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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - A crack formed on a piece of insulation on a strut that attaches the liquid oxygen feedline to External Tank-119, being used to launch space shuttle mission STS-121. This piece of foam, weighing approximately 0.0057 pounds, is three inches long and one-eighth to one-quarter inch wide. It fell from the tank and was recovered by the Ice Team from the mobile launch platform at Pad 39B. It is believed that the rain experienced during yesterday’s launch attempt of Discovery caused water to run down the feedline and form ice near the strut next to the feedline bracket. As the tank warmed and expanded, the ice that formed most likely pinched the foam on the top of the strut, causing a crack and eventual loss of the small piece of foam. Photo credit: NASA KSC-06pd1384

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - A crack formed on a piece of insulation o...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - A crack formed on a piece of insulation on a strut that attaches the liquid oxygen feedline to External Tank-119, being used to launch space shuttle mission STS-121. This piece of f... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the SRB Assembly and Refurbishment Facility, STS-114 Mission Specialist Wendy Lawrence looks at a test design of the bolt catcher insulation. The STS-114 crew is at KSC for familiarization with Shuttle and mission equipment. The mission is Logistics Flight 1, which is scheduled to deliver supplies and equipment, plus the external stowage platform, to the International Space Station. KSC-04pd0515

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the SRB Assembly and Refurbishment Fa...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the SRB Assembly and Refurbishment Facility, STS-114 Mission Specialist Wendy Lawrence looks at a test design of the bolt catcher insulation. The STS-114 crew is at KSC for fa... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- A Lockheed Martin external tank technician from the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans inspects the foam modification on external tank 120 in the Vehicle Assembly Building. The foam insulation and super lightweight ablator cork insulation were removed from the external tank and LO2 feed line bracket on Aug. 24 and replaced only with BX265 foam insulation. The tank is scheduled to fly on Space Shuttle Discovery in October 2007 on mission STS-120. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-07pd2374

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- A Lockheed Martin external tank technici...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- A Lockheed Martin external tank technician from the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans inspects the foam modification on external tank 120 in the Vehicle Assembly Building. ... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Launch Pad 39A, a United Space Alliance technician removes foam insulation revealing the fastener holes on the covers over the feed-through connector box on the external tank for space shuttle Atlantis' STS-122 mission. The covers will be removed for access to the feed-through connectors. Following the failure of some of the tank's engine cutoff sensors, or ECO sensors, during propellant tanking for launch attempts on Dec. 6 and Dec. 9, a tanking test was conducted on Dec. 18 to aid in troubleshooting the cause. Technicians spliced test wiring into the ECO sensor electrical system and used time domain reflectometry equipment to help locate the electrical anomaly. Results of the tanking test pointed to an open circuit in the feed-through connector wiring, which is located at the base of the tank. The feed-through connector passes the wires from the inside of the tank to the outside. During the holiday period, workers from Lockheed Martin will begin inspecting and testing the connector. Shuttle program managers will meet on Dec. 27 to review the test and analysis, and decide on a forward plan. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-07pd3656

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Launch Pad 39A, a United Space Allian...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Launch Pad 39A, a United Space Alliance technician removes foam insulation revealing the fastener holes on the covers over the feed-through connector box on the external tank fo... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In Highbay 1 inside the Vehicle Assembly Building, workers secure scaffolding around the external tank to prepare it for repairs. A severe thunderstorm with golf ball-sized hail caused visible divots in the giant tank's foam insulation and minor surface damage to about 26 heat shield tiles on the shuttle's left wing. A new target launch date has not been determined, but teams will focus on preparing Atlantis for liftoff in late April on mission STS-117. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-07pd0601

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In Highbay 1 inside the Vehicle Assembly...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In Highbay 1 inside the Vehicle Assembly Building, workers secure scaffolding around the external tank to prepare it for repairs. A severe thunderstorm with golf ball-sized hail ca... More

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

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

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana, left, explains the placement of high-temperature reusable surface insulation HRSI tile on the underbelly of space shuttle Atlantis to Florida’s Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll during a tour of Kennedy’s Orbiter Processing Facility-1. The tile is part of the shuttle’s thermal protection system which covers the shuttle’s exterior and protects it from the heat of re-entry. The tour coincided with Carroll’s visit to Kennedy for a meeting with Cabana. Atlantis is being prepared for public display at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in 2013. The groundbreaking for Atlantis’ exhibit hall took place in January Atlantis is scheduled to be moved to the visitor complex in November. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-1962

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana, left,...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana, left, explains the placement of high-temperature reusable surface insulation HRSI tile on the underbelly of space shuttle Atlantis to Florida’s L... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Discovery's external fuel tank is being prepared for computed radiography scans inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The shuttle stack, consisting of the shuttle, external tank and solid rocket boosters, was moved off Launch Pad 39A so technicians could examine 21-foot-long support beams, called stringers, on the outside of the tank's intertank and re-apply foam insulation. Discovery's next launch opportunity to the International Space Station on the STS-133 mission is no earlier than Feb. 3, 2011. For more information on STS-133, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/. Photo credit: NASA/Frankie Martin KSC-2010-5956

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Discovery's external fuel tank i...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Discovery's external fuel tank is being prepared for computed radiography scans inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The shuttle ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Technicians in the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla. install thermal insulation on NASA's Juno magnetometer boom. The boom structure is attached to Juno's solar array #1 that will help power the NASA spacecraft on its mission to Jupiter. The solar-powered spacecraft will orbit Jupiter's poles 33 times to find out more about the gas giant's origins, structure, atmosphere and magnetosphere and investigate the existence of a solid planetary core. Juno is scheduled to launch aboard an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral, Fla. Aug. 5. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/juno. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller It will splash down into the Atlantic Ocean where the ship and its crew will recover it and tow it back through Port Canaveral for refurbishing for another launch. The STS-124 mission is the second of three flights launching components to complete the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory. The shuttle crew will install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system, or RMS. Photo credit: USA/Jeff Suter KSC-2011-2821

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Technicians in the Astrotech payload processin...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Technicians in the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla. install thermal insulation on NASA's Juno magnetometer boom. The boom structure is attached to Juno's solar a... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Atlantis, mounted on a mobile launch platform atop a crawler transporter, begins the climb to the top of Launch Pad 39A. First motion of the shuttle out of the Vehicle Assembly Building was at 5:02 a.m. EDT. In late February, while Atlantis was on the launch pad, Atlantis' external tank received hail damage during a severe thunderstorm that passed through the Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39 area. The hail caused visible divots in the giant tank's foam insulation, as well as minor surface damage to about 26 heat shield tiles on the shuttle's left wing. The shuttle was returned to the VAB for repairs. The launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-117 is now targeted for June 8. A flight readiness review will be held on May 30 and 31. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-07pd1192

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Atlantis, mounted on a mo...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Atlantis, mounted on a mobile launch platform atop a crawler transporter, begins the climb to the top of Launch Pad 39A. First motion of the shuttle out of the Vehi... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- As it rolls back to the Vehicle Assembly Building, Space Shuttle Atlantis, atop the mobile launcher platform, is framed in the photo by winter-stripped branches topped by spring blossoms. In the VAB, the shuttle will be examined for hail damage. A severe thunderstorm with golf ball-sized hail caused divots in the giant tank's foam insulation and minor surface damage to about 26 heat shield tiles on the shuttle's left wing. Further evaluation of the tank is necessary to get an accurate accounting of foam damage and determine the type of repair required and the time needed for that work. A new target launch date has not been determined, but teams will focus on preparing Atlantis for liftoff in late April. Photo credit: NASA/Amanda Diller KSC-07pd0562

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- As it rolls back to the Vehicle Assemb...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- As it rolls back to the Vehicle Assembly Building, Space Shuttle Atlantis, atop the mobile launcher platform, is framed in the photo by winter-stripped branches topped by spring ... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At the SRB Assembly and Refurbishment Facility, STS-114 Mission Specialists Andrew Thomas (center) and Charles Camarda (right) look at a test panel of insulation material (left) cut in a liquid nitrogen process and a round aft heat seal (right) also treated in a liquid nitrogen process. At left is Mike Leppert, Manufacturing Operations project lead with United Space Alliance. The crew is at KSC for familiarization with Shuttle and mission equipment. The STS-114 mission is Logistics Flight 1, which is scheduled to deliver supplies and equipment, plus the external stowage platform, to the International Space Station. KSC-04pd0388

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At the SRB Assembly and Refurbishment Fa...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At the SRB Assembly and Refurbishment Facility, STS-114 Mission Specialists Andrew Thomas (center) and Charles Camarda (right) look at a test panel of insulation material (left) cu... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians are documenting the installation of radius blocks to space shuttle Discovery's external fuel tank's support beams known as "stringers" near the intertank’s thrust panel area. The thrust panel is where the tank meets the two solid rocket boosters and sees the most stress during the flight into orbit. After the modifications and additional scans of the stringers are complete, foam insulation will be re-applied. Discovery's next launch opportunity to the International Space Station on the STS-133 mission is targeted for liftoff Feb. 24. For more information on STS-133, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2011-1072

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians are documenting the installation of radius blocks to space shuttle Discovery's external fuel tank'... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Vehicle Assembly Building, United Space Alliance technicians Brenda Morris and Brian Williams are applying foam and molds on Space Shuttle Atlantis' external tank to areas damaged by hail. The white hole with a red circle around it (upper right) is a hole prepared for molding and material application. The red material is sealant tape so the mold doesn't leak when the foam rises against the mold. The white/translucent square mold is an area where the foam has been applied and the foam has risen and cured against the mold surface. In late February, Atlantis' external tank received hail damage during a severe thunderstorm that passed through the Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39 area. The hail caused visible divots in the giant tank's foam insulation as well as minor surface damage to about 26 heat shield tiles on the shuttle's left wing. The March launch was postponed and has not yet been rescheduled due to the repair process. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton KSC-07pd0849

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

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Vehicle Assembly Building, United Space Alliance technicians Brenda Morris and Brian Williams are applying foam and molds on Space Shuttle Atlantis' external tank to areas ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A technician takes computed radiography scans of space shuttle Discovery's external fuel tank. The shuttle stack, consisting of the shuttle, external tank and solid rocket boosters, was moved from Launch Pad 39A to the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida so technicians could examine 21-foot-long support beams, called stringers, on the outside of the tank's intertank and re-apply foam insulation. Discovery's next launch opportunity to the International Space Station on the STS-133 mission is no earlier than Feb. 3, 2011. For more information on STS-133, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/. Photo credit: NASA/Frankie Martin KSC-2010-5959

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A technician takes computed radiography scans ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A technician takes computed radiography scans of space shuttle Discovery's external fuel tank. The shuttle stack, consisting of the shuttle, external tank and solid rocket boosters, was ... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the SRB Assembly and Refurbishment Facility, STS-114 crew members look at test designs of the bolt catcher insulation. Starting from left are Mission Specialists Stephen Robinson, Andrew Thomas and Soichi Noguchi; and Commander Eileen Collins. The STS-114 crew is at KSC for familiarization with Shuttle and mission equipment. The mission is Logistics Flight 1, which is scheduled to deliver supplies and equipment, plus the external stowage platform, to the International Space Station. KSC-04pd0518

