and-entry suits before heading to ... 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 positioned between the twin solid rocket boosters on the mobile launcher platform in high bay-1. 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-2011-3053

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at NASA'...

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 positioned between the twin s... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- STS-134 Mission Specialist Greg Chamitoff signs the space shuttle wall tribute in the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Kennedy employees who have supported the Space Shuttle Program throughout the last 30 years have been signing the wall as a tribute to the program. Endeavour's six crew members are at Kennedy for the launch countdown dress rehearsal called the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) and related training. Endeavour is targeted to launch April 19 at 7:48 p.m. EDT on its final spaceflight mission. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts134/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-2621

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- STS-134 Mission Specialist Greg Chamitoff sign...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- STS-134 Mission Specialist Greg Chamitoff signs the space shuttle wall tribute in the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Kennedy employees who have supp... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- STS-134 Commander Mark Kelly gets behind the controls of a Shuttle Training Aircraft (STA) to perform touch-and-go landings on the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. STAs are Gulfstream II business jets that are modified to mimic the shuttle's handling during the final phase of landing. Practice landings are part of standard training before space shuttle Endeavour's STS-134 launch to the International Space Station. Endeavour's six crew members are at Kennedy for the launch countdown dress rehearsal called the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) and related training. Targeted to launch April 19 at 7:48 p.m. EDT, they will deliver the Express Logistics Carrier-3, Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS), a high-pressure gas tank, additional spare parts for the Dextre robotic helper and micrometeoroid debris shields to the space station. This will be the final spaceflight for Endeavour. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts134/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-2521

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- STS-134 Commander Mark Kelly gets behind the c...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- STS-134 Commander Mark Kelly gets behind the controls of a Shuttle Training Aircraft (STA) to perform touch-and-go landings on the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center... 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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Merritt Island Launch Annex (MILA) Spaceflight Tracking and Data Network Station at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Patrick Air Force Base Color Guard presents the U.S. flag which flew over the station to David Carter, Near Earth Network project manager at Goddard Space Flight Center, during a closing ceremony recognizing the station's 45 years of service. The flag will be displayed in a Network Integration Center display cabinet at Goddard. The station was originally established by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center as one of 17 Space Flight Tracking and Data Network stations around the world. Commissioned for the Apollo Program, the first launch it supported was the Apollo/Saturn 203 test flight from Launch Complex 37 on July 5, 1966. It also provided orbital support for low earth-orbiting scientific satellites. In recent history, the station has been used almost exclusively for space shuttle launch and landing support. Following the final launch and landing of the Space Shuttle Program in July 2011, the MILA station is officially decommissioned. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/pdf/167424main_MILA-08C.pdf. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-6000

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Merritt Island Launch Annex (MILA) Spac...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Merritt Island Launch Annex (MILA) Spaceflight Tracking and Data Network Station at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Patrick Air Force Base Color Guard presents the U.S... More

Research scientist Gary Stutte displays a wheat sample that is part of ground testing for the first International Space Station plant experiment, scheduled to fly in October 2001. The payload process testing is one of many studies being performed at the Biological Sciences Branch in the Spaceport Engineering and Technology Directorate at Kennedy Space Center. The branch's operations and research areas include life sciences Space Shuttle payloads, bioregenerative life-support for long-duration spaceflight and environmental/ecological stewardship KSC-00pp0691

Research scientist Gary Stutte displays a wheat sample that is part of...

Research scientist Gary Stutte displays a wheat sample that is part of ground testing for the first International Space Station plant experiment, scheduled to fly in October 2001. The payload process testing i... More

JPL Key Figures, JPL/NASA images

JPL Key Figures, JPL/NASA images

Full Description: (c. 1960) Left to right: Dr. William H. Pickering, former JPL Director, Dr. Theodore von Karman, JPL co-founder and Dr. Frank J. Malina, co-founder, and first director of JPL...Identifier GPN-... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-134 Mission Specialist Greg Chamitoff, left, and Commander Mark Kelly take a break from training on the M113 armored personnel carrier at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. An M113 is kept at the foot of the launch pad in case an emergency exit from the pad is needed and every shuttle crew is trained on driving the vehicle before launch. Endeavour's six crew members are at Kennedy for the launch countdown dress rehearsal called the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) and related training. Targeted to launch April 19 at 7:48 p.m. EDT, they will deliver the Express Logistics Carrier-3, Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS), a high-pressure gas tank, additional spare parts for the Dextre robotic helper and micrometeoroid debris shields to the space station. This will be the final spaceflight for Endeavour. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts134/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-2552

