nasa

us national archives

us navy

aircraft

us navy ships

kennedy space center

astronauts

space shuttle

disembarks, nasa

27 media by topic ∙ page 1 of 1
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility in Florida, STS-134 Mission Specialist Andrew Feustel disembarks from his T-38 jet. The STS-134 crew members landed at 12:52 p.m. EDT to get ready for shuttle Endeavour's launch to the International Space Station scheduled for Friday, April 29 at 3:47 p.m. Endeavour and its crew will deliver the Express Logistics Carrier-3, Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS), a high-pressure gas tank and additional spare parts for the Dextre robotic helper to the station. This will be the final spaceflight for Endeavour. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts134/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-3058

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility in Florida, STS-134 Mission Specialist Andrew Feustel disembarks from his T-38 jet. The STS-134 crew members landed at 12:52 p.m. ... More

Acting Secretary of the Navy Sean O'Keefe disembarks from the amphibious transport dock USS TRENTON (LPD-14) following a tour of the vessel. O'Keefe is visiting Naval Station, Rota, to observe a special warfare demonstration and to address Navy personnel on several issues

Acting Secretary of the Navy Sean O'Keefe disembarks from the amphibio...

The original finding aid described this photograph as: Base: Naval Station, Rota Country: Spain (ESP) Scene Camera Operator: PH3 Andrew Falichko Release Status: Released to Public Combined Military Service ... More

Amid a flurry of activity, STS-103 Commander Curtis L. Brown Jr. disembarks from the bus which brought him to the runway at Patrick Air Force Base. The STS-103 crew and their families are preparing to board an airplane that will return them to their home base at the Johnson Space Center in Houston following the successful completion of their mission. Discovery landed in darkness the previous evening, Dec. 27, on runway 33 at KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility at 7:00:47 p.m. EST. This was the first time that a Shuttle crew spent the Christmas holiday in space. The other STS-103 crew members are Pilot Scott J. Kelly and Mission Specialists Steven L. Smith, C. Michael Foale (Ph.D.), John M. Grunsfeld (Ph.D.), Claude Nicollier of Switzerland and Jean-François Clervoy of France. The STS-103 mission supplied the Hubble Space Telescope with six new gyroscopes, six new voltage/temperature improvement kits, a new onboard computer, a new solid state recorder and new data transmitter, and a new fine guidance sensor along with new insulation on parts of the orbiting telescope. This was the 96th flight in the Space Shuttle program and the 27th for the orbiter Discovery KSC-99pp1514

Amid a flurry of activity, STS-103 Commander Curtis L. Brown Jr. disem...

Amid a flurry of activity, STS-103 Commander Curtis L. Brown Jr. disembarks from the bus which brought him to the runway at Patrick Air Force Base. The STS-103 crew and their families are preparing to board an ... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - On NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility, STS-115 Pilot Christopher Ferguson disembarks from the Shuttle Training Aircraft after a practice session of landing the shuttle. STA practice is part of launch preparations. The STA is a Grumman American Aviation-built Gulf Stream II jet that was modified to simulate an orbiter’s cockpit, motion and visual cues, and handling qualities. In flight, the STA duplicates the orbiter’s atmospheric descent trajectory from approximately 35,000 feet altitude to landing on a runway. Because the orbiter is unpowered during re-entry and landing, its high-speed glide must be perfectly executed the first time. Mission STS-115 is scheduled to lift off about 12:29 p.m. Sept. 6. Mission managers cancelled Atlantis' first launch campaign due to a lightning strike at the pad and the passage of Tropical Storm Ernesto along Florida's east coast. The mission will deliver and install the 17-and-a-half-ton P3/P4 truss segment to the port side of the integrated truss system on the orbital outpost. The truss includes a new set of photovoltaic solar arrays. When unfurled to their full length of 240 feet, the arrays will provide additional power for the station in preparation for the delivery of international science modules over the next two years. STS-115 is expected to last 11 days and includes three scheduled spacewalks. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-06pd2035

