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LAS VEGAS -- The Boeing Company tests the forward heat shield FHS jettison system of its CST-100 spacecraft at the Bigelow Aerospace facility in Las Vegas as part of an agreement with NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP during Commercial Crew Development Round 2 CCDev2) activities. The FHS will protect the spacecraft's parachutes, rendezvous-and-docking sensor packages, and docking mechanism during ascent and re-entry. During a mission to low Earth orbit, the shield will be jettisoned after re-entry heating, allowing the spacecraft's air bags to deploy for a safe landing. In 2011, NASA selected Boeing for CCDev2 to mature the design and development of a crew transportation system with the overall goal of accelerating a United States-led capability to the International Space Station. The goal of CCP is to drive down the cost of space travel as well as open up space to more people than ever before by balancing industry’s own innovative capabilities with NASA's 50 years of human spaceflight experience. Six other aerospace companies also were selected to mature launch vehicle and spacecraft designs under CCDev2, including Alliant Techsystems Inc. ATK, Excalibur Almaz Inc., Blue Origin, Sierra Nevada Corp. SNC, Space Exploration Technologies SpaceX, and United Launch Alliance ULA. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew. Image credit: Boeing The Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is developing the necessary ground systems, infrastructure and operational approaches required to safely process, assemble, transport and launch the next generation of rockets and spacecraft in support of NASA’s exploration objectives. Future work also will replace the antiquated communications, power and vehicle access resources with modern efficient systems. Some of the utilities and systems slated for replacement have been used since the VAB opened in 1965. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/index.html Photo credit: Boeing KSC-2012-4386

LAS VEGAS -- The Boeing Company tests the forward heat shield FHS jett...

LAS VEGAS -- The Boeing Company tests the forward heat shield FHS jettison system of its CST-100 spacecraft at the Bigelow Aerospace facility in Las Vegas as part of an agreement with NASA's Commercial Crew Pro... More

PHILLIP THOMPSON (ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN, ATK LS) ASSEMBLES A COMPOSITE 1000553

PHILLIP THOMPSON (ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN, ATK LS) ASSEMBLES A COMPOSIT...

PHILLIP THOMPSON (ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN, ATK LS) ASSEMBLES A COMPOSITE Public domain photograph of NASA experimental aircraft development, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Vibration and laser testing is being conducted on Ares I-X segments at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Team members (from left) Ryan Tuttle, with Aerospace Corporation, Jim Gaspar, with NASA's Langley Research Center, and Vaughn Behun, with Langley ATK, execute modal testing using a Laser Vibrometer to collect deflection data from the test article. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis KSC-08pd1193

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Vibration and laser testing is being conducte...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Vibration and laser testing is being conducted on Ares I-X segments at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Team members (from left) Ryan Tuttle, with Aerospace Corporation, Jim Gaspar, with N... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Assembly and Refurbishment Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Ares I-X forward skirt is lowered onto supports on the floor. United Space Alliance, under a subcontract to ATK, will complete the integration and assembly of the forward skirt components in the ARF. It will then be moved to the Vehicle Assembly Building high bay 3 for stacking operations. The forward skirt is the initial piece of first-stage hardware in preparation for the July 2009 test flight of the agency's next-generation spacecraft and launch vehicle system. Built entirely of armored steel, the 14,000-pound segment is seven feet tall and 12-1/4 feet wide. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2009-1315

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Assembly and Refurbishment Facili...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Assembly and Refurbishment Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Ares I-X forward skirt is lowered onto supports on the floor. United Space Alliance, under... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The booster segments for the Ares I-X test rocket were delivered to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida by the Florida East Coast Railroad and the NASA Railroad. Accompanying the train on its route from Jacksonville, Fla., were NASA and ATK officials. Standing here, from left, are ATK Ares I Flight Tests Program Director Joe Oliva, ATK Ares I-X Florida Program Manager Russ Page, NASA Ares Program Manager Steve Cook, ATK Deputy Site Director in Florida Ted Shaffner, NASA KSC Ares I-X Deputy Mission Manager Jon Cowart, ATK Vice President of Space Launch Propulson Cary Ralston, ATK Ares I First Stage program Director Fred Brasfield, ATK Vice President Space Launch Systems Charlie Precourt, ATK Ares I Flight Tests Deputy Program Director Kathy Philpot, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Reusable Solid Rocket Booster Integration Lead Roy Worthy, ATK Florida Site Director Bob Herman, NASA Res First Stage Project Manager Alex Priskos and NASA KSC Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach. The four reusable motor segments and the nozzle exit cone, manufactured by the Ares I first-stage prime contractor Alliant Techsystems Inc., or ATK, departed Utah March 12 on the seven-day, cross-country trip to Florida. The segments will be delivered to the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility for final processing and integration. The booster used for the Ares I-X launch is being modified by adding new forward structures and a fifth segment simulator. The motor is the final hardware needed for the rocket's upcoming test flight this summer. The stacking operations are scheduled to begin in the Vehicle Assembly Building in April. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2009-2211

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The booster segments for the Ares I-X test rock...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The booster segments for the Ares I-X test rocket were delivered to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida by the Florida East Coast Railroad and the NASA Railroad. Accompanying the trai... More

DELAMAR DRY LAKE BED, Nev. -- The Boeing Company's CST-100 boilerplate crew capsule floats toward a smooth landing beneath three main parachutes after being released from an Erickson Sky Crane helicopter at about 11,000 feet above Delamar Dry Lake Bed near Alamo, Nev. This is one of two tests that Boeing will perform for NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP in order to validate the spacecraft's parachute system architecture and deployment scheme, characterize pyrotechnic shock loads, confirm parachute sizing and design, and identify potential forward compartment packaging and deployment issues. In 2011, NASA selected Boeing during Commercial Crew Development Round 2 CCDev2) activities to mature the design and development of a crew transportation system with the overall goal of accelerating a United States-led capability to the International Space Station. The goal of CCP is to drive down the cost of space travel as well as open up space to more people than ever before by balancing industry’s own innovative capabilities with NASA's 50 years of human spaceflight experience. Six other aerospace companies also are maturing launch vehicle and spacecraft designs under CCDev2, including Alliant Techsystems Inc. ATK, Excalibur Almaz Inc., Blue Origin, Sierra Nevada, Space Exploration Technologies SpaceX, and United Launch Alliance ULA. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew. Image credit: Boeing KSC-2012-1952

DELAMAR DRY LAKE BED, Nev. -- The Boeing Company's CST-100 boilerplate...

