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Man ziet hoe een boom zijn bladeren verliest en bij de stam de wereld temidden van gebeente ligt

Man ziet hoe een boom zijn bladeren verliest en bij de stam de wereld ...

Public domain photo of Dutch art print, 16th-17th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.

Arend op een gespleten wereld / Vogel op weg naar de zon

Arend op een gespleten wereld / Vogel op weg naar de zon

Een embleem met twee voorstellingen. Boven zit een arend met zijn klauwen op een gespleten wereld. Onder vliegt een vogel boven een landschap met de monding van een rivier. Boven hem de zon. Het betreffen devie... More

[Three maps of the cosmological systems of Ptolemy, Copernicus, and Brahe].

[Three maps of the cosmological systems of Ptolemy, Copernicus, and Br...

Title supplied by cataloger. Includes text. Available also through the Library of Congress Web site as a raster image. LC copy assembled from three separate maps, trimmed and mounted on sheet. LC copy imperfect... More

Vader Tijd houdt Vrouw Wereld een spiegel voor

Vader Tijd houdt Vrouw Wereld een spiegel voor

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

[Collection of nine images including astronomical instruments, celestial charts, and a world map].

[Collection of nine images including astronomical instruments, celesti...

Title devised by cataloger. English, French and Latin. James Ferguson article from Gent. Mag. March 1769. Nine printed images and two panels of printed text mounted on paper within hand drawn frames colored yel... More

Wispy Dust and Gas Paint Portrait of Starbirth

Wispy Dust and Gas Paint Portrait of Starbirth

*Description*: This active region of star formation in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), as photographed by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, unveils wispy clouds of hydrogen and oxygen that swirl and mix with du... More

[An illustration of the Ptolemaic concept of the universe showing the earth in the center]

[An illustration of the Ptolemaic concept of the universe showing the ...

Woodcut from Jan Glogowczyk's Introductarium copendiosum in Tractatu...Cracow, 1513. Reference copy may be available in LOT 7007. This record contains unverified, old data from caption card. Caption card tracin... More

A very large star in the middle of a galaxy. Orion nebula space cosmos.

A very large star in the middle of a galaxy. Orion nebula space cosmos...

Free images of Universe. Download Universe art and posters. Use free Universe pictures without any copyright restrictions.

Glittering Metropolis. NASA public domain image colelction.

Glittering Metropolis. NASA public domain image colelction.

Description: Like a whirl of shiny flakes sparkling in a snow globe, Hubble caught this glimpse of many hundreds of thousands of stars moving about in the globular cluster M13, one of the brightest and best-kno... More

STS-67 crew insignia. NASA public domain image colelction.

STS-67 crew insignia. NASA public domain image colelction.

STS067-S-001 (October 1994) --- Observation and remote exploration of the Universe in the ultraviolet wavelengths of light are the focus of the STS-67/ASTRO-2 mission, as depicted in the crew patch designed by ... More

PIA01276. NASA public domain image colelction.

PIA01276. NASA public domain image colelction.

Description: (May 22, 1995) This sequence of images from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope documents a rare astronomical alignment -- Saturn's magnificent ring system turned edge-on. This occurs when the Earth pass... More

Magnificant Details in a Dusty Spiral Galaxy

Magnificant Details in a Dusty Spiral Galaxy

(June 3, 1999) In 1995, the majestic spiral galaxy NGC 4414 was imaged by the Hubble Space Telescope as part of the HST Key Project on the Extragalactic Distance Scale. An international team of astronomers, led... More

STS082-372-035 - STS-082 - Earth observations taken from shuttle orbiter Discovery during STS-82 mission

STS082-372-035 - STS-082 - Earth observations taken from shuttle orbit...

The original finding aid described this as: Description: Earth observation views taken of the Earth limb from the shuttle orbiter Discovery during STS-82 mission. Subject Terms: STS-82, DISCOVERY (ORBITER), E... More

Under the supervision of Boeing technicians, the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS), a payload slated to fly on STS-91, is undergoing a final weight and balance check on the Launch Package Integration Stand in the Space Station Processing Facility (SSPF). Next, it will be placed in the Payload Canister and transported to Launch Complex 39A where it will be installed into Space Shuttle Discovery's payload bay. Weighing in at approximately three tons, the AMS is a major particle physics experiment that will look for cosmic antimatter originating from outside our galaxy. The data it gathers could also give clues about the mysterious "dark matter" that may make up 90 percent or more of the universe. STS-91 is scheduled to be launched on June 2 with a launch window opening around 6:10 p.m. EDT. The mission will also feature the ninth Shuttle docking with the Russian Space Station Mir, the first Mir docking for Discovery, and the conclusion of Phase I of the joint U.S.-Russian International Space Station Program. The STS-91 flight crew includes Commander Charles Precourt; Pilot Dominic Gorie; and Mission Specialists Wendy B. Lawrence; Franklin Chang-Diaz, Ph.D.; Janet Kavandi, Ph.D.; and Valery Ryumin, with the Russian Space Agency. Andrew Thomas, Ph.D., will be returning to Earth with the crew after living more than four months aboard Mir KSC-98pc587

Under the supervision of Boeing technicians, the Alpha Magnetic Spectr...

Under the supervision of Boeing technicians, the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS), a payload slated to fly on STS-91, is undergoing a final weight and balance check on the Launch Package Integration Stand in t... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. - STS-109 Payload Commander John M. Grunsfeld gets a final fitting on his launch and entry suit two days before launch.  On mission STS-109, the seven-member crew will capture the Hubble Space Telescope using the Shuttle's robotic arm and secure it on a workstand in Columbia's payload bay.  Four mission specialists will perform five scheduled spacewalks to complete system upgrades to the telescope. More durable solar arrays, a large gyroscopic assembly to help point the telescope properly, a new telescope power control unit, and a cooling system to restore the use of a key infrared camera and spectrometer unit, which has been dormant since 1999, will all be installed.  In addition, the telescope’s view of the Universe will be improved with the addition of the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS), which replaces the Faint Object Camera, the last of Hubble's original instruments.  The STS-109 crew also includes Commander Scott D. Altman, Pilot Duane G. Carey, and Mission Specialists James H. Newman, Nancy J. Currie, Richard M. Linnehan and Michael J. Massimino.  Launch is scheduled for Feb. 28, 2002, at 6:48 a.m. EST (11:48 GMT) KSC-02pd0166

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. - STS-109 Payload Commander John M. Grunsfe...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. - STS-109 Payload Commander John M. Grunsfeld gets a final fitting on his launch and entry suit two days before launch. On mission STS-109, the seven-member crew will capture the Hub... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -  During suitup, STS-109 Mission Specialist Richard M. Linnehan shows he is ready for launch.  Liftoff of Space Shuttle Columbia is scheduled for 6:22 a.m. EST March 1.  On mission STS-109, the crew will capture the Hubble Space Telescope using the Shuttle's robotic arm and secure it on a workstand in Columbia's payload bay.  Four mission specialists will perform five scheduled spacewalks to complete system upgrades to the telescope. More durable solar arrays, a large gyroscopic assembly to help point the telescope properly, a new telescope power control unit, and a cooling system to restore the use of a key infrared camera and spectrometer unit, which has been dormant since 1999, will all be installed. In addition, the telescope's view of the Universe will be improved with the addition of the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS), which replaces the Faint Object Camera, the last of Hubble's original instruments. Mission STS-109 is the 27th flight of the orbiter Columbia and the 108th flight overall in NASA's Space Shuttle program. After the 11-day mission, Columbia is scheduled to land about 4:35 a.m. EST March 12 KSC-02pd0213

