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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. - Workers move the Orbiter Transporter System (OTS) into Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The OTS will be moved under shuttle Atlantis for its rollover to the nearby Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB).            Once inside the VAB, Atlantis will be joined to its solid rocket boosters and external fuel tank on the mobile launcher platform. Later this month, Atlantis is scheduled to "rollout" to Launch Pad 39A on the STS-135 mission, which will deliver the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module packed with supplies and spare parts to the International Space Station. STS-135, targeted to launch June 28, will be the 33rd flight of Atlantis, the 37th shuttle mission to the station, and the 135th and final mission of NASA's Space Shuttle Program. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts135/index.html. NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2011-3350

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Workers move the Orbiter Transporter System (OT...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Workers move the Orbiter Transporter System (OTS) into Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The OTS will be moved under shuttle Atlantis for its rollov... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- After rollback of the Rotating Service Structure on Launch Pad 39B, Space Shuttle Endeavour is bathed in light.  Twin solid rocket boosters flank the orange external tank behind Endeavour.  Above the external tank is the Gaseous Oxygen Vent Arm that vents gaseous oxygen vapors away from the Shuttle.  The vent hood assembly at the end is often referred to as the "beanie cap."  Stretching to the crew hatch on the side of Endeavour is the Orbiter Access Arm with its environmentally controlled White Room at the end, through which the crew enters the vehicle.  The Shuttle sits on the Mobile Launcher Platform with the two service tail masts on either side of the main engines.  The tail masts support the fluid, gas and electrical requirements of the orbiter's liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen aft T-0 umbilicals.  Each tail mast is 31 feet (9.4 meters) high, 15 feet (4.6 meters) long and 9 feet (3.1 meters) wide.   Endeavour is scheduled to launch on mission STS-108 Dec. 4 at 5:45  p.m. EST.  On this 12th flight to the International Space Station, known as a Utilization Flight, Endeavour will carry a crew of four plus the Expedition 4 crew, who will replace Expedition 3 aboard the ISS.  The payload includes the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello, filled with supplies, equipment and experiments KSC01PD1763

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- After rollback of the Rotating Service S...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- After rollback of the Rotating Service Structure on Launch Pad 39B, Space Shuttle Endeavour is bathed in light. Twin solid rocket boosters flank the orange external tank behind En... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Repair work to space shuttle Discovery's external fuel tank begins in the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Technicians will modify 32 support beams, called stringers, on the tank's intertank region by fitting pieces of metal, called radius blocks, over the stringers' edges where they attach to the thrust panel area. The thrust panel is where the tank meets the two solid rocket boosters and sees the most stress during the flight into orbit. After the modifications and additional scans of the stringers are complete, foam insulation will be re-applied.            Discovery's next launch opportunity to the International Space Station on the STS-133 mission is no earlier than Feb. 3, 2011. For more information on STS-133, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2011-1000

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Repair work to space shuttle Discovery's exter...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Repair work to space shuttle Discovery's external fuel tank begins in the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Technicians will modify 32 support beams, c... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –   At Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, a worker examines one of the frustums from two spent solid rocket boosters from space shuttle Endeavour, which launched Nov. 14 on the STS-126 mission. The frustum was offloaded from the solid rocket booster retrieval ship Freedom Star and moved inside the Hangar AF High Bay for disassembly. The space shuttle’s solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea after being jettisoned. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. After their recovery and transport to Hangar AF, the boosters are cleaned, inspected, disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse.  Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-08pd3766

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Stat...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, a worker examines one of the frustums from two spent solid rocket boosters from space shuttle Endeavour, which launched Nov.... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, shuttle Endeavour is being lowered into place where it will be attached to its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters, already positioned on the mobile launcher platform. Endeavour and its STS-134 crew will deliver the Express Logistics Carrier-3, Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, a high-pressure gas tank, additional spare parts for Dextre and micrometeoroid debris shields to the International Space Station. Endeavour's final launch is targeted for April 19 at 7:48 p.m. EDT. For more information visit, http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts134/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2011-1978

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, shuttle Endeavour is being lowered into place where it will be attached to its external fuel tank and solid ro... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – On Launch Pad 37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the second of two solid rocket boosters is lifted into the mobile service tower.  It will be installed on the right side of the Delta IV launch vehicle for the GOES-O spacecraft. GOES–O is one of a series of Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites. The multi-mission GOES series N-P will be a vital contributor to weather, solar and space operations and science. NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, are actively engaged in a cooperative program to expand the existing GOES system with the launch of the GOES N-P satellites. Launch of the GOES-O is targeted for no earlier than April 2009.    Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2009-1917

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – On Launch Pad 37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force St...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – On Launch Pad 37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the second of two solid rocket boosters is lifted into the mobile service tower. It will be installed on the right side o... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Endeavour enters the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). In the VAB, Endeavour will be lifted into a high bay where it will be attached to its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters for its final mission, STS-134.    Endeavour and its STS-134 crew will deliver the Express Logistics Carrier-3, Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, a high-pressure gas tank, additional spare parts for Dextre and micrometeoroid debris shields to the International Space Station. Launch is targeted for April 19 at 7:48 p.m. EDT. For more information visit, http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts134/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2011-1904

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 enters the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). In the VAB, Endeavour will be lifted into a high bay ... More

SPACE SHUTTLE ORBITER ENTERPRISE MATED TO AN EXTERNAL FUEL TANK AND TWO SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS ON TOP OF A MOBIL LAUNCHER PLATFORM, UNDERGOES FIT AND FUNCTION CHECKS AT THE LAUNCH SITE FOR THE FIRST SPACE SHUTTLE AT LAUNCH COMPLEX 39'S PAD A.  THE DUMMY SPACE SHUTTLE WAS ASSEMBLED IN THE VEHICLE ASSEMBLY BUILDING AND ROLLED OUT TO THE LAUNCH SITE ON MAY 1 AS PART OF AN EXERCISE TO MAKE CERTAIN SHUTTLE ELEMENTS ARE COMPATIBLE WITH THE SPACEPORT'S ASSEMBLY AND LAUNCH FACILITIES AND GROUND SUPPORT EQUIPMENT, AND HELP CLEAR THE WAY FOR THE LAUNCH OF THE SPACE SHUTTLE ORBITER COLUMBIA. ARC-1980-AC80-0107-17

SPACE SHUTTLE ORBITER ENTERPRISE MATED TO AN EXTERNAL FUEL TANK AND TW...

SPACE SHUTTLE ORBITER ENTERPRISE MATED TO AN EXTERNAL FUEL TANK AND TWO SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS ON TOP OF A MOBIL LAUNCHER PLATFORM, UNDERGOES FIT AND FUNCTION CHECKS AT THE LAUNCH SITE FOR THE FIRST SPACE SHUTTL... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A large yellow, metal sling lifts shuttle Endeavour from the transfer aisle into a high bay of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. In the bay, the shuttle will be attached to its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters. Endeavour is targeted to roll out to Kennedy's Launch Pad 39A for its final mission, STS-134, on March 9. Endeavour and the 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. Endeavour's final launch is targeted for April 19 at 7:48 p.m. EDT. For more information visit, http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts134/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Frankie Martin KSC-2011-1985

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A large yellow, metal sling lifts shuttle Ende...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A large yellow, metal sling lifts shuttle Endeavour from the transfer aisle into a high bay of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. In the bay, the sh... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- A scuba diver stands by as the unmanned Max Rover submersible goes down to insert a Diver Operated Plug (DOP) into an aft nozzle like the ones used on the Space Shuttle's solid rocket boosters (SRBs). NASA and contractor Deep Sea Systems demonstrated the submersible at Port Canaveral's Trident pier. Kennedy Space Center's SRB retrieval team and Advanced Systems Development laboratory staff hope that the new robotic technology will make the process of inserting the plug into spent SRBs safer and less strenuous. Currently, scuba divers manually insert the DOP into the aft nozzle of a jettisoned SRB 60 to 70 feet below the surface of the Atlantic Ocean. After the plug is installed, water is pumped out of the booster allowing it to float horizontally. It is then towed back to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Station for refurbishment. Deep Sea Systems of Falmouth, Mass., built the submersible for NASA KSC-97PC1299

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- A scuba diver stands by as the unmanned ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- A scuba diver stands by as the unmanned Max Rover submersible goes down to insert a Diver Operated Plug (DOP) into an aft nozzle like the ones used on the Space Shuttle's solid roc... More

As daylight creeps over the horizon, STS-95 Space Shuttle Discovery, on the Mobile Launch Platform, arrives at Launch Complex Pad 39B after a 4.2-mile trip taking approximately 6 hours. At the left is the "white room," attached to the orbiter access arm. The white room is an environmental chamber that mates with the orbiter and holds six persons. At the launch pad, the orbiter, external tank and solid rocket boosters will undergo final preparations for the launch, scheduled to lift off Oct. 29. The mission includes research payloads such as the Spartan solar-observing deployable spacecraft, the Hubble Space Telescope Orbital Systems Test Platform, the International Extreme Ultraviolet Hitchhiker, as well as the SPACEHAB single module with experiments on space flight and the aging process KSC-98pc1101

As daylight creeps over the horizon, STS-95 Space Shuttle Discovery, o...