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-134 Mission Specialist Greg Chamitoff, left, and Commander Mark Kelly take a break from training on the M113 armored personnel carrier at NA... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Operations and Checkout Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, members of space shuttle Endeavour's STS-130 crew put on their launch-and-entry suits before heading to the Astrovan for the ride to Launch Pad 39A. The crew is participating in a dress rehearsal for their upcoming launch, known as the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test. Making his second spaceflight on STS-130 is Mission Specialist Nicholas Patrick, seen here in his helmet. The primary payload for the STS-130 mission is the International Space Station's Tranquility node, a pressurized module that will provide room for many of the station's life support systems. Attached to one end of Tranquility is a cupola, a unique work area with six windows on its sides and one on top. The cupola resembles a circular bay window and will provide a vastly improved view of the station's exterior. The multi-directional view will allow the crew to monitor spacewalks and docking operations, as well as provide a spectacular view of Earth and other celestial objects. The module was built in Turin, Italy, by Thales Alenia Space for the European Space Agency. Launch of STS-130 is targeted for Feb. 7. For information on the STS-130 mission and crew, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts130/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2010-1358

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Operations and Checkout Building at NASA...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Operations and Checkout Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, members of space shuttle Endeavour's STS-130 crew put on their launch-and-entry suits before heading to ... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- From the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility, the Starfighter F-104 picks up speed on the runway for takeoff. The pilot is Rick Svetkoff; the co-pilot is Dave Waldrop. The aircraft is taking part in a series of pathfinder test missions from the space shuttle runway. Two flights will generate test data to validate sonic boom assumptions about the potential impacts of suborbital and orbital commercial spaceflight from the facility. NASA is assessing the environmental impact of such flights. Starfighters Inc. of Clearwater, Fla., will perform the flights to help in assessing suborbital space launch trajectories from the runway and paving the way for future commercial space tourism and research flights from the facility. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-07pd0910

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- From the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility,...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- From the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility, the Starfighter F-104 picks up speed on the runway for takeoff. The pilot is Rick Svetkoff; the co-pilot is Dave Waldrop. The aircraft is t... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Operations and Checkout Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, members of space shuttle Endeavour's STS-130 crew put on their launch-and-entry suits before heading to the Astrovan for the ride to Launch Pad 39A. The crew is participating in a dress rehearsal for their upcoming launch, known as the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test. Making his first spaceflight on STS-130 is Pilot Terry Virts, seen here in his helmet. The primary payload for the STS-130 mission is the International Space Station's Tranquility node, a pressurized module that will provide room for many of the station's life support systems. Attached to one end of Tranquility is a cupola, a unique work area with six windows on its sides and one on top. The cupola resembles a circular bay window and will provide a vastly improved view of the station's exterior. The multi-directional view will allow the crew to monitor spacewalks and docking operations, as well as provide a spectacular view of Earth and other celestial objects. The module was built in Turin, Italy, by Thales Alenia Space for the European Space Agency. Launch of STS-130 is targeted for Feb. 7. For information on the STS-130 mission and crew, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts130/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2010-1363

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Operations and Checkout Building at NASA...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Operations and Checkout Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, members of space shuttle Endeavour's STS-130 crew put on their launch-and-entry suits before heading to ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- During a simulated launch countdown, the STS-134 crew pause for a photo opportunity before climbing onboard the Astrovan at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. As part of the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT), the crew members ride to Kennedy's Launch Pad 39A in the silver vehicle and strap into space shuttle Endeavour to practice the steps that will be taken on launch day. From right to left are, Commander Mark Kelly, Pilot Greg H. Johnson , Mission Specialist Mike Fincke, Roberto Vittori, European Space Agency astronaut, and Mission Specialists Andrew Feustel and Greg Chamitoff. Endeavour's six crew members are targeted to launch April 19 at 7:48 p.m. EDT. They will deliver the Express Logistics Carrier-3, Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS), a high-pressure gas tank, additional spare parts for the Dextre robotic helper and micrometeoroid debris shields to the International Space Station. This will be the final spaceflight for Endeavour. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts134/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-2665