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. - During suitup, STS-109 Mission Specialis...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. - During suitup, STS-109 Mission Specialist Richard M. Linnehan shows he is ready for launch. Liftoff of Space Shuttle Columbia is scheduled for 6:22 a.m. EST March 1. On mission S... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. - STS-109 Mission Specialist Michael J. Massimino gets help suiting up for launch, scheduled for 6:22 a.m. EST March 1.  On mission STS-109, the crew will capture the Hubble Space Telescope using the Shuttle's robotic arm and secure it on a workstand in Columbia's payload bay.  Four mission specialists will perform five scheduled spacewalks to complete system upgrades to the telescope. More durable solar arrays, a large gyroscopic assembly to help point the telescope properly, a new telescope power control unit, and a cooling system to restore the use of a key infrared camera and spectrometer unit, which has been dormant since 1999, will all be installed. In addition, the telescope's view of the Universe will be improved with the addition of the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS), which replaces the Faint Object Camera, the last of Hubble's original instruments. Mission STS-109 is the 27th flight of the orbiter Columbia and the 108th flight overall in NASA's Space Shuttle program. After the 11-day mission, Columbia is scheduled to land about 4:35 a.m. EST March 12 KSC-02pd0209

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. - STS-109 Mission Specialist Michael J. Mas...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. - STS-109 Mission Specialist Michael J. Massimino gets help suiting up for launch, scheduled for 6:22 a.m. EST March 1. On mission STS-109, the crew will capture the Hubble Space Tel... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. --  STS-109 Mission Specialist James H. Newman gets a final fitting on his launch and entry suit two days before launch.  On mission STS-109, the seven-member crew will capture the Hubble Space Telescope using the Shuttle's robotic arm and secure it on a workstand in Columbia's payload bay.  Four mission specialists will perform five scheduled spacewalks to complete system upgrades to the telescope. More durable solar arrays, a large gyroscopic assembly to help point the telescope properly, a new telescope power control unit, and a cooling system to restore the use of a key infrared camera and spectrometer unit, which has been dormant since 1999, will all be installed.  In addition, the telescope’s view of the Universe will be improved with the addition of the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS), which replaces the Faint Object Camera, the last of Hubble's original instruments.  The STS-109 crew also includes Commander Scott D. Altman, Pilot Duane G. Carey, and Mission Specialists John M. Grunsfeld, Nancy J. Currie, Richard M. Linnehan and Michael J. Massimino.  Launch is scheduled for Feb. 28, 2002, at 6:48 a.m. EST (11:48 GMT) KSC-02pd0162

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-109 Mission Specialist James H. New...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-109 Mission Specialist James H. Newman gets a final fitting on his launch and entry suit two days before launch. On mission STS-109, the seven-member crew will capture the Hu... More

Workers in Hangar AE, Cape Canaveral Air Station, get ready to remove the protective shipping cover from NASA's Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) satellite for prelaunch processing. FUSE will undergo a functional test of its systems, followed by installation of the flight batteries and solar arrays. Tests are also scheduled for the communications and data systems linking FUSE with the spacecraft control center at The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md. FUSE was developed and will be operated by The Johns Hopkins University under contract to Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. FUSE will investigate the origin and evolution of the lightest elements in the universe hydrogen and deuterium. In addition, the FUSE satellite will examine the forces and process involved in the evolution of the galaxies, stars and planetary systems by investigating light in the far ultraviolet portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. The launch aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket is targeted for May 20 at Launch Complex 17 KSC-99pp0379

Workers in Hangar AE, Cape Canaveral Air Station, get ready to remove ...

Workers in Hangar AE, Cape Canaveral Air Station, get ready to remove the protective shipping cover from NASA's Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) satellite for prelaunch processing. FUSE will underg... More

At Hangar AE, Cape Canaveral Air Station, NASA's Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) satellite stands alone after workstands have been removed. As part of prelaunch processing, FUSE will undergo a functional test of its systems, followed by installation of the flight batteries and solar arrays. Tests are also scheduled for the communications and data systems linking FUSE with the spacecraft control center at The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md. FUSE was developed and will be operated by The Johns Hopkins University under contract to Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. FUSE will investigate the origin and evolution of the lightest elements in the universe hydrogen and deuterium. In addition, the FUSE satellite will examine the forces and process involved in the evolution of the galaxies, stars and planetary systems by investigating light in the far ultraviolet portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. The launch aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket is targeted for May 20 at Launch Complex 17 KSC-99pp0382

At Hangar AE, Cape Canaveral Air Station, NASA's Far Ultraviolet Spect...

At Hangar AE, Cape Canaveral Air Station, NASA's Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) satellite stands alone after workstands have been removed. As part of prelaunch processing, FUSE will undergo a fun... More

At Launch Pad 17A, Cape Canaveral Air Station (CCAS), the launch tower again encircles the Boeing Delta II rocket after being mated with its solid rocket boosters. The rocket is targeted to launch NASA's Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) on June 23 at CCAS. Developed by The Johns Hopkins University under contract to Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md., FUSE will investigate the origin and evolution of the lightest elements in the universe hydrogen and deuterium. In addition, the FUSE satellite will examine the forces and process involved in the evolution of the galaxies, stars and planetary systems by investigating light in the far ultraviolet portion of the electromagnetic spectrum KSC-99pp0653

At Launch Pad 17A, Cape Canaveral Air Station (CCAS), the launch tower...

At Launch Pad 17A, Cape Canaveral Air Station (CCAS), the launch tower again encircles the Boeing Delta II rocket after being mated with its solid rocket boosters. The rocket is targeted to launch NASA's Far Ul... More

At Hangar AE, Cape Canaveral Air Station (CCAS), workers attach a solar panel to NASA's Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) satellite. FUSE was developed by The Johns Hopkins University under contract to Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md., to investigate the origin and evolution of the lightest elements in the universe hydrogen and deuterium. In addition, the FUSE satellite will examine the forces and process involved in the evolution of the galaxies, stars and planetary systems by investigating light in the far ultraviolet portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. FUSE is targeted for launch June 23 from Launch Pad 17A, CCAS, aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket KSC-99pp0663

At Hangar AE, Cape Canaveral Air Station (CCAS), workers attach a sola...

At Hangar AE, Cape Canaveral Air Station (CCAS), workers attach a solar panel to NASA's Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) satellite. FUSE was developed by The Johns Hopkins University under contract... More

In Hangar AE, Cape Canaveral Air Station (CCAS), NASA's Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) satellite stands ready to be moved to the launch pad. The black rectangle on top is the optical port; at the lower edge are the radiators. The total length of the instrument is approximately four meters. FUSE was developed by The Johns Hopkins University under contract to Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md., to investigate the origin and evolution of the lightest elements in the universe hydrogen and deuterium. In addition, the FUSE satellite will examine the forces and process involved in the evolution of the galaxies, stars and planetary systems by investigating light in the far ultraviolet portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Launch is targeted for June 23 from Launch Pad 17A, CCAS, aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket KSC-99pp0670

In Hangar AE, Cape Canaveral Air Station (CCAS), NASA's Far Ultraviole...

