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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A closeup of the replacement weather Doppler radar being installed in a remote field located west of NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The tower is 100 feet high; the radome is 22 feet in diameter, the antenna 14 feet in diameter. It rotates at 6 rpm. The structure can withstand 130 mph winds. It is undergoing initial testing and expected to become operational in the summer. The weather radar is essential in issuing lightning and other severe weather warnings and vital in evaluating lightning launch commit criteria for space shuttle and rocket launches. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-1077

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A closeup of the replacement weather Doppler r...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A closeup of the replacement weather Doppler radar being installed in a remote field located west of NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The tower is 100 feet high; the radome is 22 ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –   The covered fifth segment simulator center for the Ares I-X rocket leaves Astrotech in Titusville, Fla., heading for the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.  It will join other segments being stacked there. Ares I-X is the test vehicle for the Ares I, which is part of the Constellation Program to return men to the moon and beyond. Ares I is the essential core of a safe, reliable, cost-effective space transportation system that eventually will carry crewed missions back to the moon, on to Mars and out into the solar system. Ares I-X is targeted for launch in July 2009.  Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-1703

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The covered fifth segment simulator center fo...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The covered fifth segment simulator center for the Ares I-X rocket leaves Astrotech in Titusville, Fla., heading for the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Flor... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., technicians secure the GOES-O satellite onto a special stand for loading of its oxidizer and hydrazine propellants. The latest Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite, GOES-O was developed by NASA for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA. The GOES satellites continuously provide observations of 60 percent of the Earth including the continental United States, providing weather monitoring and forecast operations as well as a continuous and reliable stream of environmental information and severe weather warnings. Once in orbit, GOES-O will be designated GOES-14, and NASA will provide on-orbit checkout and then transfer operational responsibility to NOAA. The GOES-O satellite is targeted to launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Launch Complex 37 no earlier than May 12 onboard a United Launch Alliance Delta IV expendable launch vehicle.  Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-2587

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Astrotech payload processing facility in...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., technicians secure the GOES-O satellite onto a special stand for loading of its oxidizer and hydrazine propellants. The l... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –  The Ares I-X aft skirt is moved out of the Assembly and Refurbishment Facility to the test building nearby at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for testing. The I-X flight will provide NASA an early opportunity to test and prove hardware, facilities and ground operations associated with Ares I, part of the Constellation Program to return men to the moon and beyond.  Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-2456

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The Ares I-X aft skirt is moved out of the Ass...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The Ares I-X aft skirt is moved out of the Assembly and Refurbishment Facility to the test building nearby at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for testing. The I-X flight will prov... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, cranes raise space shuttle Endeavour to vertical.  Endeavour then will be lifted into High Bay 1 and attached to the external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters already installed on the mobile launcher platform.  Endeavour is scheduled to roll out to Launch Pad 39B on April 17. Endeavour will be prepared on the pad for liftoff in the unlikely event that a rescue mission is necessary following space shuttle Atlantis' launch on the STS-125 mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope. After Atlantis is cleared to land, Endeavour will move to Launch Pad 39A for its upcoming STS-127 mission to the International Space Station, targeted to launch in mid-June.  Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-2616

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, cranes raise space shuttle Endeavour to vertical. Endeavour then will be lifted into Hig... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Viewed from below, space shuttle Endeavour is lifted in the upper levels of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for transfer to High Bay 1. The shuttle then will be lowered onto the mobile launcher platform and attached to the external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters already installed there.  Endeavour is scheduled to roll out to Launch Pad 39B on April 17. Endeavour will be prepared on the pad for liftoff in the unlikely event that a rescue mission is necessary following space shuttle Atlantis' launch on the STS-125 mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope. After Atlantis is cleared to land, Endeavour will move to Launch Pad 39A for its upcoming STS-127 mission to the International Space Station, targeted to launch in mid-June.  Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-2619

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Viewed from below, space shuttle Endeavour is l...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Viewed from below, space shuttle Endeavour is lifted in the upper levels of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for transfer to High Bay 1. The shuttle... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, cranes lift space shuttle Endeavour in order to raise it to vertical.  Once vertical, the shuttle will be lifted into High Bay 1, then lowered and attached to the external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters already installed on the mobile launcher platform.  Endeavour is scheduled to roll out to Launch Pad 39B on April 17. Endeavour will be prepared on the pad for liftoff in the unlikely event that a rescue mission is necessary following space shuttle Atlantis' launch on the STS-125 mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope. After Atlantis is cleared to land, Endeavour will move to Launch Pad 39A for its upcoming STS-127 mission to the International Space Station, targeted to launch in mid-June. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-2615

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, cranes lift space shuttle Endeavour in order to raise it to vertical. Once vertical, the... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Tugboats maneuver the Pegasus barge toward the dock in the turn basin in the Launch Complex 39 Area at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.  The barge holds the external fuel tank, ET- 132,  designated for space shuttle Discovery on the STS-128 mission.  The tank will be offloaded and transported to a high bay in the Vehicle Assembly Building for checkout. On the STS-128 mission, Discovery will carry science and storage racks to the International Space Station. Launch of Discovery is targeted for Aug. 6.  Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-2970

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Tugboats maneuver the Pegasus barge toward the dock in the turn basin in the Launch Complex 39 Area at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The barge holds the external fuel tank, ET-... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – – In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, an overhead crane lowers the Integrated Cargo Carrier-VLD (Vertical Light Deployment), part of the payload for the STS-127 mission, toward the payload canister. The canister will deliver the ICC-VLD and other elements to Launch Pad 39A for installation in space shuttle Endeavour's payload bay. Launch is targeted for June 13. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-3162

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – – In the Space Station Processing Facility at N...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – – In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, an overhead crane lowers the Integrated Cargo Carrier-VLD (Vertical Light Deployment), part of the pa... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –   The Ares I-X forward segment is in the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.  It will be mated with the aft center and aft segments already stacked. Part of the Constellation Program, the Ares I-X is the test vehicle for the Ares I, which is the essential core of a space transportation system that eventually will carry crewed missions back to the moon, on to Mars and out into the solar system . The Ares I-X flight test is targeted for no earlier than Aug. 30.   Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-4161

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The Ares I-X forward segment is in the transf...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The Ares I-X forward segment is in the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It will be mated with the aft center and aft segments ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Sitting on top of the mobile launcher platform, space shuttle Discovery straddles the flame trench, which channels the flames and smoke exhaust of the shuttle's solid rocket boosters away from the space shuttle during liftoff, on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Traveling from the Vehicle Assembly Building, the shuttle took nearly 12 hours on the journey as technicians stopped several times to clear mud from the crawler's treads and bearings caused by the waterlogged crawlerway.  First motion out of the VAB was at 2:07 a.m. EDT Aug. 4. Rollout was delayed approximately 2 hours due to lightning in the area. Discovery was secured, or "hard down" to Launch Pad 39A at 1:50 p.m. EDT. "Hard down" means that the mobile launcher platform, or MLP, is sitting on the pedestals on the pad, and the crawler has been jacked down, thus transferring the weight of the MLP from the crawler to the pad pedestals.  Discovery's 13-day flight will deliver a new crew member and 33,000 pounds of equipment to the International Space Station. The equipment includes science and storage racks, a freezer to store research samples, a new sleeping compartment and the COLBERT treadmill.  Launch of Discovery on its STS-128 mission is targeted for late August.   Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-4425

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Sitting on top of the mobile launcher platform,...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Sitting on top of the mobile launcher platform, space shuttle Discovery straddles the flame trench, which channels the flames and smoke exhaust of the shuttle's solid rocket boosters away... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A closeup of space shuttle Endeavour after its arrival on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.  Traveling from the Vehicle Assembly Building, the shuttle took nearly 12 hours on the journey as technicians stopped several times to clear mud from the crawler's treads and bearings caused by the waterlogged crawlerway.  First motion out of the VAB was at 2:07 a.m. EDT Aug. 4. Rollout was delayed approximately 2 hours due to lightning in the area.  Discovery's 13-day flight will deliver a new crew member and 33,000 pounds of equipment to the International Space Station. The equipment includes science and storage racks, a freezer to store research samples, a new sleeping compartment and the COLBERT treadmill.  Launch of Discovery on its STS-128 mission is targeted for late August.   Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-4419

