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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-114 Mission Specialist Soichi Noguchi is helped by the Closeout Crew with his launch and entry suit before entering Space Shuttle Discovery. This is Noguchi’s first Shuttle flight. He represents the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. The Return to Flight mission to the International Space Station carries the External Stowage Platform-2, equipped with spare part assemblies, and a replacement Control Moment Gyroscope contained in the Lightweight Multi-Purpose Experiment Support Structure and Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello, housing 15 tons of hardware and supplies that will be transferred to the Station after the Shuttle docks to the complex . On this mission, the crew will perform inspections on-orbit for the first time of all of the Reinforced Carbon-Carbon (RCC) panels on the leading edge of the wings and the Thermal Protection System tiles using the new Canadian-built Orbiter Boom Sensor System and the data from 176 impact and temperature sensors. Mission Specialists will also practice repair techniques on RCC and tile samples during a spacewalk in the payload bay. KSC-05pp1797

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-114 Mission Specialist Soichi Noguch...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-114 Mission Specialist Soichi Noguchi is helped by the Closeout Crew with his launch and entry suit before entering Space Shuttle Discovery. This is Noguchi’s first Shuttle fl... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the high bay of the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, a worker from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center cuts away the protective wrapping from the Orbital Replacement Unit Carrier for the Hubble Space Telescope. The Orbital Replacement Unit Carrier, or ORUC, is one of four carriers supporting hardware for space shuttle Atlantis' STS-125 mission to service the telescope. The Super Lightweight Interchangeable Carrier, or SLIC, and the Flight Support System, or FSS, have also arrived at Kennedy. The Multi-Use Lightweight Equipment carrier will be delivered in late July. 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 Hubble servicing mission, targeted for launch Oct. 8. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-08pd2076

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the high bay of the Payload Hazardous Servic...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the high bay of the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, a worker from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center cuts away the protective wrapping from the Orb... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, arcane moves the cover of the shipping container away from its cargo, the Multi-Use Lightweight Equipment (MULE) carrier. The MULE is part of the payload for the fifth and final shuttle servicing mission to NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, STS-125. The MULE carrier will join the Flight Support System, the Super Lightweight Interchangeable Carrier and the Orbital Replacement Unit Carrier in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility where the Hubble payload is being prepared for launch. The Relative Navigation Sensors and the New Outer Blanket Layers will be on the MULE. The payload is scheduled to go to Launch Pad 39A in mid-September to be installed into Atlantis' payload bay. Atlantis is targeted to launch Oct. 8 at 1:34 a.m. EDT. .Photo credit: NASA/Amanda Diller KSC-08pd2298

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, arcane moves the cover of the shipping container away from its cargo, the Multi-Use Lightweight Equipment (MULE... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Technicians unload the replacement wrist joint for the Space Station Remote Manipulator System before installing it in Space Shuttle Endeavour's payload bay. The new wrist joint, called an Orbital Replacement Unit (ORU), will be installed next to the arm's Latching End Effector during the final of three planned spacewalks. Mission STS-111 is designated UF-2, the 14th assembly flight to the International Space Station. Endeavour's payload includes the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Leonardo and Mobile Base System. The mission also will swap resident crews on the Station, carrying the Expedition 5 crew and returning to Earth Expedition 4. Liftoff of Endeavour is scheduled between 4 and 8 p.m. May 30, 2002 KSC-02pd0640

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Technicians unload the replacement wrist...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Technicians unload the replacement wrist joint for the Space Station Remote Manipulator System before installing it in Space Shuttle Endeavour's payload bay. The new wrist joint, c... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, the IMAX 3D camera is lifted from a stand to be installed on the Orbital Replacement Unit Carrier, or ORUC. The carrier will be installed in space shuttle Atlantis’ payload bay. The camera will record the STS-125 mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope. Space shuttle Atlantis' 11-day flight is targeted for launch May 12 and will include five spacewalks in which astronauts will refurbish and upgrade the telescope with state-of-the-art science instruments. As a result, Hubble's capabilities will be expanded and its operational lifespan extended through at least 2014. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis KSC-2009-2341

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, the IMAX 3D camera is lifted from a stand to be installed on the Orbital Replacement Unit Carrier, or ORUC. Th... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A second shipping container of major flight hardware for space shuttle Atlantis' STS-125 mission to NASA's Hubble Space Telescope arrives at the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center to begin preparations for its targeted October launch. The container holds the Super Lightweight Interchangeable Carrier, or SLIC, and the Orbital Replacement Unit Carrier, or ORUC. The payload 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 SLIC and the ORUC. 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/Amanda Diller KSC-08pd2021

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A second shipping container of major flight h...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A second shipping container of major flight hardware for space shuttle Atlantis' STS-125 mission to NASA's Hubble Space Telescope arrives at the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Technicians in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center install a specialized overhead crane onto the Fine Guidance Sensor, or FGS. The sensor will be lifted and moved to the Orbital Replacement Unit Carrier or ORUC, for installation. An FGS consists of a large structure housing a collection of mirrors, lenses, servos, prisms, beam splitters and photomultiplier tubes. There are three fine guidance sensors on Hubble located at 90-degree intervals around the circumference of the telescope. Along with the gyroscopes, the optical sensors are a key component of Hubble’s highly complex but extraordinarily effective “pointing control system.” The ORUC is one of three carriers that are being 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 fifth and final Hubble servicing mission, STS-125, on space shuttle Atlantis. Launch is targeted for Oct. 8. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-08pd2347

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Technicians in the Payload Hazardous Servicin...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Technicians in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center install a specialized overhead crane onto the Fine Guidance Sensor, or FGS. The sensor will be lif... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Viewed from a camera in the midst of Florida greenery across the marshy water, Space Shuttle Discovery leaps through billows of smoke and steam on Launch Pad 39B on the historic Return to Flight mission STS-114. Liftoff occurred at 10:39 a.m. EDT. This is the 114th Space Shuttle flight and the 31st for Discovery. The 12-day mission is expected to end with touchdown at the Shuttle Landing Facility on Aug. 7. On this mission to the International Space Station the crew will perform inspections on-orbit for the first time of all of the Reinforced Carbon-Carbon (RCC) panels on the leading edge of the wings and the Thermal Protection System tiles using the new Canadian-built Orbiter Boom Sensor System and the data from 176 impact and temperature sensors. Mission Specialists will also practice repair techniques on RCC and tile samples during a spacewalk in the payload bay. During two additional spacewalks, the crew will install the External Stowage Platform-2, equipped with spare part assemblies, and a replacement Control Moment Gyroscope contained in the Lightweight Multi-Purpose Experiment Support Structure. KSC-05pp1779

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Viewed from a camera in the midst of Fl...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Viewed from a camera in the midst of Florida greenery across the marshy water, Space Shuttle Discovery leaps through billows of smoke and steam on Launch Pad 39B on the historic R... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, workers check the attachments on the ground support equipment for the STS-125 Hubble Servicing Mission as it is transferred to a work stand. The GSE are carriers, or pallets, that will hold equipment in space shuttle Atlantis’ payload bay. Under the protective covering of the carrier can be seen the soft capture mechanism. 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-08pd2010

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, workers check the attachments on the ground support equipment for the STS-125 Hubble Servicing Mission as it i... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Launch Pad 39-A, the STS-111 and Expedition Five crews take time out from a tour of the pad with their friends and family to pose for a group portrait. From left, they are STS-111 Pilot Paul Lockhart, STS-111 Commander Kenneth Cockrell, Expedition Five Commander Valeri Korzun (RSA), Expedition Five astronaut Peggy Whitson, Expedition Five cosmonaut Sergei Treschev (RSA), and STS-111 Mission Specialists Philippe Perrin (CNES) and Franklin Chang-Diaz. Expedition Five is traveling to the International Space Station on Space Shuttle Endeavour as the replacement crew for Expedition Four, who will return to Earth aboard the orbiter. Known as Utilization Flight 2, STS-111 is carrying supplies and equipment to the Station. The payload includes the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Leonardo, the Mobile Base System, which will be installed on the Mobile Transporter to complete the Canadian Mobile Servicing System, or MSS, and a replacement wrist/roll joint for Canadarm 2. The mechanical arm will then have the capability to "inchworm" from the U.S. Lab Destiny to the MSS and travel along the truss to work sites. Launch is scheduled for May 30, 2002 KSC-02pd0814

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Launch Pad 39-A, the STS-111 and Expe...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Launch Pad 39-A, the STS-111 and Expedition Five crews take time out from a tour of the pad with their friends and family to pose for a group portrait. From left, they are STS-... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A second shipping container of major flight hardware for space shuttle Atlantis' STS-125 mission to NASA's Hubble Space Telescope is moved into the airlock at the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The container holds the Super Lightweight Interchangeable Carrier, or SLIC, and the Orbital Replacement Unit Carrier, or ORUC. In the facility, preparations will begin for its targeted October launch. The payload 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 SLIC and the ORUC. 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/Amanda Diller KSC-08pd2023

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A second shipping container of major flight h...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A second shipping container of major flight hardware for space shuttle Atlantis' STS-125 mission to NASA's Hubble Space Telescope is moved into the airlock at the Payload Hazardous Serv... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the high bay of the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, a worker from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center removes the protective wrapping from the Orbital Replacement Unit Carrier for the Hubble Space Telescope. The Orbital Replacement Unit Carrier, or ORUC, is one of four carriers supporting hardware for space shuttle Atlantis' STS-125 mission to service the telescope. The Super Lightweight Interchangeable Carrier, or SLIC, and the Flight Support System, or FSS, have also arrived at Kennedy. The Multi-Use Lightweight Equipment carrier will be delivered in late July. 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 Hubble servicing mission, targeted for launch Oct. 8. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-08pd2081

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the high bay of the Payload Hazardous Servic...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the high bay of the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, a worker from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center removes the protective wrapping from the Orbit... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, a technician gets ready to place the cover over the engine cutoff, or ECO, sensor system connector and wiring on space shuttle Atlantis' external tank. The feed-through connector passes the wires from the inside of the tank to the outside. Results of a tanking test on Dec. 18 pointed to an open circuit in the feed-through connector wiring, which is located at the base of the tank. The pins in the replacement connector were precisely soldered to create a connection that allows sensors inside the tank to send signals to the computers onboard Atlantis. The launch date for the shuttle's STS-122 mission has now been targeted for Feb. 7. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-08pd0071

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Sp...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, a technician gets ready to place the cover over the engine cutoff, or ECO, sensor system connector and wiring on space shuttle A... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the transporter holds the container with the second shipment of hardware space shuttle Atlantis' STS-125 mission to NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. The container holds the Super Lightweight Interchangeable Carrier, or SLIC, and the Orbital Replacement Unit Carrier, or ORUC. Another payload carrier, the Flight Support System, has already been delivered, and the Multi-Use Lightweight Equipment carrier will be delivered in late July. 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 Hubble servicing mission, targeted for launch Oct. 8. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-08pd2039

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility a...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the transporter holds the container with the second shipment of hardware space shuttle Atlantis' STS-125 miss... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians oversee the lifting of the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph, or COS, from a stand. The COS will be moved to and placed on the Orbital Replacement Unit Carrier that will be installed in space shuttle Atlantis' payload bay. The COS is part of the payload for the Hubble servicing mission, STS-125, targeted to launch in mid-May. Installing the COS during the mission will effectively restore spectroscopy to Hubble’s scientific arsenal, and at the same time provide the telescope with unique capabilities. COS is designed to study the large-scale structure of the universe and how galaxies, stars and planets formed and evolved. It will help determine how elements needed for life such as carbon and iron first formed and how their abundances have increased over the lifetime of the universe. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2009-2162