In Hangar AE, Cape Canaveral Air Station (CCAS), NASA's Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) satellite stands ready to be moved to the launch pad. The black rectangle on top is the optical port; at the... More

Workers at Hangar AE, Cape Canaveral Air Station (CCAS), fit the second row of canister segments around NASA's Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) satellite. The satellite is being prepared for its transfer to Launch Pad 17A, CCAS, and its scheduled launch June 23 aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket. FUSE was developed by The Johns Hopkins University under contract to Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md., to investigate the origin and evolution of the lightest elements in the universe hydrogen and deuterium. In addition, the FUSE satellite will examine the forces and process involved in the evolution of the galaxies, stars and planetary systems by investigating light in the far ultraviolet portion of the electromagnetic spectrum KSC-99pp0689

Workers at Hangar AE, Cape Canaveral Air Station (CCAS), fit the secon...

Workers at Hangar AE, Cape Canaveral Air Station (CCAS), fit the second row of canister segments around NASA's Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) satellite. The satellite is being prepared for its tr... More

At Launch Pad 17A, Cape Canaveral Air Station (CCAS), workers check out the protective cover placed over the top of NASA's Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) satellite. The satellite is scheduled to be launched from CCAS June 23 aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket. FUSE is designed to scour the cosmos for the fossil record of the origins of the universe hydrogen and deuterium. Scientists will use FUSE to study hydrogen and deuterium to unlock the secrets of how the primordial chemical elements of which all stars, planets and life evolved, were created and distributed since the birth of the universe KSC-99pp0702

At Launch Pad 17A, Cape Canaveral Air Station (CCAS), workers check ou...

At Launch Pad 17A, Cape Canaveral Air Station (CCAS), workers check out the protective cover placed over the top of NASA's Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) satellite. The satellite is scheduled to ... More

STS-93 Commander Eileen M. Collins has her launch and entry suit checked by a technician in the Operations and Checkout Bldg. In preparation for their mission, the STS-93 crew are participating in Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities that also include equipment check and a launch-day dress rehearsal culminating with a simulated main engine cut-off. Others in the crew participating are Pilot Jeffrey S. Ashby, and Mission Specialists Steven A. Hawley (Ph.D.), Catherine G. Coleman (Ph.D.) and Michel Tognini of France, who represents the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES). Collins is the first woman to serve as a Shuttle commander. The primary mission of STS-93 is the release of the Chandra X-ray Observatory, which will allow scientists from around the world to obtain unprecedented X-ray images of exotic environments in space to help understand the structure and evolution of the universe. The targeted launch date for STS-93 is no earlier than July 20 at 12:36 a.m. EDT from Launch Pad 39B KSC-99pp0735

STS-93 Commander Eileen M. Collins has her launch and entry suit check...

STS-93 Commander Eileen M. Collins has her launch and entry suit checked by a technician in the Operations and Checkout Bldg. In preparation for their mission, the STS-93 crew are participating in Terminal Coun... More

STS-93 Commander Eileen M. Collins climbs into an M-113 armored personnel carrier at the launch pad to take part in emergency egress training. Collins is the first woman to serve as mission commander. In preparation for their mission, the STS-93 crew are participating in Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities that also include a launch-day dress rehearsal culminating with a simulated main engine cut-off. Others in the crew are Pilot Jeffrey S. Ashby and Mission Specialists Steven A. Hawley (Ph.D.), Catherine G. Coleman (Ph.D.), and Michel Tognini of France, who represents the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES). The primary mission of STS-93 is the release of the Chandra X-ray Observatory, which will allow scientists from around the world to obtain unprecedented X-ray images of exotic environments in space to help understand the structure and evolution of the universe. Chandra is expected to provide unique and crucial information on the nature of objects ranging from comets in our solar system to quasars at the edge of the observable universe. Since X-rays are absorbed by the Earth's atmosphere, space-based observatories are necessary to study these phenomena and allow scientists to analyze some of the greatest mysteries of the universe. The targeted launch date for STS-93 is no earlier than July 20 at 12:36 a.m. EDT from Launch Pad 39B KSC-99pp0726

STS-93 Commander Eileen M. Collins climbs into an M-113 armored person...

STS-93 Commander Eileen M. Collins climbs into an M-113 armored personnel carrier at the launch pad to take part in emergency egress training. Collins is the first woman to serve as mission commander. In prepar... More

During emergency egress training inside an M-113 armored personnel carrier at the launch pad, Mission Specialist Michel Tognini of France and Commander Eileen M. Collins share a light moment. In preparation for their mission, the STS-93 crew are participating in Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities that also include a launch-day dress rehearsal culminating with a simulated main engine cut-off. Also at KSC are Pilot Jeffrey S. Ashby and Mission Specialists Steven A. Hawley (Ph.D.), and Catherine G. Coleman (Ph.D.). Collins is the first woman to serve as mission commander. Tognini represents the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES). The primary mission of STS-93 is the release of the Chandra X-ray Observatory, which will allow scientists from around the world to obtain unprecedented X-ray images of exotic environments in space to help understand the structure and evolution of the universe. Chandra is expected to provide unique and crucial information on the nature of objects ranging from comets in our solar system to quasars at the edge of the observable universe. Since X-rays are absorbed by the Earth's atmosphere, space-based observatories are necessary to study these phenomena and allow scientists to analyze some of the greatest mysteries of the universe. The targeted launch date for STS-93 is no earlier than July 20 at 12:36 a.m. EDT from Launch Pad 39B KSC-99pp0725

During emergency egress training inside an M-113 armored personnel car...

During emergency egress training inside an M-113 armored personnel carrier at the launch pad, Mission Specialist Michel Tognini of France and Commander Eileen M. Collins share a light moment. In preparation for... More

The Rotating Service Structure is rolled back from Space Shuttle Columbia on Launch Pad 39-B, in preparation for launch of mission STS-93 July 20 at 12:36 a.m. EDT. The primary payload of STS-93 is the Chandra X-ray Observatory, which will allow scientists from around the world to study some of the most distant, powerful and dynamic objects in the universe. The new telescope is 20 to 50 times more sensitive than any previous X-ray telescope and is expected unlock the secrets of supernovae, quasars and black holes. The STS-93 crew numbers five: Commander Eileen M. Collins, Pilot Jeffrey S. Ashby, and Mission Specialists Steven A. Hawley (Ph.D.), Catherine G. Coleman (Ph.D.) and Michel Tognini of France, with the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES). Collins is the first woman to serve as commander of a shuttle mission KSC-99pp0861

The Rotating Service Structure is rolled back from Space Shuttle Colum...

The Rotating Service Structure is rolled back from Space Shuttle Columbia on Launch Pad 39-B, in preparation for launch of mission STS-93 July 20 at 12:36 a.m. EDT. The primary payload of STS-93 is the Chandra ... More

Attendees of a women's forum held at the Apollo/Saturn V Center, get a guided tour of the Orbiter Processing Facility and a closeup look at an orbiter overhead. The forum included a welcome by Center Director Roy Bridges, remarks by NASA Administrator Daniel Goldin, and a panel discussion, "Past, Present and Future of Space." The attendees are planning to view the launch of STS-93 at the Banana Creek viewing sight. Much attention has been generated over the launch due to Commander Eileen M. Collins, the first woman to serve as commander of a Shuttle mission. The primary payload of the five-day mission is the Chandra X-ray Observatory, which will allow scientists from around the world to study some of the most distant, powerful and dynamic objects in the universe. Liftoff is scheduled for July 20 at 12:36 a.m. EDT KSC-99pp0908

Attendees of a women's forum held at the Apollo/Saturn V Center, get a...

