kennedy space center

nasa

us national archives

cape canaveral

space shuttle

sts

international space station

launch pad

move, kennedy space center

2,598 media by topic ∙ page 1 of 26
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Workers move some of the Columbia debris to its storage site in the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). The debris is being transferred from the Columbia Debris Hangar to the VAB for permanent storage. More than 83,000 pieces of debris were shipped to KSC during search and recovery efforts in East Texas. That represents about 38 percent of the dry weight of Columbia, equaling almost 85,000 pounds.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Workers move some of the Columbia debris...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Workers move some of the Columbia debris to its storage site in the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). The debris is being transferred from the Columbia Debris Hangar to the VAB for ... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In NASA Kennedy Space Center's Space Station Processing Facility (SSPF), the overhead crane lifts the multi-purpose logistics module Donatello from its work stand to move it to a payload canister. Donatello is being transferred to the Operations and Checkout Building to make room in the SSPF for the arrival of elements for future flights from other ISS partners. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-06pd0529

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In NASA Kennedy Space Center's Space ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In NASA Kennedy Space Center's Space Station Processing Facility (SSPF), the overhead crane lifts the multi-purpose logistics module Donatello from its work stand to move it to ... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In NASA Kennedy Space Center's Space Station Processing Facility (SSPF), the multi-purpose logistics module Donatello is being prepared for a move to a payload canister. Donatello is being transferred to the Operations and Checkout Building to make room in the SSPF for the arrival of elements for future flights from other ISS partners. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-06pd0527

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In NASA Kennedy Space Center's Space S...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In NASA Kennedy Space Center's Space Station Processing Facility (SSPF), the multi-purpose logistics module Donatello is being prepared for a move to a payload canister. Donate... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - An overhead crane is attached to the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello in order to move it to another work stand in the Space Station Processing Facility. Raffaello is the second MPLM built by the Italian Space Agency, serving as a reusable logistics carrier and primary delivery system to resupply and return station cargo requiring a pressurized environment. It is being moved to allow the third MPLM, Donatello, to be brought in for routine testing. Donatello has been stored in the Operations and Checkout Building. This is the first time all three MPLMs are in the SSPF; the other one is the Leonardo. Raffaello is scheduled to fly on Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-114.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - An overhead crane is attached to the Mult...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - An overhead crane is attached to the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello in order to move it to another work stand in the Space Station Processing Facility. Raffaello is the s... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello is lifted from its stand in the Space Station Processing Facility to move to another work stand. Raffaello is the second MPLM built by the Italian Space Agency, serving as a reusable logistics carrier and primary delivery system to resupply and return station cargo requiring a pressurized environment. It is being moved to allow the third MPLM, Donatello, to be brought in for routine testing. Donatello has been stored in the Operations and Checkout Building. This is the first time all three MPLMs are in the SSPF; the other one is the Leonardo. Raffaello is scheduled to fly on Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-114.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffae...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello is lifted from its stand in the Space Station Processing Facility to move to another work stand. Raffaello is the second MPLM built by ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A canister, carrying the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS) and Express Logistics Carrier-3 for space shuttle Endeavour's STS-134 mission, arrives at Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Next, crews at the pad will move the payload into the Payload Ground Handling Mechanism (PGHM), and the rotating service structure (RSS) that protects the shuttle from the elements and provides access to its components will be rotated back into place. The payload is scheduled to be installed into the shuttle's cargo bay March 25. Endeavour and its six-member STS-134 crew are targeted to lift off April 19 at 7:48 p.m. EDT to deliver the payload to the International Space Station. This is Endeavour's final scheduled mission. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts134/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston KSC-2011-2386

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A canister, carrying the Alpha Magnetic Spectr...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A canister, carrying the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS) and Express Logistics Carrier-3 for space shuttle Endeavour's STS-134 mission, arrives at Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Sp... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-113 Commander James Wetherbee checks the cockpit window from inside Endeavour. The check is part of Crew Equipment Interface Test activities, which include familiarization with equipment for the mission. The primary payloads on mission STS-113 are the first port truss segment, P1 Truss, to be attached to the central truss segment, S0, on the International Space Station, and the Crew and Equipment Translation Aid (CETA) Cart B that can be used by spacewalkers to move along the truss with equipment. Once delivered, the P1 truss will remain stowed until flight 12A.1. The mission will also deliver the Expedition 6 crew to the Station and return Expedition 5 to Earth. Space Shuttle Endeavour is scheduled to launch Nov. 10 on the 11-day mission. KSC-02pd1325

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-113 Commander James Wetherbee chec...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-113 Commander James Wetherbee checks the cockpit window from inside Endeavour. The check is part of Crew Equipment Interface Test activities, which include familiarization w... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Viewed from the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, space shuttle Discovery has cleared the clouds over the seaside launch pad and hurtles toward space. Liftoff was on time at 11:38:19 a.m. EDT. Discovery carries the Italian-built U.S. Node 2, called Harmony. During the 14-day STS-120 mission, the crew will install Harmony and move the P6 solar arrays to their permanent position and deploy them. Discovery is expected to complete its mission and return home at 4:47 a.m. EST on Nov. 6. Photo credit: NASA/Chuck Tintera KSC-07pd2956

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Viewed from the Shuttle Landing Facilit...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Viewed from the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, space shuttle Discovery has cleared the clouds over the seaside launch pad and hurtles toward space. Lift... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Atlantis, attached to its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters atop a mobile launcher platform, makes its final debut outside the Vehicle Assembly Building. "Rollout," as it's called, to Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida began at 8:42 p.m. EDT. It will take the crawler-transporter about six hours to carry the shuttle stack to its seaside launch pad. The milestone move paves the way for the launch of the STS-135 mission to the International Space Station, targeted for July 8. STS-135 will be the 33rd flight of Atlantis, the 37th shuttle mission to the space station, and the 135th and final mission of NASA's Space Shuttle Program. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts135/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-4105

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Atlantis, attached to its extern...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Atlantis, attached to its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters atop a mobile launcher platform, makes its final debut outside the Vehicle Assembly Building. "Rollou... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Thousands of spectators came out to watch space shuttle Atlantis' historic final journey from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. First motion was at 8:42 p.m. EDT. It will take the crawler-transporter about six hours to carry the shuttle, attached to its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters, to the seaside launch pad. The milestone move paves the way for the launch of the STS-135 mission to the International Space Station, targeted for July 8. STS-135 will be the 33rd flight of Atlantis, the 37th shuttle mission to the space station, and the 135th and final mission of NASA's Space Shuttle Program. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts135/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2011-4123

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Thousands of spectators came out to watch spac...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Thousands of spectators came out to watch space shuttle Atlantis' historic final journey from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. F... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Launch Complex 39, members of the STS-117 crew are instructed in the operation of an M-113 armored personnel carrier by the astronaut rescue team. The astronauts on the STS-117 crew are participating in M-113 armored personnel carrier training during Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) activities, a dress rehearsal for their launch, targeted for March 15. The M-113 could be used to move the crew away from the launch pad quickly in the event of an emergency. The TCDT also includes pad emergency egress training and a simulated launch countdown. The mission payload aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis is the S3/S4 integrated truss structure, along with a third set of solar arrays and batteries. The crew of six astronauts will install the truss to continue assembly of the station. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-07pd0477

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Launch Complex 39, members of the STS...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Launch Complex 39, members of the STS-117 crew are instructed in the operation of an M-113 armored personnel carrier by the astronaut rescue team. The astronauts on the STS-117 ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, external fuel tank, ET-138, for space shuttle Atlantis' STS-135 mission, is positioned between the twin solid rocket boosters on the mobile launcher platform in high bay-1. Shuttle Atlantis' move, or "rollover," from Orbiter Processing Facility-1 to the VAB is targeted for May 10. Once there it will be mated with the external tank and boosters. Atlantis and its crew of four will deliver the Raffaello multipurpose logistics module packed with supplies and spare parts to the International Space Station. STS-135 is targeted to launch June 28, and will be the last spaceflight for the Space Shuttle Program. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2011-3053

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at NASA'...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, external fuel tank, ET-138, for space shuttle Atlantis' STS-135 mission, is positioned between the twin s... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Kennedy Space Center engineer Marc Seibert presents the Communication Award to the University of New Hampshire team members during NASA's 2014 Robotic Mining Competition award ceremony inside the Space Shuttle Atlantis attraction at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. The team moved 10 kilograms of simulated Martian soil with its robot while using the least amount of communication power. More than 35 teams from colleges and universities around the U.S. designed and built remote-controlled robots for the mining competition. The competition is a NASA Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate project designed to engage and retain students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, fields by expanding opportunities for student research and design. Teams use their remote-controlled robotics to maneuver and dig in a supersized sandbox filled with a crushed material that has characteristics similar to Martian soil. The objective of the challenge is to see which team’s robot can collect and move the most regolith within a specified amount of time. The competition includes on-site mining, writing a systems engineering paper, performing outreach projects for K-12 students, slide presentation and demonstrations, and team spirit. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/nasarmc. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett 2014-2685

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Kennedy Space Center engineer Marc Seibert pre...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Kennedy Space Center engineer Marc Seibert presents the Communication Award to the University of New Hampshire team members during NASA's 2014 Robotic Mining Competition award ceremony i... More

Inside the Payload Changeout Room (PCR), workers prepare to move the Integrated Truss Structure Z1 out of the payload canister. Once inside the PCR, workers will get ready to move the Z1 into the payload bay of Space Shuttle Discovery. The Z1 truss is the first of 10 that will become the backbone of the International Space Station, eventually stretching the length of a football field. Along with its companion payload, the third Pressurized Mating Adapter, the Z1 is scheduled to be launched aboard Discovery Oct. 5 at 9:38 p.m. EDT KSC-00pp1358

Inside the Payload Changeout Room (PCR), workers prepare to move the I...