DELAMAR DRY LAKE BED, Nev. -- The Boeing Company's CST-100 boilerplate crew capsule floats toward a smooth landing beneath three main parachutes after being released from an Erickson Sky Crane helicopter at abo... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The manager of NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP, Ed Mango, hosts a virtual conversation, called a Tweet Chat, with Twitter followers from around the world. Those who follow www.twitter.com/commercial_crew had an hour-long opportunity to ask Mango questions about NASA’s efforts to get astronauts to low Earth orbit and the International Space Station aboard American rockets and spacecraft. Mango stuck to the social networking service's 140 character limit and answered dozens of questions. At left, is Brittani Sims, a member of the CCP team. The goal of CCP is to drive down the cost of space travel as well as open up space to more people than ever before by balancing industry’s own innovative capabilities with NASA's 50 years of human spaceflight experience. Seven aerospace companies are maturing launch vehicle and spacecraft designs under the program’s second round of development, called Commercial Crew Development Round 2 CCDev2), including Alliant Techsystems Inc. ATK, The Boeing Co., Excalibur Almaz Inc., Blue Origin, Sierra Nevada, Space Exploration Technologies SpaceX, and United Launch Alliance ULA. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew. Image credit: NASA/Gianni Woods KSC-2012-2645

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The manager of NASA's Commercial Crew Program C...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The manager of NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP, Ed Mango, hosts a virtual conversation, called a Tweet Chat, with Twitter followers from around the world. Those who follow www.twitter.... More

LOUISVILLE, Colo. – An Erickson Air-Crane helicopter lifts Sierra Nevada Corporation Space Systems’ Dream Chaser full-scale test vehicle to verify proper aerodynamic flight performance near the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport in Jefferson County, Colo. This captive-carry test is one of several milestones the company is meeting during its partnership with NASA’s Commercial Crew Program CCP. Data from this test will provide SNC an early opportunity to evaluate and prove hardware, facilities and ground operations in preparation for approach and landing tests scheduled for later this year. In 2011, NASA selected Sierra Nevada during Commercial Crew Development Round 2 CCDev2) activities to mature the design and development of a crew transportation system with the overall goal of accelerating a United States-led capability to the International Space Station. The goal of CCP is to drive down the cost of space travel as well as open up space to more people than ever before by balancing industry’s own innovative capabilities with NASA's 50 years of human spaceflight experience. Six other aerospace companies also are maturing launch vehicle and spacecraft designs under CCDev2, including Alliant Techsystems Inc. ATK, The Boeing Co., Excalibur Almaz Inc., Blue Origin, Space Exploration Technologies SpaceX, and United Launch Alliance ULA. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew. Image credit: Sierra Nevada Corp. KSC-2012-3149

LOUISVILLE, Colo. – An Erickson Air-Crane helicopter lifts Sierra Neva...

LOUISVILLE, Colo. – An Erickson Air-Crane helicopter lifts Sierra Nevada Corporation Space Systems’ Dream Chaser full-scale test vehicle to verify proper aerodynamic flight performance near the Rocky Mountain M... More

LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne tests a thruster destined for Boeing's CST-100 spacecraft. The thruster was fired in a vacuum chamber that simulated a space-like environment of 100,000 feet at NASA's White Sands Test Facility in Las Cruces, N.M., to verify its durability in extreme heat, evaluate the opening and closing of its valves and confirm continuous combustion and performance. Twenty-four thrusters will be part of the spacecraft's orbital maneuvering and attitude control system OMAC, giving the CST-100 the ability to maneuver in space and during re-entry. The thrusters also will allow the spacecraft to separate from its launch vehicle if an abort becomes necessary during launch or ascent. In 2011, NASA selected Boeing of Houston during Commercial Crew Development Round 2 CCDev2) activities to mature the design and development of a crew transportation system with the overall goal of accelerating a United States-led capability to the International Space Station. The goal of CCP is to drive down the cost of space travel as well as open up space to more people than ever before by balancing industry’s own innovative capabilities with NASA's 50 years of human spaceflight experience. Six other aerospace companies also are maturing launch vehicle and spacecraft designs under CCDev2, including Alliant Techsystems Inc. ATK, Blue Origin, Excalibur Almaz Inc., Sierra Nevada Corp., Space Exploration Technologies SpaceX, and United Launch Alliance ULA. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew. Image credit: Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne KSC-2012-3495

LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne tests a thruster destin...

LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne tests a thruster destined for Boeing's CST-100 spacecraft. The thruster was fired in a vacuum chamber that simulated a space-like environment of 100,000 feet at NA... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, engineers and technicians use a crane to move NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive, or SMAP, spacecraft. SMAP will launch on a Delta II 7320 configuration vehicle featuring a United Launch Alliance first stage booster powered by an Aerojet Rocketdyne RS-27A main engine and three Alliant Techsystems, or ATK, strap-on solid rocket motors. Once on station in Earth orbit, SMAP will provide global measurements of soil moisture and its freeze/thaw state. These measurements will be used to enhance understanding of processes that link the water, energy and carbon cycles, and to extend the capabilities of weather and climate prediction models. SMAP data also will be used to quantify net carbon flux in boreal landscapes and to develop improved flood prediction and drought monitoring capabilities. Launch from Space Launch Complex 2 is targeted for Jan. 29, 2015. To learn more about SMAP, visit http://smap.jpl.nasa.gov Photo credit: NASA/ Randy Beaudoin KSC-2014-4286

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside the Astrotech payload proce...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, engineers and technicians use a crane to move NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, engineers and technicians have rotated NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive, or SMAP, spacecraft to begin processing. SMAP will launch on a Delta II 7320 configuration vehicle featuring a United Launch Alliance first stage booster powered by an Aerojet Rocketdyne RS-27A main engine and three Alliant Techsystems, or ATK, strap-on solid rocket motors. Once on station in Earth orbit, SMAP will provide global measurements of soil moisture and its freeze/thaw state. These measurements will be used to enhance understanding of processes that link the water, energy and carbon cycles, and to extend the capabilities of weather and climate prediction models. SMAP data also will be used to quantify net carbon flux in boreal landscapes and to develop improved flood prediction and drought monitoring capabilities. Launch from Space Launch Complex 2 is targeted for Jan. 29, 2015. To learn more about SMAP, visit http://smap.jpl.nasa.gov Photo credit: NASA/ Robert Rasmison KSC-2014-4295

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside the Astrotech payload proce...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, engineers and technicians have rotated NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive, or SM... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In the Astrotech payload processing facility on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians enclose a transportation canister containing NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive, or SMAP, spacecraft in an environmentally protective wrap for its move to the launch pad. SMAP will launch on a United Launch Alliance Delta II 7320 configuration vehicle featuring a United Launch Alliance first stage booster powered by an Aerojet Rocketdyne RS-27A main engine and three Alliant Techsystems, or ATK, strap-on solid rocket motors. Once on station in Earth orbit, SMAP will provide global measurements of soil moisture and its freeze/thaw state. These measurements will be used to enhance understanding of processes that link the water, energy and carbon cycles, and to extend the capabilities of weather and climate prediction models. SMAP data also will be used to quantify net carbon flux in boreal landscapes and to develop improved flood prediction and drought monitoring capabilities. Launch from Space Launch Complex 2 is targeted for Jan. 29. To learn more about SMAP, visit http://www.nasa.gov/smap. Photo credit: NASA/U.S. Air Force Photo Squadron KSC-2015-1091

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In the Astrotech payload processin...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In the Astrotech payload processing facility on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians enclose a transportation canister containing NASA's Soil Moisture Active ... More

