space shuttle era

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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – As seen on Google Maps, Firing Room 4 inside the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center was one of the four control rooms used by NASA and contractor launch teams to oversee a space shuttle countdown. This firing room was the most advanced of the control rooms used for shuttle missions and was the primary firing room for the shuttle's final series of launches before retirement. It is furnished in a more contemporary style with wood cabinets and other features, although it retains many of the computer systems the shuttle counted on to operate safely. Specialized operators worked at consoles tailored to keep track of the status of shuttle systems while the spacecraft was processed in the Orbiter Processing Facility, being stacked inside the Vehicle Assembly Building and standing at the launch pad before liftoff. The firing rooms, including 3, were also used during NASA's Apollo Program. Google precisely mapped the space center and some of its historical facilities for the company's map page. The work allows Internet users to see inside buildings at Kennedy as they were used during the space shuttle era. Photo credit: Google/Wendy Wang KSC-2013-3235

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – As seen on Google Maps, Firing Room 4 inside th...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – As seen on Google Maps, Firing Room 4 inside the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center was one of the four control rooms used by NASA and contractor launch teams to oversee... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility, or C3PF, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida is going through major renovations to support the manufacturing of The Boeing Company's CST-100 spacecraft. Known throughout the space shuttle era as Orbiter Processing Facilty-3, or OPF-3, the facility's orbiter-specific platforms were removed recently to make room for a clean-floor factory-like facility. The modernization will allow Boeing to process its new fleet of low-Earth-orbit bound spacecraft, which is under development in collaboration with NASA's Commercial Crew Program, or CCP. Boeing is leasing the excess government facility for next-generation commercial activities through a land-use agreement with Space Florida.    To learn more about CCP and its industry partners, visit www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew. Photo credit: Dimitri Gerondidakis KSC-2012-6485

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facil...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility, or C3PF, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida is going through major renovations to support the manufacturing of The Boeing Compan... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Vapor trails follow space shuttle Atlantis as it approaches Runway 15 on the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for the final time. A vapor trail, known as a contrail, is a cloud of water vapor that condenses and freezes around the small particles in aircraft exhaust. Atlantis marked the 26th nighttime landing of NASA's Space Shuttle Program and the 78th landing at Kennedy. It also was the final mission for the shuttle program.        STS-135 was the 33rd and final flight for Atlantis, which has spent 307 days in space, orbited Earth 4,848 times and traveled 125,935,769 miles. For more information on the space shuttle era, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/flyout. Photo credit: NASA/Sandra Joseph and Kevin O'Connell KSC-2011-5843

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Vapor trails follow space shuttle Atlantis as ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Vapor trails follow space shuttle Atlantis as it approaches Runway 15 on the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for the final time. A vapor trail, known a... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Viewed from the Launch Pad 39A flame trench, crawler-transporter No. 2 moves under a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The activity was part of testing to check out recently completed modifications to ensure its ability to carry launch vehicles such as the space agency's Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket to the pad.      NASA's Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is leading the 20-year life-extension project for the crawler. A pair of behemoth machines called crawler-transporters has carried the load of taking rockets and spacecraft to the launch pad for more than 40 years at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Each weighing six and a half million pounds and larger in size than a professional baseball infield, the crawler-transporters are powered by locomotive and large electrical power generator engines. The crawler-transporters will stand ready to keep up the work for the next generation of launch vehicles to lift astronauts into space. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/index.html Photo credit: NASA/ Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6273

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Viewed from the Launch Pad 39A flame trench, c...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Viewed from the Launch Pad 39A flame trench, crawler-transporter No. 2 moves under a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The activity wa... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – As seen on Google Maps, Firing Room 3 inside the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center was one of the four control rooms used by NASA and contractor launch teams to oversee a space shuttle countdown. This firing room is furnished in the classic style with the same metal computer cabinets and some of the same monitors in place when the first shuttle mission launched April 12, 1981. Specialized operators worked at consoles tailored to keep track of the status of shuttle systems while the spacecraft was processed in the Orbiter Processing Facility, being stacked inside the Vehicle Assembly Building and standing at the launch pad before liftoff. The firing rooms, including 3, were also used during NASA's Apollo Program. Google precisely mapped the space center and some of its historical facilities for the company's map page. The work allows Internet users to see inside buildings at Kennedy as they were used during the space shuttle era. Photo credit: Google/Wendy Wang KSC-2013-3234

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – As seen on Google Maps, Firing Room 3 inside th...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – As seen on Google Maps, Firing Room 3 inside the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center was one of the four control rooms used by NASA and contractor launch teams to oversee... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, crawler-transporter No. 2 moves a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform at Launch Pad 39A. The activity was part of testing to check out recently completed modifications to ensure its ability to carry launch vehicles such as the space agency's Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket to the pad.      NASA's Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is leading the 20-year life-extension project for the crawler. A pair of behemoth machines called crawler-transporters has carried the load of taking rockets and spacecraft to the launch pad for more than 40 years at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Each weighing six and a half million pounds and larger in size than a professional baseball infield, the crawler-transporters are powered by locomotive and large electrical power generator engines. The crawler-transporters will stand ready to keep up the work for the next generation of launch vehicles to lift astronauts into space. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6289

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, crawler-transporter No. 2 moves a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform at Launch Pad 39A. The activity was part of testing to check out r... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Google used an assortment of vehicles to precisely map NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida to be featured on the company's map page. The work allows Internet users to see inside buildings at Kennedy as they were used during the space shuttle era. Google used a car, tricycle and pushcart to maneuver around the center and through some of its facilities. Photo credit: Google/Wendy Wang KSC-2013-3233

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Google used an assortment of vehicles to precis...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Google used an assortment of vehicles to precisely map NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida to be featured on the company's map page. The work allows Internet users to see inside buildi... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Only space shuttle Atlantis' drag chute is visible as the spacecraft disappears into the darkness and rolls to a stop on Runway 15 on the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for the final time. Atlantis marked the 26th nighttime landing of NASA's Space Shuttle Program and the 78th landing at Kennedy. It also was the final mission for the shuttle program.    STS-135 was the 33rd and final flight for Atlantis, which has spent 307 days in space, orbited Earth 4,848 times and traveled 125,935,769 miles. For more information on the space shuttle era, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/flyout. Photo credit: NASA/Sandra Joseph and Kevin O'Connell KSC-2011-5852

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Only space shuttle Atlantis' drag chute is vis...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Only space shuttle Atlantis' drag chute is visible as the spacecraft disappears into the darkness and rolls to a stop on Runway 15 on the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Thousands of NASA Kennedy Space Center employees stand side-by-side to form a full-scale outline of a space shuttle orbiter outside the Vehicle Assembly Building. The unique photo opportunity was designed to honor the Space Shuttle Program's 30-year legacy and the people who contribute to safely processing, launching and landing the vehicle.        To learn more about the space shuttle era, including videos, photos and feature stories, go to www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/flyout/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-2358