As daylight creeps over the horizon, STS-95 Space Shuttle Discovery, on the Mobile Launch Platform, arrives at Launch Complex Pad 39B after a 4.2-mile trip taking approximately 6 hours. At the left is the "whit... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Service Structure driver (inside the cab near bottom of photo) begins rolling back the Rotating Service Structure on Launch Pad 39A to reveal the Space Shuttle Endeavour with its external tank and two solid rocket boosters on top of the Mobile Launcher Platform. Endeavour is ready for launch of mission STS-88 targeted for 3:56 a.m. on Dec. 3. The first U.S. launch for the International Space Station, STS-88 is expected to last 11 days, 19 hours and 49 minutes, and land at 10:17 p.m. EST on Dec. 14. Endeavour carries the Unity connecting module which the crew will be mating with the Russian-built Zarya control module already in orbit. In addition to Unity, two small replacement electronics boxes are on board for possible repairs to Zarya batteries KSC-98pc1747

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Service Structure driver (inside the...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Service Structure driver (inside the cab near bottom of photo) begins rolling back the Rotating Service Structure on Launch Pad 39A to reveal the Space Shuttle Endeavour with i... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On Pad 17B, Cape Canaveral Air Station, the gantry holding the solid rocket boosters is moved into place next to the Delta II rocket carrying the Mars Polar Lander. The rocket will be used to launch the Mars Polar Lander on Jan. 3, 1999. The lander is a solar-powered spacecraft designed to touch down on the Martian surface near the northern-most boundary of the south pole in order to study the water cycle there. The lander also will help scientists learn more about climate change and current resources on Mars, studying such things as frost, dust, water vapor and condensates in the Martian atmosphere. It is the second spacecraft to be launched in a pair of Mars '98 missions. The first is the Mars Climate Orbiter, to be launched aboard a Delta II rocket from Launch Complex 17A in December 1998 KSC-98pc1826

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On Pad 17B, Cape Canaveral Air Station, ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On Pad 17B, Cape Canaveral Air Station, the gantry holding the solid rocket boosters is moved into place next to the Delta II rocket carrying the Mars Polar Lander. The rocket will... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- With the American flag flapping in the morning breeze, Space Shuttle Discovery, across the turn basin, makes its crawl to Launch Pad 39B (background, left) atop the mobile launcher platform and crawler transporter. Once at the pad, the orbiter, external tank and solid rocket boosters will undergo final preparations for the STS-103 launch targeted for Dec. 6, 1999, at 2:37 a.m. EST. The mission is a "call-up" due to the need to replace and repair portions of the Hubble Space Telescope. Although Hubble is operating normally and conducting its scientific observations, only three of its six gyroscopes are working properly. Four EVA's are planned to make the necessary repairs and replacements on the telescope. The STS-103 crew members are Commander Curtis L. Brown Jr., Pilot Scott J. Kelly, Steven L. Smith, C. Michael Foale (Ph.D.), John M. Grunsfeld (Ph.D.), and Claude Nicollier of Switzerland and Jean-François Clervoy of France, both with the European Space Agency. KSC-99pp1303

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- With the American flag flapping in the m...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- With the American flag flapping in the morning breeze, Space Shuttle Discovery, across the turn basin, makes its crawl to Launch Pad 39B (background, left) atop the mobile launcher... More

Like a roman candle, Space Shuttle Discovery roars into the clear night sky trailing brilliant exhaust from the solid rocket boosters (center) and blue mach diamonds from the main engine nozzles. Liftoff occurred at 7:50 p.m. EST from Launch Pad 39B. On board are Commander Curtis L. Brown Jr., Pilot Scott J. Kelly and Mission Specialists Steven L. Smith, C. Michael Foale (Ph.D.), John M. Grunsfeld (Ph.D.), Claude Nicollier of Switzerland and Jean-François Clervoy of France. Nicollier and Clervoy are with the European Space Agency. STS-103 is a Hubble Servicing Mission, with three planned space walks designed to install new equipment and replace old. The primary objective is to replace the gyroscopes that make up the three Rate Sensor Units. Extravehicular activities include installing a new computer, changing out one of the Fine Guidance Sensors, replacing a tape recorder with a new solid state recorder, and installing a voltage/temperature improvement kit, and begin repairing the insulation on the telescope's outer surface. After the 7-day, 21-hour mission, Discovery is expected to land at KSC Monday, Dec. 27, at about 5:24 p.m. EST. This is the 27th flight of Discovery and the 96th mission in the Space Shuttle Program. It is the third launch at Kennedy Space Center in 1999 KSC-99pp1479

Like a roman candle, Space Shuttle Discovery roars into the clear nigh...

Like a roman candle, Space Shuttle Discovery roars into the clear night sky trailing brilliant exhaust from the solid rocket boosters (center) and blue mach diamonds from the main engine nozzles. Liftoff occurr... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – One of two solid rocket boosters arrives on Launch Pad 37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.  it is the left rocket and it will be lifted into the mobile service tower and mated to the GOES-O Delta IV launch vehicle. GOES–O is one of a series of Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites. The multi-mission GOES series N-P will be a vital contributor to weather, solar and space operations and science. NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, are actively engaged in a cooperative program to expand the existing GOES system with the launch of the GOES N-P satellites. Launch of the GOES-O is targeted for no earlier than April 2009.    Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky KSC-2009-1901

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – One of two solid rocket boosters arrives on Lau...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – One of two solid rocket boosters arrives on Launch Pad 37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. it is the left rocket and it will be lifted into the mobile service tower and mated to the ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, workers accompany space shuttle Endeavour as it is being transported from Orbiter Processing Facility-2 to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). In the VAB, Endeavour will be lifted into a high bay where it will be attached to its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters for its final mission, STS-134.          Endeavour and its STS-134 crew will deliver the Express Logistics Carrier-3, Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, a high-pressure gas tank, additional spare parts for Dextre and micrometeoroid debris shields to the International Space Station. Launch is targeted for April 19 at 7:48 p.m. EDT. For more information visit, http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts134/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2011-1901

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, workers accompany space shuttle Endeavour as it is being transported from Orbiter Processing Facility-2 to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB).... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. --  Flames from the solid rocket boosters light up the clouds of smoke and steam trailing behind Space Shuttle Atlantis as it leaps into the pre-dawn sky on mission STS-101. Liftoff occurred on time at 6:11:10 a.m. EDT. The mission is taking the crew of seven to the International Space Station to deliver logistics and supplies as well as to prepare the Station for the arrival of the Zvezda Service Module, expected to be launched by Russia in July 2000. Also, the crew will conduct one space walk and will reboost the space station from 230 statute miles to 250 statute miles. This will be the third assembly flight to the Space Station. After a 10-day mission, landing is targeted for May 29 at 2:19 a.m. EDT. This is the 98th Shuttle flight and the 21st flight for Shuttle Atlantis KSC00pp0659

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- Flames from the solid rocket boosters l...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- Flames from the solid rocket boosters light up the clouds of smoke and steam trailing behind Space Shuttle Atlantis as it leaps into the pre-dawn sky on mission STS-101. Liftoff o... More

In the Vehicle Assembly Building, both solid rocket boosters (SRBs) are shown on the mobile launcher platform (MLP)as part of the stack for Discovery and Shuttle mission STS-92. Visible between them on the MLP are the opening (at left) for the external tank and the opening (at right) for the orbiter. Each SRB weighs approximately 1.3 million pounds at launch. The mission, scheduled for launch Oct. 5, from Launch Pad 39A, is the fifth flight to the International Space Station. Payloads on the mission include the Z-1 truss and Pressurized Mating Adapter-3, components of the Space Station KSC-00pp0861

In the Vehicle Assembly Building, both solid rocket boosters (SRBs) ar...

In the Vehicle Assembly Building, both solid rocket boosters (SRBs) are shown on the mobile launcher platform (MLP)as part of the stack for Discovery and Shuttle mission STS-92. Visible between them on the MLP ... More

US Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Perry Ballard Tarurs launch director, and other USAF personnel discuss specifying affordable spacecraft and boosters for national security, standing near the US Air Force Taurus portable Satellite booster located at Vandenberg AFB, California. From AIRMAN Magazine, July 2000 article."The New Space Experiments"

US Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Perry Ballard Tarurs launch director, ...