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- During a simulated launch countdown, the STS-1...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- During a simulated launch countdown, the STS-134 crew pause for a photo opportunity before climbing onboard the Astrovan at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. As part of the Termina... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the Press Site bull pen at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, The LEGO Group's Daire McCabe and NASA's Associate Administrator for Education Leland Melvin talk about the LEGO sets going up to the International Space Station aboard space shuttle Endeavour's STS-134 mission. NASA and The LEGO Group will send 23 LEGO sets to the station and some of those sets include a space shuttle, an ISS model, a Global Positioning Satellite and NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. The sets will be used for NASA's Teaching From Space Project, which is part of a three-year Space Act Agreement with the toy maker to spark the interest of children in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Liftoff is scheduled for April 29 at 3:47 p.m. EDT. This will be the final spaceflight for Endeavour. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts134/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Frankie Martin KSC-2011-3140

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the Press Site bull pen at NASA's Kennedy S...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the Press Site bull pen at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, The LEGO Group's Daire McCabe and NASA's Associate Administrator for Education Leland Melvin talk about the LEGO set... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Backdropped by a beautiful blue sky and the crystal-clear Atlantic Ocean, space shuttle Endeavour is revealed on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida following the move of the rotating service structure (RSS). 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/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-3532

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Backdropped by a beautiful blue sky and the cry...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Backdropped by a beautiful blue sky and the crystal-clear Atlantic Ocean, space shuttle Endeavour is revealed on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida following the mov... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility in Florida, STS-134 Commander Mark Kelly (right) and Pilot Greg H. Johnson disembark from the Shuttle Training Aircraft. The STS-134 crew members landed at about 9 a.m. EDT to get ready for space shuttle Endeavour's liftoff to the International Space Station scheduled for Monday, May 16 at 8:56 a.m. Endeavour and its crew will deliver the Express Logistics Carrier-3, Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS), a high-pressure gas tank and additional spare parts for the Dextre robotic helper to the station. This will be the final spaceflight for Endeavour. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts134/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-3447

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility in Florida, STS-134 Commander Mark Kelly (right) and Pilot Greg H. Johnson disembark from the Shuttle Training Aircraft. The STS-1... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility in Florida, STS-134 Mission Specialist Andrew Feustel disembarks from his T-38 jet. The STS-134 crew members landed at 12:52 p.m. EDT to get ready for shuttle Endeavour's launch to the International Space Station scheduled for Friday, April 29 at 3:47 p.m. Endeavour and its crew will deliver the Express Logistics Carrier-3, Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS), a high-pressure gas tank and additional spare parts for the Dextre robotic helper to the station. This will be the final spaceflight for Endeavour. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts134/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-3058

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility in Florida, STS-134 Mission Specialist Andrew Feustel disembarks from his T-38 jet. The STS-134 crew members landed at 12:52 p.m. ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the Press Site auditorium at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach briefs media about the launch status of space shuttle Endeavour's STS-134 mission and announces a new launch date. Technicians replaced and tested the aft load control assembly-2 (ALCA-2) and wiring located in Endeavour's aft avionics bay 5. ALCA-2 distributes power to nine shuttle systems and is believed to have caused fuel line heaters for Endeavour's auxiliary power unit-1 (APU-1) to fail April 29 during the first launch attempt. Launch now is scheduled for May 16 at 8:56 a.m. EDT. Endeavour and its crew will deliver the Express Logistics Carrier-3, Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS), a high-pressure gas tank and additional spare parts for the Dextre robotic helper to the station. This 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-2011-3421

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the Press Site auditorium at NASA's Kennedy...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the Press Site auditorium at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach briefs media about the launch status of space shuttle Endeavour's STS-134 mi... 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'...

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. -- 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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-134 Pilot Greg H. Johnson is photographed after his arrival. The STS-134 crew members landed at about 9 a.m. EDT for final preparations for Endeavour's liftoff to the International Space Station scheduled for Monday, May 16 at 8:56 a.m. Endeavour and its crew will deliver the Express Logistics Carrier-3, Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS), a high-pressure gas tank and additional spare parts for the Dextre robotic helper to the station. This will be the final spaceflight for Endeavour. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts134/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-3441

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kenn...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-134 Pilot Greg H. Johnson is photographed after his arrival. The STS-134 crew members landed at about 9 a.m... More

Research assistant Trisha Bruno performs an analysis on potato samples at Hangar L at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The research she is performing is one of many studies at the Biological Sciences Branch in the Spaceport Engineering and Technology Directorate at Kennedy Space Center. The branch's operations and research areas include life sciences Space Shuttle payloads, bioregenerative life-support for long-duration spaceflight and environmental/ecological stewardship KSC-00pp0694

Research assistant Trisha Bruno performs an analysis on potato samples...