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Thousands of NASA Kennedy Space Center employe...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Thousands of NASA Kennedy Space Center employees stand side-by-side to form a full-scale outline of a space shuttle orbiter outside the Vehicle Assembly Building. The unique photo opport... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Thousands of NASA Kennedy Space Center employees stand side-by-side to form a full-scale outline of a space shuttle orbiter outside the Vehicle Assembly Building. The unique photo opportunity was designed to honor the Space Shuttle Program's 30-year legacy and the people who contribute to safely processing, launching and landing the vehicle.        To learn more about the space shuttle era, including videos, photos and feature stories, go to www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/flyout/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-2359

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Thousands of NASA Kennedy Space Center employe...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Thousands of NASA Kennedy Space Center employees stand side-by-side to form a full-scale outline of a space shuttle orbiter outside the Vehicle Assembly Building. The unique photo opport... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Thousands of NASA Kennedy Space Center employees stand side-by-side to form a full-scale outline of a space shuttle orbiter outside the Vehicle Assembly Building. The unique photo opportunity was designed to honor the Space Shuttle Program's 30-year legacy and the people who contribute to safely processing, launching and landing the vehicle.        To learn more about the space shuttle era, including videos, photos and feature stories, go to www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/flyout/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-2356

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Thousands of NASA Kennedy Space Center employe...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Thousands of NASA Kennedy Space Center employees stand side-by-side to form a full-scale outline of a space shuttle orbiter outside the Vehicle Assembly Building. The unique photo opport... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Vapor trails follow space shuttle Atlantis as it touches down on Runway 15 on the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for the final time. A vapor trail, known as a contrail, is a cloud of water vapor that condenses and freezes around the small particles in aircraft exhaust. Atlantis marked the 26th nighttime landing of NASA's Space Shuttle Program and the 78th landing at Kennedy. It also was the final mission for the shuttle program.      STS-135 was the 33rd and final flight for Atlantis, which has spent 307 days in space, orbited Earth 4,848 times and traveled 125,935,769 miles. For more information on the space shuttle era, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/flyout. Photo credit: NASA/Sandra Joseph and Kevin O'Connell KSC-2011-5846

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Vapor trails follow space shuttle Atlantis as ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Vapor trails follow space shuttle Atlantis as it touches down on Runway 15 on the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for the final time. A vapor trail, kn... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A NASA Fire Rescue truck, which is part of the landing convoy at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, heads out toward space shuttle Atlantis after it rolled to a stop on the Shuttle Landing Facility's Runway for the final time. Atlantis marked the 26th nighttime landing of NASA's Space Shuttle Program and the 78th landing at Kennedy. It also was the final mission for the shuttle program.    STS-135 was the 33rd and final flight for Atlantis, which has spent 307 days in space, orbited Earth 4,848 times and traveled 125,935,769 miles. For more information on the space shuttle era, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/flyout. Photo credit: NASA/Sandra Joseph and Kevin O'Connell KSC-2011-5853

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A NASA Fire Rescue truck, which is part of the...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A NASA Fire Rescue truck, which is part of the landing convoy at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, heads out toward space shuttle Atlantis after it rolled to a stop on the Shuttle ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Vapor trails follow space shuttle Atlantis as it approaches Runway 15 on the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for the final time. A vapor trail, known as a contrail, is a cloud of water vapor that condenses and freezes around the small particles in aircraft exhaust. Atlantis marked the 26th nighttime landing of NASA's Space Shuttle Program and the 78th landing at Kennedy. It also was the final mission for the shuttle program.    STS-135 was the 33rd and final flight for Atlantis, which has spent 307 days in space, orbited Earth 4,848 times and traveled 125,935,769 miles. For more information on the space shuttle era, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/flyout. Photo credit: NASA/Sandra Joseph and Kevin O'Connell KSC-2011-5845

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Vapor trails follow space shuttle Atlantis as ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Vapor trails follow space shuttle Atlantis as it approaches Runway 15 on the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for the final time. A vapor trail, known a... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Atlantis begins to disappear into the darkness as it rolls to a stop on Runway 15 on the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for the final time. Atlantis marked the 26th nighttime landing of NASA's Space Shuttle Program and the 78th landing at Kennedy. It also was the final mission for the shuttle program.    STS-135 was the 33rd and final flight for Atlantis, which has spent 307 days in space, orbited Earth 4,848 times and traveled 125,935,769 miles. For more information on the space shuttle era, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/flyout. Photo credit: NASA/Sandra Joseph and Kevin O'Connell KSC-2011-5849

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Atlantis begins to disappear int...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Atlantis begins to disappear into the darkness as it rolls to a stop on Runway 15 on the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for the final ti... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Atlantis disappears into the darkness as it rolls to a stop on Runway 15 on the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for the final time. Atlantis marked the 26th nighttime landing of NASA's Space Shuttle Program and the 78th landing at Kennedy. It also was the final mission for the shuttle program.      STS-135 was the 33rd and final flight for Atlantis, which has spent 307 days in space, orbited Earth 4,848 times and traveled 125,935,769 miles. For more information on the space shuttle era, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/flyout. Photo credit: NASA/Sandra Joseph and Kevin O'Connell KSC-2011-5851

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Atlantis disappears into the dar...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Atlantis disappears into the darkness as it rolls to a stop on Runway 15 on the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for the final time. Atlan... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The solid rocket booster SRB retrieval ships, Liberty Star and Freedom Star, are docked in the Banana River at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Hangar A F. The NASA vessels were used during the space shuttle era to retrieve the SRBs following shuttle launches.       Kennedy is located on Merritt Island, a barrier island, about 34 miles long and varying in width from five to 10 miles. Only 6,000 acres are actually used for operational activities. The Kennedy Space Center is also a National Wildlife Refuge. Consisting of 140,000 acres, the refuge provides a wide variety of habitats: coastal dunes, saltwater estuaries and marshes, freshwater impoundments, scrub, pine flatwoods and hardwood hammocks providing habitat for more than 1,500 species of plants and animals. For more information, visit: http://ipv6.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/shuttleoperations/alligators/kscovrv.html Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky KSC-2012-4542

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The solid rocket booster SRB retrieval ships, L...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The solid rocket booster SRB retrieval ships, Liberty Star and Freedom Star, are docked in the Banana River at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Hangar A F. The NASA vessels were used du... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform, on the left, sits on pedestals outside the Vehicle Assembly Building. To the right is the mobile launcher that will support the space agency's Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket and Orion spacecraft.      NASA's Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is leading the 20-year life-extension project for the crawler. A pair of behemoth machines called crawler-transporters has carried the load of taking rockets and spacecraft to the launch pad for more than 40 years at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Each the size of a baseball infield and powered by locomotive and large electrical power generator engines, the crawler-transporters will stand ready to keep up the work for the next generation of launch vehicles projects to lift astronauts into space. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6175

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform, on the left, sits on pedestals outside the Vehicle Assembly Building. To the right is the mobile ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, crawler-transporter No. 2 moves a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform at Launch Pad 39A. The activity was part of testing to check out recently completed modifications to ensure its ability to carry launch vehicles such as the space agency's Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket to the pad.      NASA's Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is leading the 20-year life-extension project for the crawler. A pair of behemoth machines called crawler-transporters has carried the load of taking rockets and spacecraft to the launch pad for more than 40 years at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Each weighing six and a half million pounds and larger in size than a professional baseball infield, the crawler-transporters are powered by locomotive and large electrical power generator engines. The crawler-transporters will stand ready to keep up the work for the next generation of launch vehicles to lift astronauts into space. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston KSC-2012-6281