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the SRB Assembly and Refurbishment Fa...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the SRB Assembly and Refurbishment Facility, STS-114 crew members look at test designs of the bolt catcher insulation. Starting from left are Mission Specialists Stephen Robin... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Under a feather-painted sky, Space Shuttle Atlantis, mounted on a mobile launch platform atop a crawler transporter, creeps up the ramp to Launch Pad 39A. This is the second rollout for the shuttle. First motion out of the Vehicle Assembly Building was at 5:02 a.m. EDT. In late February, while Atlantis was on the launch pad, Atlantis' external tank received hail damage during a severe thunderstorm that passed through the Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39 area. The hail caused visible divots in the giant tank's foam insulation, as well as minor surface damage to about 26 heat shield tiles on the shuttle's left wing. The shuttle was returned to the VAB for repairs. The launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-117 is now targeted for June 8. A flight readiness review will be held on May 30 and 31. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-07pd1196

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Under a feather-painted sky, Space Shut...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Under a feather-painted sky, Space Shuttle Atlantis, mounted on a mobile launch platform atop a crawler transporter, creeps up the ramp to Launch Pad 39A. This is the second roll... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, heat lamps assist United Space Alliance technician Jeff Holmes in a putty repair on some of the high-temperature reusable surface insulation tiles, or HRSI tiles, on the lower forward fuselage of space shuttle Atlantis. An average of 125 tiles are replaced after each mission either due to handling damage or accumulated repairs. These black tiles are optimized for maximum emissivity, which means they lose heat faster than white tiles. This property is required to maximize heat rejection during the hot phase of reentry. Atlantis next is slated to deliver an Integrated Cargo Carrier and Russian-built Mini Research Module to the International Space Station on the STS-132 mission. Launch is targeted for May 14, 2010. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2009-6812

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1 at NASA's ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, heat lamps assist United Space Alliance technician Jeff Holmes in a putty repair on some of the high-temper... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United Space Alliance technician Jeff Holmes makes a putty repair on some of the high-temperature reusable surface insulation tiles, or HRSI tiles, on the lower forward fuselage of space shuttle Atlantis. An average of 125 tiles are replaced after each mission either due to handling damage or accumulated repairs. These black tiles are optimized for maximum emissivity, which means they lose heat faster than white tiles. This property is required to maximize heat rejection during the hot phase of reentry. Atlantis next is slated to deliver an Integrated Cargo Carrier and Russian-built Mini Research Module to the International Space Station on the STS-132 mission. Launch is targeted for May 14, 2010. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2009-6810

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1 at NASA's ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United Space Alliance technician Jeff Holmes makes a putty repair on some of the high-temperature reusable... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Columbia, atop its Mobile Launcher Platform, inches its way along the path to Launch Pad 39A. Columbia is scheduled to be launched Feb. 28 on mission STS-109, a Hubble Servicing Mission. The goal of the mission is to replace Solar Array 2 with Solar Array 3, replace the Power Control Unit, remove the Faint Object Camera and install the ACS, install the Near Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer (NICMOS) Cooling System, and install New Outer Blanket Layer insulation. The launch will be the first for Columbia after returning from California where it underwent extensive maintenance, inspections and enhancements. More than 100 upgrades make Columbia safer and more reliable than ever before KSC-02pd0047

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Columbia, atop its Mobile ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Columbia, atop its Mobile Launcher Platform, inches its way along the path to Launch Pad 39A. Columbia is scheduled to be launched Feb. 28 on mission STS-109, a Hubbl... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Seen from behind the mobile launcher platform, the orange external tank and solid rocket boosters all but hide Atlantis. The crawlerway stretches in a curve on the other side. The shuttle is being rolled back to the Vehicle Assembly Building where it will be examined for hail damage. A severe thunderstorm with golf ball-sized hail caused divots in the giant tank's foam insulation and minor surface damage to about 26 heat shield tiles on the shuttle's left wing. Further evaluation of the tank is necessary to get an accurate accounting of foam damage and determine the type of repair required and the time needed for that work. A new target launch date has not been determined, but teams will focus on preparing Atlantis for liftoff in late April. Photo credit: NASA/Amanda Diller KSC-07pd0554

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Seen from behind the mobile launcher p...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Seen from behind the mobile launcher platform, the orange external tank and solid rocket boosters all but hide Atlantis. The crawlerway stretches in a curve on the other side. ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Repair work to space shuttle Discovery's external fuel tank continues in the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Technicians are modifying 94 support beams, called stringers, on the tank's intertank region by fitting pieces of metal, called radius blocks, over the stringers' edges. After the modifications of the stringers are complete, foam insulation will be re-applied to the tank. Discovery's next launch opportunity to the International Space Station on the STS-133 mission is targeted for Feb. 24, 2011. For more information on STS-133, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-1122

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Repair work to space shuttle Discovery's external fuel tank continues in the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Technicians are modifying 94 support bea... More

STS-71 hardware assembly view. NASA public domain image. Kennedy space center.

STS-71 hardware assembly view. NASA public domain image. Kennedy space...

S94-47810 (2 Dec. 1994) --- Lockheed Space Operations Company workers in the Extended Duration Orbiter (EDO) Facility, located inside the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), carefully hoist the Orbiter Docking Sys... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The Space Shuttle orbiter Discovery touches down in darkness on Runway 15 of the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility, bringing to a close the 10-day STS-82 mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). Main gear touchdown was at 3:32:26 a.m. EST on February 21, 1997. It was the ninth nighttime landing in the history of the Shuttle program and the 35th landing at KSC. The first landing opportunity at KSC was waved off because of low clouds in the area. The seven-member crew performed a record-tying five back-to-back extravehicular activities (EVAs) or spacewalks to service the telescope, which has been in orbit for nearly seven years. Two new scientific instruments were installed, replacing two outdated instruments. Five spacewalks also were performed on the first servicing mission, STS-61, in December 1993. Only four spacewalks were scheduled for STS-82, but a fifth one was added during the flight to install several thermal blankets over some aging insulation covering three HST compartments containing key data processing, electronics and scientific instrument telemetry packages. Crew members are Mission Commander Kenneth D. Bowersox, Pilot Scott J. "Doc" Horowitz, Payload Commander Mark C. Lee, and Mission Specialists Steven L. Smith, Gregory J. Harbaugh, Joseph R. "Joe" Tanner and Steven A. Hawley. STS-82 was the 82nd Space Shuttle flight and the second mission of 1997 KSC-97pc352

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The Space Shuttle orbiter Discovery touc...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The Space Shuttle orbiter Discovery touches down in darkness on Runway 15 of the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility, bringing to a close the 10-day STS-82 mission to service the Hubble S... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- Under the cover of darkness, the Space Shuttle orbiter Discovery glides in for a landing on Runway 15 at KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility at the conclusion of a 10-day mission to service the orbiting Hubble Space Telescope (HST). New runway centerline lights provide an additional visual aid for the nighttime landings. STS-82 is the ninth Shuttle nighttime landing, and the fourth nighttime landing at KSC. The seven-member crew performed a record-tying five back-to-back extravehicular activities (EVAs) or spacewalks to service the telescope, which has been in orbit for nearly seven years. Two new scientific instruments were installed, replacing two outdated instruments. Five spacewalks also were performed on the first servicing mission, STS-61, in December 1993. Only four spacewalks were scheduled for STS-82, but a fifth one was added during the flight to install several thermal blankets over some aging insulation covering three HST compartments containing key data processing, electronics and scientific instrument telemetry packages. Crew members are Mission Commander Kenneth D. Bowersox, Pilot Scott J. "Doc" Horowitz, Payload Commander Mark C. Lee, and Mission Specialists Steven L. Smith, Gregory J. Harbaugh, Joseph R. "Joe" Tanner and Steven A. Hawley. STS-82 was the 82nd Space Shuttle flight and the second mission of 1997 KSC-97pc353

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- Under the cover of darkness, the Space S...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- Under the cover of darkness, the Space Shuttle orbiter Discovery glides in for a landing on Runway 15 at KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility at the conclusion of a 10-day mission to ser... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- Under the cover of darkness, the Space Shuttle orbiter Discovery glides in for a landing on Runway 15 at KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility at the conclusion of a 10-day mission to service the orbiting Hubble Space Telescope (HST). New runway centerline lights provide an additional visual aid for the nighttime landings. STS-82 is the ninth Shuttle nighttime landing, and the fourth nighttime landing at KSC. The seven-member crew performed a record-tying five back-to-back extravehicular activities (EVAs) or spacewalks to service the telescope, which has been in orbit for nearly seven years. Two new scientific instruments were installed, replacing two outdated instruments. Five spacewalks also were performed on the first servicing mission, STS-61, in December 1993. Only four spacewalks were scheduled for STS-82, but a fifth one was added during the flight to install several thermal blankets over some aging insulation covering three HST compartments containing key data processing, electronics and scientific instrument telemetry packages. Crew members are Mission Commander Kenneth D. Bowersox, Pilot Scott J. "Doc" Horowitz, Payload Commander Mark C. Lee, and Mission Specialists Steven L. Smith, Gregory J. Harbaugh, Joseph R. "Joe" Tanner and Steven A. Hawley. STS-82 was the 82nd Space Shuttle flight and the second mission of 1997 KSC-97pc351

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- Under the cover of darkness, the Space S...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- Under the cover of darkness, the Space Shuttle orbiter Discovery glides in for a landing on Runway 15 at KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility at the conclusion of a 10-day mission to ser... More

The STS-82 crew stands in front of the Space Shuttle Discovery after landing at KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility on Runway 15 to conclude a 10-day mission to service the orbiting Hubble Space Telescope (HST). Crew members are (from left to right) Mission Specialist Steven A. Hawley, Mission Commander Kenneth D. Bowersox, Mission Specialist Joseph R. "Joe" Tanner, Pilot Scott J. "Doc" Horowitz, Mission Specialist Gregory J. Harbaugh, Payload Commander Mark C. Lee and Mission Specialist Steven L. Smith. STS-82 is the ninth Shuttle nighttime landing, and the fourth nighttime landing at KSC. The seven-member crew performed a record-tying five back-to-back extravehicular activities (EVAs) or spacewalks to service the telescope, which has been in orbit for nearly seven years. Two new scientific instruments were installed, replacing two outdated instruments. Five spacewalks also were performed on the first servicing mission, STS-61, in December 1993. Only four spacewalks were scheduled for STS-82, but a fifth one was added during the flight to install several thermal blankets over some aging insulation covering three HST compartments containing key data processing, electronics and scientific instrument telemetry packages. STS-82 was the 82nd Space Shuttle flight and the second mission of 1997 KSC-97pc354

The STS-82 crew stands in front of the Space Shuttle Discovery after l...