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - On NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle La...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - On NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility, STS-115 Pilot Christopher Ferguson disembarks from the Shuttle Training Aircraft after a practice session of landing the shu... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-116 Commander Mark Polansky disembarks from Space Shuttle Discovery following landing on Runway 15 at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility, as his fellow astronauts await their turns. During the STS-116 mission, three spacewalks attached the P5 integrated truss structure to the station, and completed the rewiring of the orbiting laboratory's power system. A fourth spacewalk retracted a stubborn solar array. Main gear touchdown was at 5:32 p.m. EST. Nose gear touchdown was at 5:32:12 p.m. and wheel stop was at 5:32:52 p.m. At touchdown -- nominally about 2,500 ft. beyond the runway threshold -- the orbiter is traveling at a speed ranging from 213 to 226 mph. Discovery traveled 5,330,000 miles, landing on orbit 204. Mission elapsed time was 12 days, 20 hours, 44 minutes and 16 seconds. This is the 64th landing at KSC. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-06pd2881

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-116 Commander Mark Polansky disemba...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-116 Commander Mark Polansky disembarks from Space Shuttle Discovery following landing on Runway 15 at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility, as his fellow astro... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-118 Commander Scott Kelly disembarks from the shuttle training aircraft, or STA, at the Shuttle Landing Facility, Kennedy Space Center's airstrip. He and STS-118 Pilot Charlie Hobaugh were at the facility to practice landings for their upcoming mission. The STA is a Grumman American Aviation-built Gulf Stream II jet that was modified to simulate an orbiter's cockpit, motion and visual cues, and handling qualities. In flight, the STA duplicates the orbiter's atmospheric descent trajectory from approximately 35,000 feet altitude to landing on a runway. Endeavour's STS-118 mission is the 22nd shuttle flight to the International Space Station. It will continue space station construction by delivering a third starboard truss segment, S5. Other payloads include the SPACEHAB module, making its last voyage, and the external stowage platform 3 with a control moment gyroscope on it. The flight will include at least three spacewalks. The crew will also debut a new system that enables docked shuttles to draw electrical power from the station to extend visits to the outpost. Launch is set for Aug. 8 at 6:36 p.m. EDT. NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-07pd2183

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-118 Commander Scott Kelly disembarks ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-118 Commander Scott Kelly disembarks from the shuttle training aircraft, or STA, at the Shuttle Landing Facility, Kennedy Space Center's airstrip. He and STS-118 Pilot Charlie H... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-118 Pilot Charlie Hobaugh disembarks from the shuttle training aircraft, or STA, at the Shuttle Landing Facility, Kennedy Space Center's airstrip. He and STS-118 Commander Scott Kelly were at the facility to practice landings for their upcoming mission. The STA is a Grumman American Aviation-built Gulf Stream II jet that was modified to simulate an orbiter's cockpit, motion and visual cues, and handling qualities. In flight, the STA duplicates the orbiter's atmospheric descent trajectory from approximately 35,000 feet altitude to landing on a runway. Endeavour's STS-118 mission is the 22nd shuttle flight to the International Space Station. It will continue space station construction by delivering a third starboard truss segment, S5. Other payloads include the SPACEHAB module, making its last voyage, and the external stowage platform 3 with a control moment gyroscope on it. The flight will include at least three spacewalks. The crew will also debut a new system that enables docked shuttles to draw electrical power from the station to extend visits to the outpost. Launch is set for Aug. 8 at 6:36 p.m. EDT. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-07pd2185