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, crawler-transporter No. 2 moves a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform at Launch Pad 39A. The activity was part of testing to check out r... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Viewed from under a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, crawler-transporter No. 2 moves under. The activity was part of testing to check out recently completed modifications to ensure its ability to carry launch vehicles such as the space agency's Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket to the pad.      NASA's Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is leading the 20-year life-extension project for the crawler. A pair of behemoth machines called crawler-transporters has carried the load of taking rockets and spacecraft to the launch pad for more than 40 years at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Each weighing six and a half million pounds and larger in size than a professional baseball infield, the crawler-transporters are powered by locomotive and large electrical power generator engines. The crawler-transporters will stand ready to keep up the work for the next generation of launch vehicles to lift astronauts into space. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/index.html Photo credit: NASA/ Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6268

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Viewed from under a space shuttle era mobile l...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Viewed from under a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, crawler-transporter No. 2 moves under. The activity was part o... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Viewed from above the flame trench at Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, crawler-transporter No. 2 moves a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform. The activity was part of testing to check out recently completed modifications to ensure its ability to carry launch vehicles such as the space agency's Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket to the pad.      NASA's Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is leading the 20-year life-extension project for the crawler. A pair of behemoth machines called crawler-transporters has carried the load of taking rockets and spacecraft to the launch pad for more than 40 years at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Each weighing six and a half million pounds and larger in size than a professional baseball infield, the crawler-transporters are powered by locomotive and large electrical power generator engines. The crawler-transporters will stand ready to keep up the work for the next generation of launch vehicles to lift astronauts into space. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston KSC-2012-6276

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Viewed from above the flame trench at Launch P...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Viewed from above the flame trench at Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, crawler-transporter No. 2 moves a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform. The activity... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a technician monitors operations as crawler-transporter No. 2 moves a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform over a support pedestal at Launch Pad 39A. The activity was part of testing to check out recently completed modifications to ensure its ability to carry launch vehicles such as the space agency's Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket to the pad.      NASA's Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is leading the 20-year life-extension project for the crawler. A pair of behemoth machines called crawler-transporters has carried the load of taking rockets and spacecraft to the launch pad for more than 40 years at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Each weighing six and a half million pounds and larger in size than a professional baseball infield, the crawler-transporters are powered by locomotive and large electrical power generator engines. The crawler-transporters will stand ready to keep up the work for the next generation of launch vehicles to lift astronauts into space. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6288

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a t...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a technician monitors operations as crawler-transporter No. 2 moves a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform over a support pedestal at Lau... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Viewed from under a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, crawler-transporter No. 2 approaches. The activity was part of testing to check out recently completed modifications to ensure its ability to carry launch vehicles such as the space agency's Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket to the pad.      NASA's Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is leading the 20-year life-extension project for the crawler. A pair of behemoth machines called crawler-transporters has carried the load of taking rockets and spacecraft to the launch pad for more than 40 years at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Each weighing six and a half million pounds and larger in size than a professional baseball infield, the crawler-transporters are powered by locomotive and large electrical power generator engines. The crawler-transporters will stand ready to keep up the work for the next generation of launch vehicles to lift astronauts into space. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/index.html Photo credit: NASA/ Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6267

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Viewed from under a space shuttle era mobile l...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Viewed from under a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, crawler-transporter No. 2 approaches. The activity was part of... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, crawler-transporter No. 2 moves a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform down the gravel crawler way at Launch Pad 39A. The activity was part of testing to check out recently completed modifications to ensure its ability to carry launch vehicles such as the space agency's Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket to the pad.      NASA's Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is leading the 20-year life-extension project for the crawler. A pair of behemoth machines called crawler-transporters has carried the load of taking rockets and spacecraft to the launch pad for more than 40 years at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Each weighing six and a half million pounds and larger in size than a professional baseball infield, the crawler-transporters are powered by locomotive and large electrical power generator engines. The crawler-transporters will stand ready to keep up the work for the next generation of launch vehicles to lift astronauts into space. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston KSC-2012-6283

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, crawler-transporter No. 2 moves a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform down the gravel crawler way at Launch Pad 39A. The activity was pa... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, crawler-transporter No. 2 moves under a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform on Launch Pad 39A. The activity was part of testing to check out recently completed modifications to ensure its ability to carry launch vehicles such as the space agency's Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket to the pad.      NASA's Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is leading the 20-year life-extension project for the crawler. A pair of behemoth machines called crawler-transporters has carried the load of taking rockets and spacecraft to the launch pad for more than 40 years at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Each weighing six and a half million pounds and larger in size than a professional baseball infield, the crawler-transporters are powered by locomotive and large electrical power generator engines. The crawler-transporters will stand ready to keep up the work for the next generation of launch vehicles to lift astronauts into space. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/index.html Photo credit: NASA/ Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6271

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, crawler-transporter No. 2 moves under a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform on Launch Pad 39A. The activity was part of testing to check... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Viewed from under a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, crawler-transporter No. 2 moves under. The activity was part of testing to check out recently completed modifications to ensure its ability to carry launch vehicles such as the space agency's Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket to the pad.      NASA's Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is leading the 20-year life-extension project for the crawler. A pair of behemoth machines called crawler-transporters has carried the load of taking rockets and spacecraft to the launch pad for more than 40 years at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Each weighing six and a half million pounds and larger in size than a professional baseball infield, the crawler-transporters are powered by locomotive and large electrical power generator engines. The crawler-transporters will stand ready to keep up the work for the next generation of launch vehicles to lift astronauts into space. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/index.html Photo credit: NASA/ Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6270

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Viewed from under a space shuttle era mobile l...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Viewed from under a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, crawler-transporter No. 2 moves under. The activity was part o... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Viewed from the Launch Pad 39A flame trench, crawler-transporter No. 2 moves under a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The activity was part of testing to check out recently completed modifications to ensure its ability to carry launch vehicles such as the space agency's Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket to the pad.      NASA's Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is leading the 20-year life-extension project for the crawler. A pair of behemoth machines called crawler-transporters has carried the load of taking rockets and spacecraft to the launch pad for more than 40 years at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Each weighing six and a half million pounds and larger in size than a professional baseball infield, the crawler-transporters are powered by locomotive and large electrical power generator engines. The crawler-transporters will stand ready to keep up the work for the next generation of launch vehicles to lift astronauts into space. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/index.html Photo credit: NASA/ Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6272

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Viewed from the Launch Pad 39A flame trench, c...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Viewed from the Launch Pad 39A flame trench, crawler-transporter No. 2 moves under a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The activity wa... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Viewed from under a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, crawler-transporter No. 2 moves under. The activity was part of testing to check out recently completed modifications to ensure its ability to carry launch vehicles such as the space agency's Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket to the pad.      NASA's Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is leading the 20-year life-extension project for the crawler. A pair of behemoth machines called crawler-transporters has carried the load of taking rockets and spacecraft to the launch pad for more than 40 years at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Each weighing six and a half million pounds and larger in size than a professional baseball infield, the crawler-transporters are powered by locomotive and large electrical power generator engines. The crawler-transporters will stand ready to keep up the work for the next generation of launch vehicles to lift astronauts into space. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/index.html Photo credit: NASA/ Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6269