Attendees of a women's forum held at the Apollo/Saturn V Center, get a guided tour of the Orbiter Processing Facility and a closeup look at an orbiter overhead. The forum included a welcome by Center Director R... More

Mrs. Lalitha Chandrasekhar (at podium), wife of the late Indian-American Nobel Laureate Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, addresses the media and other invited guests in the TRW Media Hospitality Tent at the NASA Press Site at KSC. Other participants in the program (seated facing the audience, left to right) are the winners of the contest to rename the telescope, Jatila van der Veen, academic coordinator and lecturer, Physics Dept., University of Santa Barbara, Calif., and Tyrel Johnson, high school student, Laclede, Idaho; Joanne Maguire, vice-president and general manager, TRW Space & Laser Programs Division; and Dr. Alan Bunner, Science Program Director, Structure and Evolution of the Universe, Office of Space Science, NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C. The name "Chandra," a shortened version of Chandrasekhar, was the name the Nobel Laureate preferred among friends and colleagues. "Chandra" also means "Moon" or "luminous" in Sanskrit. The observatory is scheduled to be launched aboard Columbia on Space Shuttle mission STS-93 KSC-99pp0978

Mrs. Lalitha Chandrasekhar (at podium), wife of the late Indian-Americ...

Mrs. Lalitha Chandrasekhar (at podium), wife of the late Indian-American Nobel Laureate Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, addresses the media and other invited guests in the TRW Media Hospitality Tent at the NASA Pre... More

In the Operations and Checkout Building during final launch preparations for the third time, STS-93 Pilot Jeffrey S. Ashby pulls on his glove, part of his launch and entry suit. After Space Shuttle Columbia's July 20 and 22 launch attempts were scrubbed, the launch was again rescheduled for Friday, July 23, at 12:24 a.m. EDT. STS-93 is a five-day mission primarily to release the Chandra X-ray Observatory, which will allow scientists from around the world to study some of the most distant, powerful and dynamic objects in the universe. The STS-93 crew numbers five: Commander Eileen Collins, Ashby, and Mission Specialists Steven A. Hawley (Ph.D.), Catherine G. Coleman (Ph.D.) and Michel Tognini of France, with the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES). Collins is the first woman to serve as commander of a shuttle mission KSC-99pp0947

In the Operations and Checkout Building during final launch preparatio...

In the Operations and Checkout Building during final launch preparations for the third time, STS-93 Pilot Jeffrey S. Ashby pulls on his glove, part of his launch and entry suit. After Space Shuttle Columbia's J... More

For the third time, in the Operations and Checkout Building, STS-93 Mission Specialist Michel Tognini of France, who represents the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES), waves after donning his launch and entry suit during final launch preparations. After Space Shuttle Columbia's July 20 and 22 launch attempts were scrubbed, the launch was again rescheduled for Friday, July 23, at 12:24 a.m. EDT. STS-93 is a five-day mission primarily to release the Chandra X-ray Observatory, which will allow scientists from around the world to study some of the most distant, powerful and dynamic objects in the universe. The STS-93 crew numbers five: Commander Eileen M. Collins, Pilot Jeffrey S. Ashby, and Mission Specialists Steven A. Hawley (Ph.D.), Catherine G. Coleman (Ph.D.) and Tognini. Collins is the first woman to serve as commander of a shuttle mission KSC-99pp0944

For the third time, in the Operations and Checkout Building, STS-93 Mi...

For the third time, in the Operations and Checkout Building, STS-93 Mission Specialist Michel Tognini of France, who represents the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES), waves after donning his launch and ... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Columbia changes night into day as it roars into the sky after a successful liftoff from launch Pad 39-B on mission STS-93. Liftoff occurred at 12:31 a.m. EDT. STS-93 is a five-day mission primarily to release the Chandra X-ray Observatory, which will allow scientists from around the world to study some of the most distant, powerful and dynamic objects in the universe. The crew numbers five: Commander Eileen M. Collins, Pilot Jeffrey S. Ashby, and Mission Specialists Steven A. Hawley (Ph.D.), Catherine G. Coleman (Ph.D.) and Michel Tognini of France, with the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES). Collins is the first woman to serve as commander of a Shuttle mission. The target landing date is July 27, 1999, at 11:20 p.m. EDT KSC-99pp0961

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Columbia changes night int...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Columbia changes night into day as it roars into the sky after a successful liftoff from launch Pad 39-B on mission STS-93. Liftoff occurred at 12:31 a.m. EDT. STS-93... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Columbia changes night into day as it roars into the sky after a successful liftoff from launch Pad 39-B on mission STS-93. Liftoff occurred at 12:31 a.m. EDT. STS-93 is a five-day mission primarily to release the Chandra X-ray Observatory, which will allow scientists from around the world to study some of the most distant, powerful and dynamic objects in the universe. The crew numbers five: Commander Eileen M. Collins, Pilot Jeffrey S. Ashby, and Mission Specialists Steven A. Hawley (Ph.D.), Catherine G. Coleman (Ph.D.) and Michel Tognini of France, with the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES). Collins is the first woman to serve as commander of a Shuttle mission. The target landing date is July 27, 1999, at 11:20 p.m. EDT KSC-99pp0956

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Columbia changes night int...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Columbia changes night into day as it roars into the sky after a successful liftoff from launch Pad 39-B on mission STS-93. Liftoff occurred at 12:31 a.m. EDT. STS-93... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The fiery launch of Space Shuttle Columbia lights up the night sky on its successful liftoff from Launch Pad 39-B on mission STS-93. Liftoff occurred at 12:31 a.m. EDT. STS-93 is a five-day mission primarily to release the Chandra X-ray Observatory, which will allow scientists from around the world to study some of the most distant, powerful and dynamic objects in the universe. The crew numbers five: Commander Eileen M. Collins, Pilot Jeffrey S. Ashby, and Mission Specialists Steven A. Hawley (Ph.D.), Catherine G. Coleman (Ph.D.) and Michel Tognini of France, with the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES). Collins is the first woman to serve as commander of a Shuttle mission. The target landing date is July 27, 1999, at 11:20 p.m. EDT KSC-99pp0960

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The fiery launch of Space Shuttle Columb...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The fiery launch of Space Shuttle Columbia lights up the night sky on its successful liftoff from Launch Pad 39-B on mission STS-93. Liftoff occurred at 12:31 a.m. EDT. STS-93 is a... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At the Shuttle Landing Facility, NASA Administrator Daniel Goldin (foreground) talks with STS-93 Commander Eileen Collins beside the Space Shuttle orbiter Columbia following the successful completion of her mission. Marshall Space Flight Center Director Arthur G. Stephenson (far left) looks on. Landing occurred on runway 33 with main gear touchdown at 11:20:35 p.m. EDT on July 27. The mission's primary objective was to deploy the Chandra X-ray Observatory, which will allow scientists from around the world to study some of the most distant, powerful and dynamic objects in the universe. This was the 95th flight in the Space Shuttle program and the 26th for Columbia. The landing was the 19th consecutive Shuttle landing in Florida and the 12th night landing in Shuttle program history. On this mission, Collins became the first woman to serve as a Shuttle commander KSC-99pp0988

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At the Shuttle Landing Facility, NASA Ad...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At the Shuttle Landing Facility, NASA Administrator Daniel Goldin (foreground) talks with STS-93 Commander Eileen Collins beside the Space Shuttle orbiter Columbia following the su... More

Public domain stock image. Astronauts space desert, science technology.

Public domain stock image. Astronauts space desert, science technology...