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A closeup of space shuttle Endeavour after its ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A closeup of space shuttle Endeavour after its arrival on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Traveling from the Vehicle Assembly Building, the shuttle took nearly ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, volunteers portraying astronauts are loaded into a helicopter as part of a Mode II-IV exercise that allows teams to practice an emergency response at Launch Pad 39A, including helicopter evacuation to local hospitals. The exercise involves NASA fire rescue personnel, volunteers portraying astronauts with simulated injuries, helicopters and personnel from the Air Force’s 920th Rescue Wing and medical trauma teams at three central Florida hospitals. The Space Shuttle Program and U.S. Air Force are conducting the emergency simulation. Photo credit:  NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-5275

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, volunteers portraying astronauts are loaded into a helicopter as part of a Mode II-IV exercise that allows teams to practice an emergency respon... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - STS-129 Commander Charles O. Hobaugh greets Pilot Barry E. Wilmore upon his arrival at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.  The six astronauts for space shuttle Atlantis’ STS-129 mission are at Kennedy for their launch dress rehearsal, the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test.    Additional training associated with the test was done last month, but the simulated countdown was postponed because of a scheduling conflict with the launch of NASA’s Ares I-X test rocket.  Launch of Atlantis on its STS-129 mission to the International Space Station is set for Nov. 16. On STS-129, the crew will deliver to the station two spare gyroscopes, two nitrogen tank assemblies, two pump modules, an ammonia tank assembly and a spare latching end effector for the station's robotic arm.  For information on the STS-129 mission objectives and crew, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts129/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-6041

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - STS-129 Commander Charles O. Hobaugh greets Pil...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - STS-129 Commander Charles O. Hobaugh greets Pilot Barry E. Wilmore upon his arrival at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The six astronauts for spac... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United Space Alliance workers guide a "fish pole" lifting fixture being lowered by crane toward space shuttle Discovery's payload bay.  The fixture will be used to remove the gaseous nitrogen tank during processing for the shuttle's STS-131 mission to the International Space Station.    The tanks are used for atmosphere conditioning and for moving potable water in the crew module.  The seven-member STS-131 crew will deliver a Multi-Purpose Logistics Module filled with science racks to be transferred to laboratories on the station.  Three spacewalks will include work to attach a spare ammonia tank assembly to the station's exterior and return a European experiment from outside the station's Columbus module. This will be the 33rd shuttle mission to the station. Launch is targeted for March 18, 2010.  Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-6098

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United Space Alliance workers guide a "fish pole" lifting fixture being lowered by crane toward space shutt... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - As night falls over Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the rotating service structure has been moved away from space shuttle Atlantis during the T-11 hour hold in the launch countdown.  Liftoff of the STS-129 mission is set for 2:28 p.m. EST Nov. 16.  The movable structure, which provides weather protection and access for technicians to work on the shuttle, began being retracted at 5:20 p.m. EST and was in the park position by 5:56 p.m.    STS-129 crew members are Commander Charles O. Hobaugh; Pilot Barry E. Wilmore; and Mission Specialists Leland Melvin, Randy Bresnik, Mike Foreman and Robert L. Satcher Jr.  On the STS-129 mission to the International Space Station, the crew will deliver two spare gyroscopes, two nitrogen tank assemblies, two pump modules, an ammonia tank assembly and a spare latching end effector for the station's robotic arm.  Atlantis will return to Earth a station crew member, Nicole Stott, who has spent more than two months aboard the orbiting laboratory.  STS-129 is slated to be the final space shuttle Expedition crew rotation flight. For information on the STS-129 mission and crew, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts129/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-6301

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - As night falls over Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Ke...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - As night falls over Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the rotating service structure has been moved away from space shuttle Atlantis during the T-11 hour hold in t... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the rotating service structure moves away from space shuttle Atlantis during the T-11 hour hold in the launch countdown.  The movable structure, which provides weather protection and access for technicians to work on the shuttle, began being retracted at 5:20 p.m. EST and was in the park position by 5:56 p.m.  Liftoff on its STS-129 mission is set for 2:28 p.m. EST Nov. 16.     STS-129 crew members are Commander Charles O. Hobaugh; Pilot Barry E. Wilmore; and Mission Specialists Leland Melvin, Randy Bresnik, Mike Foreman and Robert L. Satcher Jr.  On the STS-129 mission to the International Space Station, the crew will deliver two spare gyroscopes, two nitrogen tank assemblies, two pump modules, an ammonia tank assembly and a spare latching end effector for the station's robotic arm.  Atlantis will return to Earth a station crew member, Nicole Stott, who has spent more than two months aboard the orbiting laboratory.  STS-129 is slated to be the final space shuttle Expedition crew rotation flight. For information on the STS-129 mission and crew, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts129/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-6298

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the rotating service structure moves away from space shuttle Atlantis during the T-11 hour hold in the launch countdown. The ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Wildlife personnel carry an endangered green sea turtle toward the Banana River at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, ready to release the animal back into its usual environment. A recent cold snap left this turtle and nearly 2,000 others "stunned" and in need of help.    Many of the turtles were rescued from the Mosquito Lagoon, with others coming from the Indian River Lagoon and Cocoa Beach. Biologists, environmentalists, wildlife experts and other volunteers joined forces with a massive rescue effort at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, where the turtles were identified, examined and transported to rehabilitation facilities throughout Florida and South Georgia. The animals stayed at these facilities until local waters warmed up to safe temperatures.  Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2010-1264

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Wildlife personnel carry an endangered green se...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Wildlife personnel carry an endangered green sea turtle toward the Banana River at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, ready to release the animal back into its usual environment. A r... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket arrives at Launch Complex-40's horizontal processing hangar. Once assembled, it will be a two-stage fully integrated launch vehicle, consisting of a first stage powered by nine SpaceX-developed Merlin 1C engines, a second stage, an interstage, an unpressurized trunk and the Dragon spacecraft qualification unit.          SpaceX was awarded procurement for three demonstration flights under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, or COTS, program managed by NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. A subsequent contract for Commercial Resupply Services, or CRS, was awarded in late 2008 to resupply the International Space Station. The SpaceX CRS contract provides for 12 missions to resupply the station from 2011 through 2015. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2010-4335

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket arrives at Launch Complex-40's horizontal processing hangar. Once assembled, it will be a tw... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket arrives at Launch Complex-40's horizontal processing hangar. Once assembled, it will be a two-stage fully integrated launch vehicle, consisting of a first stage powered by nine SpaceX-developed Merlin 1C engines, a second stage, an interstage, an unpressurized trunk and the Dragon spacecraft qualification unit.          SpaceX was awarded procurement for three demonstration flights under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, or COTS, program managed by NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. A subsequent contract for Commercial Resupply Services, or CRS, was awarded in late 2008 to resupply the International Space Station. The SpaceX CRS contract provides for 12 missions to resupply the station from 2011 through 2015. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2010-4338

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket arrives at Launch Complex-40's horizontal processing hangar. Once assembled, it will be a tw... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket arrives at Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Once assembled, it will be a two-stage fully integrated launch vehicle, consisting of a first stage powered by nine SpaceX-developed Merlin 1C engines, a second stage, an interstage, an unpressurized trunk and the Dragon spacecraft qualification unit.          SpaceX was awarded procurement for three demonstration flights under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, or COTS, program managed by NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. A subsequent contract for Commercial Resupply Services, or CRS, was awarded in late 2008 to resupply the International Space Station. The SpaceX CRS contract provides for 12 missions to resupply the station from 2011 through 2015. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2010-4340

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket arrives at Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Once assembled, it will be a two-stage fully integrated launch ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the Operations and Checkout Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a Lockheed Martin-led crew begins pathfinding operations on a full-scale Orion spacecraft mockup. The crew is conducting simulated manufacturing and assembly operations with the mockup to verify the tools, processes and spacecraft integration procedures work as expected. For more information visit www.nasa.gov/orion. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett, Troy Cryder KSC-2010-4950

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the Operations and Checkout Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a Lockheed Martin-led crew begins pathfinding operations on a full-scale Orion spacecraft mockup. The c... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A lightning-producing storm cloud moves in over NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida as the rotating service structure on Launch Pad 39A is scheduled to be moved away from space shuttle Discovery. The structure provides weather protection and access to the shuttle. RSS "rollback," as it's called, was delayed for a few hours to allow that cloud to pass.        Launch of Discovery on the STS-133 mission to the International Space Station is set for 3:29 p.m. on Nov. 4. During the 11-day mission, Discovery and its six crew members will deliver the Permanent Multipurpose Module, packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2, to the orbiting laboratory. Discovery, which will fly its 39th mission, is scheduled to be retired following STS-133. This will be the 133rd Space Shuttle Program mission and the 35th shuttle voyage to the space station. For more information on STS-133, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2010-5486