The original finding aid described this photograph as: Base: Vandenberg Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Camera Operator: SSGT Andy Dunaway Release Status... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Atlantis is moved aboard an orbiter transporter from the Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) bay 3 over to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). In the background (right) are OPF bays 1 and 2. In the VAB it will be lifted to vertical and placed aboard the mobile launcher platform (MLP) for stacking with the solid rocket boosters and external tank. Atlantis is scheduled to launch Sept. 8 on mission STS-106, the fourth construction flight to the International Space Station, with a crew of seven KSC00pp1072

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Atlantis is moved aboard an ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Atlantis is moved aboard an orbiter transporter from the Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) bay 3 over to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). In the background (right) ... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Shuttle Atlantis, with twin solid rocket boosters and external tank atop the Mobile Launcher Platform and crawler-transorter, moves in the predawn hours into high bay 2 in the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB).  For the first time in Space Shuttle history, a fully stacked Shuttle is rolling around the north side of the VAB into high bay 2 on the building's west side. The VAB and nearby rock-paved crawlerway have recently undergone major modifications to provide Shuttle fliglht hardware more storage space and protection - "Safe Haven" - from hurricanes or tropical storms.  Atlantis, the twin solid rocket boosters and external tank begain moving out of VAB high bay 1 on the east side at 2:59 a.m. EDT.  After the successful "Safe Haven" fit check, Shuttle Atlantis is scheduled to roll out to Launch Pad 39B in preparation for the STS-106 launch on Sept. 8. KSC-00pp1113

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Shuttle Atlantis, with twin solid rocket...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Shuttle Atlantis, with twin solid rocket boosters and external tank atop the Mobile Launcher Platform and crawler-transorter, moves in the predawn hours into high bay 2 in the Vehi... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Just after sunup, Shuttle Atlantis sits outside the Vehicle Assembly Building's (VAB) high bay 2 on the building's west side after completing a fit check.  This is the first time in Space Shuttle history that a fully stacked Shuttle is being moved into the space. The VAB and nearby rock-paved crawlerway have recently undergone major modifications to provide Shuttle fliglht hardware more storage space and protection - "Safe Haven" - from hurricanes or tropical storms.  Atlantis, the twin solid rocket boosters and external tank begain moving out of VAB high bay 1 on the east side at 2:59 a.m. EDT.  The 6-million pound crawler transporter carried the Mobile Launcher Platform and Space Shuttle around the north side of the VAB and into high bay 2.  After the successful "Safe Haven" fit check, Shuttle Atlantis is scheduled to roll out to Launch Pad 39B in preparation for the STS-106 launch on Sept. 8. KSC-00pp1111

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Just after sunup, Shuttle Atlantis sits ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Just after sunup, Shuttle Atlantis sits outside the Vehicle Assembly Building's (VAB) high bay 2 on the building's west side after completing a fit check. This is the first time i... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Discovery rolls into the Vehicle Assembly Building where it will be mated with its external tank and solid rocket boosters. Discovery is scheduled to launch Oct. 5 at 9:30 p.m. EDT on mission STS-92, delivering two elements of the International Space Station: the Z-1 truss and Pressurized Mating Adapter-3. The launch will be the 100th flight in the Shuttle program KSC-00pp1203

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Discovery rolls into the Veh...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Discovery rolls into the Vehicle Assembly Building where it will be mated with its external tank and solid rocket boosters. Discovery is scheduled to launch Oct. 5 at 9... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- Space Shuttle Atlantis’s solid rocket boosters trail brilliant flames that light up the clouds of smoke and steam and reflect in the waters Launch Pad 39B at launch. The perfect on-time liftoff of Atlantis on mission STS-106 occurred at 8:45:47 a.m. EDT. On the 11-day mission to the International Space Station, the seven-member crew will perform support tasks on orbit, transfer supplies and prepare the living quarters in the newly arrived Zvezda Service Module. The first long-duration crew, dubbed “Expedition One,” is due to arrive at the Station in late fall. Landing of Atlantis is targeted for 4:45 a.m. EDT on Sept. 19 KSC-00pp1270

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- Space Shuttle Atlantis’s solid rocket bo...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- Space Shuttle Atlantis’s solid rocket boosters trail brilliant flames that light up the clouds of smoke and steam and reflect in the waters Launch Pad 39B at launch. The perfect on... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The waters near Launch Pad 39B reflect the brilliant red-orange flames from the solid rocket boosters as Space Shuttle Atlantis lifts off on mission STS-106 to the International Space Station. The perfect on-time launch occurred at 8:45:47 a.m. EDT. On the 11-day mission to the Station, the seven-member crew will perform support tasks on orbit, transfer supplies and prepare the living quarters in the newly arrived Zvezda Service Module. The first long-duration crew, dubbed “Expedition One,” is due to arrive at the Station in late fall. Landing of Atlantis is targeted for 4:45 a.m. EDT on Sept. 19. KSC00pp1269

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The waters near Launch Pad 39B reflect t...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The waters near Launch Pad 39B reflect the brilliant red-orange flames from the solid rocket boosters as Space Shuttle Atlantis lifts off on mission STS-106 to the International Sp... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Discovery hurtles into the night sky, trailing a tail of fire from the solid rocket boosters, after a perfect on-time launch at 7:17 p.m. EDT. The launch of mission STS-92 carries a crew of seven on a construction flight to the International Space Station. Discovery also carries a payload that includes the Integrated Truss Structure Z-1, first of 10 trusses that will form the backbone of the Space Station, and the third Pressurized Mating Adapter that will provide a Shuttle docking port for solar array installation on the sixth Station flight and Lab installation on the seventh Station flight. Discovery’s landing is expected Oct. 22 at 2:10 p.m. EDT.; <i>[Photo taken with Nikon D1 camera.]</i KSC-00padig041

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Discovery hurtles into the...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Discovery hurtles into the night sky, trailing a tail of fire from the solid rocket boosters, after a perfect on-time launch at 7:17 p.m. EDT. The launch of mission S... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- As the orbiter Endeavour hangs suspended from a crane inside the Vehicle Assembly Building, workers make adjustments on it before it is lifted and stacked with its external tank and solid rocket boosters. The stack is in high bay 1. Space Shuttle Endeavour is scheduled to be launched Nov. 30 on mission STS-97, the sixth construction flight to the International Space Station KSC-00padig047

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- As the orbiter Endeavour hangs suspended...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- As the orbiter Endeavour hangs suspended from a crane inside the Vehicle Assembly Building, workers make adjustments on it before it is lifted and stacked with its external tank an... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Viewed from behind, the tiles on the bottom of orbiter Endeavour can be seen. The orbiter hangs suspended from a crane inside the Vehicle Assembly Building before being lifted into high bay 1 and stacked with its external tank and solid rocket boosters. Space Shuttle Endeavour is scheduled to be launched Nov. 30 on mission STS-97, the sixth construction flight to the International Space Station KSC-00pp1619

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Viewed from behind, the tiles on the bot...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Viewed from behind, the tiles on the bottom of orbiter Endeavour can be seen. The orbiter hangs suspended from a crane inside the Vehicle Assembly Building before being lifted into... More

The orbiter Atlantis, on its transporter, heads into the turn toward the Vehicle Assembly Building, in the background. In the VAB it will be raised to vertical and lifted up and into high bay 3 for stacking with its external tank and solid rocket boosters. Atlantis will fly on mission STS-98, the seventh construction flight to the International Space Station. The orbiter will carry in its payload bay the U.S. Laboratory, named Destiny, that will have five system racks already installed inside of the module. After delivery of electronics in the lab, electrically powered attitude control for Control Moment Gyroscopes will be activated. Atlantis is scheduled for launch on Jan. 18, 2001, at 2:44 a.m. EST, with a crew of five KSC-00pp1826

The orbiter Atlantis, on its transporter, heads into the turn toward t...

The orbiter Atlantis, on its transporter, heads into the turn toward the Vehicle Assembly Building, in the background. In the VAB it will be raised to vertical and lifted up and into high bay 3 for stacking wit... More

Viewed from inside Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3, Atlantis is ready for rollover to the Vehicle Assembly Building. In the VAB it will be raised to vertical and lifted up and into high bay 3 for stacking with its external tank and solid rocket boosters. Atlantis will fly on mission STS-98, the seventh construction flight to the International Space Station. The orbiter will carry in its payload bay the U.S. Laboratory, named Destiny, that will have five system racks already installed inside of the module. After delivery of electronics in the lab, electrically powered attitude control for Control Moment Gyroscopes will be activated. Atlantis is scheduled for launch on Jan. 18, 2001, at 2:44 a.m. EST, with a crew of five KSC-00pp1824

Viewed from inside Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3, Atlantis is read...

Viewed from inside Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3, Atlantis is ready for rollover to the Vehicle Assembly Building. In the VAB it will be raised to vertical and lifted up and into high bay 3 for stacking wit... More

In the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building the orbiter Discovery is suspended at an angle as it is lifted to a vertical position. It will next be lifted into high bay 1 for mating with its solid rocket boosters and external tank. Discovery will be launched March 8 on mission STS-102, the eighth construction flight to the International Space Station. The Shuttle will carry the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Leonardo, the first of three pressurized modules provided by the Italian Space Agency to carry supplies and equipment to the Space Station and back to Earth KSC01pp0230

In the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building the orbiter Dis...