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Viewed from under a space shuttle era mobile l...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Viewed from under a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, crawler-transporter No. 2 moves under. The activity was part o... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, crawler-transporter No. 2 moves a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform down the gravel crawler way at Launch Pad 39A. The activity was part of testing to check out recently completed modifications to ensure its ability to carry launch vehicles such as the space agency's Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket to the pad.      NASA's Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is leading the 20-year life-extension project for the crawler. A pair of behemoth machines called crawler-transporters has carried the load of taking rockets and spacecraft to the launch pad for more than 40 years at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Each weighing six and a half million pounds and larger in size than a professional baseball infield, the crawler-transporters are powered by locomotive and large electrical power generator engines. The crawler-transporters will stand ready to keep up the work for the next generation of launch vehicles to lift astronauts into space. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston KSC-2012-6278

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, crawler-transporter No. 2 moves a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform down the gravel crawler way at Launch Pad 39A. The activity was pa... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a technician uses instrumentation to ensure accuracy as crawler-transporter No. 2 moves a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform into position for placement at Launch Pad 39A. The activity was part of testing to check out recently completed modifications to ensure its ability to carry launch vehicles such as the space agency's Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket to the pad.      NASA's Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is leading the 20-year life-extension project for the crawler. A pair of behemoth machines called crawler-transporters has carried the load of taking rockets and spacecraft to the launch pad for more than 40 years at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Each weighing six and a half million pounds and larger in size than a professional baseball infield, the crawler-transporters are powered by locomotive and large electrical power generator engines. The crawler-transporters will stand ready to keep up the work for the next generation of launch vehicles to lift astronauts into space. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6285

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a t...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a technician uses instrumentation to ensure accuracy as crawler-transporter No. 2 moves a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform into posit... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, crawler-transporter No. 2 moves a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform on Launch Pad 39A. The activity was part of testing to check out recently completed modifications to ensure its ability to carry launch vehicles such as the space agency's Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket to the pad.      NASA's Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is leading the 20-year life-extension project for the crawler. A pair of behemoth machines called crawler-transporters has carried the load of taking rockets and spacecraft to the launch pad for more than 40 years at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Each weighing six and a half million pounds and larger in size than a professional baseball infield, the crawler-transporters are powered by locomotive and large electrical power generator engines. The crawler-transporters will stand ready to keep up the work for the next generation of launch vehicles to lift astronauts into space. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston KSC-2012-6277

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, crawler-transporter No. 2 moves a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform on Launch Pad 39A. The activity was part of testing to check out r... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, crawler-transporter No. 2 moves a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform at Launch Pad 39A. The activity was part of testing to check out recently completed modifications to ensure its ability to carry launch vehicles such as the space agency's Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket to the pad.      NASA's Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is leading the 20-year life-extension project for the crawler. A pair of behemoth machines called crawler-transporters has carried the load of taking rockets and spacecraft to the launch pad for more than 40 years at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Each weighing six and a half million pounds and larger in size than a professional baseball infield, the crawler-transporters are powered by locomotive and large electrical power generator engines. The crawler-transporters will stand ready to keep up the work for the next generation of launch vehicles to lift astronauts into space. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston KSC-2012-6275

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, crawler-transporter No. 2 moves a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform at Launch Pad 39A. The activity was part of testing to check out r... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Technicians monitor progress as crawler-transporter No. 2 lifts a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform at Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crawler-transporter is undergoing testing to check out recently completed modifications to ensure its ability to carry launch vehicles such as the space agency's Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket to the pad.      NASA's Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is leading the 20-year life-extension project for the crawler. A pair of behemoth machines called crawler-transporters has carried the load of taking rockets and spacecraft to the launch pad for more than 40 years at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Each weighing six and a half million pounds and larger in size than a professional baseball infield, the crawler-transporters are powered by locomotive and large electrical power generator engines. The crawler-transporters will stand ready to keep up the work for the next generation of launch vehicles to lift astronauts into space. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/index.html Photo credit: NASA/ Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6274

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Technicians monitor progress as crawler-transp...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Technicians monitor progress as crawler-transporter No. 2 lifts a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform at Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crawler-tran... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a technician monitors operations as crawler-transporter No. 2 moves a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform over a support pedestal at Launch Pad 39A. The activity was part of testing to check out recently completed modifications to ensure its ability to carry launch vehicles such as the space agency's Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket to the pad.      NASA's Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is leading the 20-year life-extension project for the crawler. A pair of behemoth machines called crawler-transporters has carried the load of taking rockets and spacecraft to the launch pad for more than 40 years at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Each weighing six and a half million pounds and larger in size than a professional baseball infield, the crawler-transporters are powered by locomotive and large electrical power generator engines. The crawler-transporters will stand ready to keep up the work for the next generation of launch vehicles to lift astronauts into space. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6287

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a t...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a technician monitors operations as crawler-transporter No. 2 moves a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform over a support pedestal at Lau... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, crawler-transporter No. 2 moves a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform at Launch Pad 39A. The activity was part of testing to check out recently completed modifications to ensure its ability to carry launch vehicles such as the space agency's Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket to the pad.      NASA's Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is leading the 20-year life-extension project for the crawler. A pair of behemoth machines called crawler-transporters has carried the load of taking rockets and spacecraft to the launch pad for more than 40 years at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Each weighing six and a half million pounds and larger in size than a professional baseball infield, the crawler-transporters are powered by locomotive and large electrical power generator engines. The crawler-transporters will stand ready to keep up the work for the next generation of launch vehicles to lift astronauts into space. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston KSC-2012-6280

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, crawler-transporter No. 2 moves a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform at Launch Pad 39A. The activity was part of testing to check out r... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A truck sprays water on the gravel crawler way at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida as crawler-transporter No. 2 moves a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform at Launch Pad 39A. The activity was part of testing to check out recently completed modifications to ensure its ability to carry launch vehicles such as the space agency's Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket to the pad.      NASA's Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is leading the 20-year life-extension project for the crawler. A pair of behemoth machines called crawler-transporters has carried the load of taking rockets and spacecraft to the launch pad for more than 40 years at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Each weighing six and a half million pounds and larger in size than a professional baseball infield, the crawler-transporters are powered by locomotive and large electrical power generator engines. The crawler-transporters will stand ready to keep up the work for the next generation of launch vehicles to lift astronauts into space. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston KSC-2012-6282

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A truck sprays water on the gravel crawler way...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A truck sprays water on the gravel crawler way at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida as crawler-transporter No. 2 moves a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform at Launch Pad 39A... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A technician monitors operations as crawler-transporter No. 2 moves a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform down the gravel crawler way at Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The activity was part of testing to check out recently completed modifications to ensure its ability to carry launch vehicles such as the space agency's Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket to the pad.      NASA's Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is leading the 20-year life-extension project for the crawler. A pair of behemoth machines called crawler-transporters has carried the load of taking rockets and spacecraft to the launch pad for more than 40 years at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Each weighing six and a half million pounds and larger in size than a professional baseball infield, the crawler-transporters are powered by locomotive and large electrical power generator engines. The crawler-transporters will stand ready to keep up the work for the next generation of launch vehicles to lift astronauts into space. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston KSC-2012-6279