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Late Cargo Load

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Late Cargo Load

Technicians move cargo into the Orbital ATK CRS-6 pressurized cargo module during late stowage inside the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The spacecraft is schedu... More

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Late Cargo Load

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Late Cargo Load

Technicians prepare to move cargo into the Orbital ATK CRS-6 pressurized cargo module during late stowage inside the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The spacecraf... More

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Final Hatch Closure

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Final Hatch Closure

Inside the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the hatch is closed for the upcoming flight of a Cygnus cargo vessel. The spacecraft is scheduled for the upcoming Orbi... More

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Transport from PHSF to VIF

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Transport from PHSF to VIF

Encapsulated inside its payload fairing, the Cygnus spacecraft for the upcoming Orbital ATK Commercial Resupply Services-6 is prepared for lifting to be mated atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket in the... More

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Rollout

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Rollout

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket arrives at the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Space Launch Complex 41. A Cygnus spacecraft is scheduled to deliver 7,700 pounds of supplies and research... More

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Liftoff

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Liftoff

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station carrying an Orbital ATK Cygnus resupply spacecraft on a commercial resupply services mission to... More

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Liftoff

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Liftoff

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida carrying an Orbital ATK Cygnus resupply spacecraft on a commercial resupply services... More

ISS049e042840 (10/23/2016) --- Orbital ATK’s Cygnus cargo craft (left) is seen from the Cupola module windows aboard the International Space Station. The main robotic work station for controlling the Canadarm2 robotic arm is located inside the Cupola and was used to capture Cygnus upon its arrival. iss049e042840

ISS049e042840 (10/23/2016) --- Orbital ATK’s Cygnus cargo craft (left)...

ISS049e042840 (10/23/2016) --- Orbital ATK’s Cygnus cargo craft (left) is seen from the Cupola module windows aboard the International Space Station. The main robotic work station for controlling the Canadarm2 ... More

Orbital ATK CRS-7 Rollout. NASA public domain image. Kennedy space center.

Orbital ATK CRS-7 Rollout. NASA public domain image. Kennedy space cen...

The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, with the Orbital ATK Cygnus pressurized cargo module, stands ready for launch on the pad at Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Orb... More

Orbital ATK CRS-7 "What's on Board" Science Briefing

Orbital ATK CRS-7 "What's on Board" Science Briefing

Sourzv Sinha, with Oconolinx, discusses the ADCs(antibody-drug conjugates) in Microgravity experiment during a "What's on Board' science breifing to NASA Social participants at the agency's Kennedy Space Center... More

Orbital ATK CRS-7 "What's on Board" Science Briefing

Orbital ATK CRS-7 "What's on Board" Science Briefing

Paul Escalera, Orbital ATK staff systems engineer, speaks to NASA Social participants about the Cygnus pressurized cargo module during a "What's on Board" science briefing at the agency's Kennedy Space Center i... More

Orbital ATK CRS-7 "What's on Board" Science Briefing

Orbital ATK CRS-7 "What's on Board" Science Briefing

Henry Martin, left, external payloads coordinator with NanoRacks, and Davide Massuti, QB50 CubeSats at Von Karman Institute, talk to NASA Social participants during a science briefing at the agency's Kennedy Sp... More

Orbital ATK CRS-7 Prelaunch News Conference

Orbital ATK CRS-7 Prelaunch News Conference

A prelaunch status briefing for Orbital ATK's seventh commercial resupply mission, CRS-7, to the International Space Station, is held at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Press Site in Florida. Participating in the b... More

Orbital ATK CRS-7 Liftoff. NASA public domain image. Kennedy space center.

Orbital ATK CRS-7 Liftoff. NASA public domain image. Kennedy space cen...

The Orbital ATK Cygnus pressurized cargo module is carried atop the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Orbital ATK's seventh resup... More

Orbital ATK CRS-7 Liftoff. NASA public domain image. Kennedy space center.

Orbital ATK CRS-7 Liftoff. NASA public domain image. Kennedy space cen...

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket lifts off at 11:11 a.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, carrying the Orbital ATK Cygnus pressurized cargo module on the c... More

Orbital ATK CRS-7 Liftoff. NASA public domain image. Kennedy space center.

Orbital ATK CRS-7 Liftoff. NASA public domain image. Kennedy space cen...

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket lifts off at 11:11 a.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, carrying the Orbital ATK Cygnus pressurized cargo module on the c... More

Orbital ATK CRS-7 Liftoff. NASA public domain image. Kennedy space center.

Orbital ATK CRS-7 Liftoff. NASA public domain image. Kennedy space cen...

With blue sky for a background, the Orbital ATK Cygnus pressurized cargo module is carried atop the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Flor... More

Orbital ATK CRS-7 Liftoff. NASA public domain image. Kennedy space center.

Orbital ATK CRS-7 Liftoff. NASA public domain image. Kennedy space cen...

The Orbital ATK Cygnus pressurized cargo module is carried atop the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Orbital ATK's seventh resup... More

Orbital ATK CRS-7 Liftoff. NASA public domain image. Kennedy space center.

Orbital ATK CRS-7 Liftoff. NASA public domain image. Kennedy space cen...

The Orbital ATK Cygnus pressurized cargo module is carried atop the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Orbital ATK's seventh resup... More

Orbital ATK CRS-7 Liftoff. NASA public domain image. Kennedy space center.

Orbital ATK CRS-7 Liftoff. NASA public domain image. Kennedy space cen...

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket lifts off at 11:11 a.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, carrying the Orbital ATK Cygnus pressurized cargo module on the c... More

Orbital ATK CRS-7 Liftoff. NASA public domain image. Kennedy space center.

Orbital ATK CRS-7 Liftoff. NASA public domain image. Kennedy space cen...

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket soars updward after a liftoff at 11:11 a.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, carrying the Orbital ATK Cygnus pressurized c... More

Orbital ATK CRS-7 Liftoff. NASA public domain image. Kennedy space center.

Orbital ATK CRS-7 Liftoff. NASA public domain image. Kennedy space cen...

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket lifts off at 11:11 a.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, carrying the Orbital ATK Cygnus pressurized cargo module on the c... More

NASA Advanced Concept. NASA public domain image colelction.

NASA Advanced Concept. NASA public domain image colelction.

Shown is a test of the TEM-13 solid rocket motor at the ATK test facility in Utah in support of the Ares/CLV first stage. This image is extracted from high definition video and is the highest resolution available.

NASA Advanced Concept. NASA public domain image colelction.

NASA Advanced Concept. NASA public domain image colelction.