In the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building the orbiter Discovery is suspended at an angle as it is lifted to a vertical position. It will next be lifted into high bay 1 for mating with its solid roc... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. --   Space Shuttle Endeavour rests on Launch Pad 39A after rollout from the Vehicle Assembly Building.  The Shuttle comprises the orbiter, in front, and the taller orange external tank behind it flanked by twin solid rocket boosters.  The Shuttle sits on the Mobile Launcher Platform that straddles the flame trench below.  On either side of Endeavour's tail and main engines are the tail service masts that support the fluid,, gas and electrical requirements of the orbiter's liquid oxyen and liquid hydrogen aft T-0 umbilicals. At left is the open Rotating Service Structure and the Fixed Service Structure to its right, with its 80-foot lightning mast on top. Mission STS-111 is designated UF-2, the 14th assembly flight to the International Space Station.  Endeavour's payload includes the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Leonardo and Mobile Base System.  The mission also will swap resident crews on the Station, carrying the Expedition 5 crew and returning to Earth Expedition 4.  Liftoff of Endeavour is scheduled between 4 and 8 p.m. May 30, 2002 KSC-02pd0590

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Endeavour rests on Launc...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Endeavour rests on Launch Pad 39A after rollout from the Vehicle Assembly Building. The Shuttle comprises the orbiter, in front, and the taller orange external tan... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- As the  Rotating Service Structure is rolled back, Space Shuttle Columbia, with its orange external tank and white solid rocket boosters, is revealed on pad 39A prior to launch. The Shuttle sits atop the Mobile Launcher Platform.  Columbia is scheduled for launch Jan. 16 at 10:39 a.m. EST, the start of a 2.5-hour window, on mission STS-107. KSC-03pd0070

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- As the Rotating Service Structure is ro...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- As the Rotating Service Structure is rolled back, Space Shuttle Columbia, with its orange external tank and white solid rocket boosters, is revealed on pad 39A prior to launch. Th... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. --  Space Shuttle Atlantis rolls away from Bay 3 in the Vehicle Assembly Building to move it to Bay 1.  There Atlantis will be demated with the external tank and solid rocket boosters in anticipation of its transfer to the Orbiter Processing Facility. KSC-03pd0571

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Atlantis rolls away from ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Atlantis rolls away from Bay 3 in the Vehicle Assembly Building to move it to Bay 1. There Atlantis will be demated with the external tank and solid rocket boosters... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. - On Launch Pad 17-B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, two solid rocket boosters are in the launch tower while another is ready to be lifted.  They are three of nine solid rocket boosters being erected and mated to the Delta II rocket for launch of NASA's Space Infrared Telescope Facility. The second stage will later be hoisted atop the first stage.  SIRTF will obtain images and spectra by detecting the infrared energy, or heat, radiated by objects in space. Most of this infrared radiation is blocked by the Earth's atmosphere and cannot be observed from the ground. Consisting of an 0.85-meter telescope and three cryogenically cooled science instruments, SIRTF is one of NASA's largest infrared telescopes to be launched. KSC-03pd0675

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. - On Launch Pad 17-B, Cape Canaveral Air Fo...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. - On Launch Pad 17-B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, two solid rocket boosters are in the launch tower while another is ready to be lifted. They are three of nine solid rocket boo... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -   On Launch Complex 17-B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the Delta II Heavy rocket waits the arrival of the mobile service tower with three additional solid rocket boosters (SRBs).  Nine 46-inch-diameter, stretched SRBs will help launch the Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF).  Consisting of three cryogenically cooled science instruments and an 0.85-meter telescope, SIRTF is one of NASA's largest infrared telescopes to be launched.  SIRTF will obtain images and spectra by detecting the infrared energy, or heat, radiated by objects in space. Most of this infrared radiation is blocked by the Earth's atmosphere and cannot be observed from the ground.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - On Launch Complex 17-B, Cape Canaveral ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - On Launch Complex 17-B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the Delta II Heavy rocket waits the arrival of the mobile service tower with three additional solid rocket boosters (SRBs... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- For the fourth time in Space Shuttle Program history, 350,000 gallons of water are released on a Mobile Launcher Platform (MLP) at Launch Pad 39A during a water sound suppression test. This test is being conducted following the replacement of the six main system valves, which had been in place since the beginning of the Shuttle Program and had reached the end of their service life. Also, the hydraulic portion of the valve actuators has been redesigned and simplified to reduce maintenance costs. The sound suppression water system is installed on the launch pads to protect the orbiter and its payloads from damage by acoustical energy reflected from the MLP during launch. The system includes an elevated water tank with a capacity of 300,000 gallons. The tank is 290 feet high and stands on the northeast side of the Pad. The water is released just before the ignition of the orbiter's three main engines and twin solid rocket boosters, and flows through parallel 7-foot-diameter pipes to the Pad area. KSC-04pd1063

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- For the fourth time in Space Shuttle Pro...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- For the fourth time in Space Shuttle Program history, 350,000 gallons of water are released on a Mobile Launcher Platform (MLP) at Launch Pad 39A during a water sound suppression t... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Atlantis is seen after attachment of the orange external tank and solid rocket boosters. Space Shuttle Atlantis will be flying on mission STS-114, a Utilization Logistics Flight-1 to the International Space Station.  Along with a Multi-Purpose Logistics Module, Atlantis will also transport the next resident ISS crew, Expedition 7.  The Shuttle is scheduled to launch March 1, 2003, on the 12-day STS-114 mission. KSC-03pd0215

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Atlantis is seen after attachment of the...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Atlantis is seen after attachment of the orange external tank and solid rocket boosters. Space Shuttle Atlantis will be flying on mission STS-114, a Utilization Logistics Flight-1 ... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The orbiter Discovery, sitting on an orbiter transporter, slowly backs  out of NASA's Orbiter Processing Facility to begin the rollover to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). The rollover marks the start of the journey to the launch pad and, ultimately, launch.  Once inside the VAB, Discovery will be raised to vertical and lifted up and over into high bay 3 for stacking with its redesigned external tank and twin solid rocket boosters.  The rollout of Space Shuttle Discovery to Launch Pad 39B is expected in approximately a week.  Launch of Discovery on mission STS-121 is scheduled to take place in a window extending July 1 to July 19. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-06pd0822

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The orbiter Discovery, sitting on an orbi...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The orbiter Discovery, sitting on an orbiter transporter, slowly backs out of NASA's Orbiter Processing Facility to begin the rollover to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). The r... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA.  -    Atlantis arrives in the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building, concluding its rollover from the Orbiter Processing Facility.  In the VAB, the orbiter will be lifted into high bay 3 for mating to the external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters.  Atlantis' launch window begins Aug. 28. During its 11-day mission to the International Space Station, the STS-115 crew of six astronauts will install the Port 3/4 truss segment with its two large solar arrays.  Photo credit: NASA/Charisse Nahser KSC-06pd1642

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Atlantis arrives in the transfer aisl...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Atlantis arrives in the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building, concluding its rollover from the Orbiter Processing Facility. In the VAB, the orbiter will be lifted in... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA.  -   After leaving the Orbiter Processing Facility, Atlantis makes its way to the Vehicle Assembly Building atop an orbiter transporter.  In the VAB, the orbiter will be lifted into high bay 3 for mating to the external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters.  Atlantis's launch window begins Aug. 28. During its 11-day mission to the International Space Station, the STS-115 crew of six astronauts will install the Port 3/4 truss segment with its two large solar arrays.  Photo credit: NASA/Charisse Nahser KSC-06pd1639

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - After leaving the Orbiter Processing F...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - After leaving the Orbiter Processing Facility, Atlantis makes its way to the Vehicle Assembly Building atop an orbiter transporter. In the VAB, the orbiter will be lifted into h... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA.  -    In the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building, workers are securing the sling attachment of the overhead crane that will lift the orbiter Atlantis into high bay 3. After Atlantis is lifted and moved into the high bay, the orbiter will be lowered and mated with the external tank and solid rocket boosters already stacked on the mobile launcher platform.  Atlantis' launch window begins Aug. 28. During its 11-day mission to the International Space Station, the STS-115 crew of six astronauts will install the Port 3/4 truss segment with its two large solar arrays.   Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton KSC-06pd1654

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

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building, workers are securing the sling attachment of the overhead crane that will lift the orbiter Atlantis into high bay 3. Afte... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Discovery seems to be standing on the fiery columns erupting from the solid rocket boosters as it lifts off Launch Pad 39B on mission STS-116.  Liftoff occurred on time at 8:47 p.m. EST. This was the second launch attempt of Discovery on mission STS-116.  The first launch attempt on Dec. 7 was postponed due a low cloud ceiling over Kennedy Space Center. This is Discovery's 33rd mission and the first night launch since 2002.   The 20th shuttle mission to the International Space Station, STS-116 carries another truss segment, P5. It will serve as a spacer, mated to the P4 truss that was attached in September.  After installing the P5, the crew will reconfigure and redistribute the power generated by two pairs of U.S. solar arrays. Landing is expected Dec. 21 at KSC.   Photo credit: NASA/Sandra Joseph, Robert Murray, Chris Lynch KSC-06pd2750

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Discovery seems to be stan...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Discovery seems to be standing on the fiery columns erupting from the solid rocket boosters as it lifts off Launch Pad 39B on mission STS-116. Liftoff occurred on ti... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. --   Workers continue stacking the solid rocket boosters in highbay 1 inside Kennedy Space Center's Vehicle Assembly Building. The solid rocket boosters are being prepared for NASA's next Space Shuttle launch, mission STS-117. The mission is scheduled to launch aboard Atlantis no earlier than March 16, 2007. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton KSC-07pd0012

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Workers continue stacking the solid ro...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Workers continue stacking the solid rocket boosters in highbay 1 inside Kennedy Space Center's Vehicle Assembly Building. The solid rocket boosters are being prepared for NASA's ... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. --   The first stage of a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket moves into place in front of at the mobile service tower on Launch Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.  The rocket will be raised to a vertical position and lifted into the tower. The rocket is the launch vehicle for the THEMIS spacecraft, consisting of five identical probes, the largest number of scientific satellites ever launched into orbit aboard a single rocket. This unique constellation of satellites will resolve the tantalizing mystery of what causes the spectacular sudden brightening of the aurora borealis and aurora australis - the fiery skies over the Earth's northern and southern polar regions. After the first stage is in the mobile service tower on the pad, nine solid rocket boosters will be placed around the base of the first stage and attached in sets of three.  THEMIS is scheduled to launch aboard the Delta II at 6:07 p.m. EST on Feb. 15.  Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton KSC-07pd0024