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-118 Pilot Charlie Hobaugh disembarks ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-118 Pilot Charlie Hobaugh disembarks from the shuttle training aircraft, or STA, at the Shuttle Landing Facility, Kennedy Space Center's airstrip. He and STS-118 Commander Scott... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-120 Pilot George Zamka disembarks from the shuttle training aircraft, or STA, after successful landing practice on NASA's Shuttle Landing Facility runway. A modified Grumman American Aviation-built Gulf Stream II jet, the STA simulates an orbiter's cockpit, motion and visual cues and handling qualities. In flight, the STA duplicates the orbiter's atmospheric descent trajectory from approximately 35,000 feet altitude to landing on a runway. Melroy and other crew members are at Kennedy Space Center to take part in the terminal countdown demonstration test, which also includes a simulated launch countdown. Mission STS-120 is targeted for Oct. 23. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-07pd2695

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-120 Pilot George Zamka disembarks f...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-120 Pilot George Zamka disembarks from the shuttle training aircraft, or STA, after successful landing practice on NASA's Shuttle Landing Facility runway. A modified Grumman A... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-120 Commander Pamela Melroy disembarks from the shuttle training aircraft, or STA, after successful landing practice on NASA's Shuttle Landing Facility runway. A modified Grumman American Aviation-built Gulf Stream II jet, the STA simulates an orbiter's cockpit, motion and visual cues and handling qualities. In flight, the STA duplicates the orbiter's atmospheric descent trajectory from approximately 35,000 feet altitude to landing on a runway. Melroy and other crew members are at Kennedy Space Center to take part in the terminal countdown demonstration test, which also includes a simulated launch countdown. Mission STS-120 is targeted for Oct. 23. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-07pd2694

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-120 Commander Pamela Melroy disemba...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-120 Commander Pamela Melroy disembarks from the shuttle training aircraft, or STA, after successful landing practice on NASA's Shuttle Landing Facility runway. A modified Gru... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-120 Commander Pam Melroy disembarks from a Shuttle Training Aircraft, or STA, on the tarmac at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility. She and STS-120 Pilot George Zamka were training for their upcoming space shuttle mission by practicing landings using the STA. Melroy is the second woman to command a shuttle mission. Also assigned to STS-120 are Mission Specialists Scott Parazynski, Stephanie Wilson, Doug Wheelock, Paolo Nespoli and Daniel Tani. Nespoli represents the European Space Agency. Tani will remain on the International Space Station as an Expedition 16 flight engineer after the STS-120 mission is complete. The mission will be the 23rd shuttle flight to the International Space Station, delivering the Italian-built U.S. Node 2, called Harmony. The crew arrived at Kennedy on Oct. 19 to prepare for launch aboard space shuttle Discovery at 11:38 a.m. EDT Oct. 23. The 14-day mission includes five spacewalks -- four by shuttle crew members and one by the station's Expedition 16 crew -- to install Harmony and move the P6 solar arrays to their permanent position and deploy them. Discovery is expected to complete its mission and return home on Nov. 6. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-07pd2896

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-120 Commander Pam Melroy disembarks ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-120 Commander Pam Melroy disembarks from a Shuttle Training Aircraft, or STA, on the tarmac at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility. She and STS-120 Pilot George Za... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-120 Pilot George Zamka disembarks from a Shuttle Training Aircraft, or STA, on the tarmac at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility. He and STS-120 Commander Pam Melroy were training for their upcoming space shuttle mission by practicing landings using the STA. Melroy is the second woman to command a shuttle mission. Also assigned to STS-120 are Mission Specialists Scott Parazynski, Stephanie Wilson, Doug Wheelock, Paolo Nespoli and Daniel Tani. Nespoli represents the European Space Agency. Tani will remain on the International Space Station as an Expedition 16 flight engineer after the STS-120 mission is complete. The mission will be the 23rd shuttle flight to the International Space Station, delivering the Italian-built U.S. Node 2, called Harmony. The crew arrived at Kennedy on Oct. 19 to prepare for launch aboard space shuttle Discovery at 11:38 a.m. EDT Oct. 23. The 14-day mission includes five spacewalks -- four by shuttle crew members and one by the station's Expedition 16 crew -- to install Harmony and move the P6 solar arrays to their permanent position and deploy them. Discovery is expected to complete its mission and return home on Nov. 6. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-07pd2895