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A lightning-producing storm cloud moves in ove...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A lightning-producing storm cloud moves in over NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida as the rotating service structure on Launch Pad 39A is scheduled to be moved away from space shuttl... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the rotating service structure on Launch Pad 39A moves away from space shuttle Discovery. The structure provides weather protection and access to the shuttle while it awaits lift off on the pad.       Launch of Discovery on the STS-133 mission to the International Space Station is set for 3:29 p.m. on Nov. 4. During the 11-day mission, Discovery and its six crew members will deliver the Permanent Multipurpose Module, packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2, to the orbiting laboratory. Discovery, which will fly its 39th mission, is scheduled to be retired following STS-133. This will be the 133rd Space Shuttle Program mission and the 35th shuttle voyage to the space station. For more information on STS-133, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2010-5487

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the rotating service structure on Launch Pad 39A moves away from space shuttle Discovery. The structure provides weather protection and access ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- As the sun rises over Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, preparations to remove the ground umbilical carrier plate's (GUCP) 7-inch quick disconnect are under way. A hydrogen gas leak at that location on the external fuel tank during tanking for space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 mission to the International Space Station caused the launch attempt to be scrubbed Nov. 5. The GUCP will be examined to determine the cause of the hydrogen leak and then repaired. The GUCP is the overboard vent to the pad and the flame stack where the vented hydrogen is burned off. Discovery's next launch attempt is no earlier than Nov. 30 at 4:02 a.m. EST.        For more information on STS-133, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2010-5607

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- As the sun rises over Launch Pad 39A at NASA's...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- As the sun rises over Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, preparations to remove the ground umbilical carrier plate's (GUCP) 7-inch quick disconnect are under way. ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- On Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a worker begins to remove the ground umbilical carrier plate's (GUCP) 7-inch quick disconnect. A hydrogen gas leak at that location on the external fuel tank during tanking for space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 mission to the International Space Station caused the launch attempt to be scrubbed Nov. 5. The GUCP will be examined to determine the cause of the hydrogen leak and then repaired. The GUCP is the overboard vent to the pad and the flame stack where the vented hydrogen is burned off. Discovery's next launch attempt is no earlier than Nov. 30 at 4:02 a.m. EST.        For more information on STS-133, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2010-5611

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- On Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a worker begins to remove the ground umbilical carrier plate's (GUCP) 7-inch quick disconnect. A hydrogen gas leak at that lo... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- On Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, workers take photos of the ground umbilical carrier plate's (GUCP) 7-inch quick disconnect, which has been removed from the external fuel tank. A hydrogen gas leak at that location during tanking for space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 mission to the International Space Station caused the launch attempt to be scrubbed Nov. 5. The GUCP will be examined to determine the cause of the hydrogen leak and then repaired. The GUCP is the overboard vent to the pad and the flame stack where the vented hydrogen is burned off. Discovery's next launch attempt is no earlier than Nov. 30 at 4:02 a.m. EST.    For more information on STS-133, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2010-5616

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- On Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, workers take photos of the ground umbilical carrier plate's (GUCP) 7-inch quick disconnect, which has been removed from the e... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- On Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a worker prepares to remove the ground umbilical carrier plate's (GUCP) 7-inch quick disconnect. A hydrogen gas leak at that location on the external fuel tank during tanking for space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 mission to the International Space Station caused the launch attempt to be scrubbed Nov. 5. The GUCP will be examined to determine the cause of the hydrogen leak and then repaired. The GUCP is the overboard vent to the pad and the flame stack where the vented hydrogen is burned off. Discovery's next launch attempt is no earlier than Nov. 30 at 4:02 a.m. EST.    For more information on STS-133, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2010-5609

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- On Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a worker prepares to remove the ground umbilical carrier plate's (GUCP) 7-inch quick disconnect. A hydrogen gas leak at that ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- On Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, workers begin to install a new ground umbilical carrier plate (GUCP) on space shuttle Discovery's external fuel tank. A hydrogen gas leak at that location during tanking for Discovery's STS-133 mission to the International Space Station caused the launch attempt to be scrubbed Nov. 5. The GUCP is the overboard vent to the pad and the flame stack where the excess hydrogen is burned off.       For more information on STS-133, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2010-5667

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- On Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, workers begin to install a new ground umbilical carrier plate (GUCP) on space shuttle Discovery's external fuel tank. A hydro... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- On Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, workers prepare to install a new ground umbilical carrier plate (GUCP) on space shuttle Discovery's external fuel tank. A hydrogen gas leak at that location during tanking for Discovery's STS-133 mission to the International Space Station caused the launch attempt to be scrubbed Nov. 5. The GUCP is the overboard vent to the pad and the flame stack where the excess hydrogen is burned off.               For more information on STS-133, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2010-5661

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- On Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, workers prepare to install a new ground umbilical carrier plate (GUCP) on space shuttle Discovery's external fuel tank. A hyd... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, members of an emergency escape training team perform a simulated evacuation exercise at Launch Pad 39A.           For several days, volunteers portraying astronauts, take part in training exercises which allow teams to practice emergency response procedures, including helicopter evacuation to local hospitals. Training normally involves NASA fire rescue personnel, personnel from the Air Force's 920th Rescue Wing, and medical trauma teams from central Florida hospitals, and is required every 18 months to certify Fire Rescue and Closeout Crew personnel. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2011-1413

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, members of an emergency escape training team perform a simulated evacuation exercise at Launch Pad 39A. For several days, volunteers ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The enormous Vehicle Assembly Building is seen prominently in the background at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, overlooking the parking spaces below the Press Site filled with news satellite trucks and media vehicles, there to cover the final launch of space shuttle Discovery on the STS-133 mission.        Discovery and its six-member crew will deliver the Permanent Multipurpose Module, packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2 to the International Space Station. For more information on the STS-133 mission, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/. Photo Credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2011-1648

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The enormous Vehicle Assembly Building is seen...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The enormous Vehicle Assembly Building is seen prominently in the background at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, overlooking the parking spaces below the Press Site filled with ne... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, two large cranes will assist in the removal of Launch Pad 39B's fixed service structure FSS and rotating service structure RSS. The FSS and RSS were designed to support the unique needs of the Space Shuttle Program. In 2009, the pad was no longer needed for the shuttle program, so it is being restructured for future use.        Its new design will feature a "clean pad" for rockets to come with their own launcher, making it more versatile for a number of vehicles. The transformation also includes the refurbishment of the liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen tanks and the upgrade of about 1.3 million feet of cable. The new lightning protection system, which was in place for the October 2009 launch of Ares I-X, will remain. For information on NASA's future plans, visit www.nasa.gov. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2011-2363

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, two large cranes will assist in the removal of Launch Pad 39B's fixed service structure FSS and rotating service structure RSS. The FSS and RSS... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In Orbiter Processing Facility-2 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, workers use a crane to grapple shuttle Discovery's right-hand orbital maneuvering system, or OMS, pod for removal. It then will be transported to the Hypergol Maintenance Facility. The removal is part of Discovery's transition and retirement processing. Work performed on Discovery is expected to help rocket designers build next-generation spacecraft and prepare the shuttle for future public display. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2011-3015

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, workers use a crane to grapple shuttle Discovery's right-hand orbital maneuvering system, or OMS, pod for remov... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, shuttle Atlantis is lifted by an overhead crane and moved into a high bay where it will be attached to its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters already on the mobile launcher platform.                Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley and Mission Specialists Sandra Magnus and Rex Walheim are expected to launch in mid-July, taking with them the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module packed with supplies, logistics and spare parts. The STS-135 mission also will fly a system to investigate the potential for robotically refueling existing spacecraft and return a failed ammonia pump module to help NASA better understand the failure mechanism and improve pump designs for future systems. STS-135 will be the 33rd flight of Atlantis, the 37th shuttle mission to the space station, and the 135th and final mission of NASA's Space Shuttle Program. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts135/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2011-3807

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

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Bathed in xenon lights, space shuttle Atlantis passes the Turn Basin as it makes its final journey from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. First motion was at 8:42 p.m. EDT. It will take the crawler-transporter about six hours to carry the shuttle, attached to its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters, to the seaside launch pad. The milestone move paves the way for the launch of the STS-135 mission to the International Space Station, targeted for July 8.        STS-135 will be the 33rd flight of Atlantis, the 37th shuttle mission to the space station, and the 135th and final mission of NASA's Space Shuttle Program. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts135/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2011-4091