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians oversee the lifting of the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph, or COS, from a stand. The COS w... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the high bay of the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, a worker from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center documents the installation of a pallet support strut on the Super Lightweight Interchangeable Carrier for the Hubble Space Telescope. The Super Lightweight Interchangeable Carrier, or SLIC, is one of four carriers supporting hardware for space shuttle Atlantis' STS-125 mission to service the telescope. SLIC is built with state-of-the-art, lightweight, composite materials - carbon fiber with a cyanate ester resin and a titanium metal matrix composite. These composites have greater strength-to-mass ratios than the metals typically used in spacecraft design. The Orbital Replacement Unit Carrier, or ORUC, and the Flight Support System, or FSS, have also arrived at Kennedy. The Multi-Use Lightweight Equipment carrier will be delivered in early August. 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 Hubble servicing mission, targeted for launch Oct. 8. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-08pd2095

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the high bay of the Payload Hazardous Servi...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the high bay of the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, a worker from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center documents the installation of a pallet suppor... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A second shipping container of major flight hardware for space shuttle Atlantis' STS-125 mission to NASA's Hubble Space Telescope is placed in the airlock at the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The container holds the Super Lightweight Interchangeable Carrier and the Orbital Replacement Unit Carrier. In the facility, preparations will begin for its targeted October launch. The payload 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 SLIC and the ORUC. 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/Amanda Diller KSC-08pd2024

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A second shipping container of major flight h...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A second shipping container of major flight hardware for space shuttle Atlantis' STS-125 mission to NASA's Hubble Space Telescope is placed in the airlock at the Payload Hazardous Servi... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, technicians check the sensors on the Soft Capture Mechanism (SCM), part of the Soft Capture and Rendezvous System, or SCRS, after mating of the SCM to the Flight Support System, or FSS, carrier. The SCRS will enable the future rendezvous, capture and safe disposal of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope by either a crewed or robotic mission. The ring-like device attaches to Hubble’s aft bulkhead. The SCRS greatly increases the current shuttle capture interfaces on Hubble, therefore significantly reducing the rendezvous and capture design complexities associated with the disposal mission. The FSS will join the Multi-Use Lightweight Equipment, or MULE, carrier, the Super Lightweight Interchangeable Carrier and the Orbital Replacement Unit Carrier as payload on space shuttle Atlantis's STS-125 mission. The payload is scheduled to go to Launch Pad 39A in mid-September to be installed into Atlantis' payload bay. Atlantis is targeted to launch Oct. 8 at 1:34 a.m. EDT. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-08pd2445

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, technicians check the sensors on the Soft Capture Mechanism (SCM), part of the Soft Capture and Rendezvous Syst... 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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Launch Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center, a technician loads replacement parts for the Zvezda service module toilet on the International Space Station aboard space shuttle Discovery. The toilet malfunctioned last week and was initially repaired by replacing a microprocessor valve. After the station crew members experienced additional difficulties with the toilet, they were directed to use Soyuz toilet facilities at first and are using the main toilet again after rigging a urine bypass. The spare toilet parts have been added to Discovery’s manifest for delivery to the station on the STS-124 mission. On the 14-day mission, Discovery and its crew will deliver the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Japanese Experiment Module – Pressurized Module and the Japanese Remote Manipulator System. Launch is scheduled for 5:02 p.m. EDT May 31. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis KSC-08pd1465

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Launch Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center, a ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Launch Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center, a technician loads replacement parts for the Zvezda service module toilet on the International Space Station aboard space shuttle Discovery. T... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-114 Mission Specialist Stephen Robinson is helped by the Closeout Crew with his launch and entry suit before entering Space Shuttle Discovery. The Return to Flight mission to the International Space Station carries the External Stowage Platform-2, equipped with spare part assemblies, and a replacement Control Moment Gyroscope contained in the Lightweight Multi-Purpose Experiment Support Structure and Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello, housing 15 tons of hardware and supplies that will be transferred to the Station after the Shuttle docks to the complex . On this mission, the crew will perform inspections on-orbit for the first time of all of the Reinforced Carbon-Carbon (RCC) panels on the leading edge of the wings and the Thermal Protection System tiles using the new Canadian-built Orbiter Boom Sensor System and the data from 176 impact and temperature sensors. Mission Specialists will also practice repair techniques on RCC and tile samples during a spacewalk in the payload bay. KSC-05pp1799

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-114 Mission Specialist Stephen Robin...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-114 Mission Specialist Stephen Robinson is helped by the Closeout Crew with his launch and entry suit before entering Space Shuttle Discovery. The Return to Flight mission to ... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- STS-108 Mission Specialist Daniel M. Tani is ready to practice driving an M-113 armored personnel carrier. He and other crew members are taking part in Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities, which include emergency exit from the launch pad and a simulated launch countdown. STS-108 is a Utilization Flight that will carry the replacement Expedition 4 crew to the International Space Station, as well as the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello, filled with supplies and equipment. The l1-day mission is scheduled for launch Nov. 29 on Space Shuttle Endeavour KSC-01PP1653

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- STS-108 Mission Specialist Daniel M. Ta...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- STS-108 Mission Specialist Daniel M. Tani is ready to practice driving an M-113 armored personnel carrier. He and other crew members are taking part in Terminal Countdown Demonst... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, an overhead crane lifts the Orbital Replacement Unit Carrier, or ORUC, and moves it across the floor to install it in the payload canister. The carrier is one of four associated with the STS-125 mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope. It will be installed in the payload canister for transfer to Launch Pad 39A. At the pad, all the carriers will be loaded into space shuttle Atlantis’ payload bay. Launch of Atlantis is targeted for Oct. 10. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-08pd2713

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, an overhead crane lifts the Orbital Replacement Unit Carrier, or ORUC, and moves it across the floor to instal... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the Soft Capture Mechanism (SCM), part of the Soft Capture and Rendezvous System, or SCRS, is being prepared for transfer to the Flight Support System, or FSS, carrier. The SCRS will enable the future rendezvous, capture and safe disposal of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope by either a crewed or robotic mission. The ring-like device attaches to Hubble’s aft bulkhead. The SCRS greatly increases the current shuttle capture interfaces on Hubble, therefore significantly reducing the rendezvous and capture design complexities associated with the disposal mission. The FSS will join the Multi-Use Lightweight Equipment, or MULE, carrier, the Super Lightweight Interchangeable Carrier and the Orbital Replacement Unit Carrier as payload on space shuttle Atlantis's STS-125 mission. The payload is scheduled to go to Launch Pad 39A in mid-September to be installed into Atlantis' payload bay. Atlantis is targeted to launch Oct. 8 at 1:34 a.m. EDT. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-08pd2432

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the Soft Capture Mechanism (SCM), part of the Soft Capture and Rendezvous System, or SCRS, is being prepared ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, the IMAX 3D camera is lifted and moved toward the Orbital Replacement Unit Carrier, or ORUC, for installation. The carrier will be installed in space shuttle Atlantis’ payload bay. The camera will record the STS-125 mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope. Space shuttle Atlantis' 11-day flight is targeted for launch May 12 and will include five spacewalks in which astronauts will refurbish and upgrade the telescope with state-of-the-art science instruments. As a result, Hubble's capabilities will be expanded and its operational lifespan extended through at least 2014. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis KSC-2009-2342

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, the IMAX 3D camera is lifted and moved toward the Orbital Replacement Unit Carrier, or ORUC, for installation. ... 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. – At the Canister Rotation Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the shipping container with the Multi-Use Lightweight Equipment (MULE) carrier inside is pressure cleaned after its arrival. The MULE is part of the payload for the fifth and final shuttle servicing mission to NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, STS-125. The MULE carrier will join the Flight Support System, the Super Lightweight Interchangeable Carrier and the Orbital Replacement Unit Carrier in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility where the Hubble payload is being prepared for launch. The Relative Navigation Sensors and the New Outer Blanket Layers will be on the MULE. The payload is scheduled to go to Launch Pad 39A in mid-September to be installed into Atlantis' payload bay. Atlantis is targeted to launch Oct. 8 at 1:34 a.m. EDT. .Photo credit: NASA/Amanda Diller KSC-08pd2289

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Canister Rotation Facility at NASA's K...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Canister Rotation Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the shipping container with the Multi-Use Lightweight Equipment (MULE) carrier inside is pressure cleaned after its arr... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The STS-108 and Expedition 4 crews head for the Astrovan and a ride to Launch Pad 39B. Leading the way are Pilot Mark E. Kelly (left) and Commander Dominic L. Gorie; behind them are Mission Specialists Daniel M. Tani and Linda A. Godwin; next is Expedition 4 Commander Yuri Onufrienko, followed by astronauts Daniel W. Bursch (left) and Carl E. Walz. This is the second launch attempt after the first attempt Dec. 4 was scrubbed due to poor weather conditions at KSC. The main goals of the mission are to carry the Expedition 4 crew to the International Space Station as replacement for Expedition 3; carry the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello filled with water, equipment and supplies; and install thermal blankets over equipment at the base of the ISS solar wings. STS-108 is the final Shuttle mission of 2001 and the 107th Shuttle flight overall. Launch is scheduled for 5:19 p.m. EST (22:19 GMT) Dec. 5, 2001, from Launch Pad 39B KSC01PD1784

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The STS-108 and Expedition 4 crews head...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The STS-108 and Expedition 4 crews head for the Astrovan and a ride to Launch Pad 39B. Leading the way are Pilot Mark E. Kelly (left) and Commander Dominic L. Gorie; behind them ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A, a worker inside space shuttle Endeavour's aft section removes a cover to provide access for the removal and replacement of the Load Control Assembly-2 (LCA-2). Located in the orbiter's aft avionics bay 5, the LCA-2 assembly, which feeds power to the fuel line heaters, is believed to have caused the heaters for Endeavour's auxiliary power unit-1 (APU-1) to fail April 29 during the first launch attempt for the STS-134 mission. 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. The mission also 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-2011-3212

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A,...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A, a worker inside space shuttle Endeavour's aft section removes a cover to provide access for the removal and replacement of the Load Control... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The Expedition 4 crew practice emergency exit from Space Shuttle Endeavour on the 195-foot level of the Fixed Service Structure. Leading the way is astronaut Carl E. Walz, followed by Commander Yuri Onufrienko and astronaut Daniel W. Bursch. Expedition 4, which is the replacement resident crew for the International Space Station, is traveling to the Space Station as part of mission STS-108. The training is part of Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities that also include a simulated launch countdown.. Launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour on mission STS-108 is scheduled for Nov. 29 at 7:44 p.m. EST KSC-01pp1686

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The Expedition 4 crew practice emergen...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The Expedition 4 crew practice emergency exit from Space Shuttle Endeavour on the 195-foot level of the Fixed Service Structure. Leading the way is astronaut Carl E. Walz, follo... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A, a worker inside space shuttle Endeavour's aft section removed a cover to provide access for the removal and replacement of the Load Control Assembly-2 (LCA-2). Located in the orbiter's aft avionics bay 5, the LCA-2 assembly, which feeds power to the fuel line heaters, is believed to have caused the heaters for Endeavour's auxiliary power unit-1 (APU-1) to fail April 29 during the first launch attempt for the STS-134 mission. 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. The mission also 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-2011-3214

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A,...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A, a worker inside space shuttle Endeavour's aft section removed a cover to provide access for the removal and replacement of the Load Control... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, the IMAX 3D camera is lowered toward the Orbital Replacement Unit Carrier, or ORUC, for installation. The carrier will be installed in space shuttle Atlantis’ payload bay. The camera will record the STS-125 mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope. Space shuttle Atlantis' 11-day flight is targeted for launch May 12 and will include five spacewalks in which astronauts will refurbish and upgrade the telescope with state-of-the-art science instruments. As a result, Hubble's capabilities will be expanded and its operational lifespan extended through at least 2014. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis KSC-2009-2344