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-120 Pilot George Zamka disembarks fr...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-120 Pilot George Zamka disembarks from a Shuttle Training Aircraft, or STA, on the tarmac at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility. He and STS-120 Commander Pam Melr... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-120 Commander Pam Melroy disembarks from a Shuttle Training Aircraft, or STA, at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility. She and STS-120 Pilot George Zamka were training for their upcoming space shuttle mission by practicing landings in STAs. Melroy is the second woman to command a shuttle mission. Also assigned to STS-120 are Mission Specialists Scott Parazynski, Stephanie Wilson, Doug Wheelock, Paolo Nespoli and Daniel Tani. Nespoli represents the European Space Agency. Tani will remain on the International Space Station as an Expedition 16 flight engineer after the STS-120 mission is complete. The mission will be the 23rd shuttle flight to the International Space Station, delivering the Italian-built U.S. Node 2, called Harmony. The crew arrived at Kennedy on Oct. 19 to prepare for launch aboard space shuttle Discovery at 11:38 a.m. EDT Oct. 23. The 14-day mission includes five spacewalks -- four by shuttle crew members and one by the station's Expedition 16 crew -- to install Harmony and move the P6 solar arrays to their permanent position and deploy them. Discovery is scheduled to complete its mission and return home on Nov. 6. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-07pd2905

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-120 Commander Pam Melroy disembarks ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-120 Commander Pam Melroy disembarks from a Shuttle Training Aircraft, or STA, at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility. She and STS-120 Pilot George Zamka were ... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-120 Pilot George Zamka disembarks from a Shuttle Training Aircraft, or STA, at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility. He and STS-120 Commander Pam Melroy were training for their upcoming space shuttle mission by practicing landings in STAs. Melroy is the second woman to command a shuttle mission. Also assigned to STS-120 are Mission Specialists Scott Parazynski, Stephanie Wilson, Doug Wheelock, Paolo Nespoli and Daniel Tani. Nespoli represents the European Space Agency. Tani will remain on the International Space Station as an Expedition 16 flight engineer after the STS-120 mission is complete. The mission will be the 23rd shuttle flight to the International Space Station, delivering the Italian-built U.S. Node 2, called Harmony. The crew arrived at Kennedy on Oct. 19 to prepare for launch aboard space shuttle Discovery at 11:38 a.m. EDT Oct. 23. The 14-day mission includes five spacewalks -- four by shuttle crew members and one by the station's Expedition 16 crew -- to install Harmony and move the P6 solar arrays to their permanent position and deploy them. Discovery is scheduled to complete its mission and return home on Nov. 6. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-07pd2907

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-120 Pilot George Zamka disembarks fr...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-120 Pilot George Zamka disembarks from a Shuttle Training Aircraft, or STA, at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility. He and STS-120 Commander Pam Melroy were t... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space shuttle Atlantis STS-122 Pilot Alan Poindexter disembarks from a shuttle training aircraft, or STA, at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility. He and STS-122 Commander Steve Frick have just completed a practice session landing the STA. The STA is a Grumman American Aviation-built Gulf Stream II jet that was modified to simulate an orbiter's cockpit, motion and visual cues, and handling qualities. In flight, the STA duplicates the orbiter's atmospheric descent trajectory from approximately 35,000 feet altitude to landing on a runway. Because the orbiter is unpowered during re-entry and landing, its high-speed glide must be perfectly executed the first time. The training is part of terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT, activities. The TCDT provides astronauts and ground crews with equipment familiarization, emergency egress training and a simulated launch countdown. On mission STS-122, Atlantis will deliver the European Space Agency's Columbus module to the International Space Station. Columbus is a multifunctional, pressurized laboratory that will be permanently attached to U.S. Node 2, called Harmony, and will expand the research facilities aboard the station. Launch is targeted for Dec. 6. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-07pd3369