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Bathed in xenon lights, space shuttle Atlantis...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Bathed in xenon lights, space shuttle Atlantis passes the Turn Basin as it makes its final journey from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., -- Workers transport NASA's Juno spacecraft from Astrotech's Payload Processing Facility in Titusville, Fla., to the Hazardous Processing Facility for fueling. The spacecraft will be loaded with the propellant necessary for orbit maneuvers and the attitude control system.        Juno is scheduled to launch aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral, Fla.,  Aug. 5.The solar-powered spacecraft will orbit Jupiter's poles 33 times to find out more about the gas giant's origins, structure, atmosphere and magnetosphere and investigate the existence of a solid planetary core. For more information visit: www.nasa.gov/juno. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2011-4956

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., -- Workers transport NASA's Juno spacecraft from...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., -- Workers transport NASA's Juno spacecraft from Astrotech's Payload Processing Facility in Titusville, Fla., to the Hazardous Processing Facility for fueling. The spacecraft will be loade... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Workers deliver NASA's Juno spacecraft to Astrotech's Hazardous Processing Facility in Titusville, Fla., for fueling. The spacecraft will be loaded with the propellant necessary for orbit maneuvers and the attitude control system.          Juno is scheduled to launch aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral, Fla.,  Aug. 5.The solar-powered spacecraft will orbit Jupiter's poles 33 times to find out more about the gas giant's origins, structure, atmosphere and magnetosphere and investigate the existence of a solid planetary core. For more information visit: www.nasa.gov/juno. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2011-4959

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Workers deliver NASA's Juno spacecraft to Astr...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Workers deliver NASA's Juno spacecraft to Astrotech's Hazardous Processing Facility in Titusville, Fla., for fueling. The spacecraft will be loaded with the propellant necessary for orbi... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --  At Astrotech's Hazardous Processing Facility in Titusville, Fla.,  NASA's Juno spacecraft is secured to a fueling stand where the spacecraft will be loaded with the propellant necessary for orbit maneuvers and the attitude control system.      Juno is scheduled to launch aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral, Fla.,  Aug. 5.The solar-powered spacecraft will orbit Jupiter's poles 33 times to find out more about the gas giant's origins, structure, atmosphere and magnetosphere and investigate the existence of a solid planetary core. For more information visit: www.nasa.gov/juno. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2011-4986

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Astrotech's Hazardous Processing Facility ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Astrotech's Hazardous Processing Facility in Titusville, Fla., NASA's Juno spacecraft is secured to a fueling stand where the spacecraft will be loaded with the propellant necessary... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA is hosting a Tweetup for 150 Twitter followers of space shuttle Atlantis' STS-135 mission to the International Space Station, selected from more than 5,500 online registrants. A Tweetup is an informal meeting of people who use the social messaging medium Twitter. This Tweetup is an opportunity to learn more about NASA, explore NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida and experience a space shuttle launch.               Atlantis and its crew of four; Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley, Mission Specialists Sandy Magnus and Rex Walheim, are scheduled to lift off at 11:26 a.m. EDT on July 8 to deliver the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module packed with supplies and spare parts to the station. Atlantis also will fly the Robotic Refueling Mission experiment that will investigate the potential for robotically refueling existing satellites in orbit. In addition, Atlantis will return with a failed ammonia pump module to help NASA better understand the failure mechanism and improve pump designs for future systems. STS-135 will be the 33rd flight of Atlantis, the 37th shuttle mission to the space station, and the 135th and final mission of NASA's Space Shuttle Program. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts135/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2011-5087

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA is ho...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA is hosting a Tweetup for 150 Twitter followers of space shuttle Atlantis' STS-135 mission to the International Space Station, selected from more ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the high bay of the RTG storage facility (RTGF) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the mesh container enclosing the multi-mission radioisotope thermoelectric generator (MMRTG) for NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission is lifted from around the MMRTG. The container, known as the "gorilla cage," protects the MMRTG during transport and allows any excess heat generated to dissipate into the air.  The cage is being removed following the return of the MMRTG to the RTGF from a fit check on MSL's Curiosity rover in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF).  The workers at right are observing the operation from behind a mobile plexiglass radiation shield to minimize their radiation exposure.    The MMRTG will generate the power needed for the mission from the natural decay of plutonium-238, a non-weapons-grade form of the radioisotope. Heat given off by this natural decay will provide constant power through the day and night during all seasons. MSL's components include a compact car-sized rover, Curiosity, which has 10 science instruments designed to search for signs of life, including methane, and help determine if the gas is from a biological or geological source. Waste heat from the MMRTG will be circulated throughout the rover system to keep instruments, computers, mechanical devices and communications systems within their operating temperature ranges. Launch of MSL aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket is targeted for Nov. 25 from Space Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/msl. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2011-6742

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the high bay of the RTG storage facility (R...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the high bay of the RTG storage facility (RTGF) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the mesh container enclosing the multi-mission radioisotope thermoelectric generator (MMRTG)... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- On Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, workers begin to install a new ground umbilical carrier plate (GUCP) on space shuttle Discovery's external fuel tank. A hydrogen gas leak at that location during tanking for Discovery's STS-133 mission to the International Space Station caused the launch attempt to be scrubbed Nov. 5. The GUCP is the overboard vent to the pad and the flame stack where the excess hydrogen is burned off.         For more information on STS-133, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2010-5666

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- On Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, workers begin to install a new ground umbilical carrier plate (GUCP) on space shuttle Discovery's external fuel tank. A hydro... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –  In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the Soft Capture Mechanism (SCM), part of the Soft Capture and Rendezvous System, or SCRS,  is being prepared for transfer to the Flight Support System, or FSS, carrier. The SCRS will enable the future rendezvous, capture and safe disposal of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope by either a crewed or robotic mission. The ring-like device attaches to Hubble’s aft bulkhead. The SCRS greatly increases the current shuttle capture interfaces on Hubble, therefore significantly reducing the rendezvous and capture design complexities associated with the disposal mission.  The FSS will join the Multi-Use Lightweight Equipment, or MULE, carrier, the Super Lightweight Interchangeable Carrier and the Orbital Replacement Unit Carrier as payload on space shuttle Atlantis's STS-125 mission. The payload is scheduled to go to Launch Pad 39A in mid-September to be installed into Atlantis' payload bay. Atlantis is targeted to launch Oct. 8 at 1:34 a.m. EDT. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-08pd2432

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the Soft Capture Mechanism (SCM), part of the Soft Capture and Rendezvous System, or SCRS, is being prepared ... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA.  -  In the Space Station Processing Facility, an overhead crane lowers the Port 3/4 truss segment into the waiting payload canister for installation in the orbiter Atlantis.  The truss is slated for launch on mission STS-115 no earlier than Aug. 28. The truss is the next major addition to the 11-segment integrated truss structure that will eventually span more than 300 feet on the station. The P3/P4 truss, with its two large solar arrays, will provide one-fourth of the total power-generation capability of the completed station.  The P3/P4 truss is expected to be loaded into Atlantis's cargo bay around the beginning of August.  Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-06pd1636

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Space Station Processing Facilit...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Space Station Processing Facility, an overhead crane lowers the Port 3/4 truss segment into the waiting payload canister for installation in the orbiter Atlantis. The trus... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -  Sitting on top of the mobile launcher platform, Space Shuttle Atlantis begins rolling out of the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39B via the crawler-transporter underneath.   First motion was at 1:05 a.m.  The slow speed of the crawler results in a 6-hour trek to the pad approximately 4 miles away.  Atlantis' launch window begins Aug. 27 for an 11-day mission to the International Space Station. The STS-115 crew of six astronauts will continue construction of the station and install their cargo, the Port 3/4 truss segment with its two large solar arrays.   Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-06pd1701

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Sitting on top of the mobile launcher pl...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Sitting on top of the mobile launcher platform, Space Shuttle Atlantis begins rolling out of the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39B via the crawler-transporter underneath.... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -  Storm clouds fill the sky behind the Vehicle Assembly Building on the day before (L-1) the second scheduled launch attempt for Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-115.  During the STS-115 mission, Atlantis' astronauts will deliver and install the 17.5-ton, bus-sized P3/P4 integrated truss segment on the station. The girder-like truss includes a set of giant solar arrays, batteries and associated electronics and will provide one-fourth of the total power-generation capability for the completed station. This mission is the 116th space shuttle flight, the 27th flight for orbiter Atlantis, and the 19th U.S. flight to the International Space Station. STS-115 is scheduled to last 11 days with a planned landing at KSC.   Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-06pd2068