Research assistant Trisha Bruno performs an analysis on potato samples at Hangar L at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The research she is performing is one of many studies at the Biological Sciences Branc... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- STS-134 Mission Specialist Greg Chamitoff listens to Commander Mark Kelly address the media on the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. While at Kennedy, space shuttle Endeavour's crew will participate in a launch countdown dress rehearsal called the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) and related training in preparation for the upcoming STS-134 mission. Endeavour and its six STS-134 crew members will deliver the Express Logistics Carrier-3, Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS), a high-pressure gas tank, additional spare parts for the Dextre robotic helper and micrometeoroid debris shields to the International Space Station. This will be the final spaceflight for Endeavour. Launch is targeted for April 19 at 7:48 p.m. EDT. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts134/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-2514

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- STS-134 Mission Specialist Greg Chamitoff list...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- STS-134 Mission Specialist Greg Chamitoff listens to Commander Mark Kelly address the media on the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. While at Kennedy, s... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Operations are under way to roll the protective rotating service structure, at left, around space shuttle Endeavour upon its arrival at Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Riding atop a crawler-transporter attached to its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters, Endeavour's 3.4-mile trek, known as "rollout," began at the Vehicle Assembly Building at 7:56 p.m. EST March 10 and ended at 3:49 a.m. EST, nearly eight hours later. This is Endeavour's final scheduled rollout. Endeavour and its six-member crew will deliver the Express Logistics Carrier-3, Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS), a high-pressure gas tank, additional spare parts for the Dextre robotic helper and micrometeoroid debris shields to the International Space Station on the shuttle's final spaceflight, STS-134. Launch is targeted for 7:48 p.m. EDT April 19. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts134/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2011-2239

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Operations are under way to roll the protectiv...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Operations are under way to roll the protective rotating service structure, at left, around space shuttle Endeavour upon its arrival at Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in F... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - STS-134 Mission Specialist Greg Chamitoff gives a thumbs-up as he takes his seat aboard space shuttle Endeavour during the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Part of TCDT includes practicing the final hours of a real launch day when astronauts put on their launch-and-entry suits, ride to the pad in the Astrovan and strap into the shuttle. Endeavour's six crew members are targeted to launch April 19 at 7:48 p.m. EDT. They will deliver the Express Logistics Carrier-3, Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS), a high-pressure gas tank, additional spare parts for the Dextre robotic helper and micrometeoroid debris shields to the International Space Station. This will be the final spaceflight for Endeavour. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts134/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-2693

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - STS-134 Mission Specialist Greg Chamitoff gives...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - STS-134 Mission Specialist Greg Chamitoff gives a thumbs-up as he takes his seat aboard space shuttle Endeavour during the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) on Launch Pad 39A a... More

Photo of Hermann Oberth. NASA public domain image colelction.

Photo of Hermann Oberth. NASA public domain image colelction.

Hermann Oberth (1894-1989) is considered to be one of the top three pioneers in modern rocketry and is credited with suggesting that space stations would be essential if humans wished to travel to other planets... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Merritt Island Launch Annex (MILA) Spaceflight Tracking and Data Network Station at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Patrick Air Force Base Color Guard folds the U.S. flag for the last time at a closing ceremony recognizing the station's 45 years of service. The station was originally established by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center as one of 17 Space Flight Tracking and Data Network stations around the world. Commissioned for the Apollo Program, the first launch it supported was the Apollo/Saturn 203 test flight from Launch Complex 37 on July 5, 1966. It also provided orbital support for low earth-orbiting scientific satellites. In recent history, the station has been used almost exclusively for space shuttle launch and landing support. Following the final launch and landing of the Space Shuttle Program in July 2011, the MILA station is officially decommissioned. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/pdf/167424main_MILA-08C.pdf. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-5999