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, the IMAX 3D camera is lowered toward the Orbital Replacement Unit Carrier, or ORUC, for installation. The carri... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a crane places the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph, or COS, on the Orbital Replacement Unit Carrier where it will be installed. The carrier will be placed in space shuttle Atlantis' payload bay for the Hubble servicing mission, STS-125, targeted to launch in mid-May. Installing the COS during the mission will effectively restore spectroscopy to Hubble’s scientific arsenal, and at the same time provide the telescope with unique capabilities. COS is designed to study the large-scale structure of the universe and how galaxies, stars and planets formed and evolved. It will help determine how elements needed for life such as carbon and iron first formed and how their abundances have increased over the lifetime of the universe. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2009-2167

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a crane places the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph, or COS, on the Orbital Replacement Unit Carrier wher... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, an overhead crane moves the Orbital Replacement Unit Carrier, or ORUC, above the payload canister for installation. The carrier is one of four associated with the STS-125 mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope. It will be installed in the payload canister for transfer to Launch Pad 39A. At the pad, all the carriers will be loaded into space shuttle Atlantis’ payload bay. Launch of Atlantis is targeted for Oct. 10. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-08pd2714

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, an overhead crane moves the Orbital Replacement Unit Carrier, or ORUC, above the payload canister for installa... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-82 crew members and workers at KSC's Vertical Processing Facility look at hardware in the Multipurpose ORU (Orbital Replacement Unit) Protective Enclsoure, also called MOPE. The crew is participating in the Crew Equipment Integration Test (CEIT). Liftoff of STS-82, the second Hubble Space Telescope (HST) servicing mission, is scheduled Feb. 11 aboard Discovery with a crew of seven.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-82 crew members and workers at KSC's...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-82 crew members and workers at KSC's Vertical Processing Facility look at hardware in the Multipurpose ORU (Orbital Replacement Unit) Protective Enclsoure, also called MOPE. T... More

STS-84 Mission Specialist Elena V. Kondakova, a cosmonaut with the Russian Space Agency, talks to news media representatives and other onlookers during Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) activities at Launch Pad 39A. Kondakova will be one of seven crew members on the sixth docking of the Space Shuttle with the Russian Space Station Mir. Another of the crew members, C. Michael Foale, will transfer to the space station and become a member of the Mir 23 crew, replacing U.S. astronaut Jerry M. Linenger, who will return to Earth aboard Atlantis. Foale will live and work on Mir until mid-September when his replacement is expected to arrive on the STS-86 mission. Kondakova previously lived on the Russian space station as the flight engineer of the 17th main mission on Mir from Oct. 4, 1994, to March 9, 1995. STS-84 is targeted for a May 15 liftoff KSC-97pc736

STS-84 Mission Specialist Elena V. Kondakova, a cosmonaut with the Rus...

STS-84 Mission Specialist Elena V. Kondakova, a cosmonaut with the Russian Space Agency, talks to news media representatives and other onlookers during Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) activities at... More

STS-84 crew members listen intently to Commander Charles J. Precourt, at far right, as he talks to news media representatives and other onlookers at Launch Pad 39A during the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT). Other crew members, from left, are Mission Specialist Edward Tsang Lu, Pilot Eileen Marie Collins, and Mission Specialists Carlos I. Noriega, Jean-Francois Clervoy of the European Space Agency, C. Michael Foale, and Elena V. Kondakova of the Russian Space Agency. STS-84 will be the sixth docking of the Space Shuttle with the Russian Space Station Mir. After docking, Foale will transfer to the space station and become a member of the Mir 23 crew, replacing U.S. astronaut Jerry M. Linenger, who will return to Earth aboard Atlantis. Foale will live and work on Mir until mid-September when his replacement is expected to arrive on the STS-86 mission. STS-84 is targeted for a May 15 liftoff KSC-97pc737

STS-84 crew members listen intently to Commander Charles J. Precourt, ...

STS-84 crew members listen intently to Commander Charles J. Precourt, at far right, as he talks to news media representatives and other onlookers at Launch Pad 39A during the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Te... More

The STS-84 crew pose for a group photograph in front of the crew hatch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis at Launch Pad 39A. In the front row, from left, are Mission Specialists C. Michael Foale, Elena V. Kondakova of the Russian Space Agency, and Edward Tsang Lu; and Pilot Eileen Marie Collins. In the back row, from left, are Mission Specialist Jean-Francois Clervoy of the European Space Agency, Commander Charles J. Precourt and Mission Specialist Carlos I. Noriega. They are at KSC to participate in the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT), a dress rehearsal for launch. STS-84 will be the sixth docking of the Space Shuttle with the Russian Space Station Mir. After docking, Foale will transfer to the space station and become a member of the Mir 23 crew, replacing U.S. astronaut Jerry M. Linenger, who will return to Earth aboard Atlantis. Foale will live and work on Mir until mid-September when his replacement is expected to arrive on the STS-86 mission. STS-84 is targeted for a May 15 liftoff KSC-97pc738

The STS-84 crew pose for a group photograph in front of the crew hatch...

The STS-84 crew pose for a group photograph in front of the crew hatch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis at Launch Pad 39A. In the front row, from left, are Mission Specialists C. Michael Foale, Elena V. Kondakova ... More

STS-84 Commander Charles J. Precourt, in right foreground, talks to fellow crew members, Mission Specialist Elena V. Kondakova, in left foreground, of the Russian Space Agency, and Pilot Eileen Marie Collins during Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) activities at Launch Pad 39A. In the background are NASA suit technician Al Rochford, at left, and astronaut Mario Runco Jr., who is assisting the STS-84 crew. STS-84 will be the sixth docking of the Space Shuttle with the Russian Space Station Mir. After docking, STS-84 Mission Specialist Michael C. Foale will transfer to the space station and become a member of the Mir 23 crew, replacing U.S. astronaut Jerry M. Linenger, who will return to Earth aboard Atlantis. Foale will live and work on Mir until mid-September when his replacement is expected to arrive on the STS-86 mission. STS-84 is targeted for a May 15 liftoff KSC-97pc739

STS-84 Commander Charles J. Precourt, in right foreground, talks to fe...

STS-84 Commander Charles J. Precourt, in right foreground, talks to fellow crew members, Mission Specialist Elena V. Kondakova, in left foreground, of the Russian Space Agency, and Pilot Eileen Marie Collins du... More

The STS-84 crew, with Commander Charles J. Precourt in front, gets instruction in Launch Pad 39A’s emergency egress system from Ken Clark, at right, a training instructor with United Space Alliance (USA). The sevenmember crew is participating in Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) activities. From left, are Pilot Eileen Marie Collins, and Mission Specialists Carlos I. Noriega, Edward Tsang Lu, Jean-Francois Clervoy of the European Space Agency, C. Michael Foale and Elena V. Kondakova of the Russian Space Agency. NASA astronaut Mario Runco Jr., next to Kondakova in a blue flight suit, is assisting the crew during TCDT. STS-84 will be the sixth docking of the Space Shuttle with the Russian Space Station Mir. After docking, Foale will transfer to the space station and become a member of the Mir 23 crew, replacing U.S. astronaut Jerry M. Linenger, who will return to Earth aboard Atlantis. Foale will live and work on Mir until mid-September when his replacement is expected to arrive on the STS-86 mission. STS-84 is targeted for a May 15 liftoff KSC-97pc743

The STS-84 crew, with Commander Charles J. Precourt in front, gets ins...

The STS-84 crew, with Commander Charles J. Precourt in front, gets instruction in Launch Pad 39A’s emergency egress system from Ken Clark, at right, a training instructor with United Space Alliance (USA). The s... More

The STS-84 crew gets a ride in an M-113 armored personnel carrier while participating in Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) activities at Launch Pad 39A. At right, from front to back, are Mission Specialist Jean-Francois Clervoy of the European Space Agency, Mission Specialist Carlos I. Noriega, Pilot Eileen Marie Collins and Commander Charles J. Precourt. On left, from front to back, are Mission Specialists C. Michael Foale, Elena V. Kondakova of the Russian Space Agency, and Edward Tsang Lu. George Hoggard, a training officer with KSC Fire Services, is seated next to Lu. STS-84 will be the sixth docking of the Space Shuttle with the Russian Space Station Mir. After docking, Foale will transfer to the space station and become a member of the Mir 23 crew, replacing U.S. astronaut Jerry M. Linenger, who will return to Earth aboard Atlantis. Foale will live and work on Mir until mid-September when his replacement is expected to arrive on the STS-86 mission. STS-84 is targeted for a May 15 liftoff KSC-97pc742

The STS-84 crew gets a ride in an M-113 armored personnel carrier whil...

The STS-84 crew gets a ride in an M-113 armored personnel carrier while participating in Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) activities at Launch Pad 39A. At right, from front to back, are Mission Spec... More

STS-84 Commander Charles J. Precourt talks to news media representatives and other onlookers during Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) activities at Launch Pad 39A. Two-time space flyer Precourt will lead the other six STS-84 crew members on the sixth docking of the Space Shuttle with the Russian Space Station Mir. One of the crew members, C. Michael Foale, will transfer to the space station and become a member of the Mir 23 crew, replacing U.S. astronaut Jerry M. Linenger, who will return to Earth aboard Atlantis. Foale will live and work on Mir until mid-September when his replacement is expected to arrive on the STS-86 mission. STS-84 is targeted for a May 15 liftoff KSC-97pc734

STS-84 Commander Charles J. Precourt talks to news media representativ...

STS-84 Commander Charles J. Precourt talks to news media representatives and other onlookers during Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) activities at Launch Pad 39A. Two-time space flyer Precourt will ... More

STS-84 Mission Specialist C. Michael Foale participates in Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) activities at Launch Pad 39A. STS-84 will be the sixth docking of the Space Shuttle with the Russian Space Station Mir. Foale, a veteran of three space flights, will transfer to the space station and become a member of the Mir 23 crew, replacing U.S. astronaut Jerry M. Linenger, who will return to Earth aboard Atlantis. Foale will live and work on Mir until mid-September when his replacement is expected to arrive on the STS-86 mission. STS-84 is targeted for a May 15 liftoff KSC-97pc735

STS-84 Mission Specialist C. Michael Foale participates in Terminal Co...

STS-84 Mission Specialist C. Michael Foale participates in Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) activities at Launch Pad 39A. STS-84 will be the sixth docking of the Space Shuttle with the Russian Space... More

STS-84 crew members examine part of the emergency egress system at Launch Pad 39A, during Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) activities. Dressed in their blue flight suits are Mission Specialist Elena V. Kondakova, standing in foreground; and, in basket from right, Mission Specialists Edward Tsang Lu and Carlos I. Noriega and Commander Charles J. Precourt. Ken Clark, a training instructor with United Space Alliance (USA), is standing at lower left. STS-84 will be the sixth docking of the Space Shuttle with the Russian Space Station Mir. After docking, STS-84 Mission Specialist Michael C. Foale will transfer to the space station and become a member of the Mir 23 crew, replacing U.S. astronaut Jerry M. Linenger, who will return to Earth aboard Atlantis. Foale will live and work on Mir until mid-September when his replacement is expected to arrive on the STS-86 mission. STS-84 is targeted for a May 15 liftoff KSC-97pc744

STS-84 crew members examine part of the emergency egress system at Lau...