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The first stage of a United Launch All...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The first stage of a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket moves into place in front of at the mobile service tower on Launch Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Flo... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. --  The belly of Atlantis can be seen as the orbiter is suspended vertically above the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building.  It will be lifted up into high bay 1 and lowered onto the mobile launcher platform where the external tank and solid rocket boosters are already stacked.  Space Shuttle Atlantis is targeted to roll out to Launch Pad 39A on February 14 for mission STS-117. The mission is No. 21 to the International Space Station and construction flight 13A. Photo credit: NASA/Amanda Diller KSC-07pd0325

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The belly of Atlantis can be seen as th...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The belly of Atlantis can be seen as the orbiter is suspended vertically above the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building. It will be lifted up into high bay 1 and lower... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. --   The orbiter Atlantis is suspended vertically above the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building.  It will be lifted up into high bay 1 and lowered onto the mobile launcher platform where the external tank and solid rocket boosters are already stacked. Space Shuttle Atlantis is targeted to roll out to Launch Pad 39A on February 14 for mission STS-117. The mission is No. 21 to the International Space Station and construction flight 13A. Photo credit: NASA/Amanda Diller KSC-07pd0324

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Atlantis is suspended vert...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Atlantis is suspended vertically above the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building. It will be lifted up into high bay 1 and lowered onto the mobile launcher... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. --  The orbiter Atlantis rolls through the door of the Orbiter Processing Facility to make the short trip to the Vehicle Assembly Building.  First motion was at 6:19 a.m. EST. Once in the VAB, Atlantis will be lifted into high bay 1 and mated with the external tank and solid rocket boosters already in place on the mobile launcher platform. The rollover signals the start of the journey to the launch pad for liftoff on mission STS-117 targeted for March 15.  The mission is the 21st to the International Space Station and will deliver the S3/S4 starboard truss segments.  Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-07pd0285

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Atlantis rolls through the ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Atlantis rolls through the door of the Orbiter Processing Facility to make the short trip to the Vehicle Assembly Building. First motion was at 6:19 a.m. EST. Once in... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. --  The orbiter Atlantis backs away from the Orbiter Processing Facility to make the short trip to the Vehicle Assembly Building, seen at left.  First motion was at 6:19 a.m. EST.  Once in the VAB, Atlantis will be lifted into high bay 1 and mated with the external tank and solid rocket boosters already in place on the mobile launcher platform. The rollover signals the start of the journey to the launch pad for liftoff on mission STS-117 targeted for March 15.  The mission is the 21st to the International Space Station and will deliver the S3/S4 starboard truss segments.  Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-07pd0286

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Atlantis backs away from th...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Atlantis backs away from the Orbiter Processing Facility to make the short trip to the Vehicle Assembly Building, seen at left. First motion was at 6:19 a.m. EST. On... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. --  The overhead sling lowers the orbiter Atlantis next to the external tank and solid rocket boosters stacked on the mobile launcher platform (MLP) below.  Atlantis will be mated to the MLPs  as well.  Space Shuttle Atlantis is targeted to roll out to Launch Pad 39A on February 14 for mission STS-117. The mission is No. 21 to the International Space Station and construction flight 13A. Photo credit: NASA/Amanda Diller KSC-07pd0334

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The overhead sling lowers the orbiter A...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The overhead sling lowers the orbiter Atlantis next to the external tank and solid rocket boosters stacked on the mobile launcher platform (MLP) below. Atlantis will be mated to ... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. --  Solid rocket boosters arrive on Launch Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station to be mated to the Delta II rocket waiting there.  The rocket is the launch vehicle for the Dawn spacecraft, scheduled to launch June 30.  Dawn's mission is to explore two of the asteroid belt's most intriguing and dissimilar occupants: asteroid Vesta and the dwarf planet Ceres.  Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-07pd1322

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Solid rocket boosters arrive on Launch ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Solid rocket boosters arrive on Launch Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station to be mated to the Delta II rocket waiting there. The rocket is the launch vehicle for the Daw... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. --  On Launch Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the mobile service tower with solid rocket boosters inside nears the Delta II first stage. The Delta is the launch vehicle of the Dawn spacecraft.  Dawn's goal is to characterize the conditions and processes of the solar system's earliest epoch 4.5 billion years ago by investigating in detail two of the largest asteroids, Ceres and Vesta. They reside between Mars and Jupiter in the asteroid belt.  Launch is targeted for July 7.  Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-07pd1489

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On Launch Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Ai...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On Launch Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the mobile service tower with solid rocket boosters inside nears the Delta II first stage. The Delta is the launch vehicle ... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On Launch Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the Delta II first stage waits for the mating of additional solid rocket boosters for launch of the Dawn spacecraft.  Dawn's goal is to characterize the conditions and processes of the solar system's earliest epoch 4.5 billion years ago by investigating in detail two of the largest asteroids, Ceres and Vesta. They reside between Mars and Jupiter in the asteroid belt.  Launch is targeted for July 7.  Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-07pd1478

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On Launch Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On Launch Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the Delta II first stage waits for the mating of additional solid rocket boosters for launch of the Dawn spacecraft. Dawn's... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Inside the Vehicle Assembly Building, the external tank for Endeavour is lowered between the solid rocket boosters toward the mobile launcher platform below.  Endeavour is currently  targeted for rollover to the VAB July 5. Endeavour is the designated orbiter for mission STS-118, targeted for launch on Aug. 9 to the International Space Station. The mission will continue space station construction by delivering a third starboard truss segment, S5, as well as carrying the external stowage platform 3.  Photo credit: NASA/Amanda Diller KSC-07pd1546

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Inside the Vehicle Assembly Building, th...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Inside the Vehicle Assembly Building, the external tank for Endeavour is lowered between the solid rocket boosters toward the mobile launcher platform below. Endeavour is currentl... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. --  The orbiter Endeavour, atop its transporter, rolls under the overhead crane in the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building.  In the VAB, the crane will lift the orbiter then lower it onto the mobile launcher platform where it will be stacked with the external tank and solid rocket boosters for launch on mission STS-118.  The mission will be Endeavour's first flight in more than four years. The shuttle has undergone extensive modifications, including the addition of safety upgrades already added to shuttles Discovery and Atlantis. Endeavour also features new hardware, such as the Station-to-Shuttle Power Transfer System that will allow the docked shuttle to draw electrical power from the station and extend its visits to the orbiting lab.  Endeavour is targeted for launch on Aug. 7.   Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-07pd1711

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Endeavour, atop its transpo...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Endeavour, atop its transporter, rolls under the overhead crane in the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building. In the VAB, the crane will lift the orbiter th... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. --  In high bay 1 of the Vehicle Assembly Building, the Space Shuttle Endeavour is complete as the orbiter joins its external tank and solid rocket boosters on the mobile launcher platform.  The components will be mated for launch.   Endeavour will be launched on mission STS-118, its first flight in more than four years. The shuttle has undergone extensive modifications, including the addition of safety upgrades already added to shuttles Discovery and Atlantis. Endeavour also features new hardware, such as the Station-to-Shuttle Power Transfer System that will allow the docked shuttle to draw electrical power from the station and extend its visits to the orbiting lab.  Endeavour is targeted for launch on Aug. 7.     Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-07pd1777

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In high bay 1 of the Vehicle Assembly B...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In high bay 1 of the Vehicle Assembly Building, the Space Shuttle Endeavour is complete as the orbiter joins its external tank and solid rocket boosters on the mobile launcher pla... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. --  Lifted high in the upper levels of the Vehicle Assembly Building, the orbiter Endeavour is being lowered into high bay 1 for stacking with the external tank (seen at the bottom) and solid rocket boosters on the mobile launcher platform.  Endeavour will be launched on mission STS-118, its first flight in more than four years. The shuttle has undergone extensive modifications, including the addition of safety upgrades already added to shuttles Discovery and Atlantis. Endeavour also features new hardware, such as the Station-to-Shuttle Power Transfer System that will allow the docked shuttle to draw electrical power from the station and extend its visits to the orbiting lab.  Endeavour is targeted for launch on Aug. 7.     Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-07pd1772

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Lifted high in the upper levels of the ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Lifted high in the upper levels of the Vehicle Assembly Building, the orbiter Endeavour is being lowered into high bay 1 for stacking with the external tank (seen at the bottom) a... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. --   In high bay 1 of the Vehicle Assembly Building, platforms surround Endeavour to complete stacking of the orbiter, external tank and solid rocket boosters, barely visible behind the platforms.  Endeavour will be launched on mission STS-118, its first flight in more than four years. The shuttle has undergone extensive modifications, including the addition of safety upgrades already added to shuttles Discovery and Atlantis. Endeavour also features new hardware, such as the Station-to-Shuttle Power Transfer System that will allow the docked shuttle to draw electrical power from the station and extend its visits to the orbiting lab.  Endeavour is targeted for launch on Aug. 7.     Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton KSC-07pd1778