Shown is a test of the TEM-13 solid rocket motor at the ATK test facility in Utah in support of the Ares/CLV first stage. This image is extracted from high definition video and is the highest resolution available.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Hanger AF at Cape Canaveral, Fla., workers prepare the separated segments of one of the retrieved solid rocket boosters from the STS-126 launch for their transport to the NASA railway. The segments will be sent to ATK (Alliant Techsystems) in Utah for final processing and return to Kennedy for another shuttle launch. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-08pd3956

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Hanger AF at Cape Canaveral, Fla., workers ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Hanger AF at Cape Canaveral, Fla., workers prepare the separated segments of one of the retrieved solid rocket boosters from the STS-126 launch for their transport to the NASA railway... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Hanger AF at Cape Canaveral, Fla., separation rings are moved above two segments of one of the retrieved solid rocket boosters from the STS-126 launch. The rings will be lowered and locked around the segments. The pins attaching the segments to each other are removed at the start. Each separation ring has three joints that help mold the ring around the segment and an air motor is used to rotate the rings to separate the segments. After disassembly, the segments will be sent to ATK (Alliant Techsystems) in Utah for final processing and return to Kennedy for another shuttle launch. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-08pd3955

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Hanger AF at Cape Canaveral, Fla., separati...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Hanger AF at Cape Canaveral, Fla., separation rings are moved above two segments of one of the retrieved solid rocket boosters from the STS-126 launch. The rings will be lowered and l... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Assembly and Refurbishment Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Ares I-X forward skirt is lowered onto supports on the floor. United Space Alliance, under a subcontract to ATK, will complete the integration and assembly of the forward skirt components in the ARF. It will then be moved to the Vehicle Assembly Building high bay 3 for stacking operations. The forward skirt is the initial piece of first-stage hardware in preparation for the July 2009 test flight of the agency's next-generation spacecraft and launch vehicle system. Built entirely of armored steel, the 14,000-pound segment is seven feet tall and 12-1/4 feet wide. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2009-1314

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Assembly and Refurbishment Facilit...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Assembly and Refurbishment Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Ares I-X forward skirt is lowered onto supports on the floor. United Space Alliance, unde... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The Florida East Coast Railway train arrives at the Jay Jay Rail Yard with the booster segments for the Ares I-X test rocket for interchange with the NASA Railroad. The four reusable motor segments and the nozzle exit cone, manufactured by the Ares I first-stage prime contractor Alliant Techsystems Inc., or ATK, departed Utah March 12 on the seven-day, cross-country trip to Florida. The segments will be delivered to the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility for final processing and integration. The booster used for the Ares I-X launch is being modified by adding new forward structures and a fifth segment simulator. The motor is the final hardware needed for the rocket's upcoming test flight this summer. The stacking operations are scheduled to begin in the Vehicle Assembly Building in April. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2009-2201

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The Florida East Coast Railway train arrives at...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The Florida East Coast Railway train arrives at the Jay Jay Rail Yard with the booster segments for the Ares I-X test rocket for interchange with the NASA Railroad. The four reusable moto... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – After switching out the box cars on the train, the NASA Railroad hauls the Ares I-X motor segments and nozzle exit cone to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The four reusable motor segments and the nozzle exit cone, manufactured by the Ares I first-stage prime contractor Alliant Techsystems Inc., or ATK, departed Utah March 12 on the seven-day, cross-country trip to Florida. The segments will be delivered to Kennedy's Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility for final processing and integration. The booster used for the Ares I-X launch is being modified by adding new forward structures and a fifth segment simulator. The motor is the final hardware needed for the rocket's upcoming test flight this summer. The stacking operations are scheduled to begin in the Vehicle Assembly Building in April. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2009-2229

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – After switching out the box cars on the train, ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – After switching out the box cars on the train, the NASA Railroad hauls the Ares I-X motor segments and nozzle exit cone to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The four reusable motor ... More

Space Launch System Panel Discussion

Space Launch System Panel Discussion

L-R: William Gerstenmaier, NASA Associate Administrator for human exploration and operations; Charlie Precourt, Vice President and General Manager, ATK Space Launch Division; John Elbon, Vice President and Gene... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Workers in the mobile service tower at Space Launch Complex 2 on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California monitor a solid rocket motor as it is installed on the Delta II rocket for NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive mission, or SMAP. SMAP will be launched on a Delta II 7320 configuration vehicle featuring a United Launch Alliance first stage booster powered by an Aerojet Rocketdyne RS-27A main engine and three Alliant Techsystems, or ATK, strap-on solid rocket motors. Once on station in Earth orbit, SMAP will provide global measurements of soil moisture and its freeze/thaw state. These measurements will be used to enhance understanding of processes that link the water, energy and carbon cycles, and to extend the capabilities of weather and climate prediction models. SMAP data also will be used to quantify net carbon flux in boreal landscapes and to develop improved flood prediction and drought monitoring capabilities. Launch is scheduled for no earlier than November 2014. To learn more about SMAP, visit http://smap.jpl.nasa.gov. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-2014-3601

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Workers in the mobile service towe...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Workers in the mobile service tower at Space Launch Complex 2 on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California monitor a solid rocket motor as it is installed on the Delta II rocke... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – A plethora of ground support equipment for NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive mission, or SMAP, is delivered to the Astrotech Payload Processing Facility on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. SMAP will launch on a Delta II 7320 configuration vehicle featuring a United Launch Alliance first stage booster powered by an Aerojet Rocketdyne RS-27A main engine and three Alliant Techsystems, or ATK, strap-on solid rocket motors. Once on station in Earth orbit, SMAP will provide global measurements of soil moisture and its freeze/thaw state. These measurements will be used to enhance understanding of processes that link the water, energy and carbon cycles, and to extend the capabilities of weather and climate prediction models. SMAP data also will be used to quantify net carbon flux in boreal landscapes and to develop improved flood prediction and drought monitoring capabilities. Launch from Space Launch Complex 2 is targeted for Jan. 29, 2015. To learn more about SMAP, visit http://smap.jpl.nasa.gov. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-2014-4235

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – A plethora of ground support equip...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – A plethora of ground support equipment for NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive mission, or SMAP, is delivered to the Astrotech Payload Processing Facility on Vandenberg Air F... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Workers push the pallet supporting the transportation container protecting NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive, or SMAP, spacecraft into the Astrotech payload processing facility on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. SMAP will launch on a Delta II 7320 configuration vehicle featuring a United Launch Alliance first stage booster powered by an Aerojet Rocketdyne RS-27A main engine and three Alliant Techsystems, or ATK, strap-on solid rocket motors. Once on station in Earth orbit, SMAP will provide global measurements of soil moisture and its freeze/thaw state. These measurements will be used to enhance understanding of processes that link the water, energy and carbon cycles, and to extend the capabilities of weather and climate prediction models. SMAP data also will be used to quantify net carbon flux in boreal landscapes and to develop improved flood prediction and drought monitoring capabilities. Launch from Space Launch Complex 2 is targeted for Jan. 29, 2015. To learn more about SMAP, visit http://smap.jpl.nasa.gov. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-2014-4244

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Workers push the pallet supporting...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Workers push the pallet supporting the transportation container protecting NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive, or SMAP, spacecraft into the Astrotech payload processing faci... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, engineers and technicians remove a protective covering from NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive, or SMAP, spacecraft. SMAP will launch on a Delta II 7320 configuration vehicle featuring a United Launch Alliance first stage booster powered by an Aerojet Rocketdyne RS-27A main engine and three Alliant Techsystems, or ATK, strap-on solid rocket motors. Once on station in Earth orbit, SMAP will provide global measurements of soil moisture and its freeze/thaw state. These measurements will be used to enhance understanding of processes that link the water, energy and carbon cycles, and to extend the capabilities of weather and climate prediction models. SMAP data also will be used to quantify net carbon flux in boreal landscapes and to develop improved flood prediction and drought monitoring capabilities. Launch from Space Launch Complex 2 is targeted for Jan. 29, 2015. To learn more about SMAP, visit http://smap.jpl.nasa.gov Photo credit: NASA/ Randy Beaudoin KSC-2014-4275