Inside the Payload Changeout Room (PCR), workers prepare to move the Integrated Truss Structure Z1 out of the payload canister. Once inside the PCR, workers will get ready to move the Z1 into the payload bay of... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Space Shuttle orbiter Atlantis is turned into position outside the Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) for its tow to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). The move will allow work to be performed in the OPF that can only be accomplished while the bay is empty. Work scheduled in the processing facility includes annual validation of the bay's cranes, work platforms, lifting mechanisms, and jack stands. Atlantis will remain in the VAB for about 10 days, then return to the OPF as work resumes to prepare it for launch in September 2004 on the first return-to-flight mission, STS-114.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Space Shuttle orbiter Atlantis is tur...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Space Shuttle orbiter Atlantis is turned into position outside the Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) for its tow to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). The move will allow work... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Atlantis is parked in the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, following its move from Orbiter Processing Facility-2. Atlantis will be stored temporarily in the VAB while transition and retirement processing resumes on shuttle Endeavour in the processing hangar. Endeavour is being prepared for public display at the California Science Center in Los Angeles. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis' future home -- a 65,000-square-foot exhibit in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. For additional information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-1098

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Atlantis is parked in the transf...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Atlantis is parked in the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, following its move from Orbiter Processing Facili... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –– On Launch Pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Endeavour has joined space shuttle Atlantis on Launch Pad 39A. In the background is the Atlantic Ocean. This is probably the final time two shuttles will be on launch pads at the same time with the space shuttle fleet set for retirement in 2010. Endeavour will be prepared on the pad for liftoff in the unlikely event that a rescue mission is necessary following space shuttle Atlantis' launch on the STS-125 mission to service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. After Atlantis is cleared to land, Endeavour will move to Launch Pad 39A for its upcoming STS-127 mission to the International Space Station, targeted to launch June 13. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis KSC-2009-2769

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –– On Launch Pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Endeavour has joined space shuttle Atlantis on Launch Pad 39A. In the background is the Atlantic Ocean. This is... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians prepare to move an aft access platform into place behind shuttle Atlantis, following the installation of the spacecraft's three main engines. Shown is the right-hand orbital maneuvering system (OMS) pod and engine taken from the right-hand access arm. Atlantis is being prepared for the "launch on need," or potential rescue mission, for the final planned shuttle flight, Endeavour's STS-134 mission. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/shuttle. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2010-5830

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians prepare to move an aft access platform into place behind shuttle Atlantis, following the installat... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Workers move the Orbiter Transporter System (OTS) into Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The OTS will be moved under shuttle Atlantis for its rollover to the nearby Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). Once inside the VAB, Atlantis will be joined to its solid rocket boosters and external fuel tank on the mobile launcher platform. Later this month, Atlantis is scheduled to "rollout" to Launch Pad 39A on the STS-135 mission, which will deliver the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module packed with supplies and spare parts to the International Space Station. STS-135, targeted to launch June 28, will be the 33rd flight of Atlantis, the 37th shuttle mission to the station, and the 135th and final mission of NASA's Space Shuttle Program. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts135/index.html. NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2011-3350

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Workers move the Orbiter Transporter System (OT...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Workers move the Orbiter Transporter System (OTS) into Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The OTS will be moved under shuttle Atlantis for its rollov... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – After moving out of high bay 1 in the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, space shuttle Atlantis' external fuel tank-solid rocket booster stack, atop a mobile launcher platform, rolls into high bay 3. The move makes room in high bay 1 for the ET-SRB stack for space shuttle Endeavour. Atlantis is targeted for launch on the STS-125 mission on May 12 to service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. Endeavour will fly on the STS-127 mission to the International Space Station and bring the final segments for Japan's Kibo laboratory. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis KSC-2009-1525

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – After moving out of high bay 1 in the Vehicle ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – After moving out of high bay 1 in the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, space shuttle Atlantis' external fuel tank-solid rocket booster stack, atop a mobile launc... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At Launch Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians work to move the Hubble payload canister into the payload changeout room for space shuttle Atlantis’ STS-125 mission. The canister arrived at the pad on Saturday evening, however, early Sunday morning technicians were unable to place the canister into the pad’s payload changeout room. Teflon pads on “shoes” attached to the outside of the payload canister that help the canister move along guide rails didn’t fit properly. The shoes were removed and several options were considered, including slightly shaving down the pads so the shoes will fit onto the rails. STS-125 is the fifth and final shuttle Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission. Atlantis’ launch is targeted for Oct. 10. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett. KSC-08pd2758

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At Launch Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians work to move the Hubble payload canister into the payload changeout room for space shuttle Atlantis’ STS-125 miss... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - After rollback of the rotating service structure (RSS) on Launch Pad 39B, Space Shuttle Discovery stands bathed in lights from the RSS and fixed service structure. The rollback was in preparation for launch July 1 on mission STS-121. Extending toward the cockpit of the shuttle is the orbiter access arm with the White Room extended. The White Room provides access into the orbiter for the astronauts. The RSS provides protected access to the orbiter for changeout and servicing of payloads at the pad. The structure is supported by a rotating bridge that pivots about a vertical axis on the west side of the pad's flame trench. The hinge column rests on the pad surface and is braced to the fixed service structure. Support for the outer end of the bridge is provided by two eight-wheel, motor-driven trucks that move along circular twin rails installed flush with the pad surface. The track crosses the flame trench on a permanent bridge. The RSS is 102 feet long, 50 feet wide and 130 feet high. The structure has orbiter access platforms at five levels to provide access to the payload bay while the orbiter is being serviced in the RSS. Each platform has independent extendable planks that can be arranged to conform to a payload's configuration. This mission is the 115th shuttle flight and the 18th U.S. flight to the International Space Station. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-06pd1308

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - After rollback of the rotating service ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - After rollback of the rotating service structure (RSS) on Launch Pad 39B, Space Shuttle Discovery stands bathed in lights from the RSS and fixed service structure. The rollback w... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, shuttle Discovery is ushered into the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) from Orbiter Processing Facility-3 during a move known as "rollover." Once inside the VAB, the shuttle will be joined to its solid rocket boosters and external fuel tank. Later this month, Discovery is scheduled to "rollout" to Launch Pad 39A for its launch to the International Space Station on the STS-133 mission. Targeted to liftoff Nov. 1, Discovery will take the Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM) packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2 (R2) to the station. Photo credit: NASA/ Dimitri Gerondidakis KSC-2010-4605

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, shuttle Discovery is ushered into the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) from Orbiter Processing Facility-3 during a move known as "rollover." Onc... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the STS-120 crew don their launch and entry suits before heading to Launch Pad 39A for launch aboard space shuttle Discovery to the International Space Station. Seen here is Pilot George Zamka, who is making his first shuttle flight. Discovery is scheduled for liftoff at 11:38 a.m. EDT. The mission will be the 23rd assembly flight to the space station and the 34th flight for Discovery. Payload on the mission is the Italian-built U.S. Node 2, called Harmony. During the 14-day mission, the crew will install Harmony and move the P6 solar arrays to their permanent position and deploy them. Discovery is expected to complete its mission and return home at 4:47 a.m. EST on Nov. 6. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-07pd2937

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the STS...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the STS-120 crew don their launch and entry suits before heading to Launch Pad 39A for launch aboard space shuttle Discovery to the International S... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Operations and Checkout Building, an overhead crane lifts the Joint Airlock Module to move and place it into the payload canister at left for transfer to the Space Station Processing Facility. There the module will undergo more preflight processing for the STS-104 mission scheduled for launch aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis May 17, 2001. The Joint Airlock Module is the gateway from which crew members aboard the International Space Station will enter and exit the 470-ton orbiting research facility KSC-00pp1501

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Operations and Checkout Building,...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Operations and Checkout Building, an overhead crane lifts the Joint Airlock Module to move and place it into the payload canister at left for transfer to the Space Station P... More

Cape Canaveral, Fla. -- Space shuttle Atlantis made its historic final journey to Launch Pad 39A after its 3.4 mile trek from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Vehicle Assembly Building. Atlantis was secured or "hard down," at its seaside launch pad at 3:29 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, June 1. The milestone move, known as "rollout," paves the way for the launch of the STS-135 mission to the International Space Station, targeted for July 8. STS-135 will be the 33rd flight of Atlantis, the 37th shuttle mission to the space station, and the 135th and final mission of NASA's Space Shuttle Program. For more information visit: www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts135/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Terry Zaperach KSC-2011-4220

Cape Canaveral, Fla. -- Space shuttle Atlantis made its historic final...

Cape Canaveral, Fla. -- Space shuttle Atlantis made its historic final journey to Launch Pad 39A after its 3.4 mile trek from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Vehicle Assembly Building. Atlantis was secured or "hard... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space Shuttle Discovery’s move from the Vehicle Assembly Building to the Shuttle Landing Facility, or SLF, is complete as the sun comes up over NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. A tail cone has been installed over its three replica shuttle main engines to reduce aerodynamic drag and turbulence during its upcoming ferry flight. At the SLF, Discovery will be hoisted onto a Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, or SCA, with the aid of a mate-demate device. The SCA, a modified Boeing 747 jet airliner, is scheduled to ferry Discovery to the Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia on April 17, after which the shuttle will be placed on permanent public display in the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. For more information on shuttle transition and retirement activities, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis KSC-2012-2100

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space Shuttle Discovery’s move from the Vehicle...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space Shuttle Discovery’s move from the Vehicle Assembly Building to the Shuttle Landing Facility, or SLF, is complete as the sun comes up over NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. A t... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - After rollback of the rotating service structure (RSS) on Launch Pad 39B, Space Shuttle Discovery stands bathed in lights from the RSS and fixed service structure. The rollback was in preparation for launch July 1 on mission STS-121. Extending toward the cockpit of the shuttle is the orbiter access arm with the White Room extended. The White Room provides access into the orbiter for the astronauts. The RSS provides protected access to the orbiter for changeout and servicing of payloads at the pad. The structure is supported by a rotating bridge that pivots about a vertical axis on the west side of the pad's flame trench. The hinge column rests on the pad surface and is braced to the fixed service structure. Support for the outer end of the bridge is provided by two eight-wheel, motor-driven trucks that move along circular twin rails installed flush with the pad surface. The track crosses the flame trench on a permanent bridge. The RSS is 102 feet long, 50 feet wide and 130 feet high. The structure has orbiter access platforms at five levels to provide access to the payload bay while the orbiter is being serviced in the RSS. Each platform has independent extendable planks that can be arranged to conform to a payload's configuration. This mission is the 115th shuttle flight and the 18th U.S. flight to the International Space Station. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-06pd1307

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - After rollback of the rotating service ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - After rollback of the rotating service structure (RSS) on Launch Pad 39B, Space Shuttle Discovery stands bathed in lights from the RSS and fixed service structure. The rollback w... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Space Station Processing Facility, an overhead crane begins to lift the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) pressure module out of the shipping canister to move it to a work stand. A research laboratory, the pressurized module is the first element of the JEM, named "Kibo" (Hope), to be delivered to KSC. The National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) developed the laboratory at the Tsukuba Space Center near Tokyo and is Japan's primary contribution to the Station. It will enhance the unique research capabilities of the orbiting complex by providing an additional environment for astronauts to conduct science experiments. The JEM also includes an exposed facility (platform) for space environment experiments, a robotic manipulator system, and two logistics modules. The various JEM components will be assembled in space over the course of three Shuttle missions.