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Storm clouds fill the sky behind the Veh...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Storm clouds fill the sky behind the Vehicle Assembly Building on the day before (L-1) the second scheduled launch attempt for Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-115. During th... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. --  In the Space Station Processing Facility, workers monitor the movement of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) as it is lowered onto a weighing stand.  The module will also be measured for its center of gravity. The Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency developed the laboratory at the Tsukuba Space Center near Tokyo. It is the first element, named "Kibo" (Hope), to be delivered to KSC. The JEM is Japan's primary contribution to the International Space Station. It will enhance the unique research capabilities of the orbiting complex by providing an additional environment for astronauts to conduct science experiments. The JEM is targeted for mission STS-124, to launch in early 2008.  Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-06pd2500

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Space Station Processing Facilit...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility, workers monitor the movement of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) as it is lowered onto a weighing stand. The module will also be mea... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. --  Space Shuttle Atlantis rolls through the doors of high bay No. 1 of the Vehicle Assembly Building for its return to Launch Pad 39A.  First motion was at 5:02 a.m. EDT.  In late February, Atlantis' external tank received hail damage during a severe thunderstorm that passed through the Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39 area. The hail caused visible divots in the giant tank's foam insulation, as well as minor surface damage to about 26 heat shield tiles on the shuttle's left wing. The launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-117 is now targeted for June 8. A flight readiness review will be held on May 30 and 31. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-07pd1180

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Atlantis rolls through th...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Atlantis rolls through the doors of high bay No. 1 of the Vehicle Assembly Building for its return to Launch Pad 39A. First motion was at 5:02 a.m. EDT. In late Fe... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. --  Hanging vertically above the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building, the orbiter Endeavour is being lifted into the upper levels of the Vehicle Assembly Building.  It will be moved laterally over a crossbeam and lowered into high bay 1 for stacking with the external tank 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-07pd1768

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Hanging vertically above the transfer a...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Hanging vertically above the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building, the orbiter Endeavour is being lifted into the upper levels of the Vehicle Assembly Building. It wil... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA.  --  The orbiter Endeavour is lowered into high bay 1 of the Vehicle Assembly Building 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-07pd1773

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Endeavour is lowered into ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Endeavour is lowered into high bay 1 of the Vehicle Assembly Building for stacking with the external tank (seen at the bottom) and solid rocket boosters on the mobile... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla.  --  In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility, the heat shield (foreground) for the Phoenix Mars Lander spacecraft is ready for installation.  Targeted for launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Aug. 3, Phoenix will land in icy soils near the north polar permanent ice cap of Mars and explore the history of the water in these soils and any associated rocks, while monitoring polar climate. Landing on Mars is planned in May 2008 on arctic ground where a mission currently in orbit, Mars Odyssey, has detected high concentrations of ice just beneath the top layer of soil.  Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-07pd2005

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Fac...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility, the heat shield (foreground) for the Phoenix Mars Lander spacecraft is ready for installation. Targeted for launch from Cape Canaver... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, an overhead crane moves the Experiment Logistics Module Pressurized Section, or ELM-PS, of the Japanese Experiment Module, called Kibo, across the facility toward a payload canister for eventual transfer to Launch Pad 39A.  The ELM-PS is the primary payload for space shuttle Endeavour's STS-123 mission, which is targeted for launch to the International Space Station on March 11.   Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton, Troy Cryder KSC-08pd0254

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, an overhead crane moves the Experiment Logistics Module Pressurized Section, or ELM-PS, of the Japanese Exp... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. --  In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, an overhead crane moves the Experiment Logistics Module Pressurized Section, or ELM-PS, of the Japanese Experiment Module, called Kibo, across the facility toward a payload canister for eventual transfer to Launch Pad 39A.  The ELM-PS is the primary payload for space shuttle Endeavour's STS-123 mission, which is targeted for launch to the International Space Station on March 11.   Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton, Troy Cryder KSC-08pd0253

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Space Station Processing Facilit...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, an overhead crane moves the Experiment Logistics Module Pressurized Section, or ELM-PS, of the Japanese Ex... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center, a crawler transporter moves space shuttle Discovery, secured atop a mobile launch platform, along the crawlerway from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39A to prepare for the STS-124 mission.  The 3.4-mile journey from the Vehicle Assembly Building began at 11:47 p.m. on May 2.  The shuttle arrived at the launch pad at 4:25 a.m. EDT May 3 and was secured, or hard down, by 6:06 a.m.  On the 13-day mission, Discovery and its crew will deliver the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Japanese Experiment Module – Pressurized Module and the Japanese Remote Manipulator System. Launch is targeted for May 31.  Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-08pd1101

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center, a crawler tran...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center, a crawler transporter moves space shuttle Discovery, secured atop a mobile launch platform, along the crawlerway from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Lau... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --    Against the dark sky, lights bathe space shuttle Discovery, revealed after rollback of the rotating service structure in preparation for launch on the STS-124 mission. First motion was at 8:33 p.m. and rollback was complete at 9:07 p.m.   The rotating 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. Above the orange external tank is the oxygen vent hood, called the "beanie cap," at the end of the gaseous oxygen vent arm extending from the fixed service structure. Vapors are created as the liquid oxygen in the external tank boil off. The hood vents the gaseous oxygen vapors away from the space shuttle vehicle. Below is the orbiter access arm with the White Room at the end, flush against the shuttle.  The White Room provides access into the shuttle.   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-08pd1503

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Against the dark sky, lights bathe space sh...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Against the dark sky, lights bathe space shuttle Discovery, revealed after rollback of the rotating service structure in preparation for launch on the STS-124 mission. First motion wa... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –  In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, technicians check the connections on the Soft Capture Mechanism (SCM), part of the Soft Capture and Rendezvous System, or SCRS, being mated to the Flight Support System, or FSS, carrier. The SCRS will enable the future rendezvous, capture and safe disposal of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope by either a crewed or robotic mission. The ring-like device attaches to Hubble’s aft bulkhead. The SCRS greatly increases the current shuttle capture interfaces on Hubble, therefore significantly reducing the rendezvous and capture design complexities associated with the disposal mission.  The FSS will join the Multi-Use Lightweight Equipment, or MULE, carrier, the Super Lightweight Interchangeable Carrier and the Orbital Replacement Unit Carrier as payload on space shuttle Atlantis's STS-125 mission. The payload is scheduled to go to Launch Pad 39A in mid-September to be installed into Atlantis' payload bay. Atlantis is targeted to launch Oct. 8 at 1:34 a.m. EDT. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-08pd2443

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, technicians check the connections on the Soft Capture Mechanism (SCM), part of the Soft Capture and Rendezvous... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –   Components comprising the payload for space shuttle Atlantis on the STS-125 mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope are on display in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center.  They include the Soft Capture Mechanism, Cosmic Origins Spectrograph, Wide Field Camera 3 and Fine Guidance Sensor, mounted on several carriers. Over 11 days and five spacewalks,  Atlantis’ crew will make repairs and upgrades to the telescope, leaving it better than ever and ready for at least another five years – or more – of research.  Launch of Atlantis is targeted for Oct. 10. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-08pd2591

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Components comprising the payload for space s...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Components comprising the payload for space shuttle Atlantis on the STS-125 mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope are on display in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at N... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –   Technicians make final preparations on Hubble components for a media display in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center.  The components comprise the payload for space shuttle Atlantis on the STS-125 mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope.  They include the Soft Capture Mechanism, Cosmic Origins Spectrograph, Wide Field Camera 3 and Fine Guidance Sensor, mounted on several carriers. Over 11 days and five spacewalks,  Atlantis’ crew will make repairs and upgrades to the telescope, leaving it better than ever and ready for at least another five years – or more – of research.  Launch of Atlantis is targeted for Oct. 10. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-08pd2593

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Technicians make final preparations on Hubble...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Technicians make final preparations on Hubble components for a media display in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The components comprise the pay... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –  After a short journey from Orbiter Processing Facility 2, space shuttle Endeavour arrives in the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center.  In the VAB, Endeavour 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 39B. Endeavour is the backup shuttle, if needed for rescue, for space shuttle Atlantis’ STS-125 mission to NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope targeted for October. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-08pd2605

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – After a short journey from Orbiter Processing ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – After a short journey from Orbiter Processing Facility 2, space shuttle Endeavour arrives in the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. In the V... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Endeavour is ready to roll out of Orbiter Processing Facility 2 and head to the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. First motion was 7:01 a.m. EDT.  In the VAB, Endeavour 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 39B. Endeavour is the backup shuttle, if needed for rescue, for space shuttle Atlantis’ STS-125 mission to NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope targeted for October. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-08pd2596