The STS-82 crew stands in front of the Space Shuttle Discovery after landing at KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility on Runway 15 to conclude a 10-day mission to service the orbiting Hubble Space Telescope (HST). Cre... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- Under the cover of darkness, the Space Shuttle orbiter Discovery glides in for a landing on Runway 15 at KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility at the conclusion of a 10-day mission to service the orbiting Hubble Space Telescope (HST). New runway centerline lights provide an additional visual aid for the nighttime landings. STS-82 is the ninth Shuttle nighttime landing, and the fourth nighttime landing at KSC. The seven-member crew performed a record-tying five back-to-back extravehicular activities (EVAs) or spacewalks to service the telescope, which has been in orbit for nearly seven years. Two new scientific instruments were installed, replacing two outdated instruments. Five spacewalks also were performed on the first servicing mission, STS-61, in December 1993. Only four spacewalks were scheduled for STS-82, but a fifth one was added during the flight to install several thermal blankets over some aging insulation covering three HST compartments containing key data processing, electronics and scientific instrument telemetry packages. Crew members are Mission Commander Kenneth D. Bowersox, Pilot Scott J. "Doc" Horowitz, Payload Commander Mark C. Lee, and Mission Specialists Steven L. Smith, Gregory J. Harbaugh, Joseph R. "Joe" Tanner and Steven A. Hawley. STS-82 was the 82nd Space Shuttle flight and the second mission of 1997 KSC-97pc350

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- Under the cover of darkness, the Space S...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- Under the cover of darkness, the Space Shuttle orbiter Discovery glides in for a landing on Runway 15 at KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility at the conclusion of a 10-day mission to ser... More

Accompanied by former astronaut Michael J. McCulley, several members of the STS-82 crew look at thermal protection system tile under the Space Shuttle Discovery on the runway at the Shuttle Landing Facility shortly after the conclusion of a 10-day mission to service the orbiting Hubble Space Telescope (HST). From left to right, they are Mission Specialist Steven A. Hawley; Michael J. McCulley, currently vice president and associate program manager for ground operations for the United Space Alliance at KSC; Mission Specialists Joseph R. "Joe" Tanner and Steven L. Smith (back to camera); and Payload Commander Mark C. Lee. STS-82 is the ninth Shuttle nighttime landing, and the fourth nighttime landing at KSC. The seven-member crew performed a record-tying five back-to-back extravehicular activities (EVAs) or spacewalks to service the telescope, which has been in orbit for nearly seven years. Two new scientific instruments were installed, replacing two outdated instruments. Five spacewalks also were performed on the first servicing mission, STS-61, in December 1993. Only four spacewalks were scheduled for STS-82, but a fifth one was added during the flight to install several thermal blankets over some aging insulation covering three HST compartments containing key data processing, electronics and scientific instrument telemetry packages. STS-82 was the 82nd Space Shuttle flight and the second mission of 1997 KSC-97pc355

Accompanied by former astronaut Michael J. McCulley, several members o...

Accompanied by former astronaut Michael J. McCulley, several members of the STS-82 crew look at thermal protection system tile under the Space Shuttle Discovery on the runway at the Shuttle Landing Facility sho... More

Yesterday, NASA decided to postpone for 24-hours the launch of Columbia on mission STS-83 due to a requirement to add additional thermal insulation to water coolant lines in the orbiter's payload bay. The water coolant lines are seen here winding their way around the window on the left. Managers determined that the lines, which cool various electronics on the orbiter, were not properly insulated and could possibly freeze during Columbia's 16-days in space. Columbia's launch is now set for 2:00 p.m. EST on Friday, April 4, 1997 KSC-97pc559

Yesterday, NASA decided to postpone for 24-hours the launch of Columbi...

Yesterday, NASA decided to postpone for 24-hours the launch of Columbia on mission STS-83 due to a requirement to add additional thermal insulation to water coolant lines in the orbiter's payload bay. The water... More

An employee in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) sews thermal insulation material on the front heat shield of the Huygens probe during prelaunch processing testing and integration in that facility, with the probe’s back cover in the background. The Huygens probe and the Cassini orbiter being processed at KSC are the two primary components of the Cassini spacecraft, which will be launched on a Titan IVB/Centaur expendable launch vehicle from Cape Canaveral Air Station. Cassini will explore Saturn, its rings and moons for four years. The Huygens probe, designed and developed for the European Space Agency (ESA), will be deployed from the orbiter to study the clouds, atmosphere and surface of Saturn’s largest moon, Titan. The orbiter was designed and assembled at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. Following postflight inspections, integration of the 12 science instruments not already installed on the orbiter will be completed. Then, the parabolic high-gain antenna and the propulsion module will be mated to the orbiter, followed by the Huygens probe, which will complete spacecraft integration. The Cassini mission is targeted for an Oct. 6 launch to begin its 6.7-year journey to the Saturnian system. Arrival at the planet is expected to occur around July 1, 2004 KSC-97pc729

An employee in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) sews th...

An employee in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) sews thermal insulation material on the front heat shield of the Huygens probe during prelaunch processing testing and integration in that facility... More

An employee in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) sews thermal insulation material on the back cover and heat shield of the Huygens probe during prelaunch processing, testing and integration in that facility. The Huygens probe and the Cassini orbiter being processed at KSC are the two primary components of the Cassini spacecraft, which will be launched on a Titan IVB/Centaur expendable launch vehicle from Cape Canaveral Air Station. Cassini will explore Saturn, its rings and moons for four years. The Huygens probe, designed and developed for the European Space Agency (ESA), will be deployed from the orbiter to study the clouds, atmosphere and surface of Saturn’s largest moon, Titan. The orbiter was designed and assembled at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. Following postflight inspections, integration of the 12 science instruments not already installed on the orbiter will be completed. Then, the parabolic high-gain antenna and the propulsion module will be mated to the orbiter, followed by the Huygens probe, which will complete spacecraft integration. The Cassini mission is targeted for an Oct. 6 launch to begin its 6.7-year journey to the Saturnian system. Arrival at the planet is expected to occur around July 1, 2004 KSC-97pc728

An employee in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) sews th...

An employee in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) sews thermal insulation material on the back cover and heat shield of the Huygens probe during prelaunch processing, testing and integration in tha... More

Employees of Daimler-Benz Aerospace in the Multi-Payload Processing Facility install insulation on the Cryogenic Infrared Spectro-meters and Telescopes for the Atmosphere-Shuttle Pallet Satellite-2 (CRISTA-SPAS-2) payload for the STS-85 mission. The CRISTA is a system of three telescopes and four spectrometers to measure infrared radiation emitted by the Earth’s middle atmosphere. During the 11- day mission, the CRISTA-SPAS-2 free-flying satellite will be deployed from the Space Shuttle Discovery and retrieved later in the flight. Also onboard the satellite will be the Middle Atmosphere High Resolution Spectrograph Investigation (MAHRSI) to measure ultraviolet radiation emitted and scattered by the Earth’s atmosphere KSC-97pc769

Employees of Daimler-Benz Aerospace in the Multi-Payload Processing Fa...

Employees of Daimler-Benz Aerospace in the Multi-Payload Processing Facility install insulation on the Cryogenic Infrared Spectro-meters and Telescopes for the Atmosphere-Shuttle Pallet Satellite-2 (CRISTA-SPAS... More

Employees of Daimler-Benz Aerospace in the Multi-Payload Processing Facility install insulation on the Cryogenic Infrared Spectro-meters and Telescopes for the Atmosphere-Shuttle Pallet Satellite-2 (CRISTA-SPAS-2) payload for the STS-85 mission. The CRISTA is a system of three telescopes and four spectrometers to measure infrared radiation emitted by the Earth’s middle atmosphere. During the 11- day mission, the CRISTA-SPAS-2 free-flying satellite will be deployed from the Space Shuttle Discovery and retrieved later in the flight. Also onboard the satellite will be the Middle Atmosphere High Resolution Spectrograph Investigation (MAHRSI) to measure ultraviolet radiation emitted and scattered by the Earth’s atmosphere KSC-97pc770

Employees of Daimler-Benz Aerospace in the Multi-Payload Processing Fa...

Employees of Daimler-Benz Aerospace in the Multi-Payload Processing Facility install insulation on the Cryogenic Infrared Spectro-meters and Telescopes for the Atmosphere-Shuttle Pallet Satellite-2 (CRISTA-SPAS... More

Employees of Daimler-Benz Aerospace in the Multi-Payload Processing Facility install insulation on the Cryogenic Infrared Spectro-meters and Telescopes for the Atmosphere-Shuttle Pallet Satellite-2 (CRISTA-SPAS-2) payload for the STS-85 mission. The CRISTA is a system of three telescopes and four spectrometers to measure infrared radiation emitted by the Earth’s middle atmosphere. During the 11- day mission, the CRISTA-SPAS-2 free-flying satellite will be deployed from the Space Shuttle Discovery and retrieved later in the flight. Also onboard the satellite will be the Middle Atmosphere High Resolution Spectrograph Investigation (MAHRSI) to measure ultraviolet radiation emitted and scattered by the Earth’s atmosphere KSC-97pc771

Employees of Daimler-Benz Aerospace in the Multi-Payload Processing Fa...

Employees of Daimler-Benz Aerospace in the Multi-Payload Processing Facility install insulation on the Cryogenic Infrared Spectro-meters and Telescopes for the Atmosphere-Shuttle Pallet Satellite-2 (CRISTA-SPAS... More

A Daimler-Benz Aerospace staff member installs thermal blanket insulation on the back cover of the Huygens probe in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at KSC in July. Instruments mounted on the probe, which is owned by the European Space Agency (ESA), will receive atmospheric and surface data on Saturn’s main moon, Titan, to send back to Earth as part of the Cassini mission. The back cover, yet to be attached to the Cassini orbiter, will protect the probe during descent onto Titan. A four-year, close-up study of the Saturnian system, the mission is scheduled for launch from Cape Canaveral Air Station in October 1997. It will take seven years for the spacecraft to reach Saturn. Aerospatiale is the prime contractor for ESA KSC-97PC1024

A Daimler-Benz Aerospace staff member installs thermal blanket insula...

A Daimler-Benz Aerospace staff member installs thermal blanket insulation on the back cover of the Huygens probe in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at KSC in July. Instruments mounted on the probe, w... More

A crane lowers a protective transportation cover over the Cassini spacecraft, with its attached Huygens probe, at Launch Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Station for the spacecraft’s return trip to the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF). Damage to thermal insulation was discovered inside Huygens from an abnormally high flow of conditioned air. Further internal inspection, insulation repair and a cleaning of the probe are now required. Mission managers are targeting a mid-October launch date after Cassini returns to the pad and is once again placed atop its Titan IVB expendable launch vehicle. Cassini will explore the Saturnian system, including the planet’s rings, while the Huygens probe will explore the moon Titan KSC-97PC1348

A crane lowers a protective transportation cover over the Cassini spac...

A crane lowers a protective transportation cover over the Cassini spacecraft, with its attached Huygens probe, at Launch Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Station for the spacecraft’s return trip to the Payload Haza... More

The Cassini spacecraft, with its attached Huygens probe, is lowered from Launch Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Station for its return trip to the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF). Damage to thermal insulation was discovered inside Huygens from an abnormally high flow of conditioned air. Further internal inspection, insulation repair and a cleaning of the probe are now required. Mission managers are targeting a mid-October launch date after Cassini returns to the pad and is once again placed atop its Titan IVB expendable launch vehicle. Cassini will explore the Saturnian system, including the planet’s rings, while the Huygens probe will explore the moon Titan KSC-97PC1347

The Cassini spacecraft, with its attached Huygens probe, is lowered fr...

The Cassini spacecraft, with its attached Huygens probe, is lowered from Launch Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Station for its return trip to the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF). Damage to thermal ins... More

Workers in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) finish the removal of a protective cover from the Cassini spacecraft with its attached Huygens probe. Damage to thermal insulation was discovered inside Huygens from an abnormally high flow of conditioned air. Further internal inspection, insulation repair and a cleaning of the probe are now required. Mission managers are targeting a mid-October launch date after Cassini returns to the pad and is once again placed atop its Titan IVB expendable launch vehicle at Launch Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Station. Cassini will explore the Saturnian system, including the planet’s rings, while the Huygens probe will explore the moon Titan KSC-97PC1350

Workers in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) finish the ...

Workers in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) finish the removal of a protective cover from the Cassini spacecraft with its attached Huygens probe. Damage to thermal insulation was discovered insid... More

Workers in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) begin to remove a protective cover from the Cassini spacecraft with its attached Huygens probe. Damage to thermal insulation was discovered inside Huygens from an abnormally high flow of conditioned air. Further internal inspection, insulation repair and a cleaning of the probe are now required. Mission managers are targeting a mid-October launch date after Cassini returns to the pad and is once again placed atop its Titan IVB expendable launch vehicle at Launch Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Station. Cassini will explore the Saturnian system, including the planet’s rings, while the Huygens probe will explore the moon Titan KSC-97PC1349

Workers in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) begin to re...