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

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Space Station Processing Facility, an overhead crane begins to lift the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) pressure module out of the shipping canister to move it to a work st... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Cameras are prepared to record the launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis from Launch Pad 39A following sunrise on a cloudy Florida day. Rollback of the pad's rotating service structure, or RSS, is one of the milestones in preparation for the launch of mission STS-117 on June 8. Rollback started at 10:56 p.m. EDT June 7 and was complete at 11:34 p.m. The RSS, the massive structure to the left of the shuttle, provides protected access to the orbiter for changeout and servicing of payloads at the pad. The structure is supported by a rotating bridge that pivots about a vertical axis on the side of the pad's flame trench. The hinge column rests on the pad surface and is braced to the fixed service structure. Support for the outer end of the bridge is provided by two eight-wheel, motor-driven trucks that move along circular twin rails installed flush with the pad surface. The track crosses the flame trench on a permanent bridge. The RSS is 102 feet long, 50 feet wide and 130 feet high. The structure has orbiter access platforms at five levels to provide access to the payload bay while the orbiter is being serviced in the RSS. Each platform has independent extendable planks that can be arranged to conform to a payload's configuration. This mission is the 118th shuttle flight and the 21st U.S. flight to the International Space Station and will deliver and install the S3/S4 truss segment, deploy a set of solar arrays and prepare them for operation. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley KSC-07pd1399

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Cameras are prepared to record the launc...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Cameras are prepared to record the launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis from Launch Pad 39A following sunrise on a cloudy Florida day. Rollback of the pad's rotating service structure,... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Workers monitor space shuttle Discovery as it arrives at Launch Pad 39A from the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It took the shuttle, attached to its external fuel tank, twin solid rocket boosters and mobile launcher platform, about seven hours to complete the move atop a crawler-transporter. This is the second time Discovery has rolled out to the pad for the STS-133 mission, and comes after a thorough check and modifications to the shuttle's external tank. Targeted to liftoff Feb. 24, Discovery will take the Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM) packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2 (R2) to the International Space Station. For more information on STS-133, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-1282

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Workers monitor space shuttle Discovery as it ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Workers monitor space shuttle Discovery as it arrives at Launch Pad 39A from the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It took the shuttle, attached to its... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery has been completely backed out of Orbiter Processing Facility-1 in preparation for its move to the Vehicle Assembly Building VAB. The aft view of Discovery reveals the tail cone that covers the three replica shuttle main engines. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of shuttle Discovery, which is being prepared for display at Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va. Discovery will remain in high bay 4 of the VAB until its scheduled transport atop a NASA Shuttle Carrier Aircraft modified 747 jet to Dulles International Airport in Virginia on April 17. Discovery will then be transported to the Smithsonian on April 19. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-1705

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, spac...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery has been completely backed out of Orbiter Processing Facility-1 in preparation for its move to the Vehicle Assembly Buil... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Nearby water reflects the brilliant light of flames beneath space shuttle Discovery as it leaps through the clouds into a blue sky heading for the International Space Station on mission STS-120. Billows of clouds and smoke stream across Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Liftoff was on time at 11:38:19 a.m. EDT. Discovery carries the Italian-built U.S. Node 2, called Harmony. During the 14-day STS-120 mission, the crew will install Harmony and move the P6 solar arrays to their permanent position and deploy them. Discovery is expected to complete its mission and return home at 4:47 a.m. EST on Nov. 6. Photo credit: NASA/Sandra Joseph, Tony Gray & Robert Murray KSC-07pd2961

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Nearby water reflects the brilliant lig...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Nearby water reflects the brilliant light of flames beneath space shuttle Discovery as it leaps through the clouds into a blue sky heading for the International Space Station on m... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-120 Commander Pam Melroy and Pilot George Zamka return to crew quarters after disembarking from a Shuttle Training Aircraft, or STA, on the tarmac at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility. They were training for their upcoming space shuttle mission by practicing landings using an STA. Melroy is the second woman to command a shuttle mission. Also assigned to STS-120 are Mission Specialists Scott Parazynski, Stephanie Wilson, Doug Wheelock, Paolo Nespoli and Daniel Tani. Nespoli represents the European Space Agency. Tani will remain on the International Space Station as an Expedition 16 flight engineer after the STS-120 mission is complete. The mission will be the 23rd shuttle flight to the International Space Station, delivering the Italian-built U.S. Node 2, called Harmony. The crew arrived at Kennedy on Oct. 19 to prepare for launch aboard space shuttle Discovery at 11:38 a.m. EDT Oct. 23. The 14-day mission includes five spacewalks -- four by shuttle crew members and one by the station's Expedition 16 crew -- to install Harmony and move the P6 solar arrays to their permanent position and deploy them. Discovery is expected to complete its mission and return home on Nov. 6. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-07pd2898

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-120 Commander Pam Melroy and Pilot G...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-120 Commander Pam Melroy and Pilot George Zamka return to crew quarters after disembarking from a Shuttle Training Aircraft, or STA, on the tarmac at Kennedy Space Center's Shu... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Alan Thirkettle, the International Space Station Program Manager for ESA, the European Space Agency, and Mauro Piermaria, the ESPERIA mission manager for ASI, the Italian Space Agency, participate in a news briefing on the launch readiness of space shuttle mission STS-120. The STS-120 mission will be the 23rd shuttle flight to the International Space Station, delivering the Italian-built U.S. Node 2, called Harmony. The seven-member crew includes ESA astronaut Paolo Nespoli from Italy. The 14-day mission includes five spacewalks -- four by shuttle crew members and one by the station's Expedition 16 crew -- to install Harmony and move the P6 solar arrays to their permanent position and deploy them. Launch aboard space shuttle Discovery is planned for 11:38 a.m. EDT Oct. 23, and Discovery is scheduled to complete its mission and return home on Nov. 6. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton KSC-07pd2913

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Alan Thirkettle, the International Space...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Alan Thirkettle, the International Space Station Program Manager for ESA, the European Space Agency, and Mauro Piermaria, the ESPERIA mission manager for ASI, the Italian Space Age... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Backdropped by a beautiful blue sky and the crystal-clear Atlantic Ocean, space shuttle Endeavour is revealed on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida following the move of the rotating service structure (RSS). The structure provides weather protection and access to the shuttle while it awaits lift off on the pad. RSS "rollback," as it's called, began at 11:44 a.m. EDT on May 15 and was completed at 12:24 p.m. STS-134 will deliver the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS), Express Logistics Carrier-3, a high-pressure gas tank and additional spare parts for the Dextre robotic helper to the International Space Station. May 16 at 8:56 a.m. will be the second launch attempt for Endeavour. The first attempt on April 29 was scrubbed because of an issue associated with a faulty power distribution box called the aft load control assembly-2 (ALCA-2). STS-134 will be the final spaceflight for Endeavour. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts134/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-3532

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Backdropped by a beautiful blue sky and the cry...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Backdropped by a beautiful blue sky and the crystal-clear Atlantic Ocean, space shuttle Endeavour is revealed on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida following the mov... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- As part of Crew Equipment Interface Test activities, STS-113 Mission Specialists John Herrington (left) and Michael Lopez-Alegria (center) practice working with equipment in Endeavour. The primary payloads on mission STS-113 are the first port truss segment, P1 Truss, to be attached to the central truss segment, S0, on the International Space Station, and the Crew and Equipment Translation Aid (CETA) Cart B that can be used by spacewalkers to move along the truss with equipment. Once delivered, the P1 truss will remain stowed until flight 12A.1. The mission will also deliver the Expedition 6 crew to the Station and return Expedition 5 to Earth. Space Shuttle Endeavour is scheduled to launch Nov. 10 on the 11-day mission. KSC-02pd1330

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- As part of Crew Equipment Interface Test...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- As part of Crew Equipment Interface Test activities, STS-113 Mission Specialists John Herrington (left) and Michael Lopez-Alegria (center) practice working with equipment in Endeav... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the STS-120 crew don their launch and entry suits before heading to Launch Pad 39A for launch aboard space shuttle Discovery to the International Space Station. Seen here is Commander Pamela Melroy, who is making her third shuttle flight. She is only the second woman to command a shuttle mission. Discovery is scheduled for liftoff at 11:38 a.m. EDT. The mission will be the 23rd assembly flight to the space station and the 34th flight for Discovery. Payload on the mission is the Italian-built U.S. Node 2, called Harmony. During the 14-day mission, the crew will install Harmony and move the P6 solar arrays to their permanent position and deploy them. Discovery is expected to complete its mission and return home at 4:47 a.m. EST on Nov. 6. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-07pd2936