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space shuttle Atlantis STS-122 Pilot Al...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space shuttle Atlantis STS-122 Pilot Alan Poindexter disembarks from a shuttle training aircraft, or STA, at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility. He and STS-122 Comman... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space shuttle Atlantis STS-122 Commander Steve Frick disembarks from a shuttle training aircraft, or STA, at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility. He and STS-122 Pilot Alan Poindexter have just completed a practice session landing the STA. The STA is a Grumman American Aviation-built Gulf Stream II jet that was modified to simulate an orbiter's cockpit, motion and visual cues, and handling qualities. In flight, the STA duplicates the orbiter's atmospheric descent trajectory from approximately 35,000 feet altitude to landing on a runway. Because the orbiter is unpowered during re-entry and landing, its high-speed glide must be perfectly executed the first time. The training is part of terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT, activities. The TCDT provides astronauts and ground crews with equipment familiarization, emergency egress training and a simulated launch countdown. On mission STS-122, Atlantis will deliver the European Space Agency's Columbus module to the International Space Station. Columbus is a multifunctional, pressurized laboratory that will be permanently attached to U.S. Node 2, called Harmony, and will expand the research facilities aboard the station. Launch is targeted for Dec. 6. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-07pd3367

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space shuttle Atlantis STS-122 Commande...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space shuttle Atlantis STS-122 Commander Steve Frick disembarks from a shuttle training aircraft, or STA, at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility. He and STS-122 Pilot ... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility, STS-123 Pilot Gregory H. Johnson disembarks from a Shuttle Training Aircraft, or STA, following a practice session of space shuttle landings. The STA is a Grumman American Aviation-built Gulf Stream II jet that was modified to simulate an orbiter's cockpit, motion and visual cues, and handling qualities. In flight, the STA duplicates the orbiter's atmospheric descent trajectory from approximately 35,000 feet altitude to landing on a runway. Because the orbiter is unpowered during re-entry and landing, its high-speed glide must be perfectly executed the first time. The crew for space shuttle Endeavour's STS-123 mission is at Kennedy for a full launch dress rehearsal, known as the terminal countdown demonstration test or TCDT. The terminal countdown demonstration test provides astronauts and ground crews with an opportunity to participate in various simulated countdown activities, including equipment familiarization and emergency training. Endeavour is targeted to launch March 11 at 2:28 a.m. EDT on a 16-day mission to the International Space Station. On the mission, Endeavour and its crew will deliver the first section of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory and the Canadian Space Agency's two-armed robotic system, Dextre. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-08pd0490

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle L...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility, STS-123 Pilot Gregory H. Johnson disembarks from a Shuttle Training Aircraft, or STA, following a practice session of space... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility, STS-123 Commander Dominic Gorie disembarks from a Shuttle Training Aircraft, or STA, following a practice session of space shuttle landings. The STA is a Grumman American Aviation-built Gulf Stream II jet that was modified to simulate an orbiter's cockpit, motion and visual cues, and handling qualities. In flight, the STA duplicates the orbiter's atmospheric descent trajectory from approximately 35,000 feet altitude to landing on a runway. Because the orbiter is unpowered during re-entry and landing, its high-speed glide must be perfectly executed the first time. The crew for space shuttle Endeavour's STS-123 mission is at Kennedy for a full launch dress rehearsal, known as the terminal countdown demonstration test or TCDT. The terminal countdown demonstration test provides astronauts and ground crews with an opportunity to participate in various simulated countdown activities, including equipment familiarization and emergency training. Endeavour is targeted to launch March 11 at 2:28 a.m. EDT on a 16-day mission to the International Space Station. On the mission, Endeavour and its crew will deliver the first section of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory and the Canadian Space Agency's two-armed robotic system, Dextre. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-08pd0489