Planet Earth: Free images of Earth from space, available for commercial use and free download. Copyright-free, no attribution required.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. --  Workers in the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility 2 place an antenna on the Microwave Anisotropy Probe (MAP). Several other milestones must be completed while MAP is at SAEF-2, including solar array installation, solar array deployment and illumination testing, a spacecraft comprehensive performance test, fueling with hydrazine propellant and a spin balance test. MAP will then be ready for integration with the solid propellant Payload Assist Module upper stage booster. MAP is scheduled for launch June 30 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on a Delta II rocket into a lunar-assisted trajectory to the Sun-Earth for a 27-month mission. The MAP instrument consists of a set of passively cooled microwave radiometers with 1.4x 1.6-meter diameter primary reflectors to provide the desired angular resolution. MAP measures small fluctuations in the temperature of the cosmic microwave background radiation to an accuracy of one millionth of a degree These measurements should reveal the size, matter content, age, geometry and fate of the universe. They will also reveal the primordial structure that grew to form galaxies and will test ideas about the origins of these primordial structures. The MAP instrument will be continuously shaded from the Sun, Earth, and Moon by the spacecraft. It is a product of Goddard Space Flight Center in partnership with Princeton University KSC-01pp0942

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Workers in the Spacecraft Assembly and ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Workers in the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility 2 place an antenna on the Microwave Anisotropy Probe (MAP). Several other milestones must be completed while MAP is a... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Microwave Anisotropy Probe (MAP) is worked on in the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility 2. Several milestones must be completed while MAP is at SAEF-2, including antenna installations, solar array installation, solar array deployment and illumination testing, a spacecraft comprehensive performance test, fueling with hydrazine propellant and a spin balance test. MAP will then be ready for integration with the solid propellant Payload Assist Module upper stage booster. MAP is scheduled for launch June 30 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on a Delta II rocket into a lunar-assisted trajectory to the Sun-Earth for a 27-month mission. The MAP instrument consists of a set of passively cooled microwave radiometers with 1.4x 1.6-meter diameter primary reflectors to provide the desired angular resolution. MAP measures small fluctuations in the temperature of the cosmic microwave background radiation to an accuracy of one millionth of a degree These measurements should reveal the size, matter content, age, geometry and fate of the universe. They will also reveal the primordial structure that grew to form galaxies and will test ideas about the origins of these primordial structures. The MAP instrument will be continuously shaded from the Sun, Earth, and Moon by the spacecraft. It is a product of Goddard Space Flight Center in partnership with Princeton University KSC-01pp0939

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Microwave Anisotropy Probe (MAP) is ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Microwave Anisotropy Probe (MAP) is worked on in the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility 2. Several milestones must be completed while MAP is at SAEF-2, including an... More

Space Science, Space Shuttle Program, NASA

Space Science, Space Shuttle Program, NASA

This picture of the galaxy UGC 10214 was was taken by the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS), which was installed aboard the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) in March 2002 during HST Servicing Mission 3B (STS-109 mi... More

Space Science, Space Shuttle Program, NASA

Space Science, Space Shuttle Program, NASA

Resembling a nightmarish beast rearing its head from a crimson sea, this monstrous object is actually an irnocuous pillar of gas and dust. Called the Cone Nebula (NGC 2264), this giant pillar resides in a turbu... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -  The Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) spacecraft awaits inspection after being moved into a vertical position in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility.  On the right is the Pegasus launch vehicle from which it was demated. A borescope inspection will be conducted on the spacecraft to locate a small fastener and associated clip missing from a demated connector identified during preflight testing. GALEX is an orbiting space telescope that will observe galaxies in ultraviolet light across 10 billion years of cosmic history. During its 29-month mission, GALEX will produce the first comprehensive map of a Universe of galaxies under construction, bringing more understanding to how galaxies like the Milky Way were formed. The GALEX launch date in late April is currently under review. KSC-03pd0864

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) sp...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) spacecraft awaits inspection after being moved into a vertical position in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility. On the right is the Pega... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -  The Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) spacecraft is demated from its Pegasus launch vehicle and secured to a workstand in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility.  A borescope inspection will be conducted to locate a small fastener and associated clip missing from a demated connector identified during preflight testing.  GALEX is an orbiting space telescope that will observe galaxies in ultraviolet light across 10 billion years of cosmic history. During its 29-month mission, GALEX will produce the first comprehensive map of a Universe of galaxies under construction, bringing more understanding to how galaxies like the Milky Way were formed. The GALEX launch date in late April is currently under review. KSC-03pd0855

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) sp...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) spacecraft is demated from its Pegasus launch vehicle and secured to a workstand in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility. A borescope ins... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -  Foreign object debris shields are installed and a borescope inspection is conducted on the Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) spacecraft in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility. Technicians are looking for a small fastener and associated clip missing from a demated connector identified during preflight testing. GALEX is an orbiting space telescope that will observe galaxies in ultraviolet light across 10 billion years of cosmic history. During its 29-month mission, GALEX will produce the first comprehensive map of a Universe of galaxies under construction, bringing more understanding to how galaxies like the Milky Way were formed. The GALEX launch date in late April is currently under review. KSC-03pd0869

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Foreign object debris shields are instal...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Foreign object debris shields are installed and a borescope inspection is conducted on the Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) spacecraft in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility.... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA.  -  NASA's Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF) lifts off from Launch Pad 17-B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, on Aug. 25 at 1:35:39 a.m. EDT. SIRTF will obtain images and spectra by detecting the infrared energy, or heat, radiated by objects in space. Consisting of a 0.85-meter telescope and three cryogenically cooled science instruments, SIRTF will be the largest infrared telescope ever launched into space. It is the fourth and final element in NASA’s family of orbiting “Great Observatories.” Its highly sensitive instruments will give a unique view of the Universe and peer into regions of space that are hidden from optical telescopes.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA's Space Infrared Telescope Facilit...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA's Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF) lifts off from Launch Pad 17-B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, on Aug. 25 at 1:35:39 a.m. EDT. SIRTF will obtain images and spe... More

Morphology of Our Galaxy Twin. NASA public domain image colelction.

Morphology of Our Galaxy Twin. NASA public domain image colelction.

NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope has captured these infrared images of a nearby spiral galaxy that resembles our own Milky Way. The targeted galaxy, known as NGC 7331 and sometimes referred to as our galaxy's twi... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -  In the clean room at NASA’s Hangar AE on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS), a Spectrolab technician, Anna Herrera,  places a new solar cell on the Swift spacecraft’s solar array.  Swift is a first-of-its-kind, multi-wavelength observatory dedicated to the study of gamma-ray burst (GRB) science. Its three instruments will work together to observe GRBs and afterglows in the gamma-ray, X-ray, ultraviolet and optical wavebands. The main mission objectives for Swift are to determine the origin of gamma-ray bursts, classify gamma-ray bursts and search for new types, determine how the blast wave evolves and interacts with the surroundings, use gamma-ray bursts to study the early universe and perform the first sensitive hard X-ray survey of the sky.  Swift is scheduled to launch Oct. 26 from Launch Pad 17-A, CCAFS, on a Boeing Delta 7320 rocket. KSC-04pd1859

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the clean room at NASA’s Hangar AE on...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the clean room at NASA’s Hangar AE on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS), a Spectrolab technician, Anna Herrera, places a new solar cell on the Swift spacecraft’s solar a... More

NASA NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM 2009 EVENT

NASA NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM 2009 EVENT

The original finding aid described this as: Description: NASA NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM EVENT 2009 - SPEAKERS :GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER DIRECTOR ROB STRAIN ,NASA ADMINISTRATOR CHARLES BOLDEN, ASTRONAUT ... More