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the STS...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the STS-120 crew don their launch and entry suits before heading to Launch Pad 39A for launch aboard space shuttle Discovery to the International S... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Discovery, mounted to a Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, or SCA, takes off from NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility runway 15 in Florida at 7 a.m. EDT and makes a flyby near the 525-foot-tall Vehicle Assembly Building. The duo is beginning its ferry flight to the Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia that also includes a flyby of the Space Coast and Washington, D.C. Also flying along with the pair is a T-38 training jet. Discovery is leaving Kennedy after more than 28 years of service beginning with its arrival on the space coast Nov. 9, 1983. Discovery first launched to space Aug. 30, 1984, on the STS-41D mission. Discovery is the agency’s most-flown shuttle with 39 missions, more than 148 million miles and a total of one year in space. Discovery is set to move to the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., on April 19 where it will be place on public display. For more information on the SCA, visit http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/news/FactSheets/FS-013-DFRC.html. For more information on shuttle transition and retirement activities, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition. Photo credit: NASA/Tim Powers and Rick Wetherington KSC-2012-2459

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Discovery, mounted to a Shuttle C...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Discovery, mounted to a Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, or SCA, takes off from NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility runway 15 in Florida at 7 a.m. EDT and makes a ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Atlantis foreground is towed in to Orbiter Processing Facility-1 after being towed from the Vehicle Assembly Building VAB. Workers will continue to prepare Atlantis for display at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Meanwhile, space shuttle Discovery is on the move from OPF-1 to the Vehicle Assembly Building VAB. The aft view of Discovery reveals the tail cone that covers the three replica shuttle main engines. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of shuttle Discovery, which is being prepared for display at Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va. Discovery will remain in high bay 4 of the VAB until its scheduled transport atop a NASA Shuttle Carrier Aircraft modified 747 jet to Dulles International Airport in Virginia on April 17. Discovery will then be transported to the Smithsonian on April 19. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-1710

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, spac...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Atlantis foreground is towed in to Orbiter Processing Facility-1 after being towed from the Vehicle Assembly Building VAB. Workers... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Endeavour, attached to its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters atop a crawler-transporter, is ready for its slow move from High Bay 3 in the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The 3.4-mile trek, known as "rollout," will take about seven hours to complete. This is the final scheduled rollout for Endeavour. Endeavour and its six STS-134 crew members will deliver the Express Logistics Carrier-3, Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS), a high-pressure gas tank, additional spare parts for the Dextre robotic helper and micrometeoroid debris shields to the International Space Station on the shuttle's final spaceflight. Launch is targeted for April 19 at 7:48 p.m. EDT. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts134/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2011-2214

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Endeavour, attached to its exter...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Endeavour, attached to its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters atop a crawler-transporter, is ready for its slow move from High Bay 3 in the Vehicle Assembly Build... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In Orbiter Processing Facility 1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, workers monitor the progress of space shuttle Atlantis as it backs out of its hangar for its move to the Vehicle Assembly Building. The rollover began about 7 a.m. EDT and was complete at 8:25 a.m. when Atlantis was towed into the VAB's transfer aisle. Next, Atlantis will be lifted over a transom and lowered into the VAB's high bay 1, where it will be attached to its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters. Rollout of the shuttle stack to Kennedy’s Launch Pad 39A, a significant milestone in launch processing activities, is planned for Oct. 13. Liftoff of Atlantis on its STS-129 mission to the International Space Station is targeted for 4:04 p.m. EST during a 10-minute launch window on Nov. 12. For information on the STS-129 mission and crew, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts129/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2009-5320

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In Orbiter Processing Facility 1 at NASA’s Kenn...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In Orbiter Processing Facility 1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, workers monitor the progress of space shuttle Atlantis as it backs out of its hangar for its move to the Vehicl... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Discovery arrives at Launch Pad 39A from the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It took the shuttle, attached to its external fuel tank, twin solid rocket boosters and mobile launcher platform, about seven hours to complete the move atop a crawler-transporter. This is the second time Discovery has rolled out to the pad for the STS-133 mission, and comes after a thorough check and modifications to the shuttle's external tank. Targeted to liftoff Feb. 24, Discovery will take the Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM) packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2 (R2) to the International Space Station. For more information on STS-133, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-1281

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Discovery arrives at Launch Pad ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Discovery arrives at Launch Pad 39A from the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It took the shuttle, attached to its external fuel tank, t... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Endeavour rolls up the ramp toward Launch Pad 39A. At right are the open rotating service structure and the fixed service structure with the 80-foot-tall lightning mast on top. The shuttle moved off Launch Pad 39B starting at 8:28 am. EDT and completed its move to Launch Pad 39A at 4:37 p.m. Endeavour is targeted to launch Nov. 14 on the STS-126 mission. On this 27th mission to the International Space Station, Endeavour will carry the Lightweight Multi-Purpose Experiment Support Structure Carrier and the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Leonardo that will hold supplies and equipment, including additional crew quarters, additional exercise equipment, spare hardware and equipment for the regenerative life support system. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-08pd3356

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Endeavour rolls up the ramp toward Launch Pad 39A. At right are the open rotating service structure and the fixed service struct... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery backs out of its processing bay, Orbiter Processing Facility-2, or OPF-2, to begin the move to the Vehicle Assembly Building, or VAB. Discovery will be stored inside the VAB for approximately one month while shuttle Atlantis undergoes processing in OPF-2 following its final mission, STS-135. Discovery flew its 39th and final mission, STS-133, in February and March 2011, and currently is being prepared for public display at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia. For more information about Discovery's Transition and Retirement, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/launch/discovery_rss_collection_archive_1.html. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2011-5527

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery backs out of its processing bay, Orbiter Processing Facility-2, or OPF-2, to begin the move to the Vehicle Assembly Bui... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Technicians prepare shuttle Atlantis for its final planned move from Orbiter Processing Facility-1 to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The move called "rollover" is a major milestone in processing for the STS-135 mission to the International Space Station. Inside the VAB, the shuttle will be attached to its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters. Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley and Mission Specialists Sandra Magnus and Rex Walheim are targeted to launch in early July, taking with them the Raffaello multipurpose logistics module packed with supplies, logistics and spare parts. The STS-135 mission also will fly a system to investigate the potential for robotically refueling existing spacecraft and return a failed ammonia pump module to help NASA better understand the failure mechanism and improve pump designs for future systems. STS-135 will be the 33rd flight of Atlantis, the 37th shuttle mission to the space station, and the 135th and final mission of NASA's Space Shuttle Program. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts135/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Frankie Martin KSC-2011-3652

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Technicians prepare shuttle Atlantis for its f...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Technicians prepare shuttle Atlantis for its final planned move from Orbiter Processing Facility-1 to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery is being readied for its move to the Vehicle Assembly Building VAB. The aft view of Discovery reveals the tail cone that covers the three replica shuttle main engines. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of shuttle Discovery, which is being prepared for display at Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va. Discovery will remain in high bay 4 of the VAB until its scheduled transport atop a NASA Shuttle Carrier Aircraft modified 747 jet to Dulles International Airport in Virginia on April 17. Discovery will then be transported to the Smithsonian on April 19. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-1698

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA’s ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery is being readied for its move to the Vehicle Assembly Building VAB. The aft view of... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Team members stationed at consoles in the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida monitor space shuttle Discovery's external fuel tank as it is loaded with more than 535,000 gallons of cryogenic propellants. From back, are Assistant Launch Orbiter Test Conductor Mark Taffet, Launch Orbiter Test Conductor John Kracsun, STS-133 NASA Test Director Steve Payne, NASA Commentator Allard Beutel, NASA Test Director Jeremy Graeber and STS-133 Assistant NASA Test Director Jeff Spaulding. During today's tanking test, the team is paying particular attention to the external tank's ribbed intertank region. Beginning tomorrow, engineers will evaluate data on 21-foot-long, U-shaped aluminum brackets, called stringers, and the newly replaced ground umbilical carrier plate (GUCP). Discovery's first launch attempt for STS-133 was scrubbed in early November due to a hydrogen gas leak at the GUCP. In order to perform additional analysis on the tank, Discovery will be rolled back to the Vehicle Assembly Building, a move that is planned for next week. The next launch opportunity 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/Cory Huston KSC-2010-5880

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Team members stationed at consoles in the Laun...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Team members stationed at consoles in the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida monitor space shuttle Discovery's external fuel tank as it is loaded with more t... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Atlantis, attached to its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters atop a mobile launcher platform, awaits its final journey from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. "Rollout," as it's called, began at 8:42 p.m. EDT. It will take the crawler-transporter about six hours to carry the shuttle stack to its seaside launch pad. The milestone move paves the way for the launch of the STS-135 mission to the International Space Station, targeted for July 8. STS-135 will be the 33rd flight of Atlantis, the 37th shuttle mission to the space station, and the 135th and final mission of NASA's Space Shuttle Program. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts135/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-4094

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Atlantis, attached to its extern...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Atlantis, attached to its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters atop a mobile launcher platform, awaits its final journey from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launc... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility, overhead cranes move the U.S. Lab Destiny from its test and integration stand to the Launch Package Integration Stand (LPIS) for a weight and center of gravity determination. Destiny is the payload aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-98 to the International Space Station. The lab is fitted with five system racks and will already have experiments installed inside for the flight. The launch is scheduled for January 2001 KSC00pp1933

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

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility, overhead cranes move the U.S. Lab Destiny from its test and integration stand to the Launch Package Integration Stand (LPIS) for a weight... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, external fuel tank, ET-138, for space shuttle Atlantis' STS-135 mission, is lowered into high bay-1 for joining with the twin solid rocket boosters on the mobile launcher platform. Shuttle Atlantis' move, or "rollover," from Orbiter Processing Facility-1 to the VAB is targeted for May 10. Once there it will be mated with the external tank and boosters. Atlantis and its crew of four will deliver the Raffaello multipurpose logistics module packed with supplies and spare parts to the International Space Station. STS-135 is targeted to launch June 28, and will be the last spaceflight for the Space Shuttle Program. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2011-3041

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at NASA'...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, external fuel tank, ET-138, for space shuttle Atlantis' STS-135 mission, is lowered into high bay-1 for j... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –– Space shuttle Atlantis on Launch Pad 39A is viewed across the lagoon at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Atlantis is targeted to launch May 12 on the STS-125 mission to upgrade NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. Endeavour will be prepared on the pad for liftoff in the unlikely event that a rescue mission is necessary following space shuttle Atlantis' launch May 12 on the STS-125 mission to upgrade NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. After Atlantis is cleared to land, Endeavour will move to Launch Pad 39A for its upcoming STS-127 mission to the International Space Station, targeted to launch June 13. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2009-2753