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In high bay 1 of the Vehicle Assembly ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In high bay 1 of the Vehicle Assembly Building, platforms surround Endeavour to complete stacking of the orbiter, external tank and solid rocket boosters, barely visible behind t... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Space Shuttle Endeavour, atop the mobile launcher platform, is hard down on Launch Pad 39A after rolling out over night.  First motion out of the Vehicle Assembly Building was at 8:10 p.m.  July 10.  The components of the shuttle are, first, the orbiter and then the solid rocket boosters flanking the external tank behind it.  Attached to the platform and seen below the orbiter's wings are the tail masts, which provide several umbilical connections to the orbiter, including a liquid-oxygen line through one and a liquid-hydrogen line through another.  Near the cockpit of Endeavour is the orbiter access arm, which provides access into the vehicle.   Endeavour is scheduled to launch on mission STS-118 on Aug. 7.  During the mission, Endeavour will carry into orbit the S5 truss, SPACEHAB module and external stowage platform 3. The mission is the 22nd flight to the International Space Station and will mark the first flight of Mission Specialist Barbara Morgan, the teacher-turned-astronaut whose association with NASA began more than 20 years ago.  STS-118 will be the first flight since 2002 for Endeavour, which has undergone extensive modifications, including the addition of safety upgrades already added to orbiters Discovery and Atlantis.  Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley KSC-07pd1841

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Space Shuttle Endeavour, atop the mobile ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Space Shuttle Endeavour, atop the mobile launcher platform, is hard down on Launch Pad 39A after rolling out over night. First motion out of the Vehicle Assembly Building was at 8:... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. --   In the Vehicle Assembly Building at KSC, a crane moves external tank No. 120 into a checkout cell.  The tank will be prepared for stacking with solid rocket boosters to launch Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-120 in October. The mission is the 23rd to the International Space Station and will launch an Italian-built, U.S. multi-port module known as Harmony for the station.  Christened after a school contest, Harmony will provide attachment points for European and Japanese laboratory modules. NASA/George Shelton KSC-07pd2153

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Vehicle Assembly Building at KS...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Vehicle Assembly Building at KSC, a crane moves external tank No. 120 into a checkout cell. The tank will be prepared for stacking with solid rocket boosters to launch Sp... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. --   In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the top of external tank No. 120 is seen as the tank is lowered between the solid rocket boosters for mating on the mobile launcher platform.  The external tank-SRB stack is being prepared for the orbiter Discovery, which will be mated to the stack in the VAB in two weeks.  Space Shuttle Discovery is targeted to launch Oct. 23 on mission STS-120 to the International Space Station.  Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton KSC-07pd2397

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NA...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the top of external tank No. 120 is seen as the tank is lowered between the solid rocket boosters for mating on t... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. --  Seen from inside the Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3, space shuttle Discovery rolls through the opening for the short trip to the Vehicle Assembly Building.  In the VAB, the shuttle will be lifted and mated with the external tank and solid rocket boosters on the mobile launcher platform.  Discovery is targeted for launch to the International Space Station for mission STS-120 on Oct. 23.  The crew will be delivering and installing the Italian-built U.S. Node 2, named Harmony.  The pressurized module will act as an internal connecting port and passageway to additional international science labs and cargo spacecraft. In addition to increasing the living and working space inside the station, it also will serve as a work platform outside for the station's robotic arm.  Photo credit: NASA/Charisse Nahser KSC-07pd2538

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Seen from inside the Orbiter Processing...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Seen from inside the Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3, space shuttle Discovery rolls through the opening for the short trip to the Vehicle Assembly Building. In the VAB, the shu... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space shuttle Atlantis rolls out of Orbiter Processing Facility bay 1 on a transporter as the sun rises.  The orbiter is headed for the Vehicle Assembly Building.  Rollover from its processing bay began at 7:05 a.m. EDT. Atlantis arrived in the VAB's transfer aisle at 8:03 a.m. In the VAB, the shuttle will be lifted and mated with the external tank and solid rocket boosters designated for mission STS-122, already secured atop a mobile launcher platform.  On this mission, Atlantis will deliver the Columbus module to the International Space Station.  The European Space Agency's largest contribution to the station, Columbus is a multifunctional, pressurized laboratory that will be permanently attached to U.S. Node 2, called Harmony. The module is approximately 23 feet long and 15 feet wide, allowing it to hold 10 large racks of experiments.  The laboratory will expand the research facilities aboard the station, providing crew members and scientists from around the world the ability to conduct a variety of experiments in the physical, materials and life sciences.  Mission STS-122 is targeted for launch on Dec. 6.  Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton KSC-07pd3066

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space shuttle Atlantis rolls out of Orbi...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space shuttle Atlantis rolls out of Orbiter Processing Facility bay 1 on a transporter as the sun rises. The orbiter is headed for the Vehicle Assembly Building. Rollover from it... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space shuttle Atlantis rolls out of Orbiter Processing Facility bay 1 on a transporter just before sunrise for the short trip to the Vehicle Assembly Building.  Rollover from its processing bay began at 7:05 a.m. EDT. Atlantis arrived in the VAB's transfer aisle at 8:03 a.m. In the VAB, the shuttle will be lifted and mated with the external tank and solid rocket boosters designated for mission STS-122, already secured atop a mobile launcher platform.  On this mission, Atlantis will deliver the Columbus module to the International Space Station.  The European Space Agency's largest contribution to the station, Columbus is a multifunctional, pressurized laboratory that will be permanently attached to U.S. Node 2, called Harmony. The module is approximately 23 feet long and 15 feet wide, allowing it to hold 10 large racks of experiments.  The laboratory will expand the research facilities aboard the station, providing crew members and scientists from around the world the ability to conduct a variety of experiments in the physical, materials and life sciences.  Mission STS-122 is targeted for launch on Dec. 6.  Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton KSC-07pd3065

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space shuttle Atlantis rolls out of Orbi...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space shuttle Atlantis rolls out of Orbiter Processing Facility bay 1 on a transporter just before sunrise for the short trip to the Vehicle Assembly Building. Rollover from its p... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On its transporter, space shuttle Endeavour rolls out of the Orbiter Processing Facility on its way to the Vehicle Assembly Building.  In high bay 1 of the VAB, Endeavour will be attached to its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters in preparation for its upcoming mission, STS-123, to the International Space Station targeted for March 11.  The mission will deliver the first section of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory and the Canadian Space Agency's two-armed robotic system, Dextre.   Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-08pd0266

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On its transporter, space shuttle Endeav...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On its transporter, space shuttle Endeavour rolls out of the Orbiter Processing Facility on its way to the Vehicle Assembly Building. In high bay 1 of the VAB, Endeavour will be a... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building, space shuttle Endeavour waits for the overhead crane (upper right) to be attached.  The crane will raise and then lift Endeavour into high bay 1. There, Endeavour will be attached to its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters in preparation for its upcoming mission, STS-123, to the International Space Station targeted for March 11.  The mission will deliver the first section of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory and the Canadian Space Agency's two-armed robotic system, Dextre.   Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-08pd0274

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

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building, space shuttle Endeavour waits for the overhead crane (upper right) to be attached. The crane will raise and then lift Endea... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On its transporter, space shuttle Endeavour rolls toward the Vehicle Assembly Building after leaving the Orbiter Processing Facility.  In high bay 1 of the VAB, Endeavour will be attached to its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters in preparation for its upcoming mission, STS-123, to the International Space Station targeted for March 11.  The mission will deliver the first section of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory and the Canadian Space Agency's two-armed robotic system, Dextre.   Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-08pd0270

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On its transporter, space shuttle Endeav...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On its transporter, space shuttle Endeavour rolls toward the Vehicle Assembly Building after leaving the Orbiter Processing Facility. In high bay 1 of the VAB, Endeavour will be a... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --- Inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the external tank for space shuttle Discovery is lowered into a checkout cell for processing.  The tank will be stacked with solid rocket boosters for Discovery's launch on the STS-124 mission.  On the mission, the shuttle will transport the Kibo Japanese Experiment Module - Pressurized Module and the Japanese Remote Manipulator System.  Launch is targeted for May 25.   Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-08pd0893

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --- Inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA'...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --- Inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the external tank for space shuttle Discovery is lowered into a checkout cell for processing. The tank will be stac... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. ---  In the mobile service tower on Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, United Launch Alliance technicians secure the bolts on the last set of three solid rocket boosters being mated to the Delta II rocket for the launch of  NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST. Because the Delta rocket is configured as a Delta II 7920 Heavy, the boosters are larger than those used on the standard configuration. The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the Universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth;  probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts.  Launch is currently planned in a window between 11:45 a.m. and 1:40 p.m. May 16.  Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-08pd0899