Unwrapping the Pillars, JPL/NASA images

Unwrapping the Pillars, JPL/NASA images

This image composite highlights the pillars of the Eagle nebula, as seen in infrared light by NASA Spitzer Space Telescope bottom and visible light by NASA Hubble Space Telescope top insets. NASA/JPL-Caltech/ST... More

Gas Giants Form Quickly  Artist Concept

Gas Giants Form Quickly Artist Concept

This is an artist concept of a hypothetical 10-million-year-old star system. The bright blur at the center is a star much like our sun. The other orb in the image is a gas-giant planet like Jupiter. NASA/JPL-Caltech

Two Suns Raise Family of Planetary Bodies Artist Animation

Two Suns Raise Family of Planetary Bodies Artist Animation

This artist image depicts a faraway solar system like our own except for one big difference. Planets and asteroids circle around not one, but two suns. NASA Spitzer Space Telescope found evidence that such sola... More

STS117-S-001 (May 2007) --- The STS-117 crew patch symbolizes the continued construction of the International Space Station (ISS) and our ongoing human presence in space. The ISS is shown orbiting high above Earth. Gold is used to highlight the portion of the ISS that will be installed by the STS-117 crew. It consists of the second starboard truss section, S3/S4, and a set of solar arrays. The names of the STS-117 crew are located above and below the orbiting outpost. The two gold astronaut office symbols, emanating from the '117' at the bottom of the patch, represent the concerted efforts of the shuttle and station programs toward the completion of the station. The orbiter and unfurled banner of red, white, and blue represent our Nation's renewed patriotism as we continue to explore the universe.    The NASA insignia design for space shuttle flights is reserved for use by the astronauts and for other official use as the NASA Administrator may authorize. Public availability has been approved only in the forms of illustrations by the various news media. When and if there is any change in this policy, which is not anticipated, the change will be publicly announced. Photo credit: NASA STS117-S-001

STS117-S-001 (May 2007) --- The STS-117 crew patch symbolizes the cont...

STS117-S-001 (May 2007) --- The STS-117 crew patch symbolizes the continued construction of the International Space Station (ISS) and our ongoing human presence in space. The ISS is shown orbiting high above Ea... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the Delta II second stage for GLAST has arrived at Hangar M and is prepared for weighing.  The Delta rocket will be used to launch the Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, May 16 from Launch Pad 17-B on CCAFS. The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the Universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth;  probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts.  Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-08pd0433

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the Delta II second stage for GLAST has arrived at Hangar M and is prepared for weighing. The Delta rocket will be used to launch the Gamma-Ra... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the Delta II second stage for GLAST has arrived at Hangar M and is moved into place for weighing.  The Delta rocket will be used to launch the Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, May 16 from Launch Pad 17-B on CCAFS. The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the Universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth;  probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts.  Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-08pd0432

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the Delta II second stage for GLAST has arrived at Hangar M and is moved into place for weighing. The Delta rocket will be used to launch the ... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. --   General Dynamics technicians in the Astrotech payload processing facility begin removing the protective cover over NASA's Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST.  The space telescope will be moved to a work stand in the facility for a complete checkout of the scientific instruments aboard.  The telescope will launch aboard a Delta II rocket May 16 from Launch Pad 17-B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.  A powerful space observatory, the GLAST will explore the most extreme environments in the universe, and answer questions about supermassive black hole systems, pulsars and the origin of cosmic rays. It also will study the mystery of powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts.  Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-08pd0644

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- General Dynamics technicians in the As...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- General Dynamics technicians in the Astrotech payload processing facility begin removing the protective cover over NASA's Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST. The spa... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. ---  In the Astrotech payload processing facility, a General Dynamics technician prepares to test the deployment mechanism on the solar arrays on NASA's Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST.  The telescope will launch aboard a Delta II rocket May 16 from Launch Pad 17-B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. A powerful space observatory, the GLAST will explore the most extreme environments in the universe, and answer questions about supermassive black hole systems, pulsars and the origin of cosmic rays. It also will study the mystery of powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts.  Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-08pd0781

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --- In the Astrotech payload processing facility...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --- In the Astrotech payload processing facility, a General Dynamics technician prepares to test the deployment mechanism on the solar arrays on NASA's Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. ---  In the Astrotech payload processing facility, the mechanism on NASA's Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, solar arrays has been released.  The telescope will launch aboard a Delta II rocket May 16 from Launch Pad 17-B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. A powerful space observatory, the GLAST will explore the most extreme environments in the universe, and answer questions about supermassive black hole systems, pulsars and the origin of cosmic rays. It also will study the mystery of powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts.  Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-08pd0783

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --- In the Astrotech payload processing facility...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --- In the Astrotech payload processing facility, the mechanism on NASA's Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, solar arrays has been released. The telescope will launch aboard ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. ---  At Pad 17-B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, a solid rocket booster is raised from its transporter.  The booster will be lifted into the mobile service tower for mating with the Delta II rocket to launch NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft.  A series of nine strap-on solid rocket motors will help power the first stage.  The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the Universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth;  probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts.  Launch is currently planned for May 16 from Pad 17-B.   Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis KSC-08pd0852

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --- At Pad 17-B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Stat...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --- At Pad 17-B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, a solid rocket booster is raised from its transporter. The booster will be lifted into the mobile service tower for mating with the De... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. ---  On Pad 17-B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the Delta II rocket, at right, that will launch NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft is poised to receive the solid rocket boosters in the mobile service tower, at left.  A series of nine strap-on solid rocket motors will help power the first stage.  Because the Delta rocket is configured as a Delta II 7920 Heavy, the boosters are larger than those used on the standard configuration.  The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the Universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth;  probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts.  Launch is currently planned for May 16 from Pad 17-B.   Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-08pd0871

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --- On Pad 17-B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Stat...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --- On Pad 17-B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the Delta II rocket, at right, that will launch NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft is poised to receive ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. ---   The first solid rocket motor arrives at Pad 17-B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station for mating with the Delta II rocket (background) to launch NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft.  A series of nine strap-on solid rocket motors will help power the first stage.The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the Universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth;  probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts.  Launch is currently planned for May 16 from Pad 17-B.   Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis KSC-08pd0851

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --- The first solid rocket motor arrives at Pad...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --- The first solid rocket motor arrives at Pad 17-B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station for mating with the Delta II rocket (background) to launch NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Teles... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --  At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., a worker picks up one of the star tracker sun shades to install on NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft. The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the Universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth;  probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. A launch date is still to be determined.  Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-08pd0999

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., a worker picks up one of the star tracker sun shades to install on NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAS... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --  At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., technicians monitor NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft as it is lowered onto a transporter. The spacecraft is being prepared for its move to the Hazardous Processing Facility for fueling.  The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth;  probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. A launch date is still to be determined.  Photo credit: NASA/Mike Kerley KSC-08pd1130

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., technicians monitor NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft as it is lowered onto a transport... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --  At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., technicians check various parts of NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft after its transfer to a transporter.  The spacecraft is being prepared for its move to the Hazardous Processing Facility for fueling.  The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth;  probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. A launch date is still to be determined.  Photo credit: NASA/Mike Kerley KSC-08pd1131

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., technicians check various parts of NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft after its transfer... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --  At the Astrotech payload processing facility, technicians prepare the payload attach fitting that will receive NASA's Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft.  The fitting will eventually be used to mate GLAST to the Delta II launch vehicle. The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the Universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth;  probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. A launch date still is to be determined. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-08pd1356