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –– Space shuttle Atlantis on Launch Pad 39A is vi...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –– Space shuttle Atlantis on Launch Pad 39A is viewed across the lagoon at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Atlantis is targeted to launch May 12 on the STS-125 mission to upgrade N... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-120 Commander Pam Melroy and Pilot George Zamka return to crew quarters after disembarking from the Shuttle Training Aircraft, or STAs, behind them on the tarmac at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility. They were training for their upcoming space shuttle mission by practicing landings in the STAs. Melroy is the second woman to command a shuttle mission. Also assigned to STS-120 are Mission Specialists Scott Parazynski, Stephanie Wilson, Doug Wheelock, Paolo Nespoli and Daniel Tani. Nespoli represents the European Space Agency. Tani will remain on the International Space Station as an Expedition 16 flight engineer after the STS-120 mission is complete. The mission will be the 23rd shuttle flight to the International Space Station, delivering the Italian-built U.S. Node 2, called Harmony. The crew arrived at Kennedy on Oct. 19 to prepare for launch aboard space shuttle Discovery at 11:38 a.m. EDT Oct. 23. The 14-day mission includes five spacewalks -- four by shuttle crew members and one by the station's Expedition 16 crew -- to install Harmony and move the P6 solar arrays to their permanent position and deploy them. Discovery is scheduled to complete its mission and return home on Nov. 6. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-07pd2909

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-120 Commander Pam Melroy and Pilot G...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-120 Commander Pam Melroy and Pilot George Zamka return to crew quarters after disembarking from the Shuttle Training Aircraft, or STAs, behind them on the tarmac at NASA Kenned... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Workers prepare to lift the TDRS-J spacecraft for its move to a workstand in the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility-2 (SAEF-2) for final checkout and processing before launch, currently targeted for Nov. 20. TDRS-J is the third in the current series of three Tracking and Data Relay Satellites designed to replenish the existing on-orbit fleet of six spacecraft, the first of which was launched in 1983. The Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System is the primary source of space-to-ground voice, data and telemetry for the Space Shuttle. It also provides communications with the International Space Station and scientific spacecraft in low-earth orbit, such as the Hubble Space Telescope, and launch support for some expendable vehicles. This new advanced series of satellites will extend the availability of TDRS communications services until approximately 2017. KSC-02pp1638

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Workers prepare to lift the TDRS-J space...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Workers prepare to lift the TDRS-J spacecraft for its move to a workstand in the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility-2 (SAEF-2) for final checkout and processing before ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Endeavour is ready for the rollover from Orbiter Processing Facility 2 to the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla. The first motion of the shuttle out of its hangar was at 6:56 a.m. EDT. In the VAB, Endeavour will be lifted into High Bay 1 and mated to the external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters already installed on the mobile launcher platform. Endeavour is scheduled to roll out to Launch Pad 39B in about a week. Endeavour will be prepared on the pad for liftoff in the unlikely event that a rescue mission is necessary following space shuttle Atlantis' launch on the STS-125 mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope. After Atlantis is cleared to land, Endeavour will move to Launch Pad 39A for its upcoming STS-127 mission to the International Space Station, targeted to launch in mid-June. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2009-2568

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Endeavour is ready for the rollo...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Endeavour is ready for the rollover from Orbiter Processing Facility 2 to the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla. The first motion of the shuttle... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Media snap photos as space shuttle Discovery, mounted to a Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, slowly rolls along the runway of the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The duo is set to begin their 3 1/2 hour ferry flight to the Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia at about 7 a.m. EDT. Above the two craft is a NASA helicopter covering the departure. Discovery is leaving Kennedy after more than 28 years of service beginning with its arrival on the space coast Nov. 9, 1983. Discovery first launched to space Aug. 30, 1984, on the STS-41D mission. Discovery is the agency's most-flown shuttle with 39 missions, more than 148 million miles and a total of one year in space. Discovery is set to move to the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center on April 19 where it will be placed on public display. For more information on the SCA, visit http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/news/FactSheets/FS-013-DFRC.html. For more information on shuttle transition and retirement activities, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition. Photo credit: NASA/Frankie Martin KSC-2012-2422

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Media snap photos as space shuttle Discovery, m...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Media snap photos as space shuttle Discovery, mounted to a Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, slowly rolls along the runway of the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florid... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Nearby water reflects the light from Space shuttle Discovery as it heads for blue sky atop twin columns of fire, hurling swirls of smoke and steam across Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Launching on mission STS-120 to the International Space Station, liftoff was on time at 11:38:19 a.m. EDT. Discovery carries the Italian-built U.S. Node 2, called Harmony. During the 14-day STS-120 mission, the crew will install Harmony and move the P6 solar arrays to their permanent position and deploy them. Discovery is expected to complete its mission and return home at 4:47 a.m. EST on Nov. 6. Photo courtesy of Nikon/Scott Andrews KSC-07pd2969

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Nearby water reflects the light from S...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Nearby water reflects the light from Space shuttle Discovery as it heads for blue sky atop twin columns of fire, hurling swirls of smoke and steam across Launch Pad 39A at NASA's... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Just before dawn, space shuttle Endeavour, installed on the mobile launcher platform atop the crawler-transporter, is on Launch Pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. First motion out of the Vehicle Assembly Building was at 11:57 p.m. EDT April 16. The shuttle was secure on the pad at 7:17 a.m. EDT April 17. On the left of the shuttle is the White Room at the end of the orbiter access arm, 147 feet above the pad. When in place against the shuttle, the White Room provides access into the crew compartment on the shuttle. Endeavour will be prepared on the pad for liftoff in the unlikely event that a rescue mission is necessary following space shuttle Atlantis' launch on the STS-125 mission to service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. After Atlantis is cleared to land, Endeavour will move to Launch Pad 39A for its upcoming STS-127 mission to the International Space Station, targeted to launch June 13. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2009-2690

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Just before dawn, space shuttle Endeavour, inst...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Just before dawn, space shuttle Endeavour, installed on the mobile launcher platform atop the crawler-transporter, is on Launch Pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. First ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Bathed in bright xenon lights, space shuttle Discovery makes its nighttime trek, known as "rollout," from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It will take the shuttle, attached to its external fuel tank, twin solid rocket boosters and mobile launcher platform, about six hours to complete the move atop a crawler-transporter. Rollout sets the stage for Discovery's STS-133 crew to practice countdown and launch procedures during the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test in mid-October. Targeted to liftoff Nov. 1, Discovery will take the Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM) packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2 (R2) to the International Space Station. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2010-4709

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Bathed in bright xenon lights, space shuttle Discovery makes its nighttime trek, known as "rollout," from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center i... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Expedition 5 crew member Peggy Whitson undergoes a suit check as part of Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities at KSC. The TCDT includes emergency egress training at the pad and a simulated launch countdown. Expedition 5 will travel to the International Space Station on mission STS-111 as the replacement crew for Expedition 4, who will return to Earth aboard Endeavour. Known as Utilization Flight -2, the mission includes attaching a Canadian-built mobile base system to the International Space Station that will enable the Canadarm2 robotic arm to move along a railway on the Station's truss to build and maintain the outpost. The crew will also replace a faulty wrist/roll joint on the Canadarm2 as well as unload almost three tons of experiments and supplies from the Italian-built Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Leonardo. Launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour on mission STS-111 is scheduled for May 30, 2002 KSC-02pd0675

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Expedition 5 crew member Peggy Whitson un...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Expedition 5 crew member Peggy Whitson undergoes a suit check as part of Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities at KSC. The TCDT includes emergency egress training at the... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Atop twin columns of fire, space shuttle Discovery hurtles past the lightning rod atop the fixed service structure on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Smoke and steam from liftoff billow across the pad. Liftoff was on time at 11:38:19 a.m. EDT. Discovery carries the Italian-built U.S. Node 2, called Harmony. During the 14-day STS-120 mission, the crew will install Harmony and move the P6 solar arrays to their permanent position and deploy them. Discovery is expected to complete its mission and return home at 4:47 a.m. EST on Nov. 6. Photo credit: NASA/Sandra Joseph, Tony Gray & Robert Murray KSC-07pd2966

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Atop twin columns of fire, space shutt...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Atop twin columns of fire, space shuttle Discovery hurtles past the lightning rod atop the fixed service structure on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Smoke and ste... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the airlock of the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, workers prepare to move the ground support equipment for the STS-125 Hubble Servicing Mission delivered July 16. The GSE are carriers, or pallets, that will hold equipment in space shuttle Atlantis’ payload bay. This carrier will be moved to a work stand. The carriers will be prepared for the integration of telescope science instruments, both internal and external replacement components, as well as the flight support equipment to be used by the astronauts during the servicing mission. The three payload carriers or pallets are the Flight Support System, the Super Lightweight Interchangeable Carrier and the Orbital Replacement Unit Carrier. At the end of July, a fourth and final carrier, the Multi-Use Lightweight Equipment carrier will join the others in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility where the Hubble payload is being prepared for launch. Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston KSC-08pd2004

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the airlock of the Payload Hazardous Servi...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the airlock of the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, workers prepare to move the ground support equipment for the STS-125 Hubble Servicing Mission ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Shuttle Atlantis' three main engines take center stage in this image as Atlantis is being moved to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) from Orbiter Processing Faciity-1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The move called "rollover" is a major milestone in processing for the STS-135 mission to the International Space Station. Inside the VAB, the shuttle will be attached to its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters. Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley and Mission Specialists Sandra Magnus and Rex Walheim are targeted to launch in early July, taking with them the Raffaello multipurpose logistics module packed with supplies, logistics and spare parts. The STS-135 mission also will fly a system to investigate the potential for robotically refueling existing spacecraft and return a failed ammonia pump module to help NASA better understand the failure mechanism and improve pump designs for future systems. STS-135 will be the 33rd flight of Atlantis, the 37th shuttle mission to the space station, and the 135th and final mission of NASA's Space Shuttle Program. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts135/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Frankie Martin KSC-2011-3657