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Endeavour is ready to roll out of...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Endeavour is ready to roll out of Orbiter Processing Facility 2 and head to the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. First motion was 7:01 a.m. EDT. In... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –  After rolling out of Orbiter Processing Facility 2, space shuttle Endeavour rolls through the open doors of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. In the VAB, Endeavour 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 39B. Endeavour is the backup shuttle, if needed for rescue, for space shuttle Atlantis’ STS-125 mission to NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope targeted for October. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-08pd2604

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – After rolling out of Orbiter Processing Facility 2, space shuttle Endeavour rolls through the open doors of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. In the VAB, Ende... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -  Space shuttle Endeavour begins to roll out of Orbiter Processing Facility 2 to head to the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. First motion was 7:01 a.m. EDT. In the VAB, Endeavour 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 39B. Endeavour is the backup shuttle, if needed for rescue, for space shuttle Atlantis’ STS-125 mission to NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope targeted for October. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-08pd2652

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Endeavour begins to roll out of ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Endeavour begins to roll out of Orbiter Processing Facility 2 to head to the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. First motion was 7:01 a.m. EDT. In th... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -  With a rainbow serving as a backdrop in the sky, space shuttle Atlantis (foreground) sits on Launch Pad A and Endeavour on Launch Pad B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. At the left of each shuttle are the open rotating service structures with the payload changeout rooms revealed. The rotating service structures provide protection for weather and access to the shuttle. For the first time since July 2001, two shuttles are on the launch pads at the same time at the center. Endeavour will stand by at pad B in the unlikely event that a rescue mission is necessary during space shuttle Atlantis’ upcoming mission to repair NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, targeted to launch Oct. 10. After Endeavour is cleared from its duty as a rescue spacecraft, it will be moved to Launch Pad 39A for its STS-126 mission to the International Space Station. That flight is targeted for launch Nov. 12. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-08pd2734

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - With a rainbow serving as a backdrop in the sk...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - With a rainbow serving as a backdrop in the sky, space shuttle Atlantis (foreground) sits on Launch Pad A and Endeavour on Launch Pad B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. At the ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –  The deep-red sunset sky puts Launch pad 39A in silhouette.  Space shuttle Atlantis is on the pad. Atlantis’ October target launch date for the STS-125 Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission was delayed after a device on board Hubble used in the storage and transmission of science data to Earth shut down on Sept. 27. Replacing the broken device will be added to Atlantis’ servicing mission to the telescope.  In the interim, Atlantis will be rolled back to the Vehicle Assembly Building until a new target launch date can be set for the mission in 2009. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-08pd3185

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The deep-red sunset sky puts Launch pad 39A in...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The deep-red sunset sky puts Launch pad 39A in silhouette. Space shuttle Atlantis is on the pad. Atlantis’ October target launch date for the STS-125 Hubble Space Telescope servicing mi... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -  In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Leonardo is moved toward the payload canister at right. Leonardo is part of space shuttle Endeavour's payload on the STS-126 mission to the International Space Station.  The payload canister will transfer the module to Launch Pad 39A.  At the pad, the payload canister will release its cargo into the Payload Changeout Room.  Later, the payload will be installed in space shuttle Endeavour's payload bay.  The module contains supplies and equipment, including additional crew quarters, equipment for the regenerative life support system and spare hardware. Endeavour is targeted for launch on Nov. 14.  Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-08pd3297

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Leonardo is moved toward the payload canister at right. Leonardo is... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –   In the White Room on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-126 Mission Specialist Donald Pettit adjusts his headset.  He will enter space shuttle Endeavour to take part in a simulated launch countdown with the other crew members. The crew is at Kennedy to take part in the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, which includes equipment familiarization, emergency exit training and the simulated countdown. On the STS-126 mission, space shuttle Endeavour's crew will deliver equipment and supplies to the International Space Station in preparation for expansion from a three- to six-person resident crew aboard the complex. The mission also will include four spacewalks to service the station’s Solar Alpha Rotary Joints. Endeavour is targeted to launch Nov. 14. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-08pd3432

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the White Room on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the White Room on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-126 Mission Specialist Donald Pettit adjusts his headset. He will enter space shuttle Endeavour to ta... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –  Inside the Vehicle Assembly Building high bay 4 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, these Ares I-X upper stage simulator segments have shed their protective blue shrink-wrapped covers used for shipping.  The upper stage simulator will be used in the test flight identified as Ares I-X in 2009.  The segments will simulate the mass and the outer mold line and will be more than 100 feet of the total vehicle height of 327 feet.  The simulator comprises 11 segments that are approximately 18 feet in diameter.  Most of the segments will be approximately 10 feet high, ranging in weight from 18,000 to 60,000 pounds, for a total of approximately 450,000 pounds. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-08pd3564

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Vehicle Assembly Building high bay ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Vehicle Assembly Building high bay 4 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, these Ares I-X upper stage simulator segments have shed their protective blue shrink-wrapped co... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the SEDA-AP (Space Environment Data Acquisition Equipment-Attached Payload) is waiting to be installed on the Japanese Experiment Module's Experiment Logistics Module-Exposed Section, or ELM-ES. The SEDA-AP and ELM-ES are part of space shuttle Endeavour's payload for the STS-127 mission. SEDA-AP will measure space environment in ISS orbit and environmental effects on materials and electronic devices to investigate the interaction with and from the environment at the Kibo exposed facility. Endeavour is targeted to launch May 15. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-1056

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the SEDA-AP (Space Environment Data Acquisition Equipment-Attached Payload) is waiting to be installed... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A closeup of the replacement weather Doppler radar being installed in a remote field located west of NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The tower is 100 feet high; the radome is 22 feet in diameter, the antenna 14 feet in diameter. It rotates at 6 rpm. The structure can withstand 130 mph winds. It is undergoing initial testing and expected to become operational in the summer. The weather radar is essential in issuing lightning and other severe weather warnings and vital in evaluating lightning launch commit criteria for space shuttle and rocket launches. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-1078

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A closeup of the replacement weather Doppler r...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A closeup of the replacement weather Doppler radar being installed in a remote field located west of NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The tower is 100 feet high; the radome is 22 ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --  Space shuttle Discovery, atop the mobile launcher platform, makes the slow 3.4-mile journey via the massive crawler-transporter to Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.  First motion out of the Vehicle Assembly Building was at 5:17 a.m. EST.  Discovery was secured to the pad at 12:16 p.m. Discovery is targeted to launch to the International Space Station Feb. 12. During Discovery's 14-day mission, the crew will install the S6 truss segment and its solar arrays to the starboard side of the station, completing the station's backbone, or truss, enabling a six-person crew to live there starting in May.  Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-1140

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Discovery, atop the mobile laun...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Discovery, atop the mobile launcher platform, makes the slow 3.4-mile journey via the massive crawler-transporter to Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Flori... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Viewed across the waters of the Banana River at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery is secured on Launch Pad 39A.  First motion was at 5:17 a.m. EST.  Discovery was secured to the pad at 12:16 p.m.  Discovery is targeted to launch to the International Space Station Feb. 12. During Discovery's 14-day mission, the crew will install the S6 truss segment and its solar arrays to the starboard side of the station, completing the station's backbone, or truss, enabling a six-person crew to live there starting in May.  Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-1148

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Viewed across the waters of the Banana River a...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Viewed across the waters of the Banana River at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery is secured on Launch Pad 39A. First motion was at 5:17 a.m. EST. Discove... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –   NASA's Kepler spacecraft, that will be launched in March aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket, is ready for the media opportunity Jan. 30. Visible are the solar arrays on top and the high-gain antenna at lower left. The event, being held at the Astrotech Space Operations facility in Titusville, Fla., will provide media representatives an opportunity to photograph the space telescope and to interview project officials from NASA and Ball Aerospace, builder of the spacecraft. Kepler is designed to survey more that 100,000 stars in our galaxy to determine the number of sun-like stars that have Earth-size and larger planets, including those that lie in a star's "habitable zone," a region where liquid water, and perhaps life, could exist. If these Earth-size worlds do exist around stars like our sun, Kepler is expected to be the first to find them and the first to measure how common they are.  The liftoff of Kepler aboard a Delta II rocket is currently planned for 10:48 p.m. EST March 5 from Space Launch Complex 17 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.  Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-1430

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA's Kepler spacecraft, that will be launch...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA's Kepler spacecraft, that will be launched in March aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket, is ready for the media opportunity Jan. 30. Visible are the solar arrays on top... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Hazardous Processing Facility at Astrotech in Titusville, Fla., workers position the Kepler spacecraft onto a Delta II third stage. Kepler is designed to survey more than 100,000 stars in our galaxy to determine the number of sun-like stars that have Earth-size and larger planets, including those that lie in a star's "habitable zone," a region where liquid water, and perhaps life, could exist. If these Earth-size worlds do exist around stars like our sun, Kepler is expected to be the first to find them and the first to measure how common they are. The liftoff of Kepler aboard a Delta II rocket is currently targeted for 10:48 p.m. EST March 5 from Space Launch Complex 17 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-1653