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility,...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility, technicians prepare the payload attach fitting that will receive NASA's Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft. The fi... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --  At Astrotech in Titusville, Fla., technicians secure the GLAST spacecraft, inside its payload transportation canister, to the transporter for transfer to pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. At the pad, NASA's Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope will be lifted into the mobile service tower and encapsulated in the fairing for launch.  GLAST  is a powerful space observatory that will explore the Universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth;  probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. The launch date is targeted no earlier than June 3.   Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-08pd1408

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Astrotech in Titusville, Fla., technicians...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Astrotech in Titusville, Fla., technicians secure the GLAST spacecraft, inside its payload transportation canister, to the transporter for transfer to pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --   At Astrotech in Titusville, Fla., technicians ensure the payload transportation canister is properly placed to lower over the GLAST spacecraft. After installation, the spacecraft will be moved to pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.  At the pad, NASA's Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope will be lifted into the mobile service tower and encapsulated in the fairing for launch.  GLAST  is a powerful space observatory that will explore the Universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth;  probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. The launch date is targeted no earlier than June 3.   Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-08pd1399

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Astrotech in Titusville, Fla., technician...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Astrotech in Titusville, Fla., technicians ensure the payload transportation canister is properly placed to lower over the GLAST spacecraft. After installation, the spacecraft will ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --  Inside the mobile service tower on Launch Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, workers help guide one section of the payload fairing into place around NASA's Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST.  The fairing is a molded structure that fits flush with the outside surface of the Delta II upper stage booster and forms an aerodynamically smooth nose cone, protecting the spacecraft during launch and ascent. GLAST  is a powerful space observatory that will explore the Universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth;  probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. The launch date is targeted no earlier than June 3. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-08pd1435

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Inside the mobile service tower on Launch Pad...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Inside the mobile service tower on Launch Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, workers help guide one section of the payload fairing into place around NASA's Gamma-Ray Large Ar... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --  Inside the mobile service tower on Launch Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, NASA's Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, is ready for encapsulation in the payload fairing. The fairing is a molded structure that fits flush with the outside surface of the Delta II upper stage booster and forms an aerodynamically smooth nose cone, protecting the spacecraft during launch and ascent. GLAST  is a powerful space observatory that will explore the Universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth;  probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. The launch date is targeted no earlier than June 3. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-08pd1432

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Inside the mobile service tower on Launch Pad...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Inside the mobile service tower on Launch Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, NASA's Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, is ready for encapsulation in the payload ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.  --  On Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Launch Pad 17-B, NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope , or GLAST, sits poised for launch atop the United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket after rollback of the mobile service tower.  GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth;  probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts.  Launch is scheduled for 11:45 a.m. June 11.  Photo credit: Carleton Bailie photograph for United Launch Alliance KSC-08pd1623

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- On Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Launch...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- On Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Launch Pad 17-B, NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope , or GLAST, sits poised for launch atop the United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket af... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.  --On Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Launch Pad 17-B, flame and smoke mark the launch of the Delta II rocket with NASA's Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope , or GLAST, aboard.  In the background can be seen the blue Atlantic Ocean between the beach and the cloud-filled sky.  Liftoff was at 12:05 p.m. EDT. GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth;  probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts.  Launch is scheduled for 11:45 a.m. June 11.  Photo credit: NASA/Jerry Cannon, Robert Murray KSC-08pd1637

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --On Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Launch P...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --On Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Launch Pad 17-B, flame and smoke mark the launch of the Delta II rocket with NASA's Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope , or GLAST, aboard. In the... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.  -- Smoke appears to grab at the Delta II rocket as it launches from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Launch Pad 17-B with NASA's Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope , or GLAST, aboard.  Liftoff was at 12:05 p.m. EDT.  GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth;  probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts.  Launch is scheduled for 11:45 a.m. June 11.  Photo credit: NASA/Jerry Cannon, Robert Murray KSC-08pd1640

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Smoke appears to grab at the Delta II rocket ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Smoke appears to grab at the Delta II rocket as it launches from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Launch Pad 17-B with NASA's Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope , or GLAST, aboard. ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.  --   NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft atop the Delta II rocket is spotlighted after rollback of the mobile service tower on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Launch Pad 17-B.  GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth;  probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts.  Launch is scheduled for 11:45 a.m. June 11.  Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis KSC-08pd1616

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft atop the Delta II rocket is spotlighted after rollback of the mobile service tower on Cape Canaveral Air Force Statio... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, equipment is stacked for the flight support system (FSS) access scaffolding that will be used to prepare the Hubble Space Telescope, or HST, carriers for the STS-125 servicing mission 4. The FSS will berth, secure and furnish power to Hubble and also contains the soft capture mechanism to be attached to the telescope. Upon completion of STS-125, the Hubble will provide even deeper and more detailed views of the Universe. The STS-125 mission will be the final space shuttle mission to the Hubble Space Telescope. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-08pd1917

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, equipment is stacked for the flight support system (FSS) access scaffolding that will be used to prepare the Hu... More

S125E007037 - STS-125 - Earth Observation taken by the STS-125 Crew

S125E007037 - STS-125 - Earth Observation taken by the STS-125 Crew

The original finding aid described this as: Description: Earth observations taken by the STS-125 crew aboard the space shuttle Atlantis. Subject Terms: STS-125, Earth Observations (From Space) Date Taken: 5/... More

S125E012370 - STS-125 - View of Atlantis' Payload Bay

S125E012370 - STS-125 - View of Atlantis' Payload Bay

The original finding aid described this as: Description: View of Atlantis' payload bay showing the Super Lightweight Interchangeable Carrier (SLIC), the Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS) on the starboard (STBD... More

Severe Exoplanetary Storm, JPL/NASA images

Severe Exoplanetary Storm, JPL/NASA images

These computer-generated images from NASA Spitzer Space Telescope chart the development of severe weather patterns on the highly eccentric exoplanet HD 80606b during the days after its closest approach to its p... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a crane lowers the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph, or COS, toward the Orbital Replacement Unit Carrier where it will be installed.  The carrier will be placed in space shuttle Atlantis' payload bay for the Hubble servicing mission, STS-125, targeted to launch in mid-May. Installing the COS during the mission will effectively restore spectroscopy to Hubble’s scientific arsenal, and at the same time provide the telescope with unique capabilities. COS is designed to study the large-scale structure of the universe and how galaxies, stars and planets formed and evolved. It will help determine how elements needed for life such as carbon and iron first formed and how their abundances have increased over the lifetime of the universe.  Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2009-2166

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 in Florida, a crane lowers the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph, or COS, toward the Orbital Replacement Unit Carrier ... More

International Year of Asronomy 'Observe the Moon Night' public event on Shenandoah Plaza, located in NASA Research Park at NASA's Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif. The moon observation eent featured dozens of telescopes set up by local amateur astronomers and astronomy clubs for the public to view the surface o the moon and other celestial objects. NASA experts will be on hand to provide information about NASA's plans for lunar exploration, including the recently launch Lunar Crater Observation Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) and Lunar Reconnaissance Obriter (LRO) missions. ARC-2009-ACD09-0160-001

International Year of Asronomy 'Observe the Moon Night' public event o...