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A technician monitors operations as crawler-tr...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A technician monitors operations as crawler-transporter No. 2 moves a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform down the gravel crawler way at Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Cen... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A space shuttle era mobile launcher platform remains on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It will be moved by crawler-transporter No. 2 as part of testing to check out recently completed modifications to ensure its ability to carry launch vehicles such as the space agency's Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket to the pad.      NASA's Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is leading the 20-year life-extension project for the crawler. A pair of behemoth machines called crawler-transporters has carried the load of taking rockets and spacecraft to the launch pad for more than 40 years at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Each weighing six and a half million pounds and larger in size than a professional baseball infield, the crawler-transporters are powered by locomotive and large electrical power generator engines. The crawler-transporters will stand ready to keep up the work for the next generation of launch vehicles to lift astronauts into space. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/index.html Photo credit: NASA/ Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6266

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A space shuttle era mobile launcher platform r...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A space shuttle era mobile launcher platform remains on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It will be moved by crawler-transporter No. 2 as part of testing to chec... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, crawler-transporter No. 2 moves a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform at Launch Pad 39A. The activity was part of testing to check out recently completed modifications to ensure its ability to carry launch vehicles such as the space agency's Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket to the pad.      NASA's Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is leading the 20-year life-extension project for the crawler. A pair of behemoth machines called crawler-transporters has carried the load of taking rockets and spacecraft to the launch pad for more than 40 years at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Each weighing six and a half million pounds and larger in size than a professional baseball infield, the crawler-transporters are powered by locomotive and large electrical power generator engines. The crawler-transporters will stand ready to keep up the work for the next generation of launch vehicles to lift astronauts into space. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6284

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, crawler-transporter No. 2 moves a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform at Launch Pad 39A. The activity was part of testing to check out r... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians use instrumentation to ensure accuracy as crawler-transporter No. 2 moves a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform into position for placement at Launch Pad 39A. The activity was part of testing to check out recently completed modifications to ensure its ability to carry launch vehicles such as the space agency's Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket to the pad.      NASA's Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is leading the 20-year life-extension project for the crawler. A pair of behemoth machines called crawler-transporters has carried the load of taking rockets and spacecraft to the launch pad for more than 40 years at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Each weighing six and a half million pounds and larger in size than a professional baseball infield, the crawler-transporters are powered by locomotive and large electrical power generator engines. The crawler-transporters will stand ready to keep up the work for the next generation of launch vehicles to lift astronauts into space. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6286

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians use instrumentation to ensure accuracy as crawler-transporter No. 2 moves a space shuttle era mobile launcher platform into positio... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Three NASA railroad locomotives at Kennedy Space Center in Florida move toward Launch Complex 39 area's Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF. The operation was to allow wheel and axle assemblies to be swapped between two of the locomotives.      The RPSF was built to support work on the solid rocket used motors during the space shuttle era. The facility had never previously been used for another purpose, but is now free to serve other customers. With rails running into the building's high bay and a pair of heavy-lift cranes positioned overhead, the facility's capabilities were a perfect fit for the NASA Railroad's needs. Railroad managers wanted to trade the wheel and axle assemblies, or trucks, of locomotives No. 2 and No. 3. Locomotive No. 3 was painstakingly restored in recent years by the NASA Railroad team, and handles much of the rail work required at the center in the post-shuttle era. But the trucks on locomotive No. 2 are in better shape and are more environmentally friendly. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/rpsf_locomotives.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6328

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Three NASA railroad locomotives at Kennedy Spac...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Three NASA railroad locomotives at Kennedy Space Center in Florida move toward Launch Complex 39 area's Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF. The operation was to allow wheel ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Two NASA railroad locomotives at Kennedy Space Center in Florida move into Launch Complex 39 area's Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF. The operation was to allow wheel and axle assemblies to be swapped between locomotives.      The RPSF was built to support work on the solid rocket used motors during the space shuttle era. The facility had never previously been used for another purpose, but is now free to serve other customers. With rails running into the building's high bay and a pair of heavy-lift cranes positioned overhead, the facility's capabilities were a perfect fit for the NASA Railroad's needs. Railroad managers wanted to trade the wheel and axle assemblies, or trucks, of locomotives No. 2 and No. 3. Locomotive No. 3 was painstakingly restored in recent years by the NASA Railroad team, and handles much of the rail work required at the center in the post-shuttle era. But the trucks on locomotive No. 2 are in better shape and are more environmentally friendly. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/rpsf_locomotives.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6332

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Two NASA railroad locomotives at Kennedy Space ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Two NASA railroad locomotives at Kennedy Space Center in Florida move into Launch Complex 39 area's Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF. The operation was to allow wheel and ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Three NASA railroad locomotives at Kennedy Space Center in Florida move toward Launch Complex 39 area's Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF. The operation was to allow wheel and axle assemblies to be swapped between two of the locomotives.      The RPSF was built to support work on the solid rocket used motors during the space shuttle era. The facility had never previously been used for another purpose, but is now free to serve other customers. With rails running into the building's high bay and a pair of heavy-lift cranes positioned overhead, the facility's capabilities were a perfect fit for the NASA Railroad's needs. Railroad managers wanted to trade the wheel and axle assemblies, or trucks, of locomotives No. 2 and No. 3. Locomotive No. 3 was painstakingly restored in recent years by the NASA Railroad team, and handles much of the rail work required at the center in the post-shuttle era. But the trucks on locomotive No. 2 are in better shape and are more environmentally friendly. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/rpsf_locomotives.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6323

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Three NASA railroad locomotives at Kennedy Spac...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Three NASA railroad locomotives at Kennedy Space Center in Florida move toward Launch Complex 39 area's Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF. The operation was to allow wheel ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Three NASA railroad locomotives at Kennedy Space Center in Florida move toward Launch Complex 39 area's Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF. The operation was to allow wheel and axle assemblies to be swapped between two of the locomotives.      The RPSF was built to support work on the solid rocket used motors during the space shuttle era. The facility had never previously been used for another purpose, but is now free to serve other customers. With rails running into the building's high bay and a pair of heavy-lift cranes positioned overhead, the facility's capabilities were a perfect fit for the NASA Railroad's needs. Railroad managers wanted to trade the wheel and axle assemblies, or trucks, of locomotives No. 2 and No. 3. Locomotive No. 3 was painstakingly restored in recent years by the NASA Railroad team, and handles much of the rail work required at the center in the post-shuttle era. But the trucks on locomotive No. 2 are in better shape and are more environmentally friendly. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/rpsf_locomotives.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6329