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Merritt Island Launch Annex (MILA) Spac...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Merritt Island Launch Annex (MILA) Spaceflight Tracking and Data Network Station at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Patrick Air Force Base Color Guard folds the U.S. f... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a crawler-transporter moves NASA's new mobile launcher (ML) support structure from a construction site, north of the Vehicle Assembly Building, to the Mobile Launcher east park site. 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. 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. Photo credit: NASA/Sandra Joseph KSC-2010-4958

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 NASA's new mobile launcher (ML) support structure from a construction site, north of the Vehicle Assembly Building,... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, workers monitor the progress of a crawler-transporter as it moves NASA's new mobile launcher (ML) support structure from a construction site, north of the Vehicle Assembly Building, to the Mobile Launcher east park site. 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. 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. Photo credit: NASA/Tony Gray KSC-2010-4969

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, workers monitor the progress of a crawler-transporter as it moves NASA's new mobile launcher (ML) support structure from a construction site, n... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Endeavour, attached to its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters atop a crawler-transporter, is ready for its slow move from High Bay 3 in the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The 3.4-mile trek, known as "rollout," will take about seven hours to complete. This is the final scheduled rollout for Endeavour. Endeavour and its six STS-134 crew members will deliver the Express Logistics Carrier-3, Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS), a high-pressure gas tank, additional spare parts for the Dextre robotic helper and micrometeoroid debris shields to the International Space Station on the shuttle's final spaceflight. Launch is targeted for April 19 at 7:48 p.m. EDT. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts134/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2011-2214

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Endeavour, attached to its exter...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Endeavour, attached to its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters atop a crawler-transporter, is ready for its slow move from High Bay 3 in the Vehicle Assembly Build... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the Press Site auditorium at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA managers brief media about their unanimous approval to proceed with space shuttle Endeavour's STS-134 mission. From left, are NASA Public Affairs Officer Candrea Thomas, Space Shuttle Program Launch Integration Manager Mike Moses, Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach and Shuttle Weather Officer Kathy Winters. Endeavour's launch is scheduled for May 16 at 8:56 a.m. EDT. Endeavour and its crew will deliver the Express Logistics Carrier-3, Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS), a high-pressure gas tank and additional spare parts for the Dextre robotic helper to the station. This will be the final spaceflight for Endeavour. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts134/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky KSC-2011-3513

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the Press Site auditorium at NASA's Kennedy...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the Press Site auditorium at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA managers brief media about their unanimous approval to proceed with space shuttle Endeavour's STS-134 missio... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A, a worker inside space shuttle Endeavour's aft section removed a cover to provide access for the removal and replacement of the Load Control Assembly-2 (LCA-2). Located in the orbiter's aft avionics bay 5, the LCA-2 assembly, which feeds power to the fuel line heaters, is believed to have caused the heaters for Endeavour's auxiliary power unit-1 (APU-1) to fail April 29 during the first launch attempt for the STS-134 mission. STS-134 will deliver the Express Logistics Carrier-3, Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS), a high-pressure gas tank and additional spare parts for the Dextre robotic helper to the International Space Station. The mission also will be the final spaceflight for Endeavour. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts134/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett. KSC-2011-3214

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A,...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A, a worker inside space shuttle Endeavour's aft section removed a cover to provide access for the removal and replacement of the Load Control... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A, a worker inside space shuttle Endeavour's aft section removes a cover to provide access for the removal and replacement of the Load Control Assembly-2 (LCA-2). Located in the orbiter's aft avionics bay 5, the LCA-2 assembly, which feeds power to the fuel line heaters, is believed to have caused the heaters for Endeavour's auxiliary power unit-1 (APU-1) to fail April 29 during the first launch attempt for the STS-134 mission. STS-134 will deliver the Express Logistics Carrier-3, Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS), a high-pressure gas tank and additional spare parts for the Dextre robotic helper to the International Space Station. The mission also will be the final spaceflight for Endeavour. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts134/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett. KSC-2011-3212