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside the Astrotech payload proce...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, engineers and technicians remove a protective covering from NASA's Soil Moisture ... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, engineers and technicians rotate NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive, or SMAP, spacecraft to begin processing. SMAP will launch on a Delta II 7320 configuration vehicle featuring a United Launch Alliance first stage booster powered by an Aerojet Rocketdyne RS-27A main engine and three Alliant Techsystems, or ATK, strap-on solid rocket motors. Once on station in Earth orbit, SMAP will provide global measurements of soil moisture and its freeze/thaw state. These measurements will be used to enhance understanding of processes that link the water, energy and carbon cycles, and to extend the capabilities of weather and climate prediction models. SMAP data also will be used to quantify net carbon flux in boreal landscapes and to develop improved flood prediction and drought monitoring capabilities. Launch from Space Launch Complex 2 is targeted for Jan. 29, 2015. To learn more about SMAP, visit http://smap.jpl.nasa.gov Photo credit: NASA/ Randy Beaudoin KSC-2014-4279

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside the Astrotech payload proce...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, engineers and technicians rotate NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive, or SMAP, sp... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, engineers and technicians remove a protective covering from NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive, or SMAP, spacecraft. SMAP will launch on a Delta II 7320 configuration vehicle featuring a United Launch Alliance first stage booster powered by an Aerojet Rocketdyne RS-27A main engine and three Alliant Techsystems, or ATK, strap-on solid rocket motors. Once on station in Earth orbit, SMAP will provide global measurements of soil moisture and its freeze/thaw state. These measurements will be used to enhance understanding of processes that link the water, energy and carbon cycles, and to extend the capabilities of weather and climate prediction models. SMAP data also will be used to quantify net carbon flux in boreal landscapes and to develop improved flood prediction and drought monitoring capabilities. Launch from Space Launch Complex 2 is targeted for Jan. 29, 2015. To learn more about SMAP, visit http://smap.jpl.nasa.gov Photo credit: NASA/ Randy Beaudoin KSC-2014-4274

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside the Astrotech payload proce...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, engineers and technicians remove a protective covering from NASA's Soil Moisture ... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, an engineer inspects NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive, or SMAP, spacecraft. SMAP will launch on a Delta II 7320 configuration vehicle featuring a United Launch Alliance first stage booster powered by an Aerojet Rocketdyne RS-27A main engine and three Alliant Techsystems, or ATK, strap-on solid rocket motors. Once on station in Earth orbit, SMAP will provide global measurements of soil moisture and its freeze/thaw state. These measurements will be used to enhance understanding of processes that link the water, energy and carbon cycles, and to extend the capabilities of weather and climate prediction models. SMAP data also will be used to quantify net carbon flux in boreal landscapes and to develop improved flood prediction and drought monitoring capabilities. Launch from Space Launch Complex 2 is targeted for Jan. 29, 2015. To learn more about SMAP, visit http://smap.jpl.nasa.gov Photo credit: NASA/ Randy Beaudoin KSC-2014-4283

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside the Astrotech payload proce...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, an engineer inspects NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive, or SMAP, spacecraft. ... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, engineers and technicians rotate NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive, or SMAP, spacecraft to begin processing. SMAP will launch on a Delta II 7320 configuration vehicle featuring a United Launch Alliance first stage booster powered by an Aerojet Rocketdyne RS-27A main engine and three Alliant Techsystems, or ATK, strap-on solid rocket motors. Once on station in Earth orbit, SMAP will provide global measurements of soil moisture and its freeze/thaw state. These measurements will be used to enhance understanding of processes that link the water, energy and carbon cycles, and to extend the capabilities of weather and climate prediction models. SMAP data also will be used to quantify net carbon flux in boreal landscapes and to develop improved flood prediction and drought monitoring capabilities. Launch from Space Launch Complex 2 is targeted for Jan. 29, 2015. To learn more about SMAP, visit http://smap.jpl.nasa.gov Photo credit: NASA/ Robert Rasmison KSC-2014-4292

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside the Astrotech payload proce...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, engineers and technicians rotate NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive, or SMAP, sp... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive, or SMAP, spacecraft is lowered onto the Delta II payload attach structure in the Astrotech payload processing facility on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The structure will secure the spacecraft to the rocket's second stage. SMAP will launch on a Delta II 7320 configuration vehicle featuring a United Launch Alliance first stage booster powered by an Aerojet Rocketdyne RS-27A main engine and three Alliant Techsystems, or ATK, strap-on solid rocket motors. Once on station in Earth orbit, SMAP will provide global measurements of soil moisture and its freeze/thaw state. These measurements will be used to enhance understanding of processes that link the water, energy and carbon cycles, and to extend the capabilities of weather and climate prediction models. SMAP data also will be used to quantify net carbon flux in boreal landscapes and to develop improved flood prediction and drought monitoring capabilities. Launch from Space Launch Complex 2 is targeted for Jan. 29, 2015. To learn more about SMAP, visit http://www.nasa.gov/smap. Photo credit: NASA/Chris Wiant, U.S. Air Force Photo Squadron KSC-2015-1083

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passiv...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive, or SMAP, spacecraft is lowered onto the Delta II payload attach structure in the Astrotech payload processing facility on Vandenberg Air ... More

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Late Cargo Load

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Late Cargo Load

Technicians are positioned at the hatch of the Orbital ATK CRS-6 pressurized cargo module as a forklift moves a cargo package into position for installation into the spacecraft inside the Payload Hazardous Serv... More

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Press Opportunity

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Press Opportunity

Inside the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a Cygnus cargo spacecraft is being prepared for the upcoming Orbital ATK Commercial Resupply Services-6 mission to deli... More

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Rollout

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Rollout

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket is moved from the Vertical Integration Facility to the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Space Launch Complex 41. A Cygnus spacecraft is scheduled to deliv... More

Cygnus Orbtial ATK OA-6 Prelaunch Press Conference

Cygnus Orbtial ATK OA-6 Prelaunch Press Conference

In the Kennedy Space Center’s Press Site auditorium, Frank Culbertson, president of Orbital ATK's Space System Group, speaks to members of the media at a prelaunch news conference for Orbital ATK CRS-6 commerci... More

Cygnus Orbtial ATK OA-6 Prelaunch Press Conference

Cygnus Orbtial ATK OA-6 Prelaunch Press Conference

In the Kennedy Space Center’s Press Site auditorium, Dr. Michael Roberts deputy chief scientist for the Center for the Advancement for Science in Space, or CASIS, speaks to members of the media at a prelaunch n... More