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Hazardous Processing Facility at Astrote...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Hazardous Processing Facility at Astrotech in Titusville, Fla., workers position the Kepler spacecraft onto a Delta II third stage. Kepler is designed to survey more than 100,000 s... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Hazardous Processing Facility at Astrotech in Titusville, Fla., the Kepler spacecraft is lifted from a work stand to be joined to a Delta II third stage, in the background.  Kepler is designed to survey more than 100,000 stars in our galaxy to determine the number of sun-like stars that have Earth-size and larger planets, including those that lie in a star's "habitable zone," a region where liquid water, and perhaps life, could exist. If these Earth-size worlds do exist around stars like our sun, Kepler is expected to be the first to find them and the first to measure how common they are. The liftoff of Kepler aboard a Delta II rocket is currently targeted for 10:48 p.m. EST March 5 from Space Launch Complex 17 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-1648

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Hazardous Processing Facility at Astrote...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Hazardous Processing Facility at Astrotech in Titusville, Fla., the Kepler spacecraft is lifted from a work stand to be joined to a Delta II third stage, in the background. Kepler... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., technicians monitor the lift of the GOES-O satellite toward a special stand for loading of its oxidizer and hydrazine propellants. The latest Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite, GOES-O was developed by NASA for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA. The GOES satellites continuously provide observations of 60 percent of the Earth including the continental United States, providing weather monitoring and forecast operations as well as a continuous and reliable stream of environmental information and severe weather warnings. Once in orbit, GOES-O will be designated GOES-14, and NASA will provide on-orbit checkout and then transfer operational responsibility to NOAA. The GOES-O satellite is targeted to launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Launch Complex 37 no earlier than May 12 onboard a United Launch Alliance Delta IV expendable launch vehicle.  Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-2579

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Astrotech payload processing facility in...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., technicians monitor the lift of the GOES-O satellite toward a special stand for loading of its oxidizer and hydrazine pro... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –  – The Ares I-X aft skirt is moved into the aft skirt test facility behind  the Assembly and Refurbishment Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.  The I-X flight will provide NASA an early opportunity to test and prove hardware, facilities and ground operations associated with Ares I, part of the Constellation Program to return men to the moon and beyond.  Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-2459

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – – The Ares I-X aft skirt is moved into the aft...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – – The Ares I-X aft skirt is moved into the aft skirt test facility behind the Assembly and Refurbishment Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The I-X flight will provide... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –  The Ares I-X aft skirt is moved into the aft skirt test facility behind  the Assembly and Refurbishment Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The I-X flight will provide NASA an early opportunity to test and prove hardware, facilities and ground operations associated with Ares I, part of the Constellation Program to return men to the moon and beyond.  Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-2460

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The Ares I-X aft skirt is moved into the aft s...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The Ares I-X aft skirt is moved into the aft skirt test facility behind the Assembly and Refurbishment Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The I-X flight will provide NA... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians inspect the control moment gyroscope , or CMG, after removal from its container. The CMG  is suspended by a crane.  The CMG is part of the payload on the STS-129 mission to the International Space Station. On the mission, space shuttle Atlantis also will deliver the orbital spares and replacement parts to sustain the life of the station.  Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-2481

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians inspect the control moment gyroscope , or CMG, after removal from its container. The CMG... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –  In the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, cranes attached to the Ares I-X center forward segment lift it off the transporter and begin to raise it to vertical. Once vertical, the segment will be moved to a stand. The booster used for the Ares I-X launch is being modified by adding new forward structures and a fifth segment simulator. The stacking operations are scheduled to begin in the Vehicle Assembly Building in April. Launch of the Ares I-X flight test is targeted for July 2009. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-2495

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, cranes attached to the Ares I-X center forward segment lift it off the transporter and begin to ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –  In the Rotation,  Processing and Surge Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Ares I-X center forward segment is being raised to vertical.  The segment will be moved to a stand. The booster used for the Ares I-X launch is being modified by adding new forward structures and a fifth segment simulator. The stacking operations are scheduled to begin in the Vehicle Assembly Building in April. Launch of the Ares I-X flight test is targeted for July 2009. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-2497

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facilit...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Ares I-X center forward segment is being raised to vertical. The segment will be moved to ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –  In the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, cranes attached to the Ares I-X center forward segment lift it off the transporter to raise it to vertical. Once vertical, the segment will be moved to a stand. The booster used for the Ares I-X launch is being modified by adding new forward structures and a fifth segment simulator. The stacking operations are scheduled to begin in the Vehicle Assembly Building in April. Launch of the Ares I-X flight test is targeted for July 2009. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-2494

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, cranes attached to the Ares I-X center forward segment lift it off the transporter to raise it t... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Endeavour is suspended above the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.  In this position, it is ready to be lifted into High Bay 1 and attached to the external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters already installed on the mobile launcher platform.  Endeavour is scheduled to roll out to Launch Pad 39B on April 17. Endeavour will be prepared on the pad for liftoff in the unlikely event that a rescue mission is necessary following space shuttle Atlantis' launch on the STS-125 mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope. After Atlantis is cleared to land, Endeavour will move to Launch Pad 39A for its upcoming STS-127 mission to the International Space Station, targeted to launch in mid-June. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-2617

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Endeavour is suspended above the ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Endeavour is suspended above the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. In this position, it is ready to be lifted into ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Viewed from across the turn basin in the Launch Complex 39 Area at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Pegasus barge is maneuvered up to the dock.  In the background at left is the Vehicle Assembly Building.  The barge holds the external fuel tank, ET- 132, designated for space shuttle Discovery on the STS-128 mission.  The tank will be offloaded and transported to a high bay in the VAB for checkout. On the STS-128 mission, Discovery will carry science and storage racks to the International Space Station. Launch of Discovery is targeted for Aug. 6.  Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-2972

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Viewed from across the turn basin in the Launch...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Viewed from across the turn basin in the Launch Complex 39 Area at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Pegasus barge is maneuvered up to the dock. In the background at left is th... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Viewed from across the turn basin in the Launch Complex 39 Area at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Pegasus barge is maneuvered up to the dock.  In the background at left is the Vehicle Assembly Building.  The barge holds the external fuel tank, ET- 132, designated for space shuttle Discovery on the STS-128 mission.  The tank will be offloaded and transported to a high bay in the VAB for checkout. On the STS-128 mission, Discovery will carry science and storage racks to the International Space Station. Launch of Discovery is targeted for Aug. 6.  Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-2971

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Viewed from across the turn basin in the Launch...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Viewed from across the turn basin in the Launch Complex 39 Area at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Pegasus barge is maneuvered up to the dock. In the background at left is th... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, an overhead crane is moved into position above the Integrated Cargo Carrier-VLD (Vertical Light Deployment), part of the payload for the STS-127 mission.  The ICC-VLD will be transferred to the payload canister, behind it. The canister will deliver the ICC-VLD and other elements to Launch Pad 39A for installation in space shuttle Endeavour's payload bay. Launch is targeted for June 13. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-3157

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Space Station Processing Facility at NAS...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, an overhead crane is moved into position above the Integrated Cargo Carrier-VLD (Vertical Light Deploym... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, an overhead crane lifts the Integrated Cargo Carrier-VLD (Vertical Light Deployment), part of the payload for the STS-127 mission.  The ICC-VLD is being transferred to the payload canister, seen at left.  The canister will deliver the ICC-VLD and other elements to Launch Pad 39A for installation in space shuttle Endeavour's payload bay. Launch is targeted for June 13. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-3159

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Space Station Processing Facility at NAS...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, an overhead crane lifts the Integrated Cargo Carrier-VLD (Vertical Light Deployment), part of the paylo... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, an overhead crane lifts the Integrated Cargo Carrier-VLD (Vertical Light Deployment), part of the payload for the STS-127 mission.  The ICC-VLD is being transferred to the payload canister, seen at right. The canister will deliver the ICC-VLD and other elements to Launch Pad 39A for installation in space shuttle Endeavour's payload bay. Launch is targeted for June 13. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-3160