Workers in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) begin to remove a protective cover from the Cassini spacecraft with its attached Huygens probe. Damage to thermal insulation was discovered inside Huyg... More

Workers remove the Huygens probe from the Cassini spacecraft in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) at KSC. The spacecraft was returned to the PHSF after damage to thermal insulation was discovered inside Huygens from an abnormally high flow of conditioned air. Further internal inspection, insulation repair and a cleaning of the probe are now required. Mission managers are targeting a mid-October launch date after Cassini returns to the pad and is once again placed atop its Titan IVB expendable launch vehicle at Launch Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Station KSC-97PC1363

Workers remove the Huygens probe from the Cassini spacecraft in the Pa...

Workers remove the Huygens probe from the Cassini spacecraft in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) at KSC. The spacecraft was returned to the PHSF after damage to thermal insulation was discovered ... More

Workers remove the Huygens probe from the Cassini spacecraft in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) at KSC. The spacecraft was returned to the PHSF after damage to thermal insulation was discovered inside Huygens from an abnormally high flow of conditioned air. Further internal inspection, insulation repair and a cleaning of the probe are now required. Mission managers are targeting a mid-October launch date after Cassini returns to the pad and is once again placed atop its Titan IVB expendable launch vehicle at Launch Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Station KSC-97PC1362

Workers remove the Huygens probe from the Cassini spacecraft in the Pa...

Workers remove the Huygens probe from the Cassini spacecraft in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) at KSC. The spacecraft was returned to the PHSF after damage to thermal insulation was discovered ... More

Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) workers remove the Huygens probe from the Cassini spacecraft in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) at KSC. The spacecraft was returned to the PHSF after damage to thermal insulation was discovered inside Huygens from an abnormally high flow of conditioned air. Further internal inspection, insulation repair and a cleaning of the probe are now required. Mission managers are targeting a mid-October launch date after Cassini returns to the pad and is once again placed atop its Titan IVB expendable launch vehicle at Launch Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Station KSC-97PC1360

Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) workers remove the Huygens probe from ...

Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) workers remove the Huygens probe from the Cassini spacecraft in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) at KSC. The spacecraft was returned to the PHSF after damage to th... More

Workers remove the Huygens probe from the Cassini spacecraft in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) at KSC. The spacecraft was returned to the PHSF after damage to thermal insulation was discovered inside Huygens from an abnormally high flow of conditioned air. Further internal inspection, insulation repair and a cleaning of the probe are now required. Mission managers are targeting a mid-October launch date after Cassini returns to the pad and is once again placed atop its Titan IVB expendable launch vehicle at Launch Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Station KSC-97PC1361

Workers remove the Huygens probe from the Cassini spacecraft in the Pa...

Workers remove the Huygens probe from the Cassini spacecraft in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) at KSC. The spacecraft was returned to the PHSF after damage to thermal insulation was discovered ... More

Dornier Satelliten Systeme (DSS) workers lift the front heat shield of the Huygens probe in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) at KSC. The spacecraft was returned to the PHSF after damage to thermal insulation was discovered inside Huygens from an abnormally high flow of conditioned air. Internal inspection, insulation repair and a cleaning of the probe were required. Mission managers are targeting a mid-October launch date after the Cassini spacecraft, aboard which Huygens will be launched, returns to the pad and is once again placed atop its Titan IVB expendable launch vehicle at Launch Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Station KSC-97PC1395

Dornier Satelliten Systeme (DSS) workers lift the front heat shield of...

Dornier Satelliten Systeme (DSS) workers lift the front heat shield of the Huygens probe in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) at KSC. The spacecraft was returned to the PHSF after damage to therma... More

Dornier Satelliten Systeme (DSS) workers lift part of the Huygens probe aft cover assembly in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) at KSC. The spacecraft was returned to the PHSF after damage to thermal insulation was discovered inside Huygens from an abnormally high flow of conditioned air. Internal inspection, insulation repair and a cleaning of the probe were required. Mission managers are targeting a mid-October launch date after the Cassini spacecraft, aboard which Huygens will be launched, returns to the pad and is once again placed atop its Titan IVB expendable launch vehicle at Launch Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Station KSC-97PC1394

Dornier Satelliten Systeme (DSS) workers lift part of the Huygens prob...

Dornier Satelliten Systeme (DSS) workers lift part of the Huygens probe aft cover assembly in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) at KSC. The spacecraft was returned to the PHSF after damage to ther... More

Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) workers examine the Huygens probe after removal from the Cassini spacecraft in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) at KSC. The spacecraft was returned to the PHSF after damage to thermal insulation was discovered inside Huygens from an abnormally high flow of conditioned air. Internal inspection, insulation repair and a cleaning of the probe were required. Mission managers are targeting a mid-October launch date after Cassini returns to the pad and is once again placed atop its Titan IVB expendable launch vehicle at Launch Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Station KSC-97PC1392

Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) workers examine the Huygens probe afte...

Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) workers examine the Huygens probe after removal from the Cassini spacecraft in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) at KSC. The spacecraft was returned to the PHSF aft... More

Pieces of the Huygens probe internal insulating foam await inspection after removal from the probe in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) at KSC. The spacecraft was returned to the PHSF after damage to thermal insulation was discovered inside Huygens from an abnormally high flow of conditioned air. Internal inspection, insulation repair and a cleaning of the probe were required. Mission managers are targeting a mid-October launch date after Cassini returns to the pad and is once again placed atop its Titan IVB expendable launch vehicle at Launch Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Station KSC-97PC1393

Pieces of the Huygens probe internal insulating foam await inspection ...

Pieces of the Huygens probe internal insulating foam await inspection after removal from the probe in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) at KSC. The spacecraft was returned to the PHSF after damage... More

Dornier Satelliten Systeme (DSS) workers place the back cover of the Huygens probe under its front heat shield in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) at KSC. The spacecraft was returned to the PHSF after damage to thermal insulation was discovered inside Huygens from an abnormally high flow of conditioned air. Internal inspection, insulation repair and a cleaning of the probe were required. Mission managers are targeting a mid-October launch date after the Cassini spacecraft, aboard which Huygens will be launched, returns to the pad and is once again placed atop its Titan IVB expendable launch vehicle at Launch Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Station KSC-97PC1390

Dornier Satelliten Systeme (DSS) workers place the back cover of the H...

Dornier Satelliten Systeme (DSS) workers place the back cover of the Huygens probe under its front heat shield in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) at KSC. The spacecraft was returned to the PHSF ... More

Dornier Satelliten Systeme (DSS) workers lift the heat shield of the Huygens probe in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) at KSC. The spacecraft was returned to the PHSF after damage to thermal insulation was discovered inside Huygens from an abnormally high flow of conditioned air. Internal inspection, insulation repair and a cleaning of the probe were required. Mission managers are targeting a mid-October launch date after the Cassini spacecraft, aboard which Huygens will be launched, returns to the pad and is once again placed atop its Titan IVB expendable launch vehicle at Launch Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Station KSC-97PC1388

Dornier Satelliten Systeme (DSS) workers lift the heat shield of the H...

Dornier Satelliten Systeme (DSS) workers lift the heat shield of the Huygens probe in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) at KSC. The spacecraft was returned to the PHSF after damage to thermal insu... More

Dornier Satelliten Systeme (DSS) workers place the back cover of the Huygens probe under its front heat shield in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) at KSC. The spacecraft was returned to the PHSF after damage to thermal insulation was discovered inside Huygens from an abnormally high flow of conditioned air. Internal inspection, insulation repair and a cleaning of the probe were required. Mission managers are targeting a mid-October launch date after the Cassini spacecraft, aboard which Huygens will be launched, returns to the pad and is once again placed atop its Titan IVB expendable launch vehicle at Launch Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Station KSC-97PC1391

Dornier Satelliten Systeme (DSS) workers place the back cover of the H...

Dornier Satelliten Systeme (DSS) workers place the back cover of the Huygens probe under its front heat shield in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) at KSC. The spacecraft was returned to the PHSF ... More

Dornier Satelliten Systeme (DSS) workers lift the heat shield of the Huygens probe in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) at KSC. The spacecraft was returned to the PHSF after damage to thermal insulation was discovered inside Huygens from an abnormally high flow of conditioned air. Internal inspection, insulation repair and a cleaning of the probe were required. Mission managers are targeting a mid-October launch date after the Cassini spacecraft, aboard which Huygens will be launched, returns to the pad and is once again placed atop its Titan IVB expendable launch vehicle at Launch Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Station KSC-97PC1389

Dornier Satelliten Systeme (DSS) workers lift the heat shield of the H...

Dornier Satelliten Systeme (DSS) workers lift the heat shield of the Huygens probe in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) at KSC. The spacecraft was returned to the PHSF after damage to thermal insu... More

United States Microgravity Payload-4 (USMP-4) experiments are prepared to be flown on Space Shuttle mission STS-87 in the Space Station Processing Facility at Kennedy Space Center (KSC). The large white vertical cylinder in the middle of the photo is the Advanced Automated Directional Solidification Furnace (AADSF) and the horizontal tube to its left is MEPHISTO, the French acronym for a cooperative American-French investigation of the fundamentals of crystal growth. Seen to the right of the AADSF is the Isothermal Dendritic Growth Experiment (IDGE), which will be used to study the dendritic solidification of molten materials in the microgravity environment. Under the multi-layer insulation with the American flag and mission logo is the Space Acceleration Measurement System, or SAMS, which measures the microgravity conditions in which the experiments are conducted. All of these experiments are scheduled for launch aboard STS-87 on Nov. 19 from KSC KSC-97PC1461

United States Microgravity Payload-4 (USMP-4) experiments are prepared...

United States Microgravity Payload-4 (USMP-4) experiments are prepared to be flown on Space Shuttle mission STS-87 in the Space Station Processing Facility at Kennedy Space Center (KSC). The large white vertica... More

United States Microgravity Payload-4 (USMP-4) experiments are prepared to be flown on Space Shuttle mission STS-87 in the Space Station Processing Facility at Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Seen in the foreground at right is the USMP-4 logo with the acronyms of its experiments. Above the American flag at left is the MEPHISTO experiment, a cooperative American and French investigation of the fundamentals of crystal growth. Scientists will study changes in solidification rates, temperature, and interface shape of an alloy to understand how these changes affect composition and properties of the metal produced. Under the multi-layer insulation with the American flag and mission logo is the Space Acceleration Measurement System, or SAMS, which measures the microgravity conditions in which the experiments are conducted. All USMP-4 experiments are scheduled for launch aboard STS-87 on Nov. 19 from KSC KSC-97PC1460

United States Microgravity Payload-4 (USMP-4) experiments are prepared...

United States Microgravity Payload-4 (USMP-4) experiments are prepared to be flown on Space Shuttle mission STS-87 in the Space Station Processing Facility at Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Seen in the foreground ... More

United States Microgravity Payload-4 (USMP-4) experiments are prepared to be flown on Space Shuttle mission STS-87 in the Space Station Processing Facility at Kennedy Space Center (KSC). The large white vertical cylinder in the center of the photo is the Advanced Automated Directional Solidification Furnace (AADSF) and the horizontal tube to the left of it is MEPHISTO, a French acronym for a cooperative American-French investigation of the fundamentals of crystal growth. Seen at right behind the AADSF in the circular white cover is the Isothermal Dendritic Growth Experiment (IDGE), which will be used to study the dendritic solidification of molten materials in the microgravity environment. Under the multi-layer insulation with the American flag and mission logo is the Space Acceleration Measurement System, or SAMS, which measures the microgravity conditions in which the experiments are conducted. All of these experiments are scheduled for launch aboard STS-87 on Nov. 19 from KSC KSC-97PC1458

United States Microgravity Payload-4 (USMP-4) experiments are prepared...