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Three NASA railroad locomotives at Kennedy Spac...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Three NASA railroad locomotives at Kennedy Space Center in Florida move toward Launch Complex 39 area's Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF. The operation was to allow wheel ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A NASA railroad locomotive at Kennedy Space Center in Florida moves into Launch Complex 39 area's Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF. The operation was to allow wheel and axle assemblies to be swapped between two locomotives.      The RPSF was built to support work on the solid rocket used motors during the space shuttle era. The facility had never previously been used for another purpose, but is now free to serve other customers. With rails running into the building's high bay and a pair of heavy-lift cranes positioned overhead, the facility's capabilities were a perfect fit for the NASA Railroad's needs. Railroad managers wanted to trade the wheel and axle assemblies, or trucks, of locomotives No. 2 and No. 3. Locomotive No. 3 was painstakingly restored in recent years by the NASA Railroad team, and handles much of the rail work required at the center in the post-shuttle era. But the trucks on locomotive No. 2 are in better shape and are more environmentally friendly. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/rpsf_locomotives.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6333

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A NASA railroad locomotive at Kennedy Space Cen...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A NASA railroad locomotive at Kennedy Space Center in Florida moves into Launch Complex 39 area's Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF. The operation was to allow wheel and ax... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Two NASA railroad locomotives at Kennedy Space Center in Florida move into Launch Complex 39 area's Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF. The operation was to allow wheel and axle assemblies to be swapped between locomotives.      The RPSF was built to support work on the solid rocket used motors during the space shuttle era. The facility had never previously been used for another purpose, but is now free to serve other customers. With rails running into the building's high bay and a pair of heavy-lift cranes positioned overhead, the facility's capabilities were a perfect fit for the NASA Railroad's needs. Railroad managers wanted to trade the wheel and axle assemblies, or trucks, of locomotives No. 2 and No. 3. Locomotive No. 3 was painstakingly restored in recent years by the NASA Railroad team, and handles much of the rail work required at the center in the post-shuttle era. But the trucks on locomotive No. 2 are in better shape and are more environmentally friendly. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/rpsf_locomotives.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6331

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Two NASA railroad locomotives at Kennedy Space ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Two NASA railroad locomotives at Kennedy Space Center in Florida move into Launch Complex 39 area's Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF. The operation was to allow wheel and ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Three NASA railroad locomotives at Kennedy Space Center in Florida move toward Launch Complex 39 area's Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF. The operation was to allow wheel and axle assemblies to be swapped between two of the locomotives.      The RPSF was built to support work on the solid rocket used motors during the space shuttle era. The facility had never previously been used for another purpose, but is now free to serve other customers. With rails running into the building's high bay and a pair of heavy-lift cranes positioned overhead, the facility's capabilities were a perfect fit for the NASA Railroad's needs. Railroad managers wanted to trade the wheel and axle assemblies, or trucks, of locomotives No. 2 and No. 3. Locomotive No. 3 was painstakingly restored in recent years by the NASA Railroad team, and handles much of the rail work required at the center in the post-shuttle era. But the trucks on locomotive No. 2 are in better shape and are more environmentally friendly. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/rpsf_locomotives.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6327

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Three NASA railroad locomotives at Kennedy Spac...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Three NASA railroad locomotives at Kennedy Space Center in Florida move toward Launch Complex 39 area's Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF. The operation was to allow wheel ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A NASA railroad locomotive at Kennedy Space Center in Florida moves into Launch Complex 39 area's Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF. The operation was to allow wheel and axle assemblies to be swapped between two locomotives.      The RPSF was built to support work on the solid rocket used motors during the space shuttle era. The facility had never previously been used for another purpose, but is now free to serve other customers. With rails running into the building's high bay and a pair of heavy-lift cranes positioned overhead, the facility's capabilities were a perfect fit for the NASA Railroad's needs. Railroad managers wanted to trade the wheel and axle assemblies, or trucks, of locomotives No. 2 and No. 3. Locomotive No. 3 was painstakingly restored in recent years by the NASA Railroad team, and handles much of the rail work required at the center in the post-shuttle era. But the trucks on locomotive No. 2 are in better shape and are more environmentally friendly. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/rpsf_locomotives.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6335

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A NASA railroad locomotive at Kennedy Space Cen...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A NASA railroad locomotive at Kennedy Space Center in Florida moves into Launch Complex 39 area's Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF. The operation was to allow wheel and ax... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A NASA railroad locomotive at Kennedy Space Center in Florida moves into Launch Complex 39 area's Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF. The operation was to allow wheel and axle assemblies to be swapped between two locomotives.      The RPSF was built to support work on the solid rocket used motors during the space shuttle era. The facility had never previously been used for another purpose, but is now free to serve other customers. With rails running into the building's high bay and a pair of heavy-lift cranes positioned overhead, the facility's capabilities were a perfect fit for the NASA Railroad's needs. Railroad managers wanted to trade the wheel and axle assemblies, or trucks, of locomotives No. 2 and No. 3. Locomotive No. 3 was painstakingly restored in recent years by the NASA Railroad team, and handles much of the rail work required at the center in the post-shuttle era. But the trucks on locomotive No. 2 are in better shape and are more environmentally friendly. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/rpsf_locomotives.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6330

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A NASA railroad locomotive at Kennedy Space Cen...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A NASA railroad locomotive at Kennedy Space Center in Florida moves into Launch Complex 39 area's Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF. The operation was to allow wheel and ax... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Three NASA railroad locomotives at Kennedy Space Center in Florida move toward Launch Complex 39 area's Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF. The operation was to allow wheel and axle assemblies to be swapped between two of the locomotives.      The RPSF was built to support work on the solid rocket used motors during the space shuttle era. The facility had never previously been used for another purpose, but is now free to serve other customers. With rails running into the building's high bay and a pair of heavy-lift cranes positioned overhead, the facility's capabilities were a perfect fit for the NASA Railroad's needs. Railroad managers wanted to trade the wheel and axle assemblies, or trucks, of locomotives No. 2 and No. 3. Locomotive No. 3 was painstakingly restored in recent years by the NASA Railroad team, and handles much of the rail work required at the center in the post-shuttle era. But the trucks on locomotive No. 2 are in better shape and are more environmentally friendly. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/rpsf_locomotives.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6326

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Three NASA railroad locomotives at Kennedy Spac...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Three NASA railroad locomotives at Kennedy Space Center in Florida move toward Launch Complex 39 area's Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF. The operation was to allow wheel ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Three NASA railroad locomotives at Kennedy Space Center in Florida move toward Launch Complex 39 area's Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF. The operation was to allow wheel and axle assemblies to be swapped between two of the locomotives.      The RPSF was built to support work on the solid rocket used motors during the space shuttle era. The facility had never previously been used for another purpose, but is now free to serve other customers. With rails running into the building's high bay and a pair of heavy-lift cranes positioned overhead, the facility's capabilities were a perfect fit for the NASA Railroad's needs. Railroad managers wanted to trade the wheel and axle assemblies, or trucks, of locomotives No. 2 and No. 3. Locomotive No. 3 was painstakingly restored in recent years by the NASA Railroad team, and handles much of the rail work required at the center in the post-shuttle era. But the trucks on locomotive No. 2 are in better shape and are more environmentally friendly. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/rpsf_locomotives.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6324