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle L...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility, STS-123 Commander Dominic Gorie disembarks from a Shuttle Training Aircraft, or STA, following a practice session of space ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – STS-127 Commander Mark Polansky disembarks from a Shuttle Training Aircraft at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Polansky and the other members of the STS-127 crew arrived aboard the aircraft from Houston to get ready for launch on space shuttle Endeavour on June 13. Polansky will be making his third shuttle flight. The STS-127 mission is the final of three flights dedicated to the assembly of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory complex on the International Space Station. Endeavour will deliver the Japanese Experiment Module's Exposed Facility, or JEM-EF, and the Experiment Logistics Module-Exposed Section, or ELM-ES, to the space station on STS-127. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2009-3619

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – STS-127 Commander Mark Polansky disembarks from...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – STS-127 Commander Mark Polansky disembarks from a Shuttle Training Aircraft at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Polansky and the other members of th... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The astronauts for space shuttle Discovery’s STS-128 mission arrive at Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility at 6:34 p.m. EDT in a NASA Shuttle Training Aircraft. Here, Commander Rick Sturckow disembarks from the modified Gulfstream II jet. Sturckow is making his fourth spaceflight. The crew has returned to Kennedy to prepare for launch on Aug. 25 at 1:36 a.m. EDT. The 13-day mission will deliver a new crew member and 33,000 pounds of equipment to the International Space Station. The equipment includes science and storage racks, a freezer to store research samples, a new sleeping compartment and the COLBERT treadmill. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2009-4773

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The astronauts for space shuttle Discovery’s ST...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The astronauts for space shuttle Discovery’s STS-128 mission arrive at Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility at 6:34 p.m. EDT in a NASA Shuttle Training Aircraft. Here, Commande... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - STS-129 Mission Specialist Randy Bresnik disembarks from a T-38 at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew members of space shuttle Atlantis' STS-129 mission have arrived at Kennedy for training related to their launch dress rehearsal, the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test. Launch of Atlantis on its STS-129 mission to the International Space Station is targeted for November. For information on the STS-129 mission objectives and crew, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts129/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2009-5474

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - STS-129 Mission Specialist Randy Bresnik disemb...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - STS-129 Mission Specialist Randy Bresnik disembarks from a T-38 at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew members of space shuttle Atlantis' STS... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - STS-129 Pilot Barry E. Wilmore greets the camera with a smile as he disembarks from a T-38 at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew members of space shuttle Atlantis' STS-129 mission have arrived at Kennedy for training related to their launch dress rehearsal, the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test. Launch of Atlantis on its STS-129 mission to the International Space Station is targeted for November. For information on the STS-129 mission objectives and crew, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts129/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2009-5475

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - STS-129 Pilot Barry E. Wilmore greets the camer...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - STS-129 Pilot Barry E. Wilmore greets the camera with a smile as he disembarks from a T-38 at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew members of ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - STS-129 Mission Specialist Mike Foreman is all smiles as he disembarks from a T-38 at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew members of space shuttle Atlantis' STS-129 mission have arrived at Kennedy for training related to their launch dress rehearsal, the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test. Launch of Atlantis on its STS-129 mission to the International Space Station is targeted for November. For information on the STS-129 mission objectives and crew, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts129/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2009-5473

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - STS-129 Mission Specialist Mike Foreman is all ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - STS-129 Mission Specialist Mike Foreman is all smiles as he disembarks from a T-38 at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew members of space sh... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - STS-129 Commander Charles O. Hobaugh disembarks from a T-38 jet at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The six astronauts for space shuttle Atlantis’ STS-129 mission have arrived at Kennedy for their launch dress rehearsal, the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test. Additional training associated with the test was done last month, but the simulated countdown was postponed because of a scheduling conflict with the launch of NASA’s Ares I-X test rocket. Launch of Atlantis on its STS-129 mission to the International Space Station is set for Nov. 16. On STS-129, the crew will deliver to the station two spare gyroscopes, two nitrogen tank assemblies, two pump modules, an ammonia tank assembly and a spare latching end effector for the station's robotic arm. For information on the STS-129 mission objectives and crew, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts129/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-6034