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A,...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A, a worker inside space shuttle Endeavour's aft section removes a cover to provide access for the removal and replacement of the Load Control... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- On Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, invited guests tour the blockhouse at Complex 5/6 during a celebration of Alan Shepard's historic flight 50 years ago. From left are Robert Sieck, former shuttle launch director; Andy Anderson, former manager for communications in the Mercury Mission Control Center; Bob Moser, former chief test conductor for the Mercury-Redstone launches; and John Twigg, former backup chief test conductor for the Mercury-Redstone launches. The celebration was held at the launch site of the first U.S. manned spaceflight May 5, 1961, to mark the 50th anniversary of the flight. Fifty years ago, astronaut Alan Shepard lifted off inside the Mercury capsule, "Freedom 7," atop an 82-foot-tall Mercury-Redstone rocket at 9:34 a.m. EST, sending him on a remarkably successful, 15-minute suborbital flight. The event was attended by more than 200 workers from the original Mercury program and included a re-creation of Shepard's flight and recovery, as well as a tribute to his contributions as a moonwalker on the Apollo 14 lunar mission. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/topics/history/milestones/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-3333

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- On Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- On Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, invited guests tour the blockhouse at Complex 5/6 during a celebration of Alan Shepard's historic flight 50 years ago. From left are Rober... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Discovery's forward reaction control system (FRCS), which helped steer the shuttle in orbit, is moved to a transporter in Orbiter Processing Facility-2 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. To maneuver, the FRCS used hypergolic fuel and oxidizer, which were purged from Discovery after its final spaceflight, STS-133. Next, the FRCS will be shipped to a maintenance facility at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico, where additional inspections will be performed and its components made safe to go on public display. The transition and retirement processing is expected to help rocket designers build next-generation spacecraft and prepare the shuttle for display. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2011-2428

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Discovery's forward reaction cont...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Discovery's forward reaction control system (FRCS), which helped steer the shuttle in orbit, is moved to a transporter in Orbiter Processing Facility-2 at NASA's Kennedy Spa... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Discovery noses its way toward the open hangar door of Orbiter Processing Facility-2 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Discovery touched down on the Shuttle Landing Facility's Runway 15 at 11:57 a.m., bringing an end to its 39th and final spaceflight mission, STS-133. Discovery and its six-member STS-133 crew delivered the Permanent Multipurpose Module, packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2, the dexterous humanoid astronaut helper, to the International Space Station. Inside the processing facility, Discovery will be prepared for future public display. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-2184

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Discovery noses its way toward th...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Discovery noses its way toward the open hangar door of Orbiter Processing Facility-2 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Discovery touched down on the Shuttle Landing... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Endeavour is illuminated by bright xenon lights on Launch Pad 39A after the rotating service structure (RSS) was moved away. 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 11:52 p.m. EDT on April 28. The move was scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., but storms over Kennedy delayed pad operations for a few hours. STS-134 will deliver the Express Logistics Carrier-3, Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS), a high-pressure gas tank and additional spare parts for the Dextre robotic helper to the International Space Station. Endeavour was scheduled to launch at 3:47 p.m. on April 29, but that attempt was scrubbed for at least 72 hours while engineers assess an issue associated with the shuttle's Auxiliary Power Unit 1. 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/Ken Thornsley KSC-2011-3184

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Endeavour is illuminated by bright xenon lights on Launch Pad 39A after the rotating service structure (RSS) was moved away. The ... More

Ham Launch, NASA Mercury project

Ham Launch, NASA Mercury project

Full Description: (January 31, 1961) Mercury-Redstone 2 (MR-2) Launch with chimpanzee Ham aboard. Monkeys had been flown into space before, but Ham was the first higher primate to test a spacecraft...Image # : 61C-1012

The Launch of Mercury-Redstone. NASA public domain image colelction.

The Launch of Mercury-Redstone. NASA public domain image colelction.

(May 5, 1961) The launch of the Mercury-Redstone (MR-3), Freedom 7. MR-3 placed the first American astronaut, Alan Shepard, in suborbit on May 5, 1961...UID: SPD-MARSH-6100884

Shepard With Freedom 7 Capsule. NASA public domain image colelction.

Shepard With Freedom 7 Capsule. NASA public domain image colelction.

(May 5, 1961) Alan B. Shepard, Jr., America's first astronaut, stands in front of the Freedom 7 spacecraft shortly after completion of the third flight of the Mercury-Redstone (MR-3) vehicle, May 5, 1961. Durin... More

Apollo - LOLA project, NASA Apollo program

Apollo - LOLA project, NASA Apollo program

Description: (December 5, 1961) Project LOLA. Test subject sitting at the controls: Project LOLA or Lunar Orbit and Landing Approach was a simulator built at Langley to study problems related to landing on the ... More

First Saturn (SA-1) Launch. NASA public domain image colelction.

First Saturn (SA-1) Launch. NASA public domain image colelction.