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --- In the mobile service tower on Pad 17-B at C...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --- In the mobile service tower on Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, United Launch Alliance technicians secure the bolts on the last set of three solid rocket booste... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --     Bathed in lights surrounding Launch Pad 39A and its structures at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, space shuttle Discovery is poised for launch on the STS-124 mission after rollback of the rotating service structure. First motion was at 8:33 p.m. and rollback was complete at 9:07 p.m.  The structure provides protected access to the shuttle for changeout and servicing of payloads at the pad. It is supported by a rotating bridge that pivots on a vertical axis on the west side of the pad's flame trench. After the RSS is rolled back, the orbiter is ready for fuel cell activation and external tank cryogenic propellant loading operations.  The pad is cleared to the perimeter gate for operations to fill the external tank with about 500,000 gallons of cryogenic propellants used by the shuttle’s main engines. This is done at the pad approximately eight hours before the scheduled launch.  Behind the shuttle is the orange external tank and the two solid rocket boosters (only one seen here).  Beneath the shuttle's starboard wing is one of two tail service masts, which provide several umbilical connections to the orbiter, including a liquid-oxygen line through one and a liquid-hydrogen line through another. The STS-124 mission is the second of three flights launching components to complete the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory.  The shuttle crew will install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system, or RMS.  The 14-day flight includes three spacewalks.  Launch is scheduled for 5:02 p.m. May 31. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-08pd1505

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Bathed in lights surrounding Launch Pad 39...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Bathed in lights surrounding Launch Pad 39A and its structures at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, space shuttle Discovery is poised for launch on the STS-124 mission after rollback of t... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –   Tugboats maneuver the Pegasus barge toward the dock in the turn basin in the Launch Complex 39 Area in NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Onboard the barge is the external fuel tank for space shuttle Atlantis' STS-125 mission to NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. After docking, the tank will be offloaded and moved to the Vehicle Assembly Building.  Once inside the building, the tank will be raised to vertical, lifted and moved into a checkout cell.  Stacking of the tank and solid rocket boosters is planned to start Aug. 7.  Atlantis is targeted to launch Oct. 8.  Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-08pd1978

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Tugboats maneuver the Pegasus barge toward th...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Tugboats maneuver the Pegasus barge toward the dock in the turn basin in the Launch Complex 39 Area in NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Onboard the barge is the external fuel tank for space... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, a technician removes a valve from Atlantis’ external tank after small dings were found on the sealing surface of the quick disconnect system that handles liquid-hydrogen fuel for the shuttle’s three main engines. The tank will be attached to the twin solid rocket boosters on Aug. 3 for the STS-125 mission, the fifth and final shuttle servicing mission to NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. During the mission, the crew will install new instruments on the telescope, including the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph and the Wide Field Camera 3. A refurbished Fine Guidance Sensor will replace one unit of three now onboard. Mission specialists will also install new gyroscopes, batteries and thermal blankets on the telescope. Launch is targeted for Oct. 8. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis KSC-08pd2134

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, a technician removes a valve from Atlantis’ external tank after small dings were found on the sealing surface of the q... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –  Space shuttle Atlantis approaches the top of Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center after rolling from the Vehicle Assembly Building. First motion occurred at 9:19 a.m. EDT and Atlantis was hard down on the pad at 3:52 p.m.. The shuttle stack, with solid rocket boosters and external fuel tank attached to Atlantis, rest on the mobile launcher platform.  Movement is provided by the crawler-transporter underneath.  The Sept. 2 rollout date was postponed due to Tropical Storm Hanna’s shift to a northern track. Atlantis is scheduled to launch on the STS-125 mission to service NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope.  Launch is targeted for Oct. 8.  Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-08pd2544

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Atlantis approaches the top of L...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Atlantis approaches the top of Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center after rolling from the Vehicle Assembly Building. First motion occurred at 9:19 a.m. EDT and At... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Atlantis is poised to leave the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and roll out to Launch Pad 39A. The shuttle stack, with solid rocket boosters and external fuel tank attached to Atlantis, rest on the mobile launcher platform.  Movement is provided by the crawler-transporter underneath.  First motion occurred at 9:19 a.m. EDT. The Sept. 2 rollout date was postponed due to Tropical Storm Hanna’s shift to a northern track. Atlantis is scheduled to launch on the STS-125 mission to service NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope.  Launch is targeted for Oct. 8.  Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-08pd2529

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Atlantis is poised to leave the V...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Atlantis is poised to leave the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and roll out to Launch Pad 39A. The shuttle stack, with solid rocket boosters and ex... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –  Space shuttle Atlantis comes to a stop on the top of Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center after more than a 6-hour journey from the Vehicle Assembly Building. First motion occurred at 9:19 a.m. EDT and Atlantis was hard down on the pad at 3:52 p.m.  At lower left is the White Room at the end of the orbiter access arm on the fixed service structure.  The shuttle stack, with solid rocket boosters and external fuel tank attached to Atlantis, rest on the mobile launcher platform.  Movement is provided by the crawler-transporter underneath.  The Sept. 2 rollout date was postponed due to Tropical Storm Hanna’s shift to a northern track. Atlantis is scheduled to launch on the STS-125 mission to service NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope.  Launch is targeted for Oct. 8.  Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-08pd2547

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Atlantis comes to a stop on the ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Atlantis comes to a stop on the top of Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center after more than a 6-hour journey from the Vehicle Assembly Building. First motion occur... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -  The STS-125 crew gathers near Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida before taking questions from the media.  Standing left to right are Mission Specialists Michael Good and Megan McArthur, Commander Scott Altman, Pilot Gregory C. Johnson, and Mission Specialists Mike Massimino, John Grunsfeld and Andrew Feustel.  Behind them can be seen the white solid rocket boosters and orange external fuel tank of space shuttle Atlantis with the fixed service structure at right.  The crew is at Kennedy to take part in terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT, activities before launching on space shuttle Atlantis’ mission to service NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. TCDT provides astronauts and ground crews with an opportunity to participate in various simulated countdown activities, including equipment familiarization, emergency training and a simulated launch countdown. Atlantis is targeted to launch Oct. 10. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-08pd2842

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The STS-125 crew gathers near Launch Pad 39A a...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The STS-125 crew gathers near Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida before taking questions from the media. Standing left to right are Mission Specialists Michael Goo... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –  On Launch Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, air-lit strap-on solid rocket boosters are being added to the first stage of the Delta 2 launch vehicle (seen here) that will carry the Kepler spacecraft into orbit. The Kepler mission is specifically designed to survey our region of the Milky Way galaxy to discover hundreds of Earth-size and smaller planets in or near the habitable zone and determine how many of the billions of stars in our galaxy have such planets.  Results from this mission will allow us to place our solar system within the continuum of planetary systems in the Galaxy.  NASA's planet-hunting Kepler mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than March 5, 2009.  Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-08pd3461

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – On Launch Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – On Launch Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, air-lit strap-on solid rocket boosters are being added to the first stage of the Delta 2 launch vehicle (seen here) tha... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –  On Launch Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, workers oversee the lifting of one of the solid rocket boosters into the mobile service tower for mating to the first stage of the Kepler's Delta 2 launch vehicle. The Kepler mission is specifically designed to survey our region of the Milky Way galaxy to discover hundreds of Earth-size and smaller planets in or near the habitable zone and determine how many of the billions of stars in our galaxy have such planets.  Results from this mission will allow us to place our solar system within the continuum of planetary systems in the Galaxy.  NASA's planet-hunting Kepler mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than March 5, 2009. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-08pd3482

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – On Launch Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – On Launch Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, workers oversee the lifting of one of the solid rocket boosters into the mobile service tower for mating to the first s... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –  In the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Atlantis has been lowered to a horizontal position and its wheels lowered.  Atlantis has been removed from its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters stack after the delay of its STS-125 mission to NASA's Hubble Space Telescope.  Atlantis will be returned to the Orbiter Processing Facility. Atlantis' targeted launch on Oct. 14 was delayed when a system that transfers science data from the orbiting observatory to Earth malfunctioned on Sept. 27. The new target launch date is under review. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-08pd3640

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Atlantis has been lowered to a horizontal position and its wheels lowered.... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –  At the Parachute Refurbishment Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, workers place rods under the lines of the parachutes recovered from sea after the launch of space shuttle Endeavour on the STS-126 mission to hang them on a monorail system. Behind them, the parachutes are suspended from the monorail. The parachutes are used to slow the descent of the solid rocket boosters that are jettisoned during liftoff.  The monorail will transport each parachute into a 30,000-gallon washer and a huge dryer heated with 140-degree air at 13,000 cubic feet per minute. One pilot, one drogue and three main canopies per booster slow the booster’s fall from about 360 mph to 50 mph.  After the chutes are cleaned and repaired, they must be carefully packed into their bags so they will deploy correctly the next time they are used. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-08pd3744

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Parachute Refurbishment Facility at NAS...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Parachute Refurbishment Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, workers place rods under the lines of the parachutes recovered from sea after the launch of space shutt... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --  In the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, external fuel tank 130 is fitted with a crane to lift it off the transporter.  The tank will be raised to vertical and lifted into high bay 2 for checkout before stacking with the solid rocket boosters and space shuttle Endeavour for the STS-125 mission. The fuel tank was previously designated for the STS-127 mission. The STS-125 Hubble servicing mission  is targeted to launch May 12.  Photo credit: NASA/Tim Jacobs KSC-08pd3916

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, external fuel tank 130 is fitted with a crane to lift it off the transporter. The tank... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --  Suspended by a crane in the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, external fuel tank 130 is moved into high bay 2 for checkout before stacking with the solid rocket boosters and space shuttle Atlantis  for the STS-125 mission. The fuel tank was previously designated for the STS-127 mission. The STS-125 Hubble servicing mission  is targeted to launch May 12.  Photo credit: NASA/Tim Jacobs KSC-08pd3921