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Shuttle Atlantis' three main engines take cent...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Shuttle Atlantis' three main engines take center stage in this image as Atlantis is being moved to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) from Orbiter Processing Faciity-1 at NASA's Kennedy... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Employees check out space shuttle Atlantis after it was uncovered on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida following the move of the rotating service structure (RSS). The structure provides weather protection and access to the shuttle while it awaits liftoff on the pad. RSS "rollback" marks a major milestone in Atlantis' STS-135 mission countdown. Atlantis and its crew of four; Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley and Mission Specialists Sandy Magnus and Rex Walheim, are scheduled to lift off at 11:26 a.m. EDT on July 8 to deliver the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module packed with supplies and spare parts to the International Space Station. Atlantis also will fly the Robotic Refueling Mission experiment that will investigate the potential for robotically refueling existing satellites in orbit. In addition, Atlantis will return with a failed ammonia pump module to help NASA better understand the failure mechanism and improve pump designs for future systems. STS-135 will be the 33rd flight of Atlantis, the 37th shuttle mission to the space station, and the 135th and final mission of NASA's Space Shuttle Program. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts135/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2011-5147

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Employees check out space shuttle Atlantis aft...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Employees check out space shuttle Atlantis after it was uncovered on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida following the move of the rotating service structure (RSS). ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Endeavour glistens in the sun on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The rotating service structure (RSS) that protects the shuttle from the elements and provides access to its components is open to allow crews to move the primary payload for Endeavour's STS-134 mission into the pad's structure before installing it into the spacecraft's cargo bay. Endeavour and its six-member STS-134 crew are targeted to lift off April 19 at 7:48 p.m. EDT to deliver the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS) and Express Logistics Carrier-3 to the International Space Station. This is Endeavour's final scheduled mission. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts134/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux KSC-2011-2402

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Endeavour glistens in the sun on...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Endeavour glistens in the sun on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The rotating service structure (RSS) that protects the shuttle from the elements ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Endeavour is illuminated by bright xenon lights on Launch Pad 39A after the rotating service structure (RSS) was moved away. The structure provides weather protection and access to the shuttle while it awaits lift off on the pad. RSS "rollback," as it's called, began at 11:52 p.m. EDT on April 28. The move was scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., but storms over Kennedy delayed pad operations for a few hours. STS-134 will deliver the Express Logistics Carrier-3, Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS), a high-pressure gas tank and additional spare parts for the Dextre robotic helper to the International Space Station. Endeavour was scheduled to launch at 3:47 p.m. on April 29, but that attempt was scrubbed for at least 72 hours while engineers assess an issue associated with the shuttle's Auxiliary Power Unit 1. STS-134 will be the final spaceflight for Endeavour. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts134/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley KSC-2011-3184

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Endeavour is illuminated by bright xenon lights on Launch Pad 39A after the rotating service structure (RSS) was moved away. The ... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Lunar Module 5 move from landing gear fixture and mate to SLA. KSC-69P-245

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Lunar Module 5 move from landing gear fi...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Lunar Module 5 move from landing gear fixture and mate to SLA.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Command and Service Module (CSM) for Apollo 11 move from 134 work stand and final mate to service-module-to-launch-module adapter (SLA). KSC-69P-247

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Command and Service Module (CSM) for...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Command and Service Module (CSM) for Apollo 11 move from 134 work stand and final mate to service-module-to-launch-module adapter (SLA).

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The 402-foot-tall mobile service structure is moved away from the Apollo 11 spacecraft at Launch Pad 39A. The move was made during a recent Countdown Demonstration Test, participated in by Apollo 11 astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, Michael Collins and Edwin E. Aldrin Jr. KSC-69PC-353

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The 402-foot-tall mobile service structu...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The 402-foot-tall mobile service structure is moved away from the Apollo 11 spacecraft at Launch Pad 39A. The move was made during a recent Countdown Demonstration Test, participa... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Discovery, mounted to a Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, or SCA, takes off from NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility runway 15 in Florida at 7 a.m. EDT. The duo is beginning its ferry flight to the Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia that also includes a flyby of the Space Coast and Washington, D.C. Also flying along with the pair is a T-38 training jet. Discovery is leaving Kennedy after more than 28 years of service beginning with its arrival on the space coast Nov. 9, 1983. Discovery first launched to space Aug. 30, 1984, on the STS-41D mission. Discovery is the agency’s most-flown shuttle with 39 missions, more than 148 million miles and a total of one year in space. Discovery is set to move to the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., on April 19 where it will be place on public display. For more information on the SCA, visit http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/news/FactSheets/FS-013-DFRC.html. For more information on shuttle transition and retirement activities, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition. Photo credit: NASA/Tim Powers and Rick Wetherington KSC-2012-2458

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Discovery, mounted to a Shuttle C...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Discovery, mounted to a Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, or SCA, takes off from NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility runway 15 in Florida at 7 a.m. EDT. The duo is ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the payload transportation canister containing the International Space Station's Node 3, named Tranquility, is lowered onto a transporter for its move to Launch Pad 39A. The primary payload for space shuttle Endeavour's STS-130 mission, Tranquility is a pressurized module that will provide room for many of the space station's life support systems. Attached to one end of Tranquility is a cupola, a unique work area with six windows on its sides and one on top. The cupola resembles a circular bay window and will provide a vastly improved view of the station's exterior. The multi-directional view will allow the crew to monitor spacewalks and docking operations, as well as provide a spectacular view of Earth and other celestial objects. The module was built in Turin, Italy, by Thales Alenia Space for the European Space Agency. Launch of STS-130 is targeted for Feb. 7. For information on the STS-130 mission and crew, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts130/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis KSC-2010-1240

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the payload transportation canister containing the International Space Station's Node 3, named Tranquil... More

At the Shuttle Landing Facility, the crated Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS-H) is placed onto a transporter for its move to the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility (SAEF-2) for testing. The TDRS is one of three (labeled H, I and J) being built in the Hughes Space and Communications Company Integrated Satellite Factory in El Segundo, Calif. The latest TDRS uses an innovative springback antenna design. A pair of 15-foot-diameter, flexible mesh antenna reflectors fold up for launch, then spring back into their original cupped circular shape on orbit. The new satellites will augment the TDRS system’s existing Sand Ku-band frequencies by adding Ka-band capability. TDRS will serve as the sole means of continuous, high-data-rate communication with the space shuttle, with the International Space Station upon its completion, and with dozens of unmanned scientific satellites in low earth orbit. The TDRS is scheduled to be launched from CCAFS June 29 aboard an Atlas IIA/Centaur rocket KSC-00pp0708

At the Shuttle Landing Facility, the crated Tracking and Data Relay Sa...

At the Shuttle Landing Facility, the crated Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS-H) is placed onto a transporter for its move to the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility (SAEF-2) for testing. The T... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Outside Orbiter Processing Facility-2, or OPF-2, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, media are on hand to cover the move of space shuttle Discovery to the Vehicle Assembly Building, or VAB. Discovery will be stored inside the VAB for approximately one month while shuttle Atlantis undergoes processing in OPF-2 following its final mission, STS-135. Discovery flew its 39th and final mission, STS-133, in February and March 2011, and currently is being prepared for public display at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia. For more information about Discovery's Transition and Retirement, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/launch/discovery_rss_collection_archive_1.html. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley KSC-2011-5571

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Outside Orbiter Processing Facility-2, or OPF-...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Outside Orbiter Processing Facility-2, or OPF-2, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, media are on hand to cover the move of space shuttle Discovery to the Vehicle Assembly Buildin... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-113 Commander James Wetherbee (left) andPilot Paul Lockhart (right) look over equipment inside Endeavour as part of Crew Equipment Interface Test activities. The primary payloads on mission STS-113 are the first port truss segment, P1 Truss, to be attached to the central truss segment, S0, on the International Space Station, and the Crew and Equipment Translation Aid (CETA) Cart B that can be used by spacewalkers to move along the truss with equipment. Once delivered, the P1 truss will remain stowed until flight 12A.1. The mission will also deliver the Expedition 6 crew to the Station and return Expedition 5 to Earth. Space Shuttle Endeavour is scheduled to launch Nov. 10 on the 11-day mission. KSC-02pd1327

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-113 Commander James Wetherbee (left) ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-113 Commander James Wetherbee (left) andPilot Paul Lockhart (right) look over equipment inside Endeavour as part of Crew Equipment Interface Test activities. The primary payload... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Discovery, mounted to a Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, rises just after 7 a.m. EDT from the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The duo is beginning their 3 1/2 hour ferry flight to the Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia. Discovery is leaving Kennedy after more than 28 years of service beginning with its arrival on the space coast Nov. 9, 1983. Discovery first launched to space Aug. 30, 1984, on the STS-41D mission. Discovery is the agency's most-flown shuttle with 39 missions, more than 148 million miles and a total of one year in space. Discovery is set to move to the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center on April 19 where it will be placed on public display. For more information on the SCA, visit http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/news/FactSheets/FS-013-DFRC.html. For more information on shuttle transition and retirement activities, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-2387

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Discovery, mounted to a Shuttle C...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Discovery, mounted to a Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, rises just after 7 a.m. EDT from the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The duo is beginni... More

STS117-S-006 (8 June 2007) --- After suiting up, the STS-117 crewmembers exit the Operations and Checkout Building to board the Astrovan, which will take them to launch pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center. On the right (front to back) are astronauts Rick Sturckow, commander; Steven Swanson, Clayton Anderson and Jim Reilly (center back), all mission specialists. On the left (front to back) are astronauts Lee Archambault, pilot; Patrick Forrester and John "Danny" Olivas, both mission specialists. Anderson will join Expedition 15 in progress to serve as a flight engineer aboard the International Space Station. Atlantis will link up with the International Space Station on Sunday, June 10, to begin a joint mission that will increase the complex's power generation capability. Using the shuttle and station robotic arms and conducting three scheduled spacewalks, the astronauts will install another set of giant solar array wings on the station and retract another array, preparing it for a future move. STS117-S-006

STS117-S-006 (8 June 2007) --- After suiting up, the STS-117 crewmembe...