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Rollout

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Rollout

At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Space Launch Complex 41, a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with a single-engine Centaur upper stage stands ready to boost an Orbital ATK Cygnus spacecraft on a resupp... More

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Rollout

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Rollout

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket is moved from the Vertical Integration Facility to the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Space Launch Complex 41. A Cygnus spacecraft is scheduled to deliv... More

Cygnus Orbtial ATK OA-6 Prelaunch Press Conference

Cygnus Orbtial ATK OA-6 Prelaunch Press Conference

In the Kennedy Space Center’s Press Site auditorium, agency and industry leaders speak to members of the media at a prelaunch news conference for Orbital ATK CRS-6 commercial resupply services mission to the In... More

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Rollout

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Rollout

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket is moved from the Vertical Integration Facility to the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Space Launch Complex 41. A Cygnus spacecraft is scheduled to deliv... More

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Liftoff

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Liftoff

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida carrying an Orbital ATK Cygnus resupply spacecraft on a commercial resupply services... More

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Liftoff

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Liftoff

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station carrying an Orbital ATK Cygnus resupply spacecraft on a commercial resupply services mission to... More

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Post Launch Press Conference

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Post Launch Press Conference

In the Press Site auditorium of NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Frank Culbertson, president of Orbital ATK's Space System Group, speaks to members of the news media at a post-launch news conference foll... More

Orbital ATK's Ground Support Equipment (GSE) Delivery for OA-7

Orbital ATK's Ground Support Equipment (GSE) Delivery for OA-7

Sealed in its shipping container, the ground support equipment for the Orbital ATK OA-7 commercial resupply services mission has arrived at the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center i... More

Orbital ATK CRS-7 Prelaunch News Conference

Orbital ATK CRS-7 Prelaunch News Conference

A prelaunch status briefing for Orbital ATK's seventh commercial resupply mission, CRS-7, to the International Space Station, is held at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Press Site in Florida. Participating in the b... More

Orbital ATK CRS-7 "What's on Board" Science Briefing

Orbital ATK CRS-7 "What's on Board" Science Briefing

NASA Social participants attend a "What's on Board" science briefing at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Joe Fust, mission integrator for United Launch Alliance, gives an overview of the Atlas V ro... More

Orbital ATK CRS-7 Rollout. NASA public domain image. Kennedy space center.

Orbital ATK CRS-7 Rollout. NASA public domain image. Kennedy space cen...

The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, with the Orbital ATK Cygnus pressurized cargo module, stands ready for launch on the pad at Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Orb... More

Orbital ATK CRS-7 Liftoff. NASA public domain image. Kennedy space center.

Orbital ATK CRS-7 Liftoff. NASA public domain image. Kennedy space cen...

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket lifts off at 11:11 a.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, carrying the Orbital ATK Cygnus pressurized cargo module on the c... More

Orbital ATK CRS-7 Post Launch News Conference

Orbital ATK CRS-7 Post Launch News Conference

Members of the news media attend a press conference at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, after the launch of the Orbital ATK Cygnus pressurized cargo module atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket fr... More

Orbital ATK CRS-7 Liftoff. NASA public domain image. Kennedy space center.

Orbital ATK CRS-7 Liftoff. NASA public domain image. Kennedy space cen...

The Orbital ATK Cygnus pressurized cargo module is carried atop the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Orbital ATK's seventh comme... More

HAWTHORNE, Calif. -- NASA astronaut Rex Walheim checks out the Dragon spacecraft under development by Space Exploration Technologies SpaceX of Hawthorne, Calif., for the agency's Commercial Crew Program. In 2011, NASA selected SpaceX during Commercial Crew Development Round 2 CCDev2) activities to mature the design and development of a crew transportation system with the overall goal of accelerating a United States-led capability to the International Space Station. The goal of CCP is to drive down the cost of space travel as well as open up space to more people than ever before by balancing industry’s own innovative capabilities with NASA's 50 years of human spaceflight experience. Six other aerospace companies also are maturing launch vehicle and spacecraft designs under CCDev2, including Alliant Techsystems Inc. ATK, The Boeing Co., Excalibur Almaz Inc., Blue Origin, Sierra Nevada, and United Launch Alliance ULA. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew. Image credit: Space Exploration Technologies KSC-2012-1826

HAWTHORNE, Calif. -- NASA astronaut Rex Walheim checks out the Dragon ...

HAWTHORNE, Calif. -- NASA astronaut Rex Walheim checks out the Dragon spacecraft under development by Space Exploration Technologies SpaceX of Hawthorne, Calif., for the agency's Commercial Crew Program. In 201... More

PHILLIP THOMPSON (ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN, ATK LS) ASSEMBLES A COMPOSITE 1000552

PHILLIP THOMPSON (ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN, ATK LS) ASSEMBLES A COMPOSIT...

PHILLIP THOMPSON (ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN, ATK LS) ASSEMBLES A COMPOSITE

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Assembly and Refurbishment Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Ares I-X forward skirt is lifted off the transporter that carried it from the Astrotech facility. The segment will be lifted off the transporter and placed on supports on the floor. United Space Alliance, under a subcontract to ATK, will complete the integration and assembly of the forward skirt components in the ARF. It will then be moved to the Vehicle Assembly Building high bay 3 for stacking operations. The forward skirt is the initial piece of first-stage hardware in preparation for the July 2009 test flight of the agency's next-generation spacecraft and launch vehicle system. Built entirely of armored steel, the 14,000-pound segment is seven feet tall and 12-1/4 feet wide. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2009-1313

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Assembly and Refurbishment Facili...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Assembly and Refurbishment Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Ares I-X forward skirt is lifted off the transporter that carried it from the Astrotech fa... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Media learn about the plans Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) has to take NASA astronauts to the International Space Station at Space Launch Complex-40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. SpaceX is working to make its Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule safe for humans for NASA's Commercial Crew Program (CCP) under the Commercial Crew Development Round 2 (CCDev2) activities. SpaceX already is developing these systems under NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation System (COTS) Program to take supplies to the space station. Scott Henderson, director of SpaceX mission assurance, explained that the company is drafting designs to make the Dragon capsule crew-capable with life support systems while meeting CCP's safety requirements. One such option under discussion is a launch abort system that would push astronauts away from the launch pad in the event of an emergency, which is different than traditional pull systems. It's the freedom to develop innovative solutions such as this that CCP hopes will drive down the cost of space travel as well as open up space to more people than ever before. CCP, which is based at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, partnered with seven aerospace companies to mature launch vehicle and spacecraft designs under CCDev2, including Alliant Techsystems Inc. (ATK) of Promontory, Utah, Blue Origin of Kent, Wash., The Boeing Co., of Houston, Excalibur Almaz Inc. of Houston, Sierra Nevada Corp. of Louisville, Colo., Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) of Hawthorne, Calif., and United Launch Alliance (ULA) of Centennial, Colo. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/exploration/commercial Photo credit: Jim Grossmann KSC-2011-7885