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - STS-129 Commander Charles O. Hobaugh disembarks from a T-38 jet at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The six astronauts for space shuttle Atlantis’ ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - STS-129 Mission Specialist Randy Bresnik disembarks from a T-38 jet at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The six astronauts for space shuttle Atlantis’ STS-129 mission have arrived at Kennedy for their launch dress rehearsal, the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test. Additional training associated with the test was done last month, but the simulated countdown was postponed because of a scheduling conflict with the launch of NASA’s Ares I-X test rocket. Launch of Atlantis on its STS-129 mission to the International Space Station is set for Nov. 16. On STS-129, the crew will deliver to the station two spare gyroscopes, two nitrogen tank assemblies, two pump modules, an ammonia tank assembly and a spare latching end effector for the station's robotic arm. For information on the STS-129 mission objectives and crew, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts129/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-6042

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - STS-129 Mission Specialist Randy Bresnik disemb...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - STS-129 Mission Specialist Randy Bresnik disembarks from a T-38 jet at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The six astronauts for space shuttle Atlant... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- STS-134 Pilot Greg H. Johnson has completed touch-and-go landings and disembarks from a Shuttle Training Aircraft (STA) on the Shuttle Landing Facility runway at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. An STA is a Gulfstream II jet that is modified to mimic the shuttle's handling during the final phase of landing. Kelly and Johnson will practice landings as part of standard training before space shuttle Endeavour's launch to the International Space Station. Endeavour and its crew will deliver the Express Logistics Carrier-3, Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS), a high-pressure gas tank and additional spare parts for the Dextre robotic helper to the station. This will be the final spaceflight for Endeavour. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts134/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-3485

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- STS-134 Pilot Greg H. Johnson has completed to...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- STS-134 Pilot Greg H. Johnson has completed touch-and-go landings and disembarks from a Shuttle Training Aircraft (STA) on the Shuttle Landing Facility runway at NASA's Kennedy Space Cen... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- STS-134 Commander Mark Kelly has completed touch-and-go landings and disembarks from a Shuttle Training Aircraft (STA) on the Shuttle Landing Facility runway at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. An STA is a Gulfstream II jet that is modified to mimic the shuttle's handling during the final phase of landing. Kelly and Johnson will practice landings as part of standard training before space shuttle Endeavour's launch to the International Space Station. Endeavour and its crew will deliver the Express Logistics Carrier-3, Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS), a high-pressure gas tank and additional spare parts for the Dextre robotic helper to the station. This will be the final spaceflight for Endeavour. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts134/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-3486

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- STS-134 Commander Mark Kelly has completed tou...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- STS-134 Commander Mark Kelly has completed touch-and-go landings and disembarks from a Shuttle Training Aircraft (STA) on the Shuttle Landing Facility runway at NASA's Kennedy Space Cent... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- STS-135 Pilot Doug Hurley has completed touch-and-go landings and disembarks from a Shuttle Training Aircraft (STA) on the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. An STA is a Gulfstream II jet that is modified to mimic the shuttle's handling during the final phase of landing. Ferguson and Hurley practice landings as part of standard procedure before space shuttle Atlantis' launch to the International Space Station. Atlantis and its crew are scheduled to lift off at 11:26 a.m. EDT on July 8 to deliver the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module packed with supplies and spare parts to the station. The STS-135 mission also will fly a system to investigate the potential for robotically refueling existing satellites and return a failed ammonia pump module to help NASA better understand the failure mechanism and improve pump designs for future systems. STS-135 will be the 33rd flight of Atlantis, the 37th shuttle mission to the space station, and the 135th and final mission of NASA's Space Shuttle Program. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts135/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston KSC-2011-5040

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- STS-135 Pilot Doug Hurley has completed touch-...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- STS-135 Pilot Doug Hurley has completed touch-and-go landings and disembarks from a Shuttle Training Aircraft (STA) on the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Flor... More