STS117-S-006 (8 June 2007) --- After suiting up, the STS-117 crewmembers exit the Operations and Checkout Building to board the Astrovan, which will take them to launch pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center. On the r... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Trailing a column of fire, space shuttle Discovery hurtles toward space on mission STS-120 to the International Space Station as it breaks free from Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Liftoff was on time at 11:38:19 a.m. EDT. Discovery carries the Italian-built U.S. Node 2, called Harmony. During the 14-day STS-120 mission, the crew will install Harmony and move the P6 solar arrays to their permanent position and deploy them. Discovery is expected to complete its mission and return home at 4:47 a.m. EST on Nov. 6. Photo credit: NASA/Sandra Joseph, Tony Gray & Robert Murray KSC-07pd2958

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Trailing a column of fire, space shuttl...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Trailing a column of fire, space shuttle Discovery hurtles toward space on mission STS-120 to the International Space Station as it breaks free from Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kenne... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, this image shows in detail a view of the hydraulic system connected to the underside of shuttle Atlantis that will lift the vehicle off the floor to enable the orbiter transport system, or OTS, to be rolled underneath for its move, or "rollover," to the Vehicle Assembly Building. Once there Atlantis will be joined with the external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters on the mobile launcher platform. Atlantis is being prepared for the STS-135 mission, which will deliver the Raffaello multipurpose logistics module packed with supplies, logistics and spare parts to the International Space Station. STS-135 is targeted to launch June 28, and will be the last spaceflight for the Space Shuttle Program. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2011-2968

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, this image shows in detail a view of the hydraulic system connected to the underside of shuttle Atlantis that w... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility, the p5 truss for mission STS-116 is being readied for a move to the payload canister. The truss will be transported to Launch Pad 39B where it will wait for installation in Space Shuttle Discovery’s payload bay. The third port truss segment, the P5 will be attached to the P3/P4 truss on the International Space Station during the 11-day mission. The window for launch of mission STS-116 opens Dec. 7. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton KSC-06pd2402

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

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility, the p5 truss for mission STS-116 is being readied for a move to the payload canister. The truss will be transported to Launch Pad 39B wher... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The crawler-transporter is positioned under the mobile launcher platform with the 327-foot-tall Ares I-X rocket. The rocket is prepared to leave the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, on its way to Launch Pad 39B. The move to the launch pad, known as "rollout," began at 1:39 a.m. EDT. The transfer of the pad from the Space Shuttle Program to the Constellation Program took place May 31. Modifications made to the pad include the removal of shuttle unique subsystems, such as the orbiter access arm and a section of the gaseous oxygen vent arm, along with the installation of three 600-foot lightning towers, access platforms, environmental control systems and a vehicle stabilization system. Part of the Constellation Program, the Ares I-X is the test vehicle for the Ares I. The Ares I-X flight test is targeted for Oct. 27. For information on the Ares I-X vehicle and flight test, visit http://www.nasa.gov/aresIX. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2009-5544

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The crawler-transporter is positioned under the...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The crawler-transporter is positioned under the mobile launcher platform with the 327-foot-tall Ares I-X rocket. The rocket is prepared to leave the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Ke... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, preparations are under way to move space shuttle Endeavour, attached to its external tank and solid rocket boosters, from High Bay 1 to Launch Pad 39A. First motion was at 4:13 a.m. EST Jan. 6. The 3.4-mile trip, known as rollout, takes about six hours. Rollout is a significant milestone in launch processing activities. The primary payload for the STS-130 mission is the International Space Station's Node 3, Tranquility, a pressurized module that will provide room for many of the station's life support systems. Attached to one end of Tranquility is a cupola, a unique work area with six windows on its sides and one on top. The cupola resembles a circular bay window and will provide a vastly improved view of the station's exterior. The multi-directional view will allow the crew to monitor spacewalks and docking operations, as well as provide a spectacular view of Earth and other celestial objects. The module was built in Turin, Italy, by Thales Alenia Space for the European Space Agency. Space shuttle Endeavour's STS-130 mission is targeted for launch at 4:39 a.m. EST Feb. 7. For information on the STS-130 mission and crew, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts130/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Amanda Diller KSC-2010-1025

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kenn...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, preparations are under way to move space shuttle Endeavour, attached to its external tank and solid rocket boos... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Viewed from the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, space shuttle Discovery hurtles through the clouds trailing a column of fire and smoke. Liftoff was on time at 11:38:19 a.m. EDT. Discovery carries the Italian-built U.S. Node 2, called Harmony. During the 14-day STS-120 mission, the crew will install Harmony and move the P6 solar arrays to their permanent position and deploy them. Discovery is expected to complete its mission and return home at 4:47 a.m. EST on Nov. 6. Photo credit: NASA/Chuck Tintera KSC-07pd2955

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Viewed from the Shuttle Landing Facilit...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Viewed from the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, space shuttle Discovery hurtles through the clouds trailing a column of fire and smoke. Liftoff was on ti... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On a cloudy Florida day, Space Shuttle Atlantis awaits launch atop a mobile launch platform at Launch Pad 39A. At the right of the pad is the 290-foot tall, 300,000-gallon water tank that is part of the sound suppression system during launches. In the foreground is the crawlerway. a 130-foot-wide roadway with a 5-percent grade leading to the top of the launch pad. Rollback of the pad's rotating service structure, or RSS, is one of the milestones in preparation for the launch of mission STS-117 on June 8. Rollback started at 10:56 p.m. EDT June 7 and was complete at 11:34 p.m. The RSS, the massive structure to the left of the shuttle, provides protected access to the orbiter for changeout and servicing of payloads at the pad. The structure is supported by a rotating bridge that pivots about a vertical axis on the side of the pad's flame trench. The hinge column rests on the pad surface and is braced to the fixed service structure. Support for the outer end of the bridge is provided by two eight-wheel, motor-driven trucks that move along circular twin rails installed flush with the pad surface. The track crosses the flame trench on a permanent bridge. The RSS is 102 feet long, 50 feet wide and 130 feet high. The structure has orbiter access platforms at five levels to provide access to the payload bay while the orbiter is being serviced in the RSS. Each platform has independent extendable planks that can be arranged to conform to a payload's configuration. This mission is the 118th shuttle flight and the 21st U.S. flight to the International Space Station and will deliver and install the S3/S4 truss segment, deploy a set of solar arrays and prepare them for operation. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley KSC-07pd1403

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On a cloudy Florida day, Space Shuttle A...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On a cloudy Florida day, Space Shuttle Atlantis awaits launch atop a mobile launch platform at Launch Pad 39A. At the right of the pad is the 290-foot tall, 300,000-gallon water ta... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Vehicle Assembly Building at KSC, a crane lifts external tank No. 120 into the upper regions. The tank is being lifted for a move into a checkout cell. The tank will be prepared for stacking with solid rocket boosters to launch Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-120 in October. The mission is the 23rd to the International Space Station and will launch an Italian-built, U.S. multi-port module known as Harmony for the station. Christened after a school contest, Harmony will provide attachment points for European and Japanese laboratory modules. NASA/George Shelton KSC-07pd2151

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

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Vehicle Assembly Building at KSC, a crane lifts external tank No. 120 into the upper regions. The tank is being lifted for a move into a checkout cell. The tank will be ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, shuttle Discovery pauses in between Orbiter Processing Facility-3 and the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) during a move called "rollover." Once inside the VAB, the shuttle will be joined to its solid rocket boosters and external fuel tank. Later this month, Discovery is scheduled to "rollout" to Launch Pad 39A for its launch to the International Space Station on the STS-133 mission. Targeted to liftoff Nov. 1, Discovery will take the Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM) packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2 (R2) to the station. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2010-4587

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, shuttle Discovery pauses in between Orbiter Processing Facility-3 and the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) during a move called "rollover." Once... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In preparation for the July 1 launch of Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-121, the Launch Pad 39B rotating service structure (RSS) enclosing the shuttle rolls away. Above the golden external tank is the vent hood (known as the "beanie cap") at the end of the gaseous oxygen vent arm. Vapors are created as the liquid oxygen in the external tank boil off. The hood vents the gaseous oxygen vapors away from the space shuttle vehicle. The RSS provides protected access to the orbiter for changeout and servicing of payloads at the pad. The structure is supported by a rotating bridge that pivots about a vertical axis on the west side of the pad's flame trench. The hinge column rests on the pad surface and is braced to the fixed service structure. Support for the outer end of the bridge is provided by two eight-wheel, motor-driven trucks that move along circular twin rails installed flush with the pad surface. The track crosses the flame trench on a permanent bridge. The RSS is 102 feet long, 50 feet wide and 130 feet high. The structure has orbiter access platforms at five levels to provide access to the payload bay while the orbiter is being serviced in the RSS. Each platform has independent extendable planks that can be arranged to conform to a payload's configuration. This mission is the 115th shuttle flight and the 18th U.S. flight to the International Space Station. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-06pd1302

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In preparation for the July 1 launch of ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In preparation for the July 1 launch of Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-121, the Launch Pad 39B rotating service structure (RSS) enclosing the shuttle rolls away. Above the... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at Kennedy Space Center, workers move the platform with the Phoenix spacecraft into another room. The Phoenix mission is the first project in NASA's first openly competed program of Mars Scout missions. Phoenix will land in icy soils near the north polar permanent ice cap of Mars and explore the history of the water in these soils and any associated rocks, while monitoring polar climate. Landing is planned in May 2008 on arctic ground where a mission currently in orbit, Mars Odyssey, has detected high concentrations of ice just beneath the top layer of soil. It will serve as NASA's first exploration of a potential modern habitat on Mars and open the door to a renewed search for carbon-bearing compounds, last attempted with NASA’s Viking missions in the 1970s. A stereo color camera and a weather station will study the surrounding environment while the other instruments check excavated soil samples for water, organic chemicals and conditions that could indicate whether the site was ever hospitable to life. Microscopes can reveal features as small as one one-thousandth the width of a human hair. Launch of Phoenix aboard a Delta II rocket is targeted for Aug. 3 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton KSC-07pd1064