United States Microgravity Payload-4 (USMP-4) experiments are prepared to be flown on Space Shuttle mission STS-87 in the Space Station Processing Facility at Kennedy Space Center (KSC). The large white vertica... More

In the Tile Fabrication Shop, Tony Rollins, with United Space Alliance, cuts a High-Temperature Reusable Surface Insulation (HRSI) tile on a gun stock contour milling machine. About 70 percent of a Space Shuttle orbiter’s external surface is shielded from heat by a network of more than 24,000 tiles formed from a silica fiber compound. HRSI tiles cover the lower surface of the orbiter, areas around the forward windows, upper body flap, the base heat shield, the "eyeballs" on the front of the Orbital Maneuvering System (OMS) pods, and the leading and trailing edges of the vertical stabilizer and the rudder speed brake. They are generally 6 inches square, but may also be as large as 12 inches square in some areas, and 1 to 5 inches thick. More advanced materials such as Flexible Insulation Blankets have replaced tiles on some upper surfaces of the orbiter KSC-98pc930

In the Tile Fabrication Shop, Tony Rollins, with United Space Alliance...

In the Tile Fabrication Shop, Tony Rollins, with United Space Alliance, cuts a High-Temperature Reusable Surface Insulation (HRSI) tile on a gun stock contour milling machine. About 70 percent of a Space Shuttl... More

In the Tile Fabrication Shop, Tony Rollins, with United Space Alliance, holds down a curtain while making a test sample of tile on a block 5-axis computerized numerical control milling machine. About 70 percent of a Space Shuttle orbiter’s external surface is shielded from heat by a network of more than 24,000 tiles formed from a silica fiber compound. They are known as High-Temperature Reusable Surface Insulation (HRSI) tiles and Low-Temperature Reusable Surface Insulation (LRSI) tiles. Most HRSI tiles are 6 inches square, but may be as large as 12 inches in some areas, and 1 to 5 inches thick. LRSI tiles are generally 8 inches square, ranging from 0.2to 1-inch thick. More advanced materials such as Flexible Insulation Blankets have replaced tiles on some upper surfaces of the orbiter KSC-98pc929

In the Tile Fabrication Shop, Tony Rollins, with United Space Alliance...

In the Tile Fabrication Shop, Tony Rollins, with United Space Alliance, holds down a curtain while making a test sample of tile on a block 5-axis computerized numerical control milling machine. About 70 percent... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility, workers complete the insulation of Deep Space 1. The first flight in NASA's New Millennium Program, Deep Space 1 is designed to validate 12 new technologies for scientific space missions of the next century. Onboard experiments include an ion propulsion engine and software that tracks celestial bodies so the spacecraft can make its own navigation decisions without the intervention of ground controllers. Deep Space 1 will complete most of its mission objectives within the first two months, but may also do a flyby of a near-Earth asteroid, 1992 KD, in July 1999. Deep Space 1 will be launched aboard a Boeing Delta 7326 rocket from Launch Pad 17A, Cape Canaveral Air Station, in October. Delta II rockets are medium capacity expendable launch vehicles derived from the Delta family of rockets built and launched since 1960. Since then there have been more than 245 Delta launches KSC-98pc1182

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facil...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility, workers complete the insulation of Deep Space 1. The first flight in NASA's New Millennium Program, Deep Space 1 is designed to validat... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Workers in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility begin installing blanket insulation on Deep Space 1. The first flight in NASA's New Millennium Program, Deep Space 1 is designed to validate 12 new technologies for scientific space missions of the next century. Onboard experiments include an ion propulsion engine and software that tracks celestial bodies so the spacecraft can make its own navigation decisions without the intervention of ground controllers. Deep Space 1 will complete most of its mission objectives within the first two months, but may also do a flyby of a near-Earth asteroid, 1992 KD, in July 1999. Deep Space 1 will be launched aboard a Boeing Delta 7326 rocket from Launch Pad 17A, Cape Canaveral Air Station, in October. Delta II rockets are medium capacity expendable launch vehicles derived from the Delta family of rockets built and launched since 1960. Since then there have been more than 245 Delta launches KSC-98pc1174

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Workers in the Payload Hazardous Servici...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Workers in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility begin installing blanket insulation on Deep Space 1. The first flight in NASA's New Millennium Program, Deep Space 1 is designed... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Workers in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility finish installing blanket insulation on Deep Space 1. The first flight in NASA's New Millennium Program, Deep Space 1 is designed to validate 12 new technologies for scientific space missions of the next century. Onboard experiments include an ion propulsion engine and software that tracks celestial bodies so the spacecraft can make its own navigation decisions without the intervention of ground controllers. Deep Space 1 will complete most of its mission objectives within the first two months, but may also do a flyby of a near-Earth asteroid, 1992 KD, in July 1999. Deep Space 1 will be launched aboard a Boeing Delta 7326 rocket from Launch Pad 17A, Cape Canaveral Air Station, in October. Delta II rockets are medium capacity expendable launch vehicles derived from the Delta family of rockets built and launched since 1960. Since then there have been more than 245 Delta launches KSC-98pc1176

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Workers in the Payload Hazardous Servici...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Workers in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility finish installing blanket insulation on Deep Space 1. The first flight in NASA's New Millennium Program, Deep Space 1 is designe... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Workers in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility install blanket insulation on Deep Space 1. The first flight in NASA's New Millennium Program, Deep Space 1 is designed to validate 12 new technologies for scientific space missions of the next century. Onboard experiments include an ion propulsion engine and software that tracks celestial bodies so the spacecraft can make its own navigation decisions without the intervention of ground controllers. Deep Space 1 will complete most of its mission objectives within the first two months, but may also do a flyby of a near-Earth asteroid, 1992 KD, in July 1999. Deep Space 1 will be launched aboard a Boeing Delta 7326 rocket from Launch Pad 17A, Cape Canaveral Air Station, in October. Delta II rockets are medium capacity expendable launch vehicles derived from the Delta family of rockets built and launched since 1960. Since then there have been more than 245 Delta launches KSC-98pc1175

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Workers in the Payload Hazardous Servici...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Workers in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility install blanket insulation on Deep Space 1. The first flight in NASA's New Millennium Program, Deep Space 1 is designed to valid... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Deep Space 1 rests on its work platform after being fitted with thermal insulation. The reflective insulation is designed to protect the spacecraft as this side faces the sun. At either side of the spacecraft are its solar wings, folded for launch. When fully extended, the wings measure 38.6 feet from tip to tip. The first flight in NASA's New Millennium Program, Deep Space 1 is designed to validate 12 new technologies for scientific space missions of the next century. Onboard experiments include a solar-powered ion propulsion engine and software that tracks celestial bodies so the spacecraft can make its own navigation decisions without the intervention of ground controllers. The ion propulsion engine is the first non-chemical propulsion to be used as the primary means of propelling a spacecraft. Deep Space 1 will complete most of its mission objectives within the first two months, but may also do a flyby of a near-Earth asteroid, 1992 KD, in July 1999. Deep Space 1 will be launched aboard a Boeing Delta 7326 rocket from Launch Pad 17A, Cape Canaveral Air Station, in October. Delta II rockets are medium capacity expendable launch vehicles derived from the Delta family of rockets built and launched since 1960. Since then there have been more than 245 Delta launches KSC-98pc1189

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Deep Space 1 rests on its work platform ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Deep Space 1 rests on its work platform after being fitted with thermal insulation. The reflective insulation is designed to protect the spacecraft as this side faces the sun. At e... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Deep Space 1 rests on its work platform after being fitted with thermal insulation. The dark insulation is designed to protect the side of the spacecraft that faces away from the sun. At either side of the spacecraft are its solar wings, folded for launch. When fully extended, the wings measure 38.6 feet from tip to tip. The first flight in NASA's New Millennium Program, Deep Space 1 is designed to validate 12 new technologies for scientific space missions of the next century. Onboard experiments include a solar-powered ion propulsion engine and software that tracks celestial bodies so the spacecraft can make its own navigation decisions without the intervention of ground controllers. The ion propulsion engine is the first non-chemical propulsion to be used as the primary means of propelling a spacecraft. Deep Space 1 will complete most of its mission objectives within the first two months, but may also do a flyby of a near-Earth asteroid, 1992 KD, in July 1999. Deep Space 1 will be launched aboard a Boeing Delta 7326 rocket from Launch Pad 17A, Cape Canaveral Air Station, in October. Delta II rockets are medium capacity expendable launch vehicles derived from the Delta family of rockets built and launched since 1960. Since then there have been more than 245 Delta launches KSC-98pc1190

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Deep Space 1 rests on its work platform ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Deep Space 1 rests on its work platform after being fitted with thermal insulation. The dark insulation is designed to protect the side of the spacecraft that faces away from the s... More

In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility, Randy Scott, with Lockheed Martin Astronautics, checks insulation material on the <a href="http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/captions/subjects/stardust.htm">Stardust</a> spacecraft. Stardust will use a unique medium called aerogel to capture comet particles flying off the nucleus of comet Wild 2 in January 2004, plus collect interstellar dust for later analysis. The collected samples will return to Earth in the SRC to be jettisoned as it swings by Earth in January 2006. Stardust is scheduled to be launched aboard a Boeing Delta 7426 rocket from Complex 17, Cape Canaveral Air Station, on Feb. 6, 1999 KSC-98pc1892

In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility, Randy Scott, with Lockhee...

In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility, Randy Scott, with Lockheed Martin Astronautics, checks insulation material on the kscpao/captions/subjects/stardust.htm">Stardust</a> spacecraft. Stardust will use a... More

In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility, Randy Scott (left) and Pat Wedeman (right), with Lockheed Martin Astronautics, check the insulation material on the <a href="http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/captions/subjects/stardust.htm">Stardust</a> spacecraft. Stardust will use a unique medium called aerogel to capture comet particles flying off the nucleus of comet Wild 2 in January 2004, plus collect interstellar dust for later analysis. The collected samples will return to Earth in the SRC to be jettisoned as it swings by Earth in January 2006. Stardust is scheduled to be launched aboard a Boeing Delta 7426 rocket from Complex 17, Cape Canaveral Air Station, on Feb. 6, 1999 KSC-98pc1894

In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility, Randy Scott (left) and Pa...

In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility, Randy Scott (left) and Pat Wedeman (right), with Lockheed Martin Astronautics, check the insulation material on the kscpao/captions/subjects/stardust.htm">Stardust</... More

In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility, Randy Scott (left) and Pat Wedeman (right), with Lockheed Martin Astronautics, check the insulation on the <a href="http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/captions/subjects/stardust.htm">Stardust</a> spacecraft. Stardust will use a unique medium called aerogel to capture comet particles flying off the nucleus of comet Wild 2 in January 2004, plus collect interstellar dust for later analysis. The collected samples will return to Earth in the SRC to be jettisoned as it swings by Earth in January 2006. Stardust is scheduled to be launched aboard a Boeing Delta 7426 rocket from Complex 17, Cape Canaveral Air Station, on Feb. 6, 1999 KSC-98pc1895

In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility, Randy Scott (left) and Pa...

In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility, Randy Scott (left) and Pat Wedeman (right), with Lockheed Martin Astronautics, check the insulation on the kscpao/captions/subjects/stardust.htm">Stardust</a> spacec... More

At Launch Pad 39B, two holes caused by hail on Space Shuttle Discovery's external tank (ET) are visible. Left of the tank is one of the solid rocket boosters. Workers are investigating the damage and potential problems for launch posed by ice forming in the holes, which may number as many as 150 over the entire tank. The average size of the holes is one-half inch in diameter and one-tenth inch deep. The external tank contains the liquid hydrogen fuel and liquid oxygen oxidizer and supplies them under pressure to the three space shuttle main engines in the orbiter during liftoff and ascent. The ET thermal protection system consists of sprayed-on foam insulation. The Shuttle Discovery is targeted for launch of mission STS-96 on May 20 at 9:32 a.m KSC-99pp0517

At Launch Pad 39B, two holes caused by hail on Space Shuttle Discovery...