STS-84 crew members examine part of the emergency egress system at Launch Pad 39A, during Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) activities. Dressed in their blue flight suits are Mission Specialist Elena... More

With several of her fellow crew members watching, STS-84 Mission Specialist Elena V. Kondakova, seated at center, gets instructions on using the slidewire baskets, part of the emergency egress system at Launch Pad 39A. Familiarization with pad procedures and systems is part of the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) activities for the crew. Kondakova, a cosmonaut with the Russian space agency, is one of the seven STS-84 crew members for the sixth docking of the Space Shuttle with the Russian Space Station Mir. Another member, C. Michael Foale, will transfer to the space station and become a member of the Mir 23 crew, replacing U.S. astronaut Jerry M. Linenger, who will return to Earth aboard Atlantis. Foale will live and work on Mir until mid-September when his replacement is expected to arrive on the STS-86 mission. Kondakova previously lived on the Russian space station as the flight engineer of the 17th main mission on Mir from Oct. 4, 1994, to March 9, 1995. STS-84 is targeted for a May 15 liftoff KSC-97pc740

With several of her fellow crew members watching, STS-84 Mission Speci...

With several of her fellow crew members watching, STS-84 Mission Specialist Elena V. Kondakova, seated at center, gets instructions on using the slidewire baskets, part of the emergency egress system at Launch ... More

STS-84 Pilot Eileen Marie Collins practices using a gas mask during Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) activities at Launch Pad 39A. STS-84 will be the sixth docking of the Space Shuttle with the Russian Space Station Mir. It will be second space flight for Collins, who was the first woman Shuttle pilot on her initial mission, STS-63 in 1995. After docking, STS-84 Mission Specialist C. Michael Foale will transfer to the space station and become a member of the Mir 23 crew, replacing U.S. astronaut Jerry M. Linenger, who will return to Earth aboard Atlantis. Foale will live and work on Mir until mid-September when his replacement is expected to arrive on the STS-86 mission. STS-84 is targeted for a May 15 liftoff KSC-97pc741

STS-84 Pilot Eileen Marie Collins practices using a gas mask during Te...

STS-84 Pilot Eileen Marie Collins practices using a gas mask during Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) activities at Launch Pad 39A. STS-84 will be the sixth docking of the Space Shuttle with the Russ... More

STS-84 Mission Specialists C. Michael Foale, at left, and Elena V. Kondakova, of the Russian Space Agency, find a moment to communicate one-on-one, perhaps about upcoming and past experiences living on the Russian Space Station Mir, during a busy training session at Launch Pad 39A. They and the other five crew members are participating in the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT), a dress rehearsal for launch. STS-84 aboard Atlantis will be the sixth docking of the Space Shuttle with the Mir. Kondakova spent 169 days in space as the cosmonaut flight engineer of the 17th main mission to Mir from Oct. 4, 1994, to March 9, 1995. After Atlantis docks with Mir on STS-84, Foale will transfer to the space station and become a member of the Mir 23 crew, replacing U.S. astronaut Jerry M. Linenger, who will return to Earth aboard Atlantis. Foale will live and work on Mir until mid-September when his replacement is expected to arrive on the STS-86 mission. STS-84 is targeted for a May 15 liftoff. KSC-97pc759

STS-84 Mission Specialists C. Michael Foale, at left, and Elena V. Kon...

STS-84 Mission Specialists C. Michael Foale, at left, and Elena V. Kondakova, of the Russian Space Agency, find a moment to communicate one-on-one, perhaps about upcoming and past experiences living on the Russ... More

STS-84 Mission Specialist C. Michael Foale rides in an M-113 armored personnel carrier as part of the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) activities. STS-84 aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis will be the sixth docking of the Space Shuttle with the Russian Space Station Mir. After docking, Foale will transfer to the space station and become a member of the Mir 23 crew, replacing U.S. astronaut Jerry M. Linenger, who will return to Earth aboard Atlantis. Foale will live and work on Mir until mid-September when his replacement is expected to arrive on the STS-86 mission. STS-84 is targeted for a May 15 liftoff KSC-97pc753

STS-84 Mission Specialist C. Michael Foale rides in an M-113 armored p...

STS-84 Mission Specialist C. Michael Foale rides in an M-113 armored personnel carrier as part of the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) activities. STS-84 aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis will be th... More

STS-84 crew members practice emergency egress procedures in slidewire baskets at Launch Pad 39A. They are participating in the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT), a dress rehearsal for launch. In the foreground are Commander Charles J. Precourt, at left, and Pilot Eileen Marie Collins. In the middle basket are Mission Specialists Carlos I. Noriega, at left, and Jean-Francois Clervoy of the European Space Agency. In the last slidewire basket at rear, from left, are Mission Specialists C. Michael Foale, Edward Tsang Lu and Elena V. Kondakova of the Russian Space Agency. STS-84 aboard Atlantis will be the sixth docking of the Space Shuttle with the Russian Space Station Mir. After docking, Foale will transfer to the space station and become a member of the Mir 23 crew, replacing U.S. astronaut Jerry M. Linenger, who will return to Earth aboard Atlantis. Foale will live and work on Mir until mid-September when his replacement is expected to arrive on the STS-86 mission. STS-84 is targeted for a May 15 liftoff KSC-97pc748

STS-84 crew members practice emergency egress procedures in slidewire ...

STS-84 crew members practice emergency egress procedures in slidewire baskets at Launch Pad 39A. They are participating in the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT), a dress rehearsal for launch. In the ... More

STS-84 crew members ride in and learn how to operate an M-113 armored personnel carrier as part of the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) activities. In the front seat is Pilot Eileen Marie Collins. George Hoggard, a training officer with KSC Fire Services, sits beside her on top of the personnel carrier. Directly behind Hoggard, from left, are Commander Charles J. Precourt and Mission Specialist Elena V. Kondakova (sitting) of the Russian Space Agency. At the rear, from left, are Mission Specialist C. Michael Foale and Mission Specialist Jean-Francois Clervoy of the European Space Agency. STS-84 aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis will be the sixth docking of the Space Shuttle with the Russian Space Station Mir. After docking, Foale will transfer to the space station and become a member of the Mir 23 crew, replacing U.S. astronaut Jerry M. Linenger, who will return to Earth aboard Atlantis. Foale will live and work on Mir until mid-September when his replacement is expected to arrive on the STS-86 mission. STS-84 is targeted for a May 15 liftoff KSC-97pc755

STS-84 crew members ride in and learn how to operate an M-113 armored ...

STS-84 crew members ride in and learn how to operate an M-113 armored personnel carrier as part of the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) activities. In the front seat is Pilot Eileen Marie Collins. G... More

STS-84 Mission Specialist Elena V. Kondakova of the Russian Space Agency rides in an M-113 armored personnel carrier as part of the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) activities. Her nickname on this mission is Betty Sue. STS-84 aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis will be the sixth docking of the Space Shuttle with the Russian Space Station Mir. After docking, STS-84 Mission Specialist C. Michael Foale will transfer to the space station and become a member of the Mir 23 crew, replacing U.S. astronaut Jerry M. Linenger, who will return to Earth aboard Atlantis. Foale will live and work on Mir until mid-September when his replacement is expected to arrive on the STS-86 mission. STS-84 is targeted for a May 15 liftoff KSC-97pc754

STS-84 Mission Specialist Elena V. Kondakova of the Russian Space Agen...

STS-84 Mission Specialist Elena V. Kondakova of the Russian Space Agency rides in an M-113 armored personnel carrier as part of the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) activities. Her nickname on this ... More

Wearing their orange launch and entry spacesuits, members of the STS-84 crew are all smiles as they pose for a group photograph at Launch Pad 39A with the Space Shuttle Atlantis in the background. Kneeling in front are Mission Specialists Jean-Francois Clervoy, at right, of the European Space Agency, and Carlos I. Noriega. Standing, from left, are Mission Specialist Elena V. Kondakova of the Russian Space Agency, Pilot Eileen Marie Collins, Mission Specialists C. Michael Foale and Edward Tsang Lu, and Commander Charles J. Precourt. STS-84 aboard Atlantis will be the sixth docking of the Space Shuttle with the Russian Space Station Mir. After docking, Foale will transfer to the space station and become a member of the Mir 23 crew, replacing U.S. astronaut Jerry M. Linenger, who will return to Earth aboard Atlantis. Foale will live and work on Mir until mid-September when his replacement is expected to arrive on the STS-86 mission. STS-84 is targeted for a May 15 liftoff KSC-97pc751

Wearing their orange launch and entry spacesuits, members of the STS-8...

Wearing their orange launch and entry spacesuits, members of the STS-84 crew are all smiles as they pose for a group photograph at Launch Pad 39A with the Space Shuttle Atlantis in the background. Kneeling in f... More

STS-84 crew members ride in and learn how to operate an M-113 armored personnel carrier as part of the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) activities. Seated inside the M-113, from left, are Mission Specialist Jean-Francois Clervoy, Pilot Eileen Marie Collins (waving) and Commander Charles J. Precourt, in front. George Hoggard, a training officer with KSC Fire Services, sits on top of the personnel carrier. STS-84 aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis will be the sixth docking of the Space Shuttle with the Russian Space Station Mir. After docking, STS-84 Mission Specialist C. Michael Foale will transfer to the space station and become a member of the Mir 23 crew, replacing U.S. astronaut Jerry M. Linenger, who will return to Earth aboard Atlantis. Foale will live and work on Mir until mid-September when his replacement is expected to arrive on the STS-86 mission. STS-84 is targeted for a May 15 liftoff KSC-97pc757

STS-84 crew members ride in and learn how to operate an M-113 armored ...

STS-84 crew members ride in and learn how to operate an M-113 armored personnel carrier as part of the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) activities. Seated inside the M-113, from left, are Mission Sp... More

STS-84 Mission Specialists, from left, C. Michael Foale, Edward Tsang Lu and Elena V. Kondakova practice emergency egress procedures in a slidewire basket at Launch Pad 39A. They and the other four members of the STS-84 crew are participating in the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT), a dress rehearsal for launch. STS-84 aboard Atlantis will be the sixth docking of the Space Shuttle with the Russian Space Station Mir. After docking, Foale will transfer to the space station and become a member of the Mir 23 crew, replacing U.S. astronaut Jerry M. Linenger, who will return to Earth aboard Atlantis. Foale will live and work on Mir until mid-September when his replacement is expected to arrive on the STS-86 mission. STS-84 is targeted for a May 15 liftoff KSC-97pc749

STS-84 Mission Specialists, from left, C. Michael Foale, Edward Tsang ...

STS-84 Mission Specialists, from left, C. Michael Foale, Edward Tsang Lu and Elena V. Kondakova practice emergency egress procedures in a slidewire basket at Launch Pad 39A. They and the other four members of t... More

The STS-84 crew pose for a photograph with members of the mission payload team in the Space Station Processing Facility. Dressed in their blue flight suits, from left, are Mission Specialist C. Michael Foale, Elena V. Kondakova of the Russian Space Agency, Pilot Eileen Marie Collins, Commander Charles J. Precourt, Mission Specialist Jean-Francois Clervoy of the European Space Agency, Mission Specialist Carlos I. Noriega and Mission Specialist Edward Tsang Lu. STS-84 aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis will be the sixth docking of the Space Shuttle with the Russian Space Station Mir. After docking, Foale will transfer to the space station and become a member of the Mir 23 crew, replacing U.S. astronaut Jerry M. Linenger, who will return to Earth aboard Atlantis. Foale will live and work on Mir until mid-September when his replacement is expected to arrive on the STS-86 mission. STS-84 is targeted for a May 15 liftoff KSC-97pc752

The STS-84 crew pose for a photograph with members of the mission payl...