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Three NASA railroad locomotives at Kennedy Spac...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Three NASA railroad locomotives at Kennedy Space Center in Florida move toward Launch Complex 39 area's Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF. The operation was to allow wheel ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Three NASA railroad locomotives at Kennedy Space Center in Florida move toward Launch Complex 39 area's Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF. The operation was to allow wheel and axle assemblies to be swapped between two of the locomotives.      The RPSF was built to support work on the solid rocket used motors during the space shuttle era. The facility had never previously been used for another purpose, but is now free to serve other customers. With rails running into the building's high bay and a pair of heavy-lift cranes positioned overhead, the facility's capabilities were a perfect fit for the NASA Railroad's needs. Railroad managers wanted to trade the wheel and axle assemblies, or trucks, of locomotives No. 2 and No. 3. Locomotive No. 3 was painstakingly restored in recent years by the NASA Railroad team, and handles much of the rail work required at the center in the post-shuttle era. But the trucks on locomotive No. 2 are in better shape and are more environmentally friendly. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/rpsf_locomotives.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6325

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Three NASA railroad locomotives at Kennedy Spac...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Three NASA railroad locomotives at Kennedy Space Center in Florida move toward Launch Complex 39 area's Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF. The operation was to allow wheel ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A NASA railroad locomotive at Kennedy Space Center in Florida moves into Launch Complex 39 area's Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF. The operation was to allow wheel and axle assemblies to be swapped between two locomotives.      The RPSF was built to support work on the solid rocket used motors during the space shuttle era. The facility had never previously been used for another purpose, but is now free to serve other customers. With rails running into the building's high bay and a pair of heavy-lift cranes positioned overhead, the facility's capabilities were a perfect fit for the NASA Railroad's needs. Railroad managers wanted to trade the wheel and axle assemblies, or trucks, of locomotives No. 2 and No. 3. Locomotive No. 3 was painstakingly restored in recent years by the NASA Railroad team, and handles much of the rail work required at the center in the post-shuttle era. But the trucks on locomotive No. 2 are in better shape and are more environmentally friendly. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/rpsf_locomotives.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6334

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A NASA railroad locomotive at Kennedy Space Cen...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A NASA railroad locomotive at Kennedy Space Center in Florida moves into Launch Complex 39 area's Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF. The operation was to allow wheel and ax... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Two NASA railroad locomotives at Kennedy Space Center in Florida move into Launch Complex 39 area's Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF. The operation was to allow wheel and axle assemblies to be swapped between locomotives.      The RPSF was built to support work on the solid rocket used motors during the space shuttle era. The facility had never previously been used for another purpose, but is now free to serve other customers. With rails running into the building's high bay and a pair of heavy-lift cranes positioned overhead, the facility's capabilities were a perfect fit for the NASA Railroad's needs. Railroad managers wanted to trade the wheel and axle assemblies, or trucks, of locomotives No. 2 and No. 3. Locomotive No. 3 was painstakingly restored in recent years by the NASA Railroad team, and handles much of the rail work required at the center in the post-shuttle era. But the trucks on locomotive No. 2 are in better shape and are more environmentally friendly. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/rpsf_locomotives.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6336

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Two NASA railroad locomotives at Kennedy Space ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Two NASA railroad locomotives at Kennedy Space Center in Florida move into Launch Complex 39 area's Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF. The operation was to allow wheel and ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, an overhead crane lifts NASA locomotive No. 3 off of its trucks to be moved into position atop the trucks previously used by locomotive No. 2.       The RPSF was built to support work on the solid rocket used motors during the space shuttle era. The facility had never previously been used for another purpose, but is now free to serve other customers. With rails running into the building's high bay and a pair of heavy-lift cranes positioned overhead, the facility's capabilities were a perfect fit for the NASA Railroad's needs. Railroad managers wanted to trade the wheel and axle assemblies, or trucks, of locomotives No. 2 and No. 3. Locomotive No. 3 was painstakingly restored in recent years by the NASA Railroad team, and handles much of the rail work required at the center in the post-shuttle era. But the trucks on locomotive No. 2 are in better shape and are more environmentally friendly. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/rpsf_locomotives.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6344

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facil...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, an overhead crane lifts NASA locomotive No. 3 off of its trucks to be moved into posit... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, an overhead crane lifts NASA locomotive No. 3 moving it into position atop the trucks previously used by locomotive No. 2.      The RPSF was built to support work on the solid rocket used motors during the space shuttle era. The facility had never previously been used for another purpose, but is now free to serve other customers. With rails running into the building's high bay and a pair of heavy-lift cranes positioned overhead, the facility's capabilities were a perfect fit for the NASA Railroad's needs. Railroad managers wanted to trade the wheel and axle assemblies, or trucks, of locomotives No. 2 and No. 3. Locomotive No. 3 was painstakingly restored in recent years by the NASA Railroad team, and handles much of the rail work required at the center in the post-shuttle era. But the trucks on locomotive No. 2 are in better shape and are more environmentally friendly. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/rpsf_locomotives.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6349

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facil...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, an overhead crane lifts NASA locomotive No. 3 moving it into position atop the trucks ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA locomotive No. 1 pulls locomotive No. 3 out of the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Inside, an overhead crane was used to lift NASA locomotive No. 2 off of its trucks and moved aside, so locomotive No. 3 could be raised off its trucks and moved into position atop the trucks previously used by locomotive No. 2.       The RPSF was built to support work on the solid rocket used motors during the space shuttle era. The facility had never previously been used for another purpose, but is now free to serve other customers. With rails running into the building's high bay and a pair of heavy-lift cranes positioned overhead, the facility's capabilities were a perfect fit for the NASA Railroad's needs. Railroad managers wanted to trade the wheel and axle assemblies, or trucks, of locomotives No. 2 and No. 3. Locomotive No. 3 was painstakingly restored in recent years by the NASA Railroad team, and handles much of the rail work required at the center in the post-shuttle era. But the trucks on locomotive No. 2 are in better shape and are more environmentally friendly. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/rpsf_locomotives.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6350

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA locomotive No. 1 pulls locomotive No. 3 ou...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA locomotive No. 1 pulls locomotive No. 3 out of the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Inside, an overhead crane was used to lif... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, an overhead crane moves NASA locomotive No. 2 aside after being lifted off of its trucks, clearing the way for locomotive No. 3 to be raised off its trucks and moved into position atop the trucks previously used by locomotive No. 2.       The RPSF was built to support work on the solid rocket used motors during the space shuttle era. The facility had never previously been used for another purpose, but is now free to serve other customers. With rails running into the building's high bay and a pair of heavy-lift cranes positioned overhead, the facility's capabilities were a perfect fit for the NASA Railroad's needs. Railroad managers wanted to trade the wheel and axle assemblies, or trucks, of locomotives No. 2 and No. 3. Locomotive No. 3 was painstakingly restored in recent years by the NASA Railroad team, and handles much of the rail work required at the center in the post-shuttle era. But the trucks on locomotive No. 2 are in better shape and are more environmentally friendly. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/rpsf_locomotives.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6341