At Launch Pad 39B, two holes caused by hail on Space Shuttle Discovery's external tank (ET) are visible. Left of the tank is one of the solid rocket boosters. Workers are investigating the damage and potential ... More

A hole, created by recent hail storms, is identified as number one on the surface of the external tank (ET) mated to Space Shuttle Discovery at Launch Pad 39B. Workers are investigating the damage and potential problems for launch posed by ice forming in the holes, which may number as many as 150 over the entire tank. The average size of the holes is one-half inch in diameter and one-tenth inch deep. The external tank contains the liquid hydrogen fuel and liquid oxygen oxidizer and supplies them under pressure to the three space shuttle main engines in the orbiter during liftoff and ascent. The ET thermal protection system consists of sprayed-on foam insulation. The Shuttle Discovery is targeted for launch of mission STS-96 on May 20 at 9:32 a.m KSC-99pp0515

A hole, created by recent hail storms, is identified as number one on ...

A hole, created by recent hail storms, is identified as number one on the surface of the external tank (ET) mated to Space Shuttle Discovery at Launch Pad 39B. Workers are investigating the damage and potential... More

At Launch pad 39B, Mike Barber, with United Space Alliance safety, points to one of the holes caused by hail on Space Shuttle Discovery's external tank (ET). Workers are investigating the damage and potential problems for launch posed by ice forming in the holes, which may number as many as 150 over the entire tank. The average size of the holes is one-half inch in diameter and one-tenth inch deep. The external tank contains the liquid hydrogen fuel and liquid oxygen oxidizer and supplies them under pressure to the three space shuttle main engines in the orbiter during liftoff and ascent. The ET thermal protection system consists of sprayed-on foam insulation. The Shuttle Discovery is targeted for launch of mission STS-96 on May 20 at 9:32 a.m KSC-99pp0518

At Launch pad 39B, Mike Barber, with United Space Alliance safety, poi...

At Launch pad 39B, Mike Barber, with United Space Alliance safety, points to one of the holes caused by hail on Space Shuttle Discovery's external tank (ET). Workers are investigating the damage and potential p... More

A hole, created by recent hail storms, is identified as number two on the surface of the external tank (ET) mated to Space Shuttle Discovery at Launch Pad 39B. Workers are investigating the damage and potential problems for launch posed by ice forming in the holes, which may number as many as 150 over the entire tank. The average size of the holes is one-half inch in diameter and one-tenth inch deep. The external tank contains the liquid hydrogen fuel and liquid oxygen oxidizer and supplies them under pressure to the three space shuttle main engines in the orbiter during liftoff and ascent. The ET thermal protection system consists of sprayed-on foam insulation. The Shuttle Discovery is targeted for launch of mission STS-96 on May 20 at 9:32 a.m KSC-99pp0516

A hole, created by recent hail storms, is identified as number two on ...

A hole, created by recent hail storms, is identified as number two on the surface of the external tank (ET) mated to Space Shuttle Discovery at Launch Pad 39B. Workers are investigating the damage and potential... More

At Launch Pad 39B, the top of the external tank (ET) mated to Space Shuttle Discovery is dotted with nearly a dozen visible dings from recent hail storms. Workers are investigating the damage and potential problems for launch posed by ice forming in the holes, which may number as many as 150 over the entire tank. The average size of the dings is one-half inch in diameter and one-tenth inch deep. The external tank contains the liquid hydrogen fuel and liquid oxygen oxidizer and supplies them under pressure to the three space shuttle main engines in the orbiter during liftoff and ascent. The ET thermal protection system consists of sprayed-on foam insulation. The Shuttle Discovery is targeted for launch of mission STS-96 on May 20 at 9:32 a.m KSC-99pp0514

At Launch Pad 39B, the top of the external tank (ET) mated to Space Sh...

At Launch Pad 39B, the top of the external tank (ET) mated to Space Shuttle Discovery is dotted with nearly a dozen visible dings from recent hail storms. Workers are investigating the damage and potential prob... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On a beautiful Florida morning, a crawler transporter moves Space Shuttle Discovery (right, nearly hidden behind its external tank and solid rocket boosters) from Pad 39B back to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at left to repair damage to the external tank's foam insulation caused by hail. The external tank-solid rocket booster stack for mission STS-93 was moved out of High Bay 1, which awaits Discovery's arrival with its door open. The necessary repair work could not be performed at the pad due to limited access to the damaged areas. The work is expected to take two to three days, allowing Discovery to roll back to Pad 39B by midweek for launch of mission STS-96, the 94th launch in the Space Shuttle Program. This is only the 13th time since 1981 that a Shuttle has had to roll back from the pad. Liftoff will occur no earlier than May 27. STS-96 is a logistics and resupply mission for the International Space Station, carrying such payloads as a Russian crane, the Strela; a U.S.-built crane; the Spacehab Oceaneering Space System Box (SHOSS), a logistics items carrier; and STARSHINE, a student-shared experiment KSC-99pp0530

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On a beautiful Florida morning, a crawle...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On a beautiful Florida morning, a crawler transporter moves Space Shuttle Discovery (right, nearly hidden behind its external tank and solid rocket boosters) from Pad 39B back to t... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- A crawler transporter slowly maneuvers Space Shuttle Discovery, with its external tank and solid rocket boosters, into High Bay 1 of the Vehicle Assembly Building to repair damage to the external tank's foam insulation caused by hail. The necessary repair work could not be performed at Pad 39B due to limited access to the damaged areas. The work is expected to take two to three days, allowing Discovery to roll back to the pad by midweek for launch of mission STS-96, the 94th launch in the Space Shuttle Program. This is only the 13th time since 1981 that a Shuttle has had to roll back from the pad. Liftoff will occur no earlier than May 27. STS-96 is a logistics and resupply mission for the International Space Station, carrying such payloads as a Russian crane, the Strela; a U.S.-built crane; the Spacehab Oceaneering Space System Box (SHOSS), a logistics items carrier; and STARSHINE, a student-shared experiment KSC-99pp0535

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- A crawler transporter slowly maneuvers S...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- A crawler transporter slowly maneuvers Space Shuttle Discovery, with its external tank and solid rocket boosters, into High Bay 1 of the Vehicle Assembly Building to repair damage ... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Inside High Bay 1 of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) Mike Sestile, with United Space Alliance, draws circles around divots in the foam insulation on the top of the external tank of Space Shuttle Discovery. About 150 divots were caused by hail during recent storms. The Shuttle was rolled back from Pad 39B to the VAB for repairs because access to all of the damaged areas was not possible at the pad. The work is expected to take two to three days, allowing Discovery to roll back to the pad as early as May 20 for launch of mission STS-96, the 94th launch in the Space Shuttle Program. Liftoff will occur no earlier than May 27. STS-96 is a logistics and resupply mission for the International Space Station, carrying such payloads as a Russian crane, the Strela; a U.S.-built crane; the Spacehab Oceaneering Space System Box (SHOSS), a logistics items carrier; and STARSHINE, a student-shared experiment KSC-99pp0539

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Inside High Bay 1 of the Vehicle Assembl...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Inside High Bay 1 of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) Mike Sestile, with United Space Alliance, draws circles around divots in the foam insulation on the top of the external tan... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Casting a giant shadow across the crawlerway, a crawler transporter slowly maneuvers Space Shuttle Discovery, with its external tank and solid rocket boosters, toward High Bay 1 of the Vehicle Assembly Building to repair damage to the external tank's foam insulation caused by hail. The necessary repair work could not be performed at Pad 39B due to limited access to the damaged areas. The work is expected to take two to three days, allowing Discovery to roll back to the pad by midweek for launch of mission STS-96, the 94th launch in the Space Shuttle Program. This is only the 13th time since 1981 that a Shuttle has had to roll back from the pad. Liftoff will occur no earlier than May 27. STS-96 is a logistics and resupply mission for the International Space Station, carrying such payloads as a Russian crane, the Strela; a U.S.-built crane; the Spacehab Oceaneering Space System Box (SHOSS), a logistics items carrier; and STARSHINE, a student-shared experiment KSC-99pp0532

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Casting a giant shadow across the crawle...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Casting a giant shadow across the crawlerway, a crawler transporter slowly maneuvers Space Shuttle Discovery, with its external tank and solid rocket boosters, toward High Bay 1 of... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- As the sun begins to rise, a crawler transporter moves Space Shuttle Discovery from Pad 39B back to the Vehicle Assembly Building for repair of damage to the external tank foam insulation caused by hail. The necessary repair work could not be performed at the pad due to limited access to the damaged areas. The work is expected to take two to three days, allowing Discovery to roll back to the pad by midweek for launch of mission STS-96, the 94th launch in the Space Shuttle Program. This is only the 13th time since 1981 that a Shuttle has had to roll back from the pad. Liftoff will occur no earlier than May 27. STS-96 is a logistics and resupply mission for the International Space Station, carrying such payloads as a Russian crane, the Strela; a U.S.-built crane; the Spacehab Oceaneering Space System Box (SHOSS), a logistics items carrier; and STARSHINE, a student-shared experiment KSC-99pp0526

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- As the sun begins to rise, a crawler tra...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- As the sun begins to rise, a crawler transporter moves Space Shuttle Discovery from Pad 39B back to the Vehicle Assembly Building for repair of damage to the external tank foam ins... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- A crawler transporter moves Space Shuttle Discovery, hidden by its external tank and solid rocket boosters, from Pad 39B back to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) for repair of damage to the external tank foam insulation caused by hail. The external tank/solid rocket booster stack for mission STS-93 was moved out of High Bay 1 to make room for Discovery and can be seen on the horizon between Discovery and the VAB. The necessary repair work could not be performed at the pad due to limited access to the damaged areas. The work is expected to take two to three days, allowing Discovery to roll back to Pad 39B by midweek for launch of mission STS-96, the 94th launch in the Space Shuttle Program. This is only the 13th time since 1981 that a Shuttle has had to roll back from the pad. Liftoff will occur no earlier than May 27. STS-96 is a logistics and resupply mission for the International Space Station, carrying such payloads as a Russian crane, the Strela; a U.S.-built crane; the Spacehab Oceaneering Space System Box (SHOSS), a logistics items carrier; and STARSHINE, a student-shared experiment KSC-99pp0529

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- A crawler transporter moves Space Shuttl...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- A crawler transporter moves Space Shuttle Discovery, hidden by its external tank and solid rocket boosters, from Pad 39B back to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) for repair of d... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Hail-inflicted divots in the foam insulation are identified by number on the top of Space Shuttle Discovery's external tank. About 150 divots were caused by hail during recent storms. The Shuttle was rolled back from Pad 39B to the Vehicle Assemby Building for repairs because access to all of the damaged areas was not possible at the pad. The work is expected to take two to three days, allowing Discovery to roll back to the pad as early as May 20 for launch of mission STS-96, the 94th launch in the Space Shuttle Program. Liftoff will occur no earlier than May 27. STS-96 is a logistics and resupply mission for the International Space Station, carrying such payloads as a Russian crane, the Strela; a U.S.-built crane; the Spacehab Oceaneering Space System Box (SHOSS), a logistics items carrier; and STARSHINE, a student-shared experiment KSC-99pp0540