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Suspended by a crane in the Vehicle Assembly ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Suspended by a crane in the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, external fuel tank 130 is moved into high bay 2 for checkout before stacking with the so... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --  Suspended by a crane in the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, external fuel tank 130 is moved into high bay 2 for checkout before stacking with the solid rocket boosters and space shuttle Atlantis for the STS-125 mission. The fuel tank was previously designated for the STS-127 mission. The STS-125 Hubble servicing mission  is targeted to launch May 12.  Photo credit: NASA/Tim Jacobs KSC-08pd3922

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Suspended by a crane in the Vehicle Assembly ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Suspended by a crane in the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, external fuel tank 130 is moved into high bay 2 for checkout before stacking with the so... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --  In Hanger AF at Cape Canaveral, Fla., workers get ready to remove one of the separation rings from around a segment of one of the retrieved solid rocket boosters from the STS-126 launch. 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-08pd3950

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Hanger AF at Cape Canaveral, Fla., workers get ready to remove one of the separation rings from around a segment of one of the retrieved solid rocket boosters from the STS-126 launch... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- After rolling out of Orbiter Processing Facility 3 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery turns toward the Vehicle Assembly Building. First motion was at 2:30 p.m. EST. In the VAB, Discovery will be attached to its external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39A for a targeted launch to the International Space Station on Feb. 12. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2009-1031

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- After rolling out of Orbiter Processing Facili...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- After rolling out of Orbiter Processing Facility 3 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery turns toward the Vehicle Assembly Building. First motion was at 2:30... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery is lifted into the upper levels for transfer to high bay 3. The shuttle will then be lowered onto the mobile launcher platform for mating with its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39A for a targeted launch on Feb. 12. Discovery will carry the final starboard truss (S6) in the assembly of the International Space Station. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2009-1050

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery is lifted into the upper levels for transfer to high bay 3. The shuttle will then be l... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery is lifted above the transfer aisle. The shuttle will be raised to a vertical position and lifted into high bay 3 where it will be mated with its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters on the mobile launcher platform. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39A for a targeted launch on Feb. 12. Discovery will carry the final starboard truss (S6) in the assembly of the International Space Station. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2009-1047

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery is lifted above the transfer aisle. The shuttle will be raised to a vertical position ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –  In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the external fuel tank for space shuttle Atlantis' STS-125 mission is lowered into high bay 3.  It will be installed on the mobile launcher platform and attached to the solid rocket boosters already there.  Atlantis' STS-125 mission is the fifth and final shuttle servicing mission to NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope.  Launch is targeted for May 12.  Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2009-1170

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the external fuel tank for space shuttle Atlantis' STS-125 mission is lowered into high bay 3. It will be ins... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the dock at Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, one of the  solid rocket boosters used during space shuttle Discovery's launch March 15 on mission STS-119 is moved to an area beneath the straddle crane that will lift it out of the water.  The space shuttle’s solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea after a launch. The spent rockets were recovered by NASA's Solid Rocket Booster Retrieval Ships Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff.  The splashdown area is a square of about six by nine nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. The retrieval ships are stationed approximately 8 to 10 nautical miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate to a speed of 15 knots and quickly close on the boosters. The pilot chutes and main parachutes are the first items to be brought on board. With the chutes and frustum recovered, attention turns to the boosters. The ship’s tow line is connected and the booster is returned to the Port and, after transfer to a position alongside the ship, to Hangar AF. There, the expended boosters are disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse.  Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2009-2139

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the dock at Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the dock at Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, one of the solid rocket boosters used during space shuttle Discovery's launch March 15 on mission STS-119 is move... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Atlantis is rotated by the crane toward a vertical position above the transfer aisle.  The shuttle will be lifted into High Bay 3 where it will be attached to its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters on the mobile launcher platform. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39A for a targeted launch on May 12 on the STS-125 Hubble servicing mission.    Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston KSC-2009-2266

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Atlantis is rotated by the crane toward a vertical position above the transfer aisle. The shuttl... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – On Launch Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, solid rocket boosters are attached to a Delta II rocket for launch of the STSS Demonstrator spacecraft. The spacecraft is a midcourse tracking technology demonstrator, part of an evolving ballistic missile defense system. STSS is capable of tracking objects after boost phase and provides trajectory information to other sensors. It will be launched by NASA for the Missile Defense Agency on July 29. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2009-2815

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – On Launch Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – On Launch Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, solid rocket boosters are attached to a Delta II rocket for launch of the STSS Demonstrator spacecraft. The spacecraft is a midcour... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In High Bay 1 of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery is lowered onto the mobile launcher platform, or MLP.  It is in front of the external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters on either side that are already secured there.  The shuttle will be attached to the external tank on the MLP.  Discovery is scheduled to roll out to Launch Pad 39A the first week of August to prepare for the STS-128 mission to the International Space Station.  The shuttle will carry the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module containing life support racks and science racks and the Lightweight Multi-Purpose Experiment Support Structure Carrier in its payload bay.  Launch of Discovery is targeted for late August.  Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky KSC-2009-4257

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In High Bay 1 of the Vehicle Assembly Building ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In High Bay 1 of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery is lowered onto the mobile launcher platform, or MLP. It is in front of ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – An aerial view of the Solid Rocket Booster Recovery Ships Liberty Star and Freedom Star at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Hangar AF.  The ships recently returned from recovering the boosters from space shuttle Discovery's launch on the STS-128 mission.  Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-5006

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – An aerial view of the Solid Rocket Booster Reco...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – An aerial view of the Solid Rocket Booster Recovery Ships Liberty Star and Freedom Star at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Hangar AF. The ships recently returned from recovering the b... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – An aerial view of the Solid Rocket Booster Recovery Ships Liberty Star and Freedom Star at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Hangar AF.  The ships recently returned from recovering the boosters from space shuttle Discovery's launch on the STS-128 mission.  Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-5009

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – An aerial view of the Solid Rocket Booster Reco...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – An aerial view of the Solid Rocket Booster Recovery Ships Liberty Star and Freedom Star at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Hangar AF. The ships recently returned from recovering the b... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The external fuel tank for space shuttle Atlantis' STS-129 mission is being lowered into NASA Kennedy Space Center's Vehicle Assembly Building high bay 2 for assembly with the solid rocket boosters already stacked on the mobile launch platform (seen at the bottom).  The STS-129 mission  is targeted to launch Nov. 12 on an 11-day supply mission to the International Space Station.  Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2009-5184

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The external fuel tank for space shuttle Atlantis' STS-129 mission is being lowered into NASA Kennedy Space Center's Vehicle Assembly Building high bay 2 for assembly with the solid rocke... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The external fuel tank for space shuttle Atlantis' STS-129 mission is being lowered into NASA Kennedy Space Center's Vehicle Assembly Building high bay 2 for assembly with the solid rocket boosters already stacked on the mobile launch platform.  The tip of one rocket is seen at bottom.  The STS-129 mission  is targeted to launch Nov. 12 on an 11-day supply mission to the International Space Station.  Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2009-5186

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The external fuel tank for space shuttle Atlantis' STS-129 mission is being lowered into NASA Kennedy Space Center's Vehicle Assembly Building high bay 2 for assembly with the solid rocke... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - With nearly 7 million pounds of thrust generated by twin solid rocket boosters and three main engines, space shuttle Atlantis roars into the blue skies over Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.     Liftoff on its STS-129 mission came at 2:28 p.m. EST Nov. 16.  Aboard are crew members Commander Charles O. Hobaugh; Pilot Barry E. Wilmore; and Mission Specialists Leland Melvin, Randy Bresnik, Mike Foreman and Robert L. Satcher Jr.  On STS-129, the crew will deliver two ExPRESS Logistics Carriers to the International Space Station, the largest of the shuttle's cargo carriers, containing 15 spare pieces of equipment including two gyroscopes, two nitrogen tank assemblies, two pump modules, an ammonia tank assembly and a spare latching end effector for the station's robotic arm.  Atlantis will return to Earth a station crew member, Nicole Stott, who has spent more than two months aboard the orbiting laboratory.  STS-129 is slated to be the final space shuttle Expedition crew rotation flight. For information on the STS-129 mission and crew, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts129/index.html.    Photo credit: NASA/Rusty Backer KSC-2009-6396

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - With nearly 7 million pounds of thrust generate...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - With nearly 7 million pounds of thrust generated by twin solid rocket boosters and three main engines, space shuttle Atlantis roars into the blue skies over Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kenne... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In Orbiter Processing Facility-2 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, preparations are under way to roll space shuttle Endeavour to the Vehicle Assembly Building.    The rollover began at 12:53 a.m. EST and was completed at 2:08 p.m. when Endeavour was towed into the VAB's transfer aisle.  Next, Endeavour will be attached to a lifting sling, hoisted over a transom and lowered into High Bay 1, where it will be attached to its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters. Rollout of the shuttle stack to Kennedy’s Launch Pad 39A, a significant milestone in launch processing activities, is planned for early January 2010. The Italian-built Tranquility module, the primary payload for Endeavour's STS-130 mission, will be installed in the payload bay after the shuttle arrives at the pad.  Launch is targeted for early February. For information on the STS-130 mission and crew, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts130/index.html.  Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis KSC-2009-6741

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In Orbiter Processing Facility-2 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, preparations are under way to roll space shuttle Endeavour to the Vehicle Assembly Building. The rollover be... More

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