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Media learn about the plans Space Exploration ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Media learn about the plans Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) has to take NASA astronauts to the International Space Station at Space Launch Complex-40 on Cape Canaveral Air ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- This is an artist's conception of the Dragon capsule under development by Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) of Hawthorne, Calif., for NASA's Commercial Crew Program (CCP). In 2011, NASA selected SpaceX during Commercial Crew Development Round 2 (CCDev2) activities to mature the design and development of a crew transportation system with the overall goal of accelerating a United States-led capability to the International Space Station. The goal of CCP is to drive down the cost of space travel as well as open up space to more people than ever before by balancing industry’s own innovative capabilities with NASA's 50 years of human spaceflight experience. Six other aerospace companies also are maturing launch vehicle and spacecraft designs under CCDev2, including Alliant Techsystems Inc. (ATK), The Boeing Co., Excalibur Almaz Inc., Blue Origin, Sierra Nevada, and United Launch Alliance (ULA). For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew. Image credit: Space Exploration Technologies KSC-2011-8117

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- This is an artist's conception of the Dragon c...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- This is an artist's conception of the Dragon capsule under development by Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) of Hawthorne, Calif., for NASA's Commercial Crew Program (CCP). In 2011,... More

DALLAS – This image was taken during a series of wind tunnel tests for Blue Origin's Space Vehicle at Lockheed Martin's High Speed Wind Tunnel Facility in Dallas. The Space Vehicle's innovative biconic shape is designed to provide more cross-range and interior volume than a traditional capsule and weigh less than a winged vehicle. More than 180 wind tunnel tests validated the company's analysis of the Space Vehicle's aerodynamics during descent through the atmosphere and the ability to change its flight path, which could increase the number of available landing opportunities and enhance the vehicle's emergency return capability. In 2011, NASA selected Blue Origin during Commercial Crew Development Round 2 CCDev2) activities for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program to mature the design and development of a crew transportation system with the overall goal of accelerating a United States-led capability to the International Space Station. The goal of CCP is to drive down the cost of space travel as well as open up space to more people than ever before by balancing industry’s own innovative capabilities with NASA's 50 years of human spaceflight experience. Six other aerospace companies also are maturing launch vehicle and spacecraft designs under CCDev2, including Alliant Techsystems Inc. ATK, The Boeing Co., Excalibur Almaz Inc., Sierra Nevada Corp., Space Exploration Technologies SpaceX, and United Launch Alliance ULA. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew. Image credit: Blue Origin KSC-2012-3151

DALLAS – This image was taken during a series of wind tunnel tests for...

DALLAS – This image was taken during a series of wind tunnel tests for Blue Origin's Space Vehicle at Lockheed Martin's High Speed Wind Tunnel Facility in Dallas. The Space Vehicle's innovative biconic shape is... More

DELAMAR DRY LAKE BED, Nev. – An Erickson Sky Crane helicopter releases The Boeing Company's CST-100 crew capsule over the Delamar Dry Lake Bed near Alamo, Nev., where it floated to a smooth landing beneath its parachute system. This is the second parachute test that Boeing performed under its partnership with NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP. The first showed the parachute system’s deployment scheme worked and that it could be re-packed and re-used for this second test. In 2011, NASA selected Boeing during Commercial Crew Development Round 2 CCDev2) activities to mature the design and development of a crew transportation system with the overall goal of accelerating a United States-led capability to the International Space Station. The goal of CCP is to drive down the cost of space travel as well as open up space to more people than ever before by balancing industry’s own innovative capabilities with NASA's 50 years of human spaceflight experience. Six other aerospace companies also are maturing launch vehicle and spacecraft designs under CCDev2, including Alliant Techsystems Inc. ATK, Excalibur Almaz Inc., Blue Origin, Sierra Nevada, Space Exploration Technologies SpaceX, and United Launch Alliance ULA. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew. Image credit: Boeing KSC-2012-2689

DELAMAR DRY LAKE BED, Nev. – An Erickson Sky Crane helicopter releases...

DELAMAR DRY LAKE BED, Nev. – An Erickson Sky Crane helicopter releases The Boeing Company's CST-100 crew capsule over the Delamar Dry Lake Bed near Alamo, Nev., where it floated to a smooth landing beneath its ... More

DELAMAR DRY LAKE BED, Nev. – The Boeing Company's CST-100 crew capsule floats to a smooth landing beneath three main parachutes over the Delamar Dry Lake Bed near Alamo, Nev. This is the second parachute test that Boeing performed under its partnership with NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP. The first showed the parachute system’s deployment scheme worked and that it could be re-packed and re-used for this second test. In 2011, NASA selected Boeing during Commercial Crew Development Round 2 CCDev2) activities to mature the design and development of a crew transportation system with the overall goal of accelerating a United States-led capability to the International Space Station. The goal of CCP is to drive down the cost of space travel as well as open up space to more people than ever before by balancing industry’s own innovative capabilities with NASA's 50 years of human spaceflight experience. Six other aerospace companies also are maturing launch vehicle and spacecraft designs under CCDev2, including Alliant Techsystems Inc. ATK, Excalibur Almaz Inc., Blue Origin, Sierra Nevada, Space Exploration Technologies SpaceX, and United Launch Alliance ULA. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew. Image credit: Boeing KSC-2012-2691

DELAMAR DRY LAKE BED, Nev. – The Boeing Company's CST-100 crew capsule...

DELAMAR DRY LAKE BED, Nev. – The Boeing Company's CST-100 crew capsule floats to a smooth landing beneath three main parachutes over the Delamar Dry Lake Bed near Alamo, Nev. This is the second parachute test t... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The second stage of the Delta II rocket for NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive mission, or SMAP, is transferred into the top of the mobile service tower at Space Launch Complex 2 on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Operations are underway to install the second stage atop the rocket's first stage. SMAP will launch on a Delta II 7320 configuration vehicle featuring a United Launch Alliance first stage booster powered by an Aerojet Rocketdyne RS-27A main engine and three Alliant Techsystems, or ATK, strap-on solid rocket motors. Once on station in Earth orbit, SMAP will provide global measurements of soil moisture and its freeze/thaw state. These measurements will be used to enhance understanding of processes that link the water, energy and carbon cycles, and to extend the capabilities of weather and climate prediction models. SMAP data also will be used to quantify net carbon flux in boreal landscapes and to develop improved flood prediction and drought monitoring capabilities. Launch is scheduled for no earlier than November 2014. To learn more about SMAP, visit http://smap.jpl.nasa.gov. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-2014-3615

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The second stage of the Delta II r...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The second stage of the Delta II rocket for NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive mission, or SMAP, is transferred into the top of the mobile service tower at Space Launch Comp... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, engineers and technicians use a crane to move a component of NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive, or SMAP, spacecraft for a lift by a crane. SMAP will launch on a Delta II 7320 configuration vehicle featuring a United Launch Alliance first stage booster powered by an Aerojet Rocketdyne RS-27A main engine and three Alliant Techsystems, or ATK, strap-on solid rocket motors. Once on station in Earth orbit, SMAP will provide global measurements of soil moisture and its freeze/thaw state. These measurements will be used to enhance understanding of processes that link the water, energy and carbon cycles, and to extend the capabilities of weather and climate prediction models. SMAP data also will be used to quantify net carbon flux in boreal landscapes and to develop improved flood prediction and drought monitoring capabilities. Launch from Space Launch Complex 2 is targeted for Jan. 29, 2015. To learn more about SMAP, visit http://smap.jpl.nasa.gov Photo credit: NASA/ Robert Rasmison KSC-2014-4297