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Hail-inflicted divots in the foam insula...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Hail-inflicted divots in the foam insulation are identified by number on the top of Space Shuttle Discovery's external tank. About 150 divots were caused by hail during recent stor... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Inside High Bay 1 of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) John Blue, with United Space Alliance, and Jorge Rivera, with NASA, look at the dings in the foam insulation on the external tank of Space Shuttle Discovery. About 150 dings were caused by hail during recent storms. The Shuttle was rolled back from Pad 39B to the VAB for repairs because access to all of the damaged areas was not possible at the pad. The work is expected to take two to three days, allowing Discovery to roll back to the pad as early as May 20 for launch of mission STS-96, the 94th launch in the Space Shuttle Program. Liftoff will occur no earlier than May 27. STS-96 is a logistics and resupply mission for the International Space Station, carrying such payloads as a Russian crane, the Strela; a U.S.-built crane; the Spacehab Oceaneering Space System Box (SHOSS), a logistics items carrier; and STARSHINE, a student-shared experiment KSC-99pp0537

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Inside High Bay 1 of the Vehicle Assembl...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Inside High Bay 1 of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) John Blue, with United Space Alliance, and Jorge Rivera, with NASA, look at the dings in the foam insulation on the externa... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At a juncture in the crawlerway, a crawler transporter slowly moves Space Shuttle Discovery, with its external tank and solid rocket boosters, toward High Bay 1 of the Vehicle Assembly Building to repair damage to the external tank's foam insulation caused by hail. The necessary repair work could not be performed at Pad 39B due to limited access to the damaged areas. The work is expected to take two to three days, allowing Discovery to roll back to the pad by midweek for launch of mission STS-96, the 94th launch in the Space Shuttle Program. This is only the 13th time since 1981 that a Shuttle has had to roll back from the pad. Liftoff will occur no earlier than May 27. STS-96 is a logistics and resupply mission for the International Space Station, carrying such payloads as a Russian crane, the Strela; a U.S.-built crane; the Spacehab Oceaneering Space System Box (SHOSS), a logistics items carrier; and STARSHINE, a student-shared experiment KSC-99pp0534

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At a juncture in the crawlerway, a crawl...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At a juncture in the crawlerway, a crawler transporter slowly moves Space Shuttle Discovery, with its external tank and solid rocket boosters, toward High Bay 1 of the Vehicle Asse... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Inside High Bay 1 of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), John Blue, with United Space Alliance, points to one of the divots in the foam insulation on the external tank of Space Shuttle Discovery. About 150 divots were caused by hail during recent storms. The Shuttle was rolled back from Pad 39B to the VAB for repairs because access to all of the damaged areas was not possible at the pad. The work is expected to take two to three days, allowing Discovery to roll back to the pad as early as May 20 for launch of mission STS-96, the 94th launch in the Space Shuttle Program. Liftoff will occur no earlier than May 27. STS-96 is a logistics and resupply mission for the International Space Station, carrying such payloads as a Russian crane, the Strela; a U.S.-built crane; the Spacehab Oceaneering Space System Box (SHOSS), a logistics items carrier; and STARSHINE, a student-shared experiment KSC-99pp0538

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Inside High Bay 1 of the Vehicle Assemb...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Inside High Bay 1 of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), John Blue, with United Space Alliance, points to one of the divots in the foam insulation on the external tank of Space S... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Space Shuttle Discovery, dwarfed by its external tank and solid rocket boosters, is in position in High Bay 1 of the Vehicle Assembly Building for repair of damage to the external tank's foam insulation caused by hail. The Shuttle was rolled back from Pad 39B this morning because access to all of the damaged areas was not possible at the pad. The work is expected to take two to three days, allowing Discovery to roll back to the pad by midweek for launch of mission STS-96, the 94th launch in the Space Shuttle Program. This is only the 13th time since 1981 that a Shuttle has had to roll back from the pad. Liftoff will occur no earlier than May 27. STS-96 is a logistics and resupply mission for the International Space Station, carrying such payloads as a Russian crane, the Strela; a U.S.-built crane; the Spacehab Oceaneering Space System Box (SHOSS), a logistics items carrier; and STARSHINE, a student-shared experiment KSC-99pp0536

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Space Shuttle Discovery, dwarfed by ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Space Shuttle Discovery, dwarfed by its external tank and solid rocket boosters, is in position in High Bay 1 of the Vehicle Assembly Building for repair of damage to the exter... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- A crawler transporter moves Space Shuttle Discovery, with its external tank and solid rocket boosters, from Pad 39B back to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at left to repair damage to the external tank's foam insulation caused by hail. The external tank-solid rocket booster stack for mission STS-93, which was moved out of High Bay 1 to make room for Discovery, can be seen in the background between Discovery and the VAB. The necessary repair work could not be performed at the pad due to limited access to the damaged areas. The work is expected to take two to three days, allowing Discovery to roll back to Pad 39B by midweek for launch of mission STS-96, the 94th launch in the Space Shuttle Program. This is only the 13th time since 1981 that a Shuttle has had to roll back from the pad. Liftoff will occur no earlier than May 27. STS-96 is a logistics and resupply mission for the International Space Station, carrying such payloads as a Russian crane, the Strela; a U.S.-built crane; the Spacehab Oceaneering Space System Box (SHOSS), a logistics items carrier; and STARSHINE, a student-shared experiment KSC-99pp0531

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- A crawler transporter moves Space Shuttl...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- A crawler transporter moves Space Shuttle Discovery, with its external tank and solid rocket boosters, from Pad 39B back to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at left to repair da... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At a juncture in the crawlerway, a crawler transporter slowly moves Space Shuttle Discovery, with its external tank and solid rocket boosters, to High Bay 1 of the Vehicle Assembly Building to repair damage to the external tank's foam insulation caused by hail. The necessary repair work could not be performed at Pad 39B due to limited access to the damaged areas. The work is expected to take two to three days, allowing Discovery to roll back to the pad by midweek for launch of mission STS-96, the 94th launch in the Space Shuttle Program. This is only the 13th time since 1981 that a Shuttle has had to be rolled back from the pad. Liftoff will occur no earlier than May 27. STS-96 is a logistics and resupply mission for the International Space Station, carrying such payloads as a Russian crane, the Strela; a U.S.-built crane; the Spacehab Oceaneering Space System Box (SHOSS), a logistics items carrier; and STARSHINE, a student-shared experiment KSC-99pp0533

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At a juncture in the crawlerway, a crawl...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At a juncture in the crawlerway, a crawler transporter slowly moves Space Shuttle Discovery, with its external tank and solid rocket boosters, to High Bay 1 of the Vehicle Assembly... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the early light of dawn, a crawler transporter moves Space Shuttle Discovery, with its external tank and solid rocket boosters, from Pad 39B back to the Vehicle Assembly Building for repair of damage to the external tank foam insulation caused by hail. The necessary repair work could not be performed at the pad due to limited access to the damaged areas. The work is expected to take two to three days, allowing Discovery to roll back to the pad by midweek for launch of mission STS-96, the 94th launch in the Space Shuttle Program. This is only the 13th time since 1981 that a Shuttle has had to roll back from the pad. Liftoff will occur no earlier than May 27. STS-96 is a logistics and resupply mission for the International Space Station, carrying such payloads as a Russian crane, the Strela; a U.S.-built crane; the Spacehab Oceaneering Space System Box (SHOSS), a logistics items carrier; and STARSHINE, a student-shared experiment KSC-99pp0527

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the early light of dawn, a crawler tr...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the early light of dawn, a crawler transporter moves Space Shuttle Discovery, with its external tank and solid rocket boosters, from Pad 39B back to the Vehicle Assembly Buildin... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Lighted by a Florida sunrise, a crawler transporter moves Space Shuttle Discovery from Pad 39B (in the background right) back to the Vehicle Assembly Building for repair of damage to the external tank foam insulation caused by hail. The necessary repair work could not be performed at the pad due to limited access to the damaged areas. The work is expected to take two to three days, allowing Discovery to roll back to the pad by midweek for launch of mission STS-96, the 94th launch in the Space Shuttle Program. This is only the 13th time since 1981 that a Shuttle has had to roll back from the pad. Liftoff will occur no earlier than May 27. STS-96 is a logistics and resupply mission for the International Space Station, carrying such payloads as a Russian crane, the Strela; a U.S.-built crane; the Spacehab Oceaneering Space System Box (SHOSS), a logistics items carrier; and STARSHINE, a student-shared experiment KSC-99pp0528

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Lighted by a Florida sunrise, a crawler ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Lighted by a Florida sunrise, a crawler transporter moves Space Shuttle Discovery from Pad 39B (in the background right) back to the Vehicle Assembly Building for repair of damage ... More

As the sun begins to rise, a crawler transporter moves Space Shuttle Discovery from Pad 39B back to the Vehicle Assembly Building for repair of damage to the external tank foam insulation caused by hail. The necessary repair work could not be performed at the pad due to limited access to the damaged areas. The work is expected to take two to three days, allowing Discovery to roll back to the pad by midweek for launch of mission STS-96, the 94th launch in the Space Shuttle Program. This is only the 13th time since 1981 that a Shuttle has had to roll back from the pad. Liftoff will occur no earlier than May 27. STS-96 is a logistics and resupply mission for the International Space Station, carrying such payloads as a Russian crane, the Strela; a U.S.-built crane; the Spacehab Oceaneering Space System Box (SHOSS), a logistics items carrier; and STARSHINE, a student-shared experiment KSC-99pp0525

As the sun begins to rise, a crawler transporter moves Space Shuttle D...

As the sun begins to rise, a crawler transporter moves Space Shuttle Discovery from Pad 39B back to the Vehicle Assembly Building for repair of damage to the external tank foam insulation caused by hail. The ne... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- United Space Alliance technician Don Pataky repairs one of the hail-created divots in the foam insulation on the external tank of Space Shuttle Discovery. The Shuttle was rolled back from Pad 39B to the Vehicle Assemby Building for repairs because access to all of the damaged areas was not possible at the pad. The work is expected to take two to three days, allowing Discovery to roll back to the pad late this week for launch of mission STS-96, the 94th launch in the Space Shuttle Program. Liftoff will occur no earlier than May 27. STS-96 is a logistics and resupply mission for the International Space Station, carrying such payloads as a Russian crane, the Strela; a U.S.-built crane; the Spacehab Oceaneering Space System Box (SHOSS), a logistics items carrier; and STARSHINE, a student-shared experiment KSC-99pp0551

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- United Space Alliance technician Don Pat...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- United Space Alliance technician Don Pataky repairs one of the hail-created divots in the foam insulation on the external tank of Space Shuttle Discovery. The Shuttle was rolled ba... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- United Space Alliance technician Don Pataky prepares to enter a tented area around the external tank of Space Shuttle Discovery in order to repair hail-inflicted damage in the foam insulation. The Shuttle was rolled back from Pad 39B to the Vehicle Assemby Building for repairs because access to all of the damaged areas was not possible at the pad. The work is expected to take two to three days, allowing Discovery to roll back to the pad late this week for launch of mission STS-96, the 94th launch in the Space Shuttle Program. Liftoff will occur no earlier than May 27. STS-96 is a logistics and resupply mission for the International Space Station, carrying such payloads as a Russian crane, the Strela; a U.S.-built crane; the Spacehab Oceaneering Space System Box (SHOSS), a logistics items carrier; and STARSHINE, a student-shared experiment KSC-99pp0549