Full Description: On October 27, 1961, the Marshall Space Flight Center and the Nation marked a high point in the 3-year-old Saturn development program when the first Saturn vehicle flew a flawless 215-mile bal... More

Camera Aboard "Friendship 7" - Astronaut John Glenn - Spaceflight

Camera Aboard "Friendship 7" - Astronaut John Glenn - Spaceflight

S62-00303 (20 Feb. 1962) --- A camera onboard the "Friendship 7" Mercury spacecraft photographs astronaut John H. Glenn Jr. during the Mercury-Atlas 6 spaceflight. Photo credit: NASA

Camera Aboard "Friendship 7" - Photographs Astronaut John Glenn During Spaceflight

Camera Aboard "Friendship 7" - Photographs Astronaut John Glenn During...

S62-00302 (20 Feb. 1962) --- A camera onboard the "Friendship 7" Mercury spacecraft photographs astronaut John H. Glenn Jr. during his Mercury-Atlas 6 spaceflight. Photo credit: NASA

Project Mercury: With Project Mercury, the United States gained its first experience in conducting human space missions that provided scientific and engineering knowledge of astronauts in space. Alan Shepard made history May 5, 1961, as America's first man in space. Less than a year later, John Glenn made the nation’s first orbital flight on Feb. 20, 1962. After two suborbital and three orbital missions, Project Mercury ended with a 22-orbit spaceflight on May 16, 1963. Poster designed by Kennedy Space Center Graphics Department/Greg Lee. Credit: NASA KSC-2012-1858

Project Mercury: With Project Mercury, the United States gained its f...

Project Mercury: With Project Mercury, the United States gained its first experience in conducting human space missions that provided scientific and engineering knowledge of astronauts in space. Alan Shepard m... More

Astronaut John Glenn being Honored

Astronaut John Glenn being Honored

Full Description: On February 23, 1962, President John F. Kennedy honors John H. Glenn, Jr. at Hangar S, Cape Canaveral, Florida, after his historic three-orbit mission aboard Friendship 7.

Project Mercury: With Project Mercury, the United States gained its first experience in conducting human space missions that provided scientific and engineering knowledge of astronauts in space. Alan Shepard made history May 5, 1961, as America's first man in space. Less than a year later, John Glenn made the nation’s first orbital flight on Feb. 20, 1962. After two suborbital and three orbital missions, Project Mercury ended with a 22-orbit spaceflight on May 16, 1963. Poster designed by Kennedy Space Center Graphics Department/Greg Lee. Credit: NASA KSC-2012-1857

Project Mercury: With Project Mercury, the United States gained its f...

Project Mercury: With Project Mercury, the United States gained its first experience in conducting human space missions that provided scientific and engineering knowledge of astronauts in space. Alan Shepard m... More

62-MA6-55 (1962) --- Astronaut John H. Glenn Jr., pilot of the Mercury Atlas 6 (MA-6) spaceflight, poses for a photo with the Mercury "Friendship 7" spacecraft during preflight activities. Photo credit: NASA 62ma6-55

62-MA6-55 (1962) --- Astronaut John H. Glenn Jr., pilot of the Mercury...

62-MA6-55 (1962) --- Astronaut John H. Glenn Jr., pilot of the Mercury Atlas 6 (MA-6) spaceflight, poses for a photo with the Mercury "Friendship 7" spacecraft during preflight activities. Photo credit: NASA

Friendship 7, NASA Mercury project

Friendship 7, NASA Mercury project

(February 20, 1962) On February 20, 1962 at 9:47 am EST, John Glenn launched from Cape Canaveral's Launch Complex 14 to become the first American to orbit the Earth. In this image, Glenn enters his Friendship 7... More

Launch of Friendship 7, NASA Mercury project

Launch of Friendship 7, NASA Mercury project

Full Description: (February 20, 1962) Launch of Friendship 7, the first American manned orbital space flight. Astronaut John Glenn aboard, the Mercury-Atlas rocket is launched from Pad 14...Image # : 62PC-0011

John Glenn, Mercury -- February 1962

John Glenn, Mercury -- February 1962

Description: Astronaut John H. Glenn Jr., NASA flight surgeon William Douglas and equipment specialist Joseph W. Schmidt leave crew quarters prior to the Mercury-Atlas 6 mission. Glenn is in his pressure suit a... More

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