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Space Station Processing Facility at NAS...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, an overhead crane lifts the Integrated Cargo Carrier-VLD (Vertical Light Deployment), part of the paylo... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –  In the White Room on the orbiter access arm of the fixed service structure on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-127 Mission Specialist Tim Kopra is ready to enter space shuttle Endeavour for the simulated launch countdown.  The crew is at Kennedy for a launch dress rehearsal called the terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT, which includes the simulation, emergency exit training and equipment familiarization.  Endeavour's STS-127 mission is the final of three flights dedicated to the assembly of the Japanese Kibo laboratory complex on the International Space Station.  Endeavour's launch is scheduled for June 13 at 7:17 a.m. EDT.  Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-3522

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the White Room on the orbiter access arm of...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the White Room on the orbiter access arm of the fixed service structure on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-127 Mission Specialist Tim Kopra is ready to e... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the White Room on the orbiter access arm of the fixed service structure on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-127 Mission Specialists Christopher Cassidy and Dave Wolf share good wishes before entering space shuttle Endeavour for the simulated launch countdown. The crew is at Kennedy for a launch dress rehearsal called the terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT, which includes the simulation, emergency exit training and equipment familiarization.  Endeavour's STS-127 mission is the final of three flights dedicated to the assembly of the Japanese Kibo laboratory complex on the International Space Station.  Endeavour's launch is scheduled for June 13 at 7:17 a.m. EDT.  Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-3526

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the White Room on the orbiter access arm of ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the White Room on the orbiter access arm of the fixed service structure on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-127 Mission Specialists Christopher Cassidy and... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –   The Ares I-X forward segment leaves the Rotation, Surge and Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.  It is being transported to the Vehicle Assembly Building for mating with the aft center and aft segments already stacked. Part of the Constellation Program, the Ares I-X is the test vehicle for the Ares I, which is the essential core of a space transportation system that eventually will carry crewed missions back to the moon, on to Mars and out into the solar system . The Ares I-X flight test is targeted for no earlier than Aug. 30.   Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-4157

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The Ares I-X forward segment leaves the Rotat...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The Ares I-X forward segment leaves the Rotation, Surge and Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It is being transported to the Vehicle Assembly Building for ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA's Pegasus barge moves through the locks at Port Canaveral, Fla.  The barge contains the external fuel tank designated ET-133 that will be used for space shuttle Atlantis' STS-129 mission.  The barge is delivering the external tank to the Turn Basin dock at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida where it will be offloaded and moved into the Vehicle Assembly Building.  The tank was shipped aboard the Pegasus from NASA's Michould Assembly Facility near New Orleans. Pegasus was towed to Port Canaveral by the Freedom Star Retrieval Ship.  Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-4386

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA's Pegasus barge moves through the locks at...

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the external fuel tank designated ET-133 is moved toward the open doors of the Vehicle Assembly Building. In the VAB, the tank will be moved into a high bay for checkout.  The tank was shipped aboard the Pegasus from NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility near New Orleans. Pegasus was towed to Port Canaveral by the Freedom Star Retrieval Ship. Launch of Atlantis is targeted for November.  Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-4436

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the external fuel tank designated ET-133 is moved toward the open doors of the Vehicle Assembly Building. In the VAB, the tank will be moved int... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the external fuel tank designated ET-133 is transported from the Turn Basin to the Vehicle Assembly Building, behind it.  The tank will be used for space shuttle Atlantis' STS-129 mission.  In the VAB, the tank will be moved into a high bay for checkout. The tank was shipped aboard the Pegasus from NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility near New Orleans. Pegasus was towed to Port Canaveral by the Freedom Star Retrieval Ship. Launch of Atlantis is targeted for November.  Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-4434

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the external fuel tank designated ET-133 is transported from the Turn Basin to the Vehicle Assembly Building, behind it. The tank will be used ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – After rollback of the rotating service structure, or RSS, on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery is closer to launch on the STS-128 mission. Against the shuttle's cockpit is seen the White Room at the end of the orbiter access arm. The White Room provides the astronauts entry into the shuttle. Discovery sits on the mobile launcher platform, which straddles the flame trench below. On either side of the engine nozzles 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.  Liftoff is scheduled for 1:36 a.m. EDT Aug. 25.The service structure provides weather protection and access to the space shuttle at the launch pad. The 13-day mission will deliver a new crew member and 33,000 pounds of equipment to the International Space Station. The equipment includes science and storage racks, a freezer to store research samples, a new sleeping compartment and the COLBERT treadmill. STS-128 will be Discovery's 37th mission and the 30th shuttle flight dedicated to station assembly and maintenance.  Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-4818

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – After rollback of the rotating service structur...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – After rollback of the rotating service structure, or RSS, on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery is closer to launch on the STS-128 mission. ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – An aerial view of NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39B. The pad is surrounded by lightning towers erected for NASA's Constellation Program, which will use the pad for Ares rocket launches.  At the top is the Atlantic Ocean. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-5005

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – An aerial view of NASA Kennedy Space Center's L...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – An aerial view of NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39B. The pad is surrounded by lightning towers erected for NASA's Constellation Program, which will use the pad for Ares rocket la... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –  This aerial view shows the heart of NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39 Area with the 525-foot tall Vehicle Assembly Building dominating.  At lower right is the mobile launcher parking area where the new mobile launcher, or ML, for the Ares rockets is under construction. The ML will be the base to launch the Orion crew exploration vehicle and the cargo vehicle. The base is being made lighter than space shuttle mobile launcher platforms so the crawler-transporter can pick up the added load of the 345-foot tower and taller rocket. When the structural portion of the new mobile launcher is complete, umbilicals, access arms, communications equipment and command/control equipment will be installed. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-4998

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – This aerial view shows the heart of NASA Kenne...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – This aerial view shows the heart of NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39 Area with the 525-foot tall Vehicle Assembly Building dominating. At lower right is the mobile launcher... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –  An aerial view of NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39B. The pad is surrounded by lightning towers erected for NASA's Constellation Program, which will use the pad for Ares rocket launches.  At the top is the Atlantic Ocean.   Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-5002

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – An aerial view of NASA Kennedy Space Center's ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – An aerial view of NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39B. The pad is surrounded by lightning towers erected for NASA's Constellation Program, which will use the pad for Ares rocket l... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –  On NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39B, a second stabilizing arm  is lifted for installation at the top of the fixed service structure.  The hardware is being reconfigured for launch of NASA's Ares I-X rocket, part of the agency's Constellation Program.   The Ares I-X flight test is targeted for Oct. 31.  Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-5104

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – On NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39B,...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – On NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39B, a second stabilizing arm is lifted for installation at the top of the fixed service structure. The hardware is being reconfigured for lau... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - As the sun goes down behind Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the rotating service structure moves away from space shuttle Atlantis.  Liftoff on its STS-129 mission is set for 2:28 p.m. EST Nov. 16.  The movable structure, which provides weather protection and access for technicians to work on the shuttle, began being retracted at 5:20 p.m. EST and was in the park position by 5:56 p.m.    STS-129 crew members are Commander Charles O. Hobaugh; Pilot Barry E. Wilmore; and Mission Specialists Leland Melvin, Randy Bresnik, Mike Foreman and Robert L. Satcher Jr.  On the STS-129 mission to the International Space Station, the crew will deliver two spare gyroscopes, two nitrogen tank assemblies, two pump modules, an ammonia tank assembly and a spare latching end effector for the station's robotic arm.  Atlantis will return to Earth a station crew member, Nicole Stott, who has spent more than two months aboard the orbiting laboratory.  STS-129 is slated to be the final space shuttle Expedition crew rotation flight. For information on the STS-129 mission and crew, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts129/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-6296

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - As the sun goes down behind Launch Pad 39A at N...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - As the sun goes down behind Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the rotating service structure moves away from space shuttle Atlantis. Liftoff on its STS-129 missio... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At the Hypergolic Maintenance Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United Space Alliance workers prepare to transport the Forward Reaction Control System, or FRCS, for space shuttle Discovery to Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3.    Discovery is being prepared for the STS-131 mission, the 33rd flight to the International Space Station.  The FRCS provides the thrust for attitude (rotational) maneuvers (pitch, yaw and roll) and for small velocity changes along the orbiter axis (translation maneuvers).  The seven-member STS-131 crew will deliver a Multi-Purpose Logistics Module filled with resupply stowage platforms and racks to be transferred to locations around the station.  Three spacewalks will include work to attach a spare ammonia tank assembly to the station's exterior and return a European experiment from outside the station's Columbus module.  Discovery's launch is targeted for March 18, 2010.  For information on the STS-131 mission and crew, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts131/index.html.  Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-6703

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At the Hypergolic Maintenance Facility at NASA'...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At the Hypergolic Maintenance Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United Space Alliance workers prepare to transport the Forward Reaction Control System, or FRCS, for spac... More

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