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- United Space Alliance technician Don Pat...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- United Space Alliance technician Don Pataky prepares to enter a tented area around the external tank of Space Shuttle Discovery in order to repair hail-inflicted damage in the foam... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- United Space Alliance technician Don Pataky repairs hail-inflicted damage in the foam insulation on the external tank of Space Shuttle Discovery. The Shuttle was rolled back from Pad 39B to the Vehicle Assemby Building for repairs because access to all of the damaged areas was not possible at the pad. The work is expected to take two to three days, allowing Discovery to roll back to the pad late this week for launch of mission STS-96, the 94th launch in the Space Shuttle Program. Liftoff will occur no earlier than May 27. STS-96 is a logistics and resupply mission for the International Space Station, carrying such payloads as a Russian crane, the Strela; a U.S.-built crane; the Spacehab Oceaneering Space System Box (SHOSS), a logistics items carrier; and STARSHINE, a student-shared experiment KSC-99pp0550

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- United Space Alliance technician Don Pat...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- United Space Alliance technician Don Pataky repairs hail-inflicted damage in the foam insulation on the external tank of Space Shuttle Discovery. The Shuttle was rolled back from P... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Discovery makes the climb to Launch Pad 39B aboard the mobile launcher platform and crawler transporter. The crawler is able to keep its cargo level during the move up the five percent grade, not varying from the vertical more than the diameter of a soccer ball. At right are the rotating and fixed service structures which will be used during prelaunch preparations at the pad. Earlier in the week, the Shuttle was rolled back to the VAB from the pad to repair hail damage on the external tank's foam insulation. Mission STS-96, the 94th launch in the Space Shuttle Program, is scheduled for liftoff May 27 at 6:48 a.m. EDT. STS-96 is a logistics and resupply mission for the International Space Station, carrying such payloads as a Russian crane, the Strela; a U.S.-built crane; the Spacehab Oceaneering Space System Box (SHOSS), a logistics items carrier; and STARSHINE, a student-shared experiment KSC-99pp0565

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Discovery makes the climb...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Discovery makes the climb to Launch Pad 39B aboard the mobile launcher platform and crawler transporter. The crawler is able to keep its cargo level during the move ... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Both Space Shuttle Discovery (left) and Launch Pad 39B (right) are reflected in nearby water as the Shuttle makes its slow crawl to the pad aboard a crawler transporter. Earlier in the week, the Shuttle was rolled back from the pad to the Vehicle Assembly Building to repair hail damage on the the external tank's foam insulation. The trek takes about five hours at the 1-mph speed of the crawler. Mission STS-96, the 94th launch in the Space Shuttle Program, is scheduled for liftoff May 27 at 6:48 a.m. EDT. STS-96 is a logistics and resupply mission for the International Space Station, carrying such payloads as a Russian crane, the Strela; a U.S.-built crane; the Spacehab Oceaneering Space System Box (SHOSS), a logistics items carrier; and STARSHINE, a student-shared experiment KSC-99pp0562

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Both Space Shuttle Discovery (left) and ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Both Space Shuttle Discovery (left) and Launch Pad 39B (right) are reflected in nearby water as the Shuttle makes its slow crawl to the pad aboard a crawler transporter. Earlier in... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The crawler transporter, with its cargo of Space Shuttle Discovery and mobile launcher platform, leaves tracks on the crawlerway as it makes its way up Launch Pad 39B. Behind the Shuttle can be seen part of the rotating service structure and the 82-foot lightning mast (next to the solid rocket booster) on top of the fixed service structure. The two structures are used during prelaunch preparations at the pad. Earlier in the week, the Shuttle was rolled back to the VAB from the pad to repair hail damage on the external tank's foam insulation. Mission STS-96, the 94th launch in the Space Shuttle Program, is scheduled for liftoff May 27 at 6:48 a.m. EDT. STS-96 is a logistics and resupply mission for the International Space Station, carrying such payloads as a Russian crane, the Strela; a U.S.-built crane; the Spacehab Oceaneering Space System Box (SHOSS), a logistics items carrier; and STARSHINE, a student-shared experiment KSC-99pp0566

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The crawler transporter, with its cargo ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The crawler transporter, with its cargo of Space Shuttle Discovery and mobile launcher platform, leaves tracks on the crawlerway as it makes its way up Launch Pad 39B. Behind the S... More

Against a popcorn-clouded blue sky, Space Shuttle Discovery, atop the mobile launcher platform and crawler transporter, ends its five-hour trek from the Vehicle Assembly Building as it crosses through the gate at Launch Pad 39B. Earlier in the week, the Shuttle was rolled back to the VAB from the pad to repair hail damage on the external tank's foam insulation. The 4.2-mile trek takes about five hours at the 1-mph speed of the crawler. Mission STS-96, the 94th launch in the Space Shuttle Program, is scheduled for liftoff May 27 at 6:48 a.m. EDT STS-96 is a logistics and resupply mission for the International Space Station, carrying such payloads as a Russian crane, the Strela; a U.S.-built crane; the Spacehab Oceaneering Space System Box (SHOSS), a logistics items carrier; and STARSHINE, a student-shared experiment KSC-padg96ro

Against a popcorn-clouded blue sky, Space Shuttle Discovery, atop the ...

Against a popcorn-clouded blue sky, Space Shuttle Discovery, atop the mobile launcher platform and crawler transporter, ends its five-hour trek from the Vehicle Assembly Building as it crosses through the gate ... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Space Shuttle Discovery, aboard a crawler transporter, is reflected in the waters of Banana Creek as it is returned to Launch Pad 39B. Earlier in the week, the Shuttle was rolled back to the Vehicle Assembly Building to repair hail damage to the foam insulation on the external tank. The trek takes about five hours at the 1-mph speed of the crawler. Mission STS-96, the 94th launch in the Space Shuttle Program, is scheduled for liftoff May 27 at 6:48 a.m. EDT. STS-96 is a logistics and resupply mission for the International Space Station, carrying such payloads as a Russian crane, the Strela; a U.S.-built crane; the Spacehab Oceaneering Space System Box (SHOSS), a logistics items carrier; and STARSHINE, a student-shared experiment. KSC-99pp0561

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Space Shuttle Discovery, aboard a cr...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Space Shuttle Discovery, aboard a crawler transporter, is reflected in the waters of Banana Creek as it is returned to Launch Pad 39B. Earlier in the week, the Shuttle was roll... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Nearing the end of its 4.2-mile trek from the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), Space Shuttle Discovery clears the gate to begin the climb to Launch Pad 39B aboard the mobile launcher platform and crawler transporter. Earlier in the week, the Shuttle was rolled back to the VAB from the pad to repair hail damage on the external tank's foam insulation. Mission STS-96, the 94th launch in the Space Shuttle Program, is scheduled for liftoff May 27 at 6:48 a.m. EDT. STS-96 is a logistics and resupply mission for the International Space Station, carrying such payloads as a Russian crane, the Strela; a U.S.-built crane; the Spacehab Oceaneering Space System Box (SHOSS), a logistics items carrier; and STARSHINE, a student-shared experiment KSC-99pp0564

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Nearing the end of its 4.2-mile trek fro...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Nearing the end of its 4.2-mile trek from the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), Space Shuttle Discovery clears the gate to begin the climb to Launch Pad 39B aboard the mobile launch... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The avian population (foreground) at this watering site on Kennedy Space Center is undaunted as the 12-million-pound combination of Space Shuttle Discovery, crawler transporter and mobile launcher platform rolls out to Launch Pad 39B from the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). Earlier in the week, the Shuttle was rolled back to the VAB from the pad to repair hail damage on the external tank's foam insulation. The trek takes about five hours at the 1-mph speed of the crawler. Mission STS-96, the 94th launch in the Space Shuttle Program, is scheduled for liftoff May 27 at 6:48 a.m. EDT STS-96 is a logistics and resupply mission for the International Space Station, carrying such payloads as a Russian crane, the Strela; a U.S.-built crane; the Spacehab Oceaneering Space System Box (SHOSS), a logistics items carrier; and STARSHINE, a student-shared experiment KSC-99pp0563

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The avian population (foreground) at thi...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The avian population (foreground) at this watering site on Kennedy Space Center is undaunted as the 12-million-pound combination of Space Shuttle Discovery, crawler transporter and... More

A shipping container with payload flight hardware for the Third Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission (SM-3A) sits on a flatbed trailer for transfer to the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility where it will undergo final testing and integration of payload elements. Mission STS-103 is a "call-up" mission which is being planned due to the need to replace portions of the Hubble's pointing system, the gyros, which have begun to fail. Although Hubble is operating normally and conducting its scientific observations, only three of its six gyroscopes are working properly. The gyroscopes allow the telescope to point at stars, galaxies and planets. The STS-103 crew will not only replace gyroscopes, it will also replace a Fine Guidance Sensor and an older computer with a new enhanced model, an older data tape recorder with a solid state digital recorder, a failed spare transmitter with a new one, and degraded insulation on the telescope with new thermal insulation. The crew will also install a Battery Voltage/Temperature Improvement Kit to protect the spacecraft batteries from overcharging and overheating when the telescope goes into a safe mode. Launch of STS-93 is currently targeted for Oct. 14 but under review, pending the launch date of a prior mission, STS-99, also under review KSC-99pp1041

A shipping container with payload flight hardware for the Third Hubble...

A shipping container with payload flight hardware for the Third Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission (SM-3A) sits on a flatbed trailer for transfer to the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility where it will ... More

A shipping container with payload flight hardware for the Third Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission (SM-3A) is transferred onto a transporter from the C-5 air cargo plane that brought it to KSC. The hardware will be taken to the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility for final testing and integration of payload elements. Mission STS-103 is a "call-up" mission which is being planned due to the need to replace portions of the Hubble's pointing system, the gyros, which have begun to fail. Although Hubble is operating normally and conducting its scientific observations, only three of its six gyroscopes are working properly. The gyroscopes allow the telescope to point at stars, galaxies and planets. The STS-103 crew will not only replace gyroscopes, it will also replace a Fine Guidance Sensor and an older computer with a new enhanced model, an older data tape recorder with a solid state digital recorder, a failed spare transmitter with a new one, and degraded insulation on the telescope with new thermal insulation. The crew will also install a Battery Voltage/Temperature Improvement Kit to protect the spacecraft batteries from overcharging and overheating when the telescope goes into a safe mode. Launch of STS-93 is currently targeted for Oct. 14 but under review, pending the launch date of a prior mission, STS-99, also under review KSC-99pp1040

A shipping container with payload flight hardware for the Third Hubble...

A shipping container with payload flight hardware for the Third Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission (SM-3A) is transferred onto a transporter from the C-5 air cargo plane that brought it to KSC. The hardwa... More

A C-5 air cargo plane lands at Kennedy Space Center carrying the payload flight hardware for the Third Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission (SM-3A). The hardware will be taken to the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility for final testing and integration of payload elements. Mission STS-103 is a "call-up" mission which is being planned due to the need to replace portions of the Hubble's pointing system, the gyros, which have begun to fail. Although Hubble is operating normally and conducting its scientific observations, only three of its six gyroscopes are working properly. The gyroscopes allow the telescope to point at stars, galaxies and planets. The STS-103 crew will not only replace gyroscopes, it will also replace a Fine Guidance Sensor and an older computer with a new enhanced model, an older data tape recorder with a solid state digital recorder, a failed spare transmitter with a new one, and degraded insulation on the telescope with new thermal insulation. The crew will also install a Battery Voltage/Temperature Improvement Kit to protect the spacecraft batteries from overcharging and overheating when the telescope goes into a safe mode. Launch of STS-93 is currently targeted for Oct. 14 but under review, pending the launch date of a prior mission, STS-99, also under review KSC-99pp1037

A C-5 air cargo plane lands at Kennedy Space Center carrying the paylo...

A C-5 air cargo plane lands at Kennedy Space Center carrying the payload flight hardware for the Third Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission (SM-3A). The hardware will be taken to the Payload Hazardous Servi... More

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