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

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at Kennedy Space Center, workers move the platform with the Phoenix spacecraft into another room. The Phoenix mission is the first proj... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A crawler-transporter creeps toward Mobile Launcher Platform-2, or MLP-2, on the hardstand at Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Operations are underway to move the MLP to a nearby park site in Launch Complex 39. The historic launch pad was the site from which numerous Apollo and space shuttle missions began and is beginning a new mission as a commercial launch site. NASA signed a property agreement with Space Exploration Technologies Corp., or SpaceX, of Hawthorne, California, on April 14 for use and occupancy of the seaside complex along Florida's central east coast. It will serve as a platform for SpaceX to support their commercial launch activities. For more information on Launch Pad 39A, visit http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/pdf/167416main_LC39-08.pdf. For learn more about the crawler-transporter, visit http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/pdf/167402main_crawlertransporters07.pdf. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2014-2618

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A crawler-transporter creeps toward Mobile Lau...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A crawler-transporter creeps toward Mobile Launcher Platform-2, or MLP-2, on the hardstand at Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Operations are underway to move th... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Orbiter Processing Facility-2 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians move a Hyster forklift closer to Engine #1, the final engine to be removed from space shuttle Atlantis. The forklift will be used to remove the engine and transport it to the Engine Shop for possible future use. Each of the three space shuttle main engines is 14 feet long and weighs 7,800 pounds. Removal of the space shuttle main engines is part of the Transition and Retirement work that is being performed in order to prepare Atlantis for eventual display at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Photo credit: Frankie Martin KSC-2011-6530

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Orbiter Processing Facility-2 at NASA’s Ken...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Orbiter Processing Facility-2 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians move a Hyster forklift closer to Engine #1, the final engine to be removed from space shuttle Atla... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- STS-134 Pilot Greg H. Johnson talks to media as the space shuttle that will take Johnson and his crewmates to the International Space Station slowly rolls past. Endeavour began its move from High Bay 3 in the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 7:56 p.m. EST. The 3.4-mile trek, known as "rollout," will take about seven hours to complete. This is the final scheduled rollout for Endeavour, which is attached to its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters atop a crawler-transporter. STS-134 crew members will deliver the Express Logistics Carrier-3, Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS), a high-pressure gas tank, additional spare parts for the Dextre robotic helper and micrometeoroid debris shields to the orbiting outpost on the shuttle's final spaceflight. Launch is targeted for April 19 at 7:48 p.m. EDT. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts134/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Debbie Odom KSC-2011-2215

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- STS-134 Pilot Greg H. Johnson talks to media a...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- STS-134 Pilot Greg H. Johnson talks to media as the space shuttle that will take Johnson and his crewmates to the International Space Station slowly rolls past. Endeavour began its move ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Technicians move a portable workstand under a Pratt and Whitney Rocketdyne space shuttle main engine, or SSME, inside the SSME Processing Facility, the engine shop at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The engine is being rotated into a horizontal position with the aid of an engine-handling device attached to a crane. The engine is one of the last SSMEs remaining at Kennedy and is being prepared for shipment to NASA's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. The first two groups of engines were shipped from Kennedy to Stennis in November 2011 and January 2012 the remaining engines are scheduled to depart on April 9. Altogether, 15 shuttle-era engines will be stored at Stennis for reuse on NASA’s Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket, under development. Photo credit: NASA/Tim Jacobs KSC-2012-1917

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Technicians move a portable workstand under a P...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Technicians move a portable workstand under a Pratt and Whitney Rocketdyne space shuttle main engine, or SSME, inside the SSME Processing Facility, the engine shop at NASA’s Kennedy Space... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – On Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's skid strip in Florida, the shrouded Atlas V first stage booster is being prepared for its move to the Atlas Space Operations Center on CCAFS. The Atlas V is the launch vehicle for NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, or LRO, and NASA's Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite, known as LCROSS. Launch is scheduled no earlier than May 20. LCROSS and LRO are the first missions in NASA's plan to return humans to the moon and begin establishing a lunar outpost by 2020. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2009-1928

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – On Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's skid stri...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – On Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's skid strip in Florida, the shrouded Atlas V first stage booster is being prepared for its move to the Atlas Space Operations Center on CCAFS. The Atl... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In Orbiter Processing Facility-2 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a large crane is used to lift and move the right orbital maneuvering system OMS pod for installation on space shuttle Endeavour. The OMS pod underwent complete deservicing and cleaning at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico, part of the transition and retirement processing of each shuttle. Endeavour is being prepared for public display at the California Science Center in Los Angeles. Over the course of its 19-year career, Endeavour spent 299 days in space during 25 missions. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-1905

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In Orbiter Processing Facility-2 at NASA’s Kenn...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In Orbiter Processing Facility-2 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a large crane is used to lift and move the right orbital maneuvering system OMS pod for installation on space s... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In Orbiter Processing Facility-2 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United Space Alliance technicians assist with removal of the large crane that was used to lift and move the right orbital maneuvering system OMS pod for installation on space shuttle Endeavour. The OMS pod underwent complete deservicing and cleaning at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico, part of the transition and retirement processing of each shuttle. Endeavour is being prepared for public display at the California Science Center in Los Angeles. Over the course of its 19-year career, Endeavour spent 299 days in space during 25 missions. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-1910

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In Orbiter Processing Facility-2 at NASA’s Kenn...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In Orbiter Processing Facility-2 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United Space Alliance technicians assist with removal of the large crane that was used to lift and move the rig... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Technicians move the work platforms away from a Pratt and Whitney Rocketdyne space shuttle main engine, or SSME, hanging above the floor inside the SSME Processing Facility, the engine shop at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Operations are under way to rotate the engine into a horizontal position on a portable workstand. The engine is one of the last SSMEs remaining at Kennedy and is being prepared for shipment to NASA's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. The first two groups of engines were shipped from Kennedy to Stennis in November 2011 and January 2012 the remaining engines are scheduled to depart on April 9. Altogether, 15 shuttle-era engines will be stored at Stennis for reuse on NASA’s Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket, under development. Photo credit: NASA/Tim Jacobs KSC-2012-1914

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Technicians move the work platforms away from a...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Technicians move the work platforms away from a Pratt and Whitney Rocketdyne space shuttle main engine, or SSME, hanging above the floor inside the SSME Processing Facility, the engine sh... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the latest Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite, or GOES, is secured on a transporter for its move to the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla. Developed by NASA for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, the GOES-O satellite is targeted to launch April 28 onboard a United Launch Alliance Delta IV expendable launch vehicle. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2009-1937

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kenne...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the latest Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite, or GOES, is secured on a transporter for its move... More

STS 41-C crew move to transfer van for trip to Launch Pad 39B

STS 41-C crew move to transfer van for trip to Launch Pad 39B

41C-3061 (6 April 1984) --- The five-member astronauts crew for NASA's STS-41C Space Shuttle mission head for the transfer van that will transport them to Launch Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center. Astronaut ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, technicians in NASA’s AO Building on Cape Canaveral Air Station move the Wind spacecraft to a work stand. Wind is scheduled for launch on a Delta II expendable launch vehicle. Wind is the first of two missions of the Global Geospace Science Initiative, part of the worldwide collaboration for the International Solar-Terrestrial Physics ISTP program. It will carry six U.S. instruments, one French instrument and the first Russian instrument to ever fly on an American satellite, as part of an effort to measure properties of the solar wind before it reaches Earth. Photo Credit: NASA KSC-94PC-1147

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, technicians in NASA’s AO Building on Cape Canaveral Air Station move the Wind spacecraft to a work stand. Wind is scheduled for launch on ... More

McDonnell Douglas-SPACEHAB technicians oversee the move of a Russian-made oxygen generator to a SPACEHAB Double Module, at rear, in the SPACEHAB Payload Processing Facility. In foreground, from left, are Marc Tuttle, Dan Porter and Mike Vawter. The oxygen generator, manufactured in Russia by RSC Energia, will be carried aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis on Mission STS-84 for the Shuttle’s scheduled docking with the Russian Space Station Mir next month. The nearly 300-pound generator will replace one of two Mir units that have been malfunctioning recently. The generator functions by electrolysis, which separates water into its oxygen and hydrogen components. The hydrogen is vented and the oxygen is used for breathing by the Mir crew. The generator is 4.2 feet in length and 1.4 feet in diameter. STS-84, which is planned to include a Mir crew exchange of astronaut C. Michael Foale for Jerry M. Linenger, is targeted for a May 15 liftoff KSC-97pc672

McDonnell Douglas-SPACEHAB technicians oversee the move of a Russian-m...

McDonnell Douglas-SPACEHAB technicians oversee the move of a Russian-made oxygen generator to a SPACEHAB Double Module, at rear, in the SPACEHAB Payload Processing Facility. In foreground, from left, are Marc T... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- McDonnell Douglas-SPACEHAB technicians oversee the move of a Russian-made oxygen generator to a SPACEHAB Double Module, at rear, in the SPACEHAB Payload Processing Facility. With faces visible in center foreground, from left, are Mark Halavin and Marc Tuttle; Mike Vawter is at far right. The oxygen generator, manufactured in Russia by RSC Energia, will be carried aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis on Mission STS-84 for the Shuttle’s scheduled docking with the Russian Space Station Mir next month. The nearly 300-pound generator will replace one of two Mir units that have been malfunctioning recently. The generator functions by electrolysis, which separates water into its oxygen and hydrogen components. The hydrogen is vented and the oxygen is used for breathing by the Mir crew. The generator is 4.2 feet in length and 1.4 feet in diameter. STS-84, which is planned to include a Mir crew exchange of astronaut C. Michael Foale for Jerry M. Linenger, is targeted for a May 15 liftoff. It will be the sixth Shuttle-Mir docking KSC-97pc673

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- McDonnell Douglas-SPACEHAB technicians o...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- McDonnell Douglas-SPACEHAB technicians oversee the move of a Russian-made oxygen generator to a SPACEHAB Double Module, at rear, in the SPACEHAB Payload Processing Facility. With f... More

Previous

of 26

Next