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside the Astrotech payload proce...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, engineers and technicians use a crane to move a component of NASA's Soil Moisture... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, engineers and technicians prepare a component of NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive, or SMAP, spacecraft for a lift by a crane. SMAP will launch on a Delta II 7320 configuration vehicle featuring a United Launch Alliance first stage booster powered by an Aerojet Rocketdyne RS-27A main engine and three Alliant Techsystems, or ATK, strap-on solid rocket motors. Once on station in Earth orbit, SMAP will provide global measurements of soil moisture and its freeze/thaw state. These measurements will be used to enhance understanding of processes that link the water, energy and carbon cycles, and to extend the capabilities of weather and climate prediction models. SMAP data also will be used to quantify net carbon flux in boreal landscapes and to develop improved flood prediction and drought monitoring capabilities. Launch from Space Launch Complex 2 is targeted for Jan. 29, 2015. To learn more about SMAP, visit http://smap.jpl.nasa.gov Photo credit: NASA/ Randy Beaudoin KSC-2014-4281

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside the Astrotech payload proce...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, engineers and technicians prepare a component of NASA's Soil Moisture Active Pass... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Operations are underway to weigh NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive, or SMAP, spacecraft in the clean room of the Astrotech payload processing facility on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The weighing of a spacecraft is standard procedure during prelaunch processing. SMAP will launch on a Delta II 7320 configuration vehicle featuring a United Launch Alliance first stage booster powered by an Aerojet Rocketdyne RS-27A main engine and three Alliant Techsystems, or ATK, strap-on solid rocket motors. Once on station in Earth orbit, SMAP will provide global measurements of soil moisture and its freeze/thaw state. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory that built the observatory and its radar instrument also is responsible for SMAP project management and mission operations. Launch from Space Launch Complex 2 is targeted for Jan. 29, 2015. To learn more about SMAP, visit http://smap.jpl.nasa.gov. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-2014-4456

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Operations are underway to weigh N...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Operations are underway to weigh NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive, or SMAP, spacecraft in the clean room of the Astrotech payload processing facility on Vandenberg Air For... More

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Final Hatch Closure

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Final Hatch Closure

Inside the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the hatch is closed for the upcoming flight of a Cygnus cargo vessel. The spacecraft is scheduled for the upcoming Orbi... More

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Transport from PHSF to VIF

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Transport from PHSF to VIF

Encapsulated inside its payload fairing, the Cygnus spacecraft for the upcoming Orbital ATK Commercial Resupply Services-6 is lifted to be mated atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket in the Vertical Inte... More

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Transport from PHSF to VIF

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Transport from PHSF to VIF

Encapsulated inside its payload fairing, the Cygnus spacecraft for the upcoming Orbital ATK Commercial Resupply Services-6 mission departs the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center... More

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Rollout

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Rollout

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket is moved from the Vertical Integration Facility to the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Space Launch Complex 41. A Cygnus spacecraft is scheduled to deliv... More

"What's on Board" Science Briefing for Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6

"What's on Board" Science Briefing for Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6

In the Kennedy Space Center’s Press Site auditorium, members of the media participate in a briefing on science research and technology work planned for the International Space Station, or ISS. NASA is preparing... More

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Liftoff

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Liftoff

Cape Canaveral Air Force Station carrying an Orbital ATK Cygnus resupply spacecraft on a commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station. Liftoff was at 11:05 p.m. EDT. Cygnus will deliv... More

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Liftoff

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Liftoff

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station carrying an Orbital ATK Cygnus resupply spacecraft on a commercial resupply services mission to... More

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Liftoff

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Liftoff

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida carrying an Orbital ATK Cygnus resupply spacecraft on a commercial resupply services... More

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Liftoff

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Liftoff

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station carrying an Orbital ATK Cygnus resupply spacecraft on a commercial resupply services mission to... More

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Post Launch Press Conference

Cygnus Orbital ATK OA-6 Post Launch Press Conference

In the Press Site auditorium of NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA and industry leaders speak to members of the news media at a post-launch news conference following the liftoff of Orbital ATK CRS-6, ... More

Orbital ATK's Ground Support Equipment (GSE) Delivery for OA-7

Orbital ATK's Ground Support Equipment (GSE) Delivery for OA-7

Sealed in its shipping container, the ground support equipment for the Orbital ATK OA-7 commercial resupply services mission was moved inside the low bay of the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kenne... More

Orbital ATK's Ground Support Equipment (GSE) Delivery for OA-7

Orbital ATK's Ground Support Equipment (GSE) Delivery for OA-7

Inside the Space Station Processing Facility low bay at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians use a crane to lift the cover off ground support equipment for the Orbital ATK OA-7 commercial resuppl... More

Orbital ATK CRS-7 Rollout. NASA public domain image. Kennedy space center.

Orbital ATK CRS-7 Rollout. NASA public domain image. Kennedy space cen...

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, with the Orbital ATK Cygnus pressurized cargo module, is transported along the road to the pad at Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.... More

Orbital ATK CRS-7 Rollout. NASA public domain image. Kennedy space center.

Orbital ATK CRS-7 Rollout. NASA public domain image. Kennedy space cen...

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, with the Orbital ATK Cygnus pressurized cargo module, has exited the Vertical Integration Facility for the trip to the pad at Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral A... More

Orbital ATK CRS-7 "What's on Board" Science Briefing

Orbital ATK CRS-7 "What's on Board" Science Briefing

Julian Rubinfien, student winner of the Genes in Space competition, discusses his Genes in Space II winning experiment during a "What's on Board" science briefing to NASA Social participants at NASA's Kennedy S... More

Orbital ATK CRS-7 Liftoff. NASA public domain image. Kennedy space center.

Orbital ATK CRS-7 Liftoff. NASA public domain image. Kennedy space cen...

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket lifts off at 11:11 a.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, carrying the Orbital ATK Cygnus pressurized cargo module on the c... More

Orbital ATK CRS-7 Liftoff. NASA public domain image. Kennedy space center.

Orbital ATK CRS-7 Liftoff. NASA public domain image. Kennedy space cen...

Against the backdrop of a bright blue sky, a United Launch Alliance Atlas V soars upward after liftoff from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, carrying the Orbital ATK Cygnu... More

iss051e020152 (April 22, 2017) --- The Cygnus resupply ship from Orbital ATK approaches the International Space Station April 22, 2017, before its capture and installation to the Unity module with the Canadarm2 robotic arm. iss051e020152

iss051e020152 (April 22, 2017) --- The Cygnus resupply ship from Orbit...

iss051e020152 (April 22, 2017) --- The Cygnus resupply ship from Orbital ATK approaches the International Space Station April 22, 2017, before its capture and installation to the Unity module with the Canadarm2... More

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