The STS-84 crew pose for a photograph with members of the mission payload team in the Space Station Processing Facility. Dressed in their blue flight suits, from left, are Mission Specialist C. Michael Foale, E... More

Proudly wearing red KSC Fire/Rescue hats, members of the STS-84 crew pause for a moment for a group photograph while participating in Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) activities. From left, are Mission Specialists C. Michael Foale, Carlos I. Noriega, Jean-Francois Clervoy of the European Space Agency and Elena V. Kondakova of the Russian Space Agency; and Pilot Eileen Marie Collins, Mission Specialist Edward Tsang Lu and Commander Charles J. Precourt. STS-84 aboard Atlantis will be the sixth docking of the Space Shuttle with the Russian Space Station Mir. After docking, Foale will transfer to the space station and become a member of the Mir 23 crew, replacing U.S. astronaut Jerry M. Linenger, who will return to Earth aboard Atlantis. Foale will live and work on Mir until mid-September when his replacement is expected to arrive on the STS-86 mission. STS-84 is targeted for a May 15 liftoff KSC-97pc756

Proudly wearing red KSC Fire/Rescue hats, members of the STS-84 crew p...

Proudly wearing red KSC Fire/Rescue hats, members of the STS-84 crew pause for a moment for a group photograph while participating in Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) activities. From left, are Miss... More

STS-84 Commander Charles J. Precourt, at right, and Pilot Eileen Marie Collins practice emergency egress procedures in a slidewire basket at Launch Pad 39A. They and the other five members of the STS-84 crew are participating in the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT), a dress rehearsal for launch. STS-84 aboard Atlantis will be the sixth docking of the Space Shuttle with the Russian Space Station Mir. After docking, STS-84 Mission Specialist C. Michael Foale will transfer to the space station and become a member of the Mir 23 crew, replacing U.S. astronaut Jerry M. Linenger, who will return to Earth aboard Atlantis. Foale will live and work on Mir until mid-September when his replacement is expected to arrive on the STS-86 mission. STS-84 is targeted for a May 15 liftoff KSC-97pc750

STS-84 Commander Charles J. Precourt, at right, and Pilot Eileen Marie...

STS-84 Commander Charles J. Precourt, at right, and Pilot Eileen Marie Collins practice emergency egress procedures in a slidewire basket at Launch Pad 39A. They and the other five members of the STS-84 crew ar... More

STS-84 Pilot Eileen Marie Collins participates in Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) activities at Launch Pad 39A. Behind her is Commander Charles J. Precourt. TCDT is a dress rehearsal for the launch, which is scheduled May 15. STS-84 aboard Atlantis will be the sixth docking of the Space Shuttle with the Russian Space Station Mir. After docking, STS-84 Mission Specialist C. Michael Foale will transfer to the space station and become a member of the Mir 23 crew, replacing U.S. astronaut Jerry M. Linenger, who will return to Earth aboard Atlantis. Foale will live and work on Mir until mid-September when his replacement is expected to arrive on the STS-86 mission KSC-97pc758

STS-84 Pilot Eileen Marie Collins participates in Terminal Countdown D...

STS-84 Pilot Eileen Marie Collins participates in Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) activities at Launch Pad 39A. Behind her is Commander Charles J. Precourt. TCDT is a dress rehearsal for the launch... More

STS-84 Pilot Eileen Marie Collins arrives in a T-38 jet at KSC’s Shuttle Landing Facility. Collins will make her second space flight on STS-84. Her initial flight was as the first woman Shuttle pilot on STS-63 in 1995. STS-84 will be the sixth docking of the Space Shuttle with the Russian Space Station Mir. During the docking, STS-84 Mission Specialist C. Michael Foale will transfer to the Russian space station to become a member of the Mir 23 crew, replacing U.S. astronaut Jerry M. Linenger, who will return to Earth on Atlantis. Foale is scheduled to remain on Mir about four months until his replacement arrives on STS-86 in September KSC-97pc781

STS-84 Pilot Eileen Marie Collins arrives in a T-38 jet at KSC’s Shutt...

STS-84 Pilot Eileen Marie Collins arrives in a T-38 jet at KSC’s Shuttle Landing Facility. Collins will make her second space flight on STS-84. Her initial flight was as the first woman Shuttle pilot on STS-63 ... More

STS-84 crew members greet press representatives and other onlookers after their arrival at KSC’s Shuttle Landing Facility Sunday evening (May 12, 1997), about an hour before the countdown clock will begin ticking toward the scheduled May 15 launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis on Mission STS-84. From left, are Mission Specialist Carlos I. Noriega, Pilot Eileen Marie Collins, Mission Specialist C. Michael Foale, Mission Specialist Elena V. Kondakova of the Russian Space Agency, Commander Charles J. Precourt, Mission Specialist Jean-Francois Clervoy of the European Space Agency, and Mission Specialist Edward Tsang Lu. STS-84 will be the sixth docking of the Space Shuttle with the Russian Space Station Mir. During the docking, Foale will transfer to the Russian space station to become a member of the Mir 23 crew, replacing U.S. astronaut Jerry M. Linenger, who will return to Earth on Atlantis. Foale is scheduled to remain on Mir about four months until his replacement arrives on STS-86 in September KSC-97pc783

STS-84 crew members greet press representatives and other onlookers af...

STS-84 crew members greet press representatives and other onlookers after their arrival at KSC’s Shuttle Landing Facility Sunday evening (May 12, 1997), about an hour before the countdown clock will begin ticki... More

STS-84 Mission Specialist Elena V. Kondakova, a cosmonaut with the Russian Space Agency, arrives at KSC’s Shuttle Landing Facility. This will be Kondakova’s first flight on a U.S. Space Shuttle, but her second trip into space. She spent 169 days in space as flight engineer of the 17th main mission on the Russian Space Station Mir from October 1994 to March 1995. STS-84 will be the sixth docking of the Space Shuttle with the Mir. During the STS-84 docking, Mission Specialist C. Michael Foale will transfer to the Russian space station to become a member of the Mir 23 crew, replacing U.S. astronaut Jerry M. Linenger, who will return to Earth on Atlantis. Foale is scheduled to remain on Mir about four months until his replacement arrives on STS-86 in September KSC-97pc779

STS-84 Mission Specialist Elena V. Kondakova, a cosmonaut with the Rus...

STS-84 Mission Specialist Elena V. Kondakova, a cosmonaut with the Russian Space Agency, arrives at KSC’s Shuttle Landing Facility. This will be Kondakova’s first flight on a U.S. Space Shuttle, but her second ... More

STS-84 Commander Charles J. Precourt talks with fellow astronauts Frank Culbertson, at left, and William F. Readdy after their arrival at KSC’s Shuttle Landing Facilty. Culbertson, NASA director of the Phase One Program of the International Space Station, and Readdy, manager, program development, in the Space Shuttle Program Office at Johnson Space Center, were the pilots of T-38 jets which brought STS-84 crew members to KSC for the launch. Culbertson’s passenger was STS-84 Mission Specialist Carlos I. Noriega; Readdy’s passenger was Mission Specialist C. Michael Foale. Liftoff of Space Shuttle Mission STS-84 is scheduled May 15. STS-84 will be the sixth docking of the Space Shuttle with the Russian Space Station Mir. During the docking, Foale will transfer to the Russian space station to become a member of the Mir 23 crew, replacing U.S. astronaut Jerry M. Linenger, who will return to Earth on Atlantis. Foale is scheduled to remain on Mir about four months until his replacement arrives on STS-86 in September KSC-97pc784

STS-84 Commander Charles J. Precourt talks with fellow astronauts Fran...

STS-84 Commander Charles J. Precourt talks with fellow astronauts Frank Culbertson, at left, and William F. Readdy after their arrival at KSC’s Shuttle Landing Facilty. Culbertson, NASA director of the Phase On... More

STS-84 Mission Specialist Elena V. Kondakova, a cosmonaut with the Russian Space Agency, and her husband, Valery Ryumin, greet press represenatives and other well wishers after her arrival at KSC’s Shuttle Landing Facility. Ryumin is director of the Mir-Shuttle program for RSC Energia in Russia. This will be Kondakova’s first flight on a U.S. Space Shuttle, but her second trip into space. She spent 169 days in space as flight engineer of the 17th main mission on Mir from October 1994 to March 1995. STS-84 will be the sixth docking of the Space Shuttle with the Russian Space Station Mir. During the docking, STS-84 Mission Specialist C. Michael Foale will transfer to the Russian space station to become a member of the Mir 23 crew, replacing U.S. astronaut Jerry M. Linenger, who will return to Earth on Atlantis. Foale is scheduled to remain on Mir about four months until his replacement arrives on STS-86 in September KSC-97pc782

STS-84 Mission Specialist Elena V. Kondakova, a cosmonaut with the Rus...

STS-84 Mission Specialist Elena V. Kondakova, a cosmonaut with the Russian Space Agency, and her husband, Valery Ryumin, greet press represenatives and other well wishers after her arrival at KSC’s Shuttle Land... More

STS-84 Mission Specialist Carlos I. Noriega arrives in a T-38 jet at KSC’s Shuttle Landing Facility. The pilot of the plane is astronaut Frank Culbertson, who is the NASA director of the Phase One Program of the International Space Station. STS-84 will be Noriega’s first space flight. The nine-day mission will be the sixth docking of the Space Shuttle with the Russian Space Station Mir. During the docking, STS-84 Mission Specialist C. Michael Foale will transfer to the Russian space station to become a member of the Mir 23 crew, replacing U.S. astronaut Jerry M. Linenger, who will return to Earth on Atlantis. Foale is scheduled to remain on Mir about four months until his replacement arrives on STS-86 in September KSC-97pc780

STS-84 Mission Specialist Carlos I. Noriega arrives in a T-38 jet at K...

STS-84 Mission Specialist Carlos I. Noriega arrives in a T-38 jet at KSC’s Shuttle Landing Facility. The pilot of the plane is astronaut Frank Culbertson, who is the NASA director of the Phase One Program of th... More

STS-86 Mission Specialist David A. Wolf arrives in a T-38 jet at KSC’s Shuttle Landing Facility for the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT), a dress rehearsal for launch. STS-86 will be the seventh docking of the Space Shuttle with the Russian Space Station Mir. During the mission, Wolf will transfer to the Mir 24 crew, replacing astronaut C. Michael Foale, who will return to Earth with the rest of the STS-86 crew. Wolf is scheduled to remain on the Mir until his replacement arrives on the STS-89 mission in January. STS-86 is targeted for a Sept. 25 launch aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis KSC-97PC1346

STS-86 Mission Specialist David A. Wolf arrives in a T-38 jet at KSC’s...

STS-86 Mission Specialist David A. Wolf arrives in a T-38 jet at KSC’s Shuttle Landing Facility for the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT), a dress rehearsal for launch. STS-86 will be the seventh doc... More

Technicians at the SPACEHAB Payload Processing Facility in Cape Canaveral prepare a Russian replacement computer for stowage aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis shortly before the scheduled launch of Mission STS-86, slated to be the seventh docking of the Space Shuttle with the Russian Space Station Mir. The last-minute cargo addition requested by the Russians will be mounted on the aft bulkhead of the SPACEHAB Double Module, which is being used as a pressurized cargo container for science/logistical equipment and supplies that will be exchanged between Atlantis and the Mir. Using the Module Vertical Access Kit (MVAC), technicians will be lowered inside the module to install the computer for flight. Liftoff of STS-86 is scheduled Sept. 25 at 10:34 p.m. from Launch Pad 39A KSC-97PC1404

Technicians at the SPACEHAB Payload Processing Facility in Cape Canave...

Technicians at the SPACEHAB Payload Processing Facility in Cape Canaveral prepare a Russian replacement computer for stowage aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis shortly before the scheduled launch of Mission STS-... More

Boeing technicians, from right, John Pearce Jr., Mike Vawter and Rob Ferraro prepare a Russian replacement computer for stowage aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis shortly before the scheduled launch of Mission STS-86, slated to be the seventh docking of the Space Shuttle with the Russian Space Station Mir. The preparations are being made at the SPACEHAB Payload Processing Facility in Cape Canaveral. The last-minute cargo addition requested by the Russians will be mounted on the aft bulkhead of the SPACEHAB Double Module, which is being used as a pressurized cargo container for science/logistical equipment and supplies that will be exchanged between Atlantis and the Mir. Using the Module Vertical Access Kit (MVAC), technicians will be lowered inside the module to install the computer for flight. Liftoff of STS-86 is scheduled Sept. 25 at 10:34 p.m. from Launch Pad 39A KSC-97PC1406

Boeing technicians, from right, John Pearce Jr., Mike Vawter and Rob F...

Boeing technicians, from right, John Pearce Jr., Mike Vawter and Rob Ferraro prepare a Russian replacement computer for stowage aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis shortly before the scheduled launch of Mission S... More

Boeing technicians John Pearce Jr., at left, and Mike Vawter prepare a Russian replacement computer for stowage aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis shortly before the scheduled launch of Mission STS-86, slated to be the seventh docking of the Space Shuttle with the Russian Space Station Mir. The preparations are being made at the SPACEHAB Payload Processing Facility in Cape Canaveral. The last-minute cargo addition requested by the Russians will be mounted on the aft bulkhead of the SPACEHAB Double Module, which is being used as a pressurized cargo container for science/logistical equipment and supplies that will be exchanged between Atlantis and the Mir. Using the Module Vertical Access Kit (MVAC), technicians will be lowered inside the module to install the computer for flight. Liftoff of STS-86 is scheduled Sept. 25 at 10:34 p.m. from Launch Pad 39A KSC-97PC1405

Boeing technicians John Pearce Jr., at left, and Mike Vawter prepare a...

Boeing technicians John Pearce Jr., at left, and Mike Vawter prepare a Russian replacement computer for stowage aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis shortly before the scheduled launch of Mission STS-86, slated to... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- An air conditioning replacement unit to be included among the logistics equipment to be transferred to Mir as part of the STS-89 mission is processed at the SPACEHAB Payload Processing Facility in Cape Canaveral. STS-89 will be the eighth docking of the Space Shuttle with the Russian Space Station Mir. Endeavour will be carrying the SPACEHAB module in the payload bay of the orbiter. The double module configuration will house experiments to be performed by Endeavour's crew along with logistics equipment to be transferred to Mir KSC-98pc159

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- An air conditioning replacement unit to ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- An air conditioning replacement unit to be included among the logistics equipment to be transferred to Mir as part of the STS-89 mission is processed at the SPACEHAB Payload Proces... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- An air conditioning replacement unit to be included among the logistics equipment to be transferred to Mir as part of the STS-89 mission is processed at the SPACEHAB Payload Processing Facility in Cape Canaveral. STS-89 will be the eighth docking of the Space Shuttle with the Russian Space Station Mir. Endeavour will be carrying the SPACEHAB module in the payload bay of the orbiter. The double module configuration will house experiments to be performed by Endeavour's crew along with logistics equipment to be transferred to Mir KSC-98pc160

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- An air conditioning replacement unit to ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- An air conditioning replacement unit to be included among the logistics equipment to be transferred to Mir as part of the STS-89 mission is processed at the SPACEHAB Payload Proces... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- An air conditioning replacement unit to be included among the logistics equipment to be transferred to Mir as part of the STS-89 mission is processed at the SPACEHAB Payload Processing Facility in Cape Canaveral. STS-89 will be the eighth docking of the Space Shuttle with the Russian Space Station Mir. Endeavour will be carrying the SPACEHAB module in the payload bay of the orbiter. The double module configuration will house experiments to be performed by Endeavour's crew along with logistics equipment to be transferred to Mir KSC-98pc158

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- An air conditioning replacement unit to ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- An air conditioning replacement unit to be included among the logistics equipment to be transferred to Mir as part of the STS-89 mission is processed at the SPACEHAB Payload Proces... More

The Space Shuttle Endeavour's payload bay doors were successfully cycled and closed for flight on Jan. 19 following replacement of a seal on the left door. Endeavour will be carrying the SPACEHAB module in the payload bay of the orbiter. The double module configuration will house experiments to be performed by Endeavour's crew along with logistics equipment to be transferred to the Russian Space Station Mir, where Mission Specialist Andrew Thomas, Ph.D., will succeed David Wolf, M.D. STS-89 will be the eighth docking of the Space Shuttle with Mir. Launch is scheduled for January 22 at 9:48 p.m. EST KSC-98pc167

The Space Shuttle Endeavour's payload bay doors were successfully cycl...

The Space Shuttle Endeavour's payload bay doors were successfully cycled and closed for flight on Jan. 19 following replacement of a seal on the left door. Endeavour will be carrying the SPACEHAB module in the ... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Space Shuttle Endeavour's payload bay doors were successfully cycled and closed for flight on Jan. 19 following replacement of a seal on the left door. Endeavour will be carrying the SPACEHAB module in the payload bay of the orbiter. The double module configuration will house experiments to be performed by Endeavour's crew along with logistics equipment to be transferred to the Russian Space Station Mir, where Mission Specialist Andrew Thomas, Ph.D., will succeed David Wolf, M.D. STS-89 will be the eighth docking of the Space Shuttle with Mir. Launch is scheduled for January 22 at 9:48 p.m. EST KSC-98pc168

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Space Shuttle Endeavour's payload ba...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Space Shuttle Endeavour's payload bay doors were successfully cycled and closed for flight on Jan. 19 following replacement of a seal on the left door. Endeavour will be carryi... More

Shortly after their arrival at the Shuttle Landing Facility, STS-88 crew members talk to the media. From left, they are Mission Specialists James H. Newman and Jerry L. Ross, Commander Robert D. Cabana (at microphone), Mission Specialists Nancy J. Currie and Sergei Konstantinovich Krikalev, and Pilot Frederick W. "Rick" Sturckow. Krikalev is a Russian cosmonaut who has flown three times in space, once on the Space Shuttle and twice aboard the Russian Space Station Mir. The STS-88 mission is the fourth spaceflight for Cabana, sixth for Ross, third for Currie, third for Newman and first for Sturckow. The scheduled time of launch is 3:56 a.m. EST on Dec. 3 from Launch Pad 39A. The mission is the first U.S. launch for the International Space Station. Endeavour carries the Unity connecting module which the crew will be mating with the Russian-built Zarya control module already in orbit. In addition to Unity, Endeavour will carry two small replacement electronics boxes for possible repairs to Zarya batteries. The mission is scheduled to last nearly 12 days KSC-98pc1744

Shortly after their arrival at the Shuttle Landing Facility, STS-88 cr...

Shortly after their arrival at the Shuttle Landing Facility, STS-88 crew members talk to the media. From left, they are Mission Specialists James H. Newman and Jerry L. Ross, Commander Robert D. Cabana (at micr... More

A smiling STS-88 Mission Specialist Jerry L. Ross prepares to exit the T-38 jet aircraft that brought him to the Shuttle Landing Facility. He joins the five other crew members, Commander Robert D. Cabana, Pilot Frederick W. "Rick" Sturckow, and Mission Specialists Nancy J. Currie, James H. Newman and Sergei Konstantinovich Krikalev, a Russian cosmonaut, for prelaunch preparations for mission STS-88 aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour. The scheduled time of launch is 3:56 a.m. EST on Dec. 3 from Launch Pad 39A. The mission is the first U.S. launch for the International Space Station. Endeavour carries the Unity connecting module which the crew will be mating with the Russian-built Zarya control module already in orbit. In addition to Unity, Endeavour will carry two small replacement electronics boxes for possible repairs to Zarya batteries. The mission is scheduled to last nearly 12 days KSC-98pc1743

A smiling STS-88 Mission Specialist Jerry L. Ross prepares to exit the...

A smiling STS-88 Mission Specialist Jerry L. Ross prepares to exit the T-38 jet aircraft that brought him to the Shuttle Landing Facility. He joins the five other crew members, Commander Robert D. Cabana, Pilot... More

STS-88 Commander Robert D. Cabana smiles at onlookers after his arrival at the Shuttle Landing Facility aboard a T-38 jet aircraft. He joins other crew members Pilot Frederick W. "Rick" Sturckow and Mission Specialists Nancy J. Currie, Jerry L. Ross, James H. Newman and Sergei Konstantinovich Krikalev, a Russian cosmonaut, for prelaunch preparations for Mission STS-88 aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour. The scheduled time of launch is 3:56 a.m. EST on Dec. 3 from Launch Pad 39A. The mission is the first U.S. launch for the International Space Station. Endeavour carries the Unity connecting module which the crew will be mating with the Russian-built Zarya control module already in orbit. In addition to Unity, Endeavour will carry two small replacement electronics boxes for possible repairs to Zarya batteries. The mission is scheduled to last nearly 12 days KSC-98pc1740

STS-88 Commander Robert D. Cabana smiles at onlookers after his arriva...

STS-88 Commander Robert D. Cabana smiles at onlookers after his arrival at the Shuttle Landing Facility aboard a T-38 jet aircraft. He joins other crew members Pilot Frederick W. "Rick" Sturckow and Mission Spe... More

STS-88 Pilot Frederick W. "Rick" Sturckow (at left) and Mission Specialist Nancy J. Currie walk across the runway at the Shuttle Landing Facility after exiting the T-38 jet aircraft (in background) that brought them to KSC. They join the four other crew members, Commander Robert D. Cabana and Mission Specialists Jerry L. Ross, James H. Newman and Sergei Konstantinovich Krikalev, a Russian cosmonaut, for prelaunch preparations for mission STS-88 aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour. The scheduled time of launch is 3:56 a.m. EST on Dec. 3 from Launch Pad 39A. The mission is the first U.S. launch for the International Space Station. Endeavour carries the Unity connecting module which the crew will be mating with the Russian-built Zarya control module already in orbit. In addition to Unity, Endeavour will carry two small replacement electronics boxes for possible repairs to Zarya batteries. The mission is scheduled to last nearly 12 days KSC-98pc1742

STS-88 Pilot Frederick W. "Rick" Sturckow (at left) and Mission Specia...

STS-88 Pilot Frederick W. "Rick" Sturckow (at left) and Mission Specialist Nancy J. Currie walk across the runway at the Shuttle Landing Facility after exiting the T-38 jet aircraft (in background) that brought... More

STS-88 Mission Specialist Sergei Konstantinovich Krikalev, a Russian cosmonaut, smiles at onlookers after his arrival at the Shuttle Landing Facility aboard a T-38 jet aircraft. He joins the five other crew members, Commander Robert D. Cabana, Pilot Frederick W. "Rick" Sturckow and Mission Specialists Nancy J. Currie, Jerry L. Ross and James H. Newman, for prelaunch preparations for Mission STS-88 aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour. The scheduled time of launch is 3:56 a.m. EST on Dec. 3 from Launch Pad 39A. The mission is the first U.S. launch for the International Space Station. Endeavour carries the Unity connecting module which the crew will be mating with the Russian-built Zarya control module already in orbit. In addition to Unity, Endeavour will carry two small replacement electronics boxes for possible repairs to Zarya batteries. The mission is scheduled to last nearly 12 days KSC-98pc1741

STS-88 Mission Specialist Sergei Konstantinovich Krikalev, a Russian c...

STS-88 Mission Specialist Sergei Konstantinovich Krikalev, a Russian cosmonaut, smiles at onlookers after his arrival at the Shuttle Landing Facility aboard a T-38 jet aircraft. He joins the five other crew mem... More

At Launch Pad 39A, STS-88 Mission Commander Robert D. Cabana gets a close look at the Unity connecting module and its two attached pressurized mating adapters. Unity is in the payload bay of the Space Shuttle Endeavour, awaiting liftoff of Mission STS-88. Cabana and the other five members of the STS-88 crew arrived at KSC in the early morning hours of Nov. 30 for final prelaunch preparations. The other crew members are Pilot Frederick W. "Rick" Sturckow and Mission Specialists Nancy J. Currie, James H. Newman and Sergei Konstantinovich Krikalev, a Russian cosmonaut. The scheduled liftoff is at 3:56 a.m. on Dec. 3. Unity is the primary payload of the mission, which is the first U.S. launch for the International Space Station. The crew will be mating Unity with the Russian-built Zarya control module already in orbit. In addition to Unity, Endeavour will carry two small replacement electronics boxes for possible repairs to Zarya batteries. The mission is scheduled to last nearly 12 days KSC-98pc1745

At Launch Pad 39A, STS-88 Mission Commander Robert D. Cabana gets a cl...

At Launch Pad 39A, STS-88 Mission Commander Robert D. Cabana gets a close look at the Unity connecting module and its two attached pressurized mating adapters. Unity is in the payload bay of the Space Shuttle E... More

At Launch Pad 39A, STS-88 Pilot Frederick W. "Rick" Sturckow (at left) and Commander Robert D. Cabana look over the Unity connecting module and its two attached pressurized mating adapters. Unity is in the payload bay of the Space Shuttle Endeavour, awaiting liftoff of Mission STS-88. Cabana, Sturckow and the other four members of the STS-88 crew arrived at KSC in the early morning hours of Nov. 30 for prelaunch preparations. The other crew members are Mission Specialists Nancy J. Currie, James H. Newman and Sergei Konstantinovich Krikalev, a Russian cosmonaut. The scheduled liftoff is at 3:56 a.m. on Dec. 3. Unity is the primary payload of the mission, which is the first U.S. launch for the International Space Station. The crew will be mating Unity with the Russian-built Zarya control module already in orbit. In addition to Unity, Endeavour will carry two small replacement electronics boxes for possible repairs to Zarya batteries. The mission is scheduled to last nearly 12 days KSC-98pc1746

At Launch Pad 39A, STS-88 Pilot Frederick W. "Rick" Sturckow (at left)...

At Launch Pad 39A, STS-88 Pilot Frederick W. "Rick" Sturckow (at left) and Commander Robert D. Cabana look over the Unity connecting module and its two attached pressurized mating adapters. Unity is in the payl... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Service Structure driver (inside the cab near bottom of photo) begins rolling back the Rotating Service Structure on Launch Pad 39A to reveal the Space Shuttle Endeavour with its external tank and two solid rocket boosters on top of the Mobile Launcher Platform. Endeavour is ready for launch of mission STS-88 targeted for 3:56 a.m. on Dec. 3. The first U.S. launch for the International Space Station, STS-88 is expected to last 11 days, 19 hours and 49 minutes, and land at 10:17 p.m. EST on Dec. 14. Endeavour carries the Unity connecting module which the crew will be mating with the Russian-built Zarya control module already in orbit. In addition to Unity, two small replacement electronics boxes are on board for possible repairs to Zarya batteries KSC-98pc1747

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Service Structure driver (inside the...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Service Structure driver (inside the cab near bottom of photo) begins rolling back the Rotating Service Structure on Launch Pad 39A to reveal the Space Shuttle Endeavour with i... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The sign on the fence at Launch Pad 39A announces the mission of STS-88 and Space Shuttle Endeavour, poised on the pad for launch. Lift-off is targeted for 3:56 a.m. on Dec. 3. The first U.S. launch for the International Space Station, STS-88 is expected to last 11 days, 19 hours and 49 minutes, and land at 10:17 p.m. EST on Dec. 14. Endeavour carries the Unity connecting module which the crew will be mating with the Russian-built Zarya control module already in orbit. In addition to Unity, two small replacement electronics boxes are on board for possible repairs to Zarya batteries KSC-98pc1749

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The sign on the fence at Launch Pad 39A ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The sign on the fence at Launch Pad 39A announces the mission of STS-88 and Space Shuttle Endeavour, poised on the pad for launch. Lift-off is targeted for 3:56 a.m. on Dec. 3. The... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- With the Rotating Service Structure on Launch Pad 39A rolled back, the Space Shuttle Endeavour on top of the Mobile Launcher Platform is poised for launch on mission STS-88. Lift-off is targeted for 3:56 a.m. on Dec. 3. The first U.S. launch for the International Space Station, STS-88 is expected to last 11 days, 19 hours and 49 minutes, and land at 10:17 p.m. EST on Dec. 14. Endeavour carries the Unity connecting module which the crew will be mating with the Russian-built Zarya control module already in orbit. In addition to Unity, two small replacement electronics boxes are on board for possible repairs to Zarya batteries KSC-98pc1748

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- With the Rotating Service Structure on L...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- With the Rotating Service Structure on Launch Pad 39A rolled back, the Space Shuttle Endeavour on top of the Mobile Launcher Platform is poised for launch on mission STS-88. Lift-o... More

In the Operations and Checkout Building, STS-88 Pilot Frederick W. "Rick" Sturckow gets help with his flight suit from suit technician Terri McKinney before launch. Mission STS-88 is expected to launch at 3:56 a.m. EST with the six-member crew aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour on Dec. 3. Endeavour carries the Unity connecting module, which the crew will be mating with the Russian-built Zarya control module already in orbit. In addition to Unity, two small replacement electronics boxes are on board for possible repairs to Zarya batteries. The mission is expected to last 11 days, 19 hours and 49 minutes, landing at 10:17 p.m. EST on Dec. 14 KSC-98pc1760

In the Operations and Checkout Building, STS-88 Pilot Frederick W. "Ri...

In the Operations and Checkout Building, STS-88 Pilot Frederick W. "Rick" Sturckow gets help with his flight suit from suit technician Terri McKinney before launch. Mission STS-88 is expected to launch at 3:56 ... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Operations and Checkout Building, STS-88 Mission Specialist Jerry L. Ross (right) takes part in a complete suit check before launch. Standing with him is Owen Bertrand, chief of the Vehicle Integration Test office at Johnson Space Center. This is Bertrand's last launch before retiring in January. Mission STS-88 is expected to launch at 3:56 a.m. EST with the six-member crew aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour on Dec. 3. Endeavour carries the Unity connecting module, which the crew will be mating with the Russian-built Zarya control module already in orbit. In addition to Unity, two small replacement electronics boxes are on board for possible repairs to Zarya batteries. The mission is expected to last 11 days, 19 hours and 49 minutes, landing at 10:17 p.m. EST on Dec. 14 KSC-98pc1757

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

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Operations and Checkout Building, STS-88 Mission Specialist Jerry L. Ross (right) takes part in a complete suit check before launch. Standing with him is Owen Bertrand, chie... More

After leaving the Operations and Checkout Building, the STS-88 crew approach the Astrovan for their trip to Launch Pad 39A. In the back row are (left to right) Mission Specialist Sergei Konstantinovich Krikalev, a Russian cosmonaut, and Mission Specialists Jerry L. Ross and James H. Newman. In the front row (left to right) are Pilot Frederick W. "Rick" Sturckow, Mission Specialist Nancy J. Currie and Commander Robert D. Cabana. STS-88 is expected to launch at 3:56 a.m. EST with the six-member crew aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour on Dec. 3. Endeavour carries the Unity connecting module, which the crew will be mating with the Russian-built Zarya control module already in orbit. In addition to Unity, two small replacement electronics boxes are on board for possible repairs to Zarya batteries. The mission is expected to last 11 days, 19 hours and 49 minutes, with landing at 10:17 p.m. EST on Dec. 14 KSC-98pc1764

After leaving the Operations and Checkout Building, the STS-88 crew ap...

After leaving the Operations and Checkout Building, the STS-88 crew approach the Astrovan for their trip to Launch Pad 39A. In the back row are (left to right) Mission Specialist Sergei Konstantinovich Krikalev... More

The STS-88 crew leave the Operations and Checkout Building for their trip to Launch Pad 39A. In the front row (left to right) are Pilot Frederick W. "Rick" Sturckow, Mission Specialist Nancy J. Currie and Commander Robert D. Cabana. Behind them (left to right) are Mission Specialist Sergei Konstantinovich Krikalev, a Russian cosmonaut, and Mission Specialists Jerry L. Ross and James H. Newman. STS-88 is expected to launch at 3:56 a.m. EST with the six-member crew aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour on Dec. 3. Endeavour carries the Unity connecting module, which the crew will be mating with the Russian-built Zarya control module already in orbit. In addition to Unity, two small replacement electronics boxes are on board for possible repairs to Zarya batteries. The mission is expected to last 11 days, 19 hours and 49 minutes, with landing at 10:17 p.m. EST on Dec. 14 KSC-98pc1763

The STS-88 crew leave the Operations and Checkout Building for their t...

The STS-88 crew leave the Operations and Checkout Building for their trip to Launch Pad 39A. In the front row (left to right) are Pilot Frederick W. "Rick" Sturckow, Mission Specialist Nancy J. Currie and Comma... More

In the Operations and Checkout Building, STS-88 Mission Specialist Nancy J. Currie gets help with her flight suit from suit technician Drew Billingsley before launch. Mission STS-88 is expected to launch at 3:56 a.m. EST with the six-member crew aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour on Dec. 3. Endeavour carries the Unity connecting module, which the crew will be mating with the Russian-built Zarya control module already in orbit. In addition to Unity, two small replacement electronics boxes are on board for possible repairs to Zarya batteries. The mission is expected to last 11 days, 19 hours and 49 minutes, landing at 10:17 p.m. EST on Dec. 14 KSC-98pc1759

In the Operations and Checkout Building, STS-88 Mission Specialist Nan...

In the Operations and Checkout Building, STS-88 Mission Specialist Nancy J. Currie gets help with her flight suit from suit technician Drew Billingsley before launch. Mission STS-88 is expected to launch at 3:5... More

In the Operations and Checkout Building, STS-88 Mission Specialist Sergei Konstantinovich Krikalev, a Russian cosmonaut, gives a thumbs up during suit check before launch. Mission STS-88 is expected to lift off at 3:56 a.m. EST with the six-member crew aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour on Dec. 3. Endeavour carries the Unity connecting module, which the crew will be mating with the Russian-built Zarya control module already in orbit. In addition to Unity, two small replacement electronics boxes are on board for possible repairs to Zarya batteries. The mission is expected to last 11 days, 19 hours and 49 minutes, landing at 10:17 p.m. EST on Dec. 14 KSC-98pc1762

In the Operations and Checkout Building, STS-88 Mission Specialist Ser...

In the Operations and Checkout Building, STS-88 Mission Specialist Sergei Konstantinovich Krikalev, a Russian cosmonaut, gives a thumbs up during suit check before launch. Mission STS-88 is expected to lift off... More

The STS-88 crew gather for the traditional pre-launch breakfast in the Operations and Checkout Building. From left to right are Mission Specialists Jerry L. Ross and Nancy J. Currie, Commander Robert D. Cabana, Pilot Frederick W. "Rick" Sturckow, and Mission Specialists James H. Newman and Sergei Konstantinovich Krikalev, a Russian cosmonaut. Mission STS-88 is expected to launch at 3:56 a.m. EST aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour on Dec. 3. Endeavour carries the Unity connecting module, which the crew will be mating with the Russian-built Zarya control module already on orbit. In addition to Unity, two small replacement electronics boxes are on board for possible repairs to Zarya batteries. The mission is expected to last 11 days, 19 hours and 49 minutes, landing at 10:17 p.m. EST on Dec. 14 KSC-98pc1756

The STS-88 crew gather for the traditional pre-launch breakfast in the...

The STS-88 crew gather for the traditional pre-launch breakfast in the Operations and Checkout Building. From left to right are Mission Specialists Jerry L. Ross and Nancy J. Currie, Commander Robert D. Cabana,... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Operations and Checkout Building, STS-88 Mission Specialist James H. Newman takes part in a complete suit check before launch. Newman holds a toy dog, "Pluto," representing the crew nickname Dog Crew 3 and Newman's nickname, Pluto. Mission STS-88 is expected to launch at 3:56 a.m. EST with the six-member crew aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour on Dec. 3. Endeavour carries the Unity connecting module, which the crew will be mating with the Russian-built Zarya control module already in orbit. In addition to Unity, two small replacement electronics boxes are on board for possible repairs to Zarya batteries. The mission is expected to last 11 days, 19 hours and 49 minutes, landing at 10:17 p.m. EST on Dec. 14 KSC-98pc1758

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

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Operations and Checkout Building, STS-88 Mission Specialist James H. Newman takes part in a complete suit check before launch. Newman holds a toy dog, "Pluto," representing ... More

In the Operations and Checkout Building, STS-88 Commander Robert D. Cabana gives a thumbs up during suit check before launch. Mission STS-88 is expected to lift off at 3:56 a.m. EST with the six-member crew aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour on Dec. 3. Endeavour carries the Unity connecting module, which the crew will be mating with the Russian-built Zarya control module already in orbit. In addition to Unity, two small replacement electronics boxes are on board for possible repairs to Zarya batteries. The mission is expected to last 11 days, 19 hours and 49 minutes, landing at 10:17 p.m. EST on Dec. 14 KSC-98pc1761

In the Operations and Checkout Building, STS-88 Commander Robert D. Ca...

In the Operations and Checkout Building, STS-88 Commander Robert D. Cabana gives a thumbs up during suit check before launch. Mission STS-88 is expected to lift off at 3:56 a.m. EST with the six-member crew abo... More

After five days of service and upgrade work on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), the STS-109 crew photographed the giant telescope returning to its normal routine. The telescope was captured and secured on a work stand in Columbia's payload bay using Columbia's robotic arm, where 4 of the 7-member crew performed 5 space walks completing system upgrades to the HST. Included in those upgrades were: The replacement of the solar array panels; replacement of the power control unit (PCU); replacement of the Faint Object Camera (FOC) with a new advanced camera for Surveys (ACS); and installation of the experimental cooling system for the Hubble's Near- Infrared Camera and Multi-object Spectrometer (NICMOS), which had been dormant since January 1999 when its original coolant ran out. The Marshall Space Flight Center had the responsibility for the design, development, and construction of the the HST, which is the most complex and sensitive optical telescope ever made, to study the cosmos from a low-Earth orbit. Launched March 1, 2002, the STS-109 HST servicing mission lasted 10 days, 22 hours, and 11 minutes. It was the 108th flight overall in NASA's Space Shuttle Program. n/a

After five days of service and upgrade work on the Hubble Space Telesc...

After five days of service and upgrade work on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), the STS-109 crew photographed the giant telescope returning to its normal routine. The telescope was captured and secured on ... More

During a Crew Equipment Interface Test, STS-103 Commander Curtis L. Brown Jr. (left) and Pilot Scott J. Kelly look at a replacement computer for the Hubble Space Telescope. The payload hardware is in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility. Other members of the crew are Mission Specialists Steven L. Smith, C. Michael Foale (Ph.D.), John M. Grunsfeld (Ph.D.), Claude Nicollier of Switzerland, and Jean-François Clervoy of France. Nicollier and Clervoy are with the European Space Agency. Mission STS-103 is a "call-up" due to the need to replace portions of the pointing system, the gyros, which have begun to fail on the Hubble Space Telescope. Although Hubble is operating normally and conducting its scientific observations, only three of its six gyroscopes are working properly. The gyroscopes allow the telescope to point at stars, galaxies and planets. The STS-103 crew will not only replace gyroscopes, it will also replace a Fine Guidance Sensor and an older computer with the new enhanced model, an older data tape recorder with a solid state digital recorder, a failed spare transmitter with a new one, and degraded insulation on the telescope with new thermal insulation. The crew will also install a Battery Voltage/Temperature Improvement Kit to protect the spacecraft batteries from overcharging and overheating when the telescope goes into a safe mode. The scheduled launch date in October is under review KSC-99pp1092

During a Crew Equipment Interface Test, STS-103 Commander Curtis L. Br...

During a Crew Equipment Interface Test, STS-103 Commander Curtis L. Brown Jr. (left) and Pilot Scott J. Kelly look at a replacement computer for the Hubble Space Telescope. The payload hardware is in the Payloa... More

In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility, a member of the STS-103 crew checks out rib clamp to be used on the Shield Shell Replacement Fabric (SSRF) task on repair of the Hubble Space Telescope. The seven-member crew, taking part in a Crew Equipment Interface Test, are Commander Curtis L. Brown Jr., Pilot Scott J. Kelly, and Mission Specialists Steven L. Smith, C. Michael Foale (Ph.D.), John M. Grunsfeld (Ph.D.), Claude Nicollier of Switzerland, and Jean-François Clervoy of France. Nicollier and Clervoy are with the European Space Agency. Mission STS-103 is a "call-up" due to the need to replace portions of the pointing system, the gyros, which have begun to fail on the Hubble Space Telescope. Although Hubble is operating normally and conducting its scientific observations, only three of its six gyroscopes are working properly. The gyroscopes allow the telescope to point at stars, galaxies and planets. The STS-103 crew will not only replace gyroscopes, it will also replace a Fine Guidance Sensor and an older computer with a new enhanced model, an older data tape recorder with a solid state digital recorder, a failed spare transmitter with a new one, and degraded insulation on the telescope with new thermal insulation. The crew will also install a Battery Voltage/Temperature Improvement Kit to protect the spacecraft batteries from overcharging and overheating when the telescope goes into a safe mode. The scheduled launch date in October is under review KSC-99pp1090

In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility, a member of the STS-103 c...

In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility, a member of the STS-103 crew checks out rib clamp to be used on the Shield Shell Replacement Fabric (SSRF) task on repair of the Hubble Space Telescope. The seven-me... More

In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility, members of the STS-103 crew get instructions on use of rib clamps for the Shield Shell Replacement Fabric (SSRF) task on repair of the Hubble Space Telescope. The seven-member crew are Commander Curtis L. Brown Jr., Pilot Scott J. Kelly, and Mission Specialists Steven L. Smith, C. Michael Foale (Ph.D.), John M. Grunsfeld (Ph.D.), Claude Nicollier of Switzerland, and Jean-François Clervoy of France. Nicollier and Clervoy are with the European Space Agency. Mission STS-103 is a "call-up" due to the need to replace portions of the pointing system, the gyros, which have begun to fail on the Hubble Space Telescope. Although Hubble is operating normally and conducting its scientific observations, only three of its six gyroscopes are working properly. The gyroscopes allow the telescope to point at stars, galaxies and planets. The STS-103 crew will not only replace gyroscopes, it will also replace a Fine Guidance Sensor, an older computer with a new enhanced model, an older data tape recorder with a solid state digital recorder, a failed spare transmitter with a new one, and degraded insulation on the telescope with new thermal insulation. The crew will also install a Battery Voltage/Temperature Improvement Kit to protect the spacecraft batteries from overcharging and overheating when the telescope goes into a safe mode. The scheduled launch date in October is under review KSC-99pp1088

In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility, members of the STS-103 cr...

In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility, members of the STS-103 crew get instructions on use of rib clamps for the Shield Shell Replacement Fabric (SSRF) task on repair of the Hubble Space Telescope. The se... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Launch Pad 39B, the open doors of the payload canister, inside the environmentally controlled Payload Changeout Room, reveal the Hubble Servicing Mission cargo. At the top is the Orbital Replacement Unit Carrier and at the bottom is the Flight Support System. Installation of the payload into Discovery is slated for Friday, Nov. 12. The mission is a "call-up" due to the need to replace portions of the pointing system, the gyros, which have begun to fail on the Hubble Space Telescope. Although Hubble is operating normally and conducting its scientific observations, only three of its six gyroscopes are working properly. The gyroscopes allow the telescope to point at stars, galaxies and planets. The STS-103 crew will also be replacing a Fine Guidance Sensor and an older computer with a new enhanced model, an older data tape recorder with a solid-state digital recorder, a failed spare transmitter with a new one, and degraded insulation on the telescope with new thermal insulation. The crew will also install a Battery Voltage/Temperature Improvement Kit to protect the spacecraft batteries from overcharging and overheating when the telescope goes into a safe mode KSC-99pp1289

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Launch Pad 39B, the open doors of the...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Launch Pad 39B, the open doors of the payload canister, inside the environmentally controlled Payload Changeout Room, reveal the Hubble Servicing Mission cargo. At the top is th... More

James Stickley (left) and Derry Dilby (right), who are with United Space Alliance, check over a spare four-inch diameter LH2 recirculation line that will be used to replace a damaged LH2 line in the orbiter Discovery. The line recirculates hydrogen from the Shuttle main engines back to the external tank during prelaunch engine conditioning. Workers noted a dent in the line during routine aft compartment inspections Tuesday, Dec. 7. The dent measures 12 inches long and about ½-inch deep. Managers expect the replacement work to take about 3 days, followed by system retests and final aft compartment close-outs. Preliminary assessments reflect a launch date of Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-103 no earlier than Dec. 16. STS-103 is the third servicing mission for the Hubble Space Telescope KSC-99pp1398

James Stickley (left) and Derry Dilby (right), who are with United Spa...

James Stickley (left) and Derry Dilby (right), who are with United Space Alliance, check over a spare four-inch diameter LH2 recirculation line that will be used to replace a damaged LH2 line in the orbiter Dis... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Workers in the Vehicle Assembly Building move orbiter Endeavour's replacement main engine No. 3 onto a work stand to prepare it for installation in the orbiter. Following routine testing procedures on a separate test engine, analysis revealed delamination on the wall of the engine's main combustion chamber. When data revealed that one of Endeavour's engines had undergone similar testing procedures, managers opted to replace the suspect engine as a precaution. Space Shuttle Endeavour is targeted for launch on mission STS-99 on Jan. 13, 2000, at 1:11 p.m. EST. STS-99 is the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission KSC-99pp1401

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Workers in the Vehicle Assembly Building...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Workers in the Vehicle Assembly Building move orbiter Endeavour's replacement main engine No. 3 onto a work stand to prepare it for installation in the orbiter. Following routine t... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Workers in the Vehicle Assembly Building move orbiter Endeavour's main engine No. 3 (in front) out of the way before moving the replacement engine into place. Following routine testing procedures on a separate test engine, analysis revealed delamination on the wall of the engine's main combustion chamber. When data revealed that one of Endeavour's engines had undergone similar testing procedures, managers opted to replace the suspect engine as a precaution. Space Shuttle Endeavour is targeted for launch on mission STS-99 on Jan. 13, 2000, at 1:11 p.m. EST. STS-99 is the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission KSC-99pp1400

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Workers in the Vehicle Assembly Building...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Workers in the Vehicle Assembly Building move orbiter Endeavour's main engine No. 3 (in front) out of the way before moving the replacement engine into place. Following routine tes... More

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