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facil...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, an overhead crane moves NASA locomotive No. 2 aside after being lifted off of its truc... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, an overhead crane lifts NASA locomotive No. 2 off of its trucks to be moved aside, clearing the way for locomotive No. 3 to be raised off its trucks and moved into position atop the trucks previously used by locomotive No. 2.       The RPSF was built to support work on the solid rocket used motors during the space shuttle era. The facility had never previously been used for another purpose, but is now free to serve other customers. With rails running into the building's high bay and a pair of heavy-lift cranes positioned overhead, the facility's capabilities were a perfect fit for the NASA Railroad's needs. Railroad managers wanted to trade the wheel and axle assemblies, or trucks, of locomotives No. 2 and No. 3. Locomotive No. 3 was painstakingly restored in recent years by the NASA Railroad team, and handles much of the rail work required at the center in the post-shuttle era. But the trucks on locomotive No. 2 are in better shape and are more environmentally friendly. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/rpsf_locomotives.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6339

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facil...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, an overhead crane lifts NASA locomotive No. 2 off of its trucks to be moved aside, cle... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA locomotive No. 1 pulls locomotive No. 3 out of the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Inside, an overhead crane was used to lift NASA locomotive No. 2 off of its trucks and moved aside, so locomotive No. 3 could be raised off its trucks and moved into position atop the trucks previously used by locomotive No. 2.      The RPSF was built to support work on the solid rocket used motors during the space shuttle era. The facility had never previously been used for another purpose, but is now free to serve other customers. With rails running into the building's high bay and a pair of heavy-lift cranes positioned overhead, the facility's capabilities were a perfect fit for the NASA Railroad's needs. Railroad managers wanted to trade the wheel and axle assemblies, or trucks, of locomotives No. 2 and No. 3. Locomotive No. 3 was painstakingly restored in recent years by the NASA Railroad team, and handles much of the rail work required at the center in the post-shuttle era. But the trucks on locomotive No. 2 are in better shape and are more environmentally friendly. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/rpsf_locomotives.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6354

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA locomotive No. 1 pulls locomotive No. 3 ou...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA locomotive No. 1 pulls locomotive No. 3 out of the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Inside, an overhead crane was used to lif... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, an overhead crane lifts NASA locomotive No. 2 off of its trucks to be moved aside, clearing the way for locomotive No. 3 to be raised off its trucks and moved into position atop the trucks previously used by locomotive No. 2.       The RPSF was built to support work on the solid rocket used motors during the space shuttle era. The facility had never previously been used for another purpose, but is now free to serve other customers. With rails running into the building's high bay and a pair of heavy-lift cranes positioned overhead, the facility's capabilities were a perfect fit for the NASA Railroad's needs. Railroad managers wanted to trade the wheel and axle assemblies, or trucks, of locomotives No. 2 and No. 3. Locomotive No. 3 was painstakingly restored in recent years by the NASA Railroad team, and handles much of the rail work required at the center in the post-shuttle era. But the trucks on locomotive No. 2 are in better shape and are more environmentally friendly. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/rpsf_locomotives.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6338

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facil...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, an overhead crane lifts NASA locomotive No. 2 off of its trucks to be moved aside, cle... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA locomotive No. 1 pulls locomotive No. 3 out of the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Inside, an overhead crane was used to lift NASA locomotive No. 2 off of its trucks and moved aside, so locomotive No. 3 could be raised off its trucks and moved into position atop the trucks previously used by locomotive No. 2.       The RPSF was built to support work on the solid rocket used motors during the space shuttle era. The facility had never previously been used for another purpose, but is now free to serve other customers. With rails running into the building's high bay and a pair of heavy-lift cranes positioned overhead, the facility's capabilities were a perfect fit for the NASA Railroad's needs. Railroad managers wanted to trade the wheel and axle assemblies, or trucks, of locomotives No. 2 and No. 3. Locomotive No. 3 was painstakingly restored in recent years by the NASA Railroad team, and handles much of the rail work required at the center in the post-shuttle era. But the trucks on locomotive No. 2 are in better shape and are more environmentally friendly. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/rpsf_locomotives.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6352

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA locomotive No. 1 pulls locomotive No. 3 ou...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA locomotive No. 1 pulls locomotive No. 3 out of the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Inside, an overhead crane was used to lif... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, an overhead crane is prepared for lifting NASA locomotive No. 2 off of its trucks and moved aside, clearing the way for locomotive No. 3 to be raised off its trucks and moved into position atop the trucks previously used by locomotive No. 2.       The RPSF was built to support work on the solid rocket used motors during the space shuttle era. The facility had never previously been used for another purpose, but is now free to serve other customers. With rails running into the building's high bay and a pair of heavy-lift cranes positioned overhead, the facility's capabilities were a perfect fit for the NASA Railroad's needs. Railroad managers wanted to trade the wheel and axle assemblies, or trucks, of locomotives No. 2 and No. 3. Locomotive No. 3 was painstakingly restored in recent years by the NASA Railroad team, and handles much of the rail work required at the center in the post-shuttle era. But the trucks on locomotive No. 2 are in better shape and are more environmentally friendly. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/rpsf_locomotives.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6337

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facil...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, an overhead crane is prepared for lifting NASA locomotive No. 2 off of its trucks and ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, an overhead crane lifts NASA locomotive No. 3 off of its trucks to be moved into position atop the trucks previously used by locomotive No. 2.       The RPSF was built to support work on the solid rocket used motors during the space shuttle era. The facility had never previously been used for another purpose, but is now free to serve other customers. With rails running into the building's high bay and a pair of heavy-lift cranes positioned overhead, the facility's capabilities were a perfect fit for the NASA Railroad's needs. Railroad managers wanted to trade the wheel and axle assemblies, or trucks, of locomotives No. 2 and No. 3. Locomotive No. 3 was painstakingly restored in recent years by the NASA Railroad team, and handles much of the rail work required at the center in the post-shuttle era. But the trucks on locomotive No. 2 are in better shape and are more environmentally friendly. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/rpsf_locomotives.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6343

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facil...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, an overhead crane lifts NASA locomotive No. 3 off of its trucks to be moved into posit... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, an overhead crane lifts NASA locomotive No. 3 off of its trucks to be moved into position atop the trucks previously used by locomotive No. 2.       The RPSF was built to support work on the solid rocket used motors during the space shuttle era. The facility had never previously been used for another purpose, but is now free to serve other customers. With rails running into the building's high bay and a pair of heavy-lift cranes positioned overhead, the facility's capabilities were a perfect fit for the NASA Railroad's needs. Railroad managers wanted to trade the wheel and axle assemblies, or trucks, of locomotives No. 2 and No. 3. Locomotive No. 3 was painstakingly restored in recent years by the NASA Railroad team, and handles much of the rail work required at the center in the post-shuttle era. But the trucks on locomotive No. 2 are in better shape and are more environmentally friendly. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/rpsf_locomotives.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6345

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facil...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, an overhead crane lifts NASA locomotive No. 3 off of its trucks to be moved into posit... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, an overhead crane lifts NASA locomotive No. 3 off of its trucks to be moved into position atop the trucks previously used by locomotive No. 2.       The RPSF was built to support work on the solid rocket used motors during the space shuttle era. The facility had never previously been used for another purpose, but is now free to serve other customers. With rails running into the building's high bay and a pair of heavy-lift cranes positioned overhead, the facility's capabilities were a perfect fit for the NASA Railroad's needs. Railroad managers wanted to trade the wheel and axle assemblies, or trucks, of locomotives No. 