International Year of Asronomy 'Observe the Moon Night' public event on Shenandoah Plaza, located in NASA Research Park at NASA's Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif. The moon observation eent featured d... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base's Astrotech processing facility in California, NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, spacecraft is being lifted from a work stand. The satellite will survey the entire sky at infrared wavelengths, creating a cosmic clearinghouse of hundreds of millions of objects, which will be catalogued, providing a vast storehouse of knowledge about the solar system, the Milky Way, and the universe. Launch is scheduled no earlier than Dec. 7. Photo credit: NASA/Doug Kolkow KSC-2009-4842

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base's As...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base's Astrotech processing facility in California, NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, spacecraft is being lifted from a work stand... More

Dying Star Creates Fantasy-like Sculpture of Gas and Dust

Dying Star Creates Fantasy-like Sculpture of Gas and Dust

*Description*: In this detailed view from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, the so-called Cat's Eye Nebula looks like the penetrating eye of the disembodied sorcerer Sauron from the film adaptation of "The Lord o... More

A Bright Ring of Star Birth around a Galaxy's Core

A Bright Ring of Star Birth around a Galaxy's Core

*Description*: An image from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope reveals clusters of infant stars that formed in a ring around the core of the barred-spiral galaxy NGC 4314. This stellar nursery, whose inhabitants w... More

Hubble's Latest Views of Light Echo from Star V838 Monocerotis

Hubble's Latest Views of Light Echo from Star V838 Monocerotis

*Description*: A detailed look at the V838 Mon light echo from September 2006, taken with the Hubble Space Telescope. Technical facts about this news release: About the Object Object Name: V838 Monocerot... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At the Astrotech processing facility on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers prepare a payload adapter ring for NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, in preparation for mating to its Payload Attach Fitting.    The satellite will survey the entire sky at infrared wavelengths, creating a cosmic clearinghouse of hundreds of millions of objects which will be catalogued and provide a vast storehouse of knowledge about the solar system, the Milky Way, and the universe. Launch is scheduled for Dec. 7.  Photo credit: NASA/Doug Kolkow KSC-2009-5387

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At the Astrotech processing facil...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At the Astrotech processing facility on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers prepare a payload adapter ring for NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WI... More

The Infrared Helix. NASA public domain image colelction.

The Infrared Helix. NASA public domain image colelction.

The Helix nebula exhibits complex structure on the smallest visible scales. It is composed of gaseous shells and disks puffed out by a dying sun-like star. In this new image from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescop... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - At Space Launch Complex 2 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the interstage of the United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket for launch of NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, is lifted up the side of the mobile service tower.    WISE will survey the entire sky at infrared wavelengths, creating a cosmic clearinghouse of hundreds of millions of objects which will be catalogued and provide a vast storehouse of knowledge about the solar system, the Milky Way, and the universe. Launch is scheduled for Dec. 7.  For additional information, visit http://wise.ssl.berkeley.edu.  Photo credit: NASA/Roy Allison, VAFB KSC-2009-5878

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - At Space Launch Complex 2 at Vande...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - At Space Launch Complex 2 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the interstage of the United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket for launch of NASA's Wide-field Infrared Su... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - At the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, spacecraft technicians lower a transportation canister containing NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, onto a transporter for its move to Space Launch Complex 2.    WISE will survey the entire sky at infrared wavelengths, creating a cosmic clearinghouse of hundreds of millions of objects which will be catalogued and provide a vast storehouse of knowledge about the solar system, the Milky Way, and the universe. Launch aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket is scheduled for Dec. 9.  For additional information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/wise.  Photo credit: NASA/Daniel Liberotti, VAFB KSC-2009-6551

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - At the Astrotech payload processin...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - At the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, spacecraft technicians lower a transportation canister containing NASA's Wide-field I... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - At Space Launch Complex 2 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the interstage of the United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket for launch of NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, arrives at the pad.    WISE will survey the entire sky at infrared wavelengths, creating a cosmic clearinghouse of hundreds of millions of objects which will be catalogued and provide a vast storehouse of knowledge about the solar system, the Milky Way, and the universe. Launch is scheduled for Dec. 7.  For additional information, visit http://wise.ssl.berkeley.edu.  Photo credit: NASA/Roy Allison, VAFB KSC-2009-5876

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - At Space Launch Complex 2 at Vande...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - At Space Launch Complex 2 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the interstage of the United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket for launch of NASA's Wide-field Infrared Su... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - At Space Launch Complex 2 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the first of three solid rocket boosters for the United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket for launch of NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, is positioned next to the rocket's first stage in the pad's mobile service tower.    WISE will survey the entire sky at infrared wavelengths, creating a cosmic clearinghouse of hundreds of millions of objects which will be catalogued and provide a vast storehouse of knowledge about the solar system, the Milky Way, and the universe. Launch is scheduled for Dec. 7.  For additional information, visit http://wise.ssl.berkeley.edu.  Photo credit: NASA/VAFB KSC-2009-5887

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - At Space Launch Complex 2 at Vande...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - At Space Launch Complex 2 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the first of three solid rocket boosters for the United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket for launch of NA... More

Moving Beyond Earth Gallery Opening

Moving Beyond Earth Gallery Opening

STS-125 astronaut John Grunsfeld speaks during a press briefing at the new "Moving Beyond Earth," a new exhibition at the National Air and Space Museum in Washingon, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009. Moving Beyond Eart... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Endeavour rolls to a stop on the Shuttle Landing Facility's Runway 15 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for the final time. Main gear touchdown was at 2:34:51 a.m. EDT, followed by nose gear touchdown at 2:35:04 a.m., and wheelstop at 2:35:36 a.m. On board are STS-134 Commander Mark Kelly, Pilot Greg H. Johnson, and Mission Specialists Mike Fincke, Drew Feustel, Greg Chamitoff and the European Space Agency's Roberto Vittori.    STS-134 delivered the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS) and the Express Logistics Carrier-3 (ELC-3) to the International Space Station. AMS will help researchers understand the origin of the universe and search for evidence of dark matter, strange matter and antimatter from the station. ELC-3 carried spare parts that will sustain station operations once the shuttles are retired from service. STS-134 was the 25th and final flight for Endeavour, which has spent 299 days in space, orbited Earth 4,671 times and traveled 122,883,151 miles. Photo credit: NASA/Kevin O'Connell KSC-2011-4192

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Endeavour rolls to a stop on the...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Endeavour rolls to a stop on the Shuttle Landing Facility's Runway 15 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for the final time. Main gear touchdown was at 2:34:51 a.m. ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A "towback" vehicle slowly pulls shuttle Endeavour from the Shuttle Landing Facility to Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. A purge unit that pumps conditioned air into a shuttle after landing is connected to Endeavour's aft end. In the background is the massive Vehicle Assembly Building. Once inside the processing facility, Endeavour will be prepared for future public display.              Endeavour's final return from space completed the 16-day, 6.5-million-mile STS-134 mission. Main gear touchdown was at 2:34:51 a.m. EDT, followed by nose gear touchdown at 2:35:04 a.m., and wheelstop at 2:35:36 a.m.   Endeavour and its crew delivered the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS) and the Express Logistics Carrier-3 (ELC-3) to the International Space Station. AMS will help researchers understand the origin of the universe and search for evidence of dark matter, strange matter and antimatter from the station. ELC-3 carried spare parts that will sustain station operations once the shuttles are retired from service. STS-134 was the 25th and final flight for Endeavour, which spent 299 days in space, orbited Earth 4,671 times and traveled 122,883,151 miles. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2011-4273

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A "towback" vehicle slowly pulls shuttle Endea...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A "towback" vehicle slowly pulls shuttle Endeavour from the Shuttle Landing Facility to Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. A purge unit that pumps c... More