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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Engine No. 3 is ready to be installed on Discovery in the Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3. The main engine configuration is manufactured by Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne in Canoga Park, Calif., and includes a Pratt & Whitney high-pressure fuel turbo pump. Each space shuttle main engine is 14 feet long, weighs about 6,700 pounds, and is 7.5 feet in diameter at the end of the nozzle. Discovery is being processed for its next mission, STS-116 (12A.1), to deliver a third truss segment, a SPACEHAB module and other key components to the International Space Station. The launch is currently scheduled no earlier than Dec. 14. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-06pd2165
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Joint Airlock Module, the gateway from which crew members aboard the International Space Station (ISS) will enter and exit the 470-ton orbiting research facility, rolls out of NASA's Super Guppy aircraft. It will be transferred to the Operations and Checkout Building in the KSC industrial area where it will undergo vacuum chamber testing. It will then be moved to the Space Station Processing Facility (SSPF) for further prelaunch preparation and checkout. The massive, spindle-shaped airlock is 20 feet long, has a diameter of 13 feet at its widest point, and weighs six and a half tons. It was manufactured at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center by the Huntsville division of The Boeing Company. The Space Shuttle Atlantis will carry the airlock to orbit on mission STS-104, the tenth International Space Station flight, currently targeted for liftoff in May 2001 KSC-00pp1345
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3, technicians on the Hyster forklift maneuver main engine No. 3 into place in Discovery. The main engine configuration is manufactured by Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne in Canoga Park, Calif., and includes a Pratt & Whitney high-pressure fuel turbo pump. Each space shuttle main engine is 14 feet long, weighs about 6,700 pounds, and is 7.5 feet in diameter at the end of the nozzle. Discovery is being processed for its next mission, STS-116 (12A.1), to deliver a third truss segment, a SPACEHAB module and other key components to the International Space Station. The launch is currently scheduled no earlier than Dec. 14. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-06pd2167
Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL Mate
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The last engine is installed in orbiter Atlantis after a welding and polishing process was undertaken on flow liners where cracks were detected. All engines were removed for inspection of flow liners. Atlantis will next fly on mission STS-112, scheduled for launch no earlier than Oct. 2. KSC-02pd1277
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Boeing technicians join Node 1 for the International Space Station (ISS) with the Pressurized Mating Adapter (PMA)-1 in KSC’s Space Station Processing Facility. This PMA, identifiable by its bright red ring, is a cone-shaped connector for the space station’s structural building block, known as Node 1. Seen here surrounded by scaffolding, Node 1 will have two PMAs attached, the second of which is scheduled for mating to the node in January 1998. The node and PMAs, which will be the first element of the ISS, are scheduled to be launched aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour on STS-88 in July 1998 KSC-97PC1711
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. - Inside Orbital Sciences’ Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Space Technology 5 (ST5) spacecraft waits for encapsulation after mating with the Orbital Sciences' Pegasus XL launch vehicle. The ST5 contains three microsatellites with miniaturized redundant components and technologies. Each will validate New Millennium Program selected technologies, such as the Cold Gas Micro-Thruster and X-Band Transponder Communication System. After deployment from the Pegasus, the micro-satellites will be positioned in a “string of pearls” constellation that demonstrates the ability to position them to perform simultaneous multi-point measurements of the magnetic field using highly sensitive magnetometers. The data will help scientists understand and map the intensity and direction of the Earth’s magnetic field, its relation to space weather events, and affects on our planet. With such missions, NASA hopes to improve scientists’ ability to accurately forecast space weather and minimize its harmful effects on space- and ground-based systems. Launch of ST5 is scheduled from the belly of an L-1011 carrier aircraft no earlier than March 14 from Vandenberg Air Force Base. KSC-06pd0431
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In Orbiter Processing Bay 2 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, main engine no. 1 is removed from space shuttle Endeavour. Engine removal is part of the post-landing processing; engine no. 2 was removed Aug. 17. Endeavour returned from the STS-127 mission July 31. Endeavour's next mission is STS-130 targeted for February 2010. Endeavour will deliver to the International Space Station the Tranquility pressurized module that will provide room for many of the station's life support systems. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2009-4769
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The open front end of NASA's "Super Guppy" aircraft at the Shuttle Landing Facility reveals the U.S. laboratory module, intended for the International Space Station, that was flown from Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, to Kennedy. The lab is being transferred to the Space Station Processing Facility for pre-launch preparations. Scheduled for launch aboard the Shuttle Endeavour on mission STS-98, the laboratory comprises three cylindrical sections with two end cones. Each end-cone contains a hatch opening for entering and exiting the lab. The lab will provide a shirtsleeve environment for research in the areas of life science, microgravity science, Earth science and space science. Designated Flight 5A, this mission is targeted for launch in early 2000 KSC-98pc1700
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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Inside Orbiter Processing Facility 3 at Kennedy Space Center, technicians prepare to install engine No. 3 to Discovery during processing for mission STS-120. Mission STS-120 will be the 23rd flight to the International Space Station. Space Shuttle Discovery will carry the U.S. Node 2. Launch is targeted for Oct. 20. NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis KSC-07pd2103
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Inside Orbiter Processing Facility 3 at Kennedy Space Center, technicians prepare to install engine No. 3 to Discovery during processing for mission STS-120. Mission STS-120 will be the 23rd flight to the International Space Station. Space Shuttle Discovery will carry the U.S. Node 2. Launch is targeted for Oct. 20. NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis KSC-07pd2104
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Inside Orbiter Processing Facility 3 at Kennedy Space Center, technicians move engine No. 3 toward the aft fuselage of Discovery for installation during processing for mission STS-120. Mission STS-120 will be the 23rd flight to the International Space Station. Space Shuttle Discovery will carry the U.S. Node 2. Launch is targeted for Oct. 20. NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis KSC-07pd2106
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Inside Orbiter Processing Facility 3 at Kennedy Space Center, technicians guide engine No. 3 toward the aft fuselage of Discovery for installation during processing for mission STS-120. Mission STS-120 will be the 23rd flight to the International Space Station. Space Shuttle Discovery will carry the U.S. Node 2. Launch is targeted for Oct. 20. NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis KSC-07pd2108
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Inside Orbiter Processing Facility 3 at Kennedy Space Center, the massive space shuttle main engines can be seen installed on orbiter Discovery during processing for mission STS-120. Mission STS-120 will be the 23rd flight to the International Space Station. Space Shuttle Discovery will carry the U.S. Node 2. Launch is targeted for Oct. 20. NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis KSC-07pd2109
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Inside Orbiter Processing Facility 3 at Kennedy Space Center, technicians prepare to install engine No. 3 as it nears the aft fuselage of the vehicle during processing for mission STS-120. Mission STS-120 will be the 23rd flight to the International Space Station. Space Shuttle Discovery will carry the U.S. Node 2. Launch is targeted for Oct. 20. NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis KSC-07pd2105
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In this overhead view inside Orbiter Processing Facility 3 at Kennedy Space Center, technicians guide engine No. 3 toward the aft fuselage of Discovery for installation during processing for mission STS-120. Mission STS-120 will be the 23rd flight to the International Space Station. Space Shuttle Discovery will carry the U.S. Node 2. Launch is targeted for Oct. 20. NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis KSC-07pd2107
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Another STS-120 solid rocket booster segment waits to be stacked in the Vehicle Assembly Building on the mobile launcher platform. STS-120 will be the 23rd flight to the International Space Station. Space Shuttle Discovery will carry the U.S. Node 2. Launch is targeted for Oct. 20. NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-07pd2088
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Vehicle Assembly Building, the STS-120 solid rocket booster left aft booster and left aft center segments are being stacked on the mobile launcher platform. STS-120 will be the 23rd flight to the International Space Station. Space Shuttle Discovery will carry the U.S. Node 2. Launch is targeted for Oct. 20. NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-07pd2087
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Inside Orbiter Processing Facility 3 at Kennedy Space Center, technicians prepare to install engine No. 3 to Discovery during processing for mission STS-120. Mission STS-120 will be the 23rd flight to the International Space Station. Space Shuttle Discovery will carry the U.S. Node 2. Launch is targeted for Oct. 20. NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis KSC-07pd2102
Summary
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Inside Orbiter Processing Facility 3 at Kennedy Space Center, technicians prepare to install engine No. 3 to Discovery during processing for mission STS-120. Mission STS-120 will be the 23rd flight to the International Space Station. Space Shuttle Discovery will carry the U.S. Node 2. Launch is targeted for Oct. 20. NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis
The Space Shuttle program was the United States government's manned launch vehicle program from 1981 to 2011, administered by NASA and officially beginning in 1972. The Space Shuttle system—composed of an orbiter launched with two reusable solid rocket boosters and a disposable external fuel tank— carried up to eight astronauts and up to 50,000 lb (23,000 kg) of payload into low Earth orbit (LEO). When its mission was complete, the orbiter would re-enter the Earth's atmosphere and lands as a glider. Although the concept had been explored since the late 1960s, the program formally commenced in 1972 and was the focus of NASA's manned operations after the final Apollo and Skylab flights in the mid-1970s. It started with the launch of the first shuttle Columbia on April 12, 1981, on STS-1. and finished with its last mission, STS-135 flown by Atlantis, in July 2011.
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international space station
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Date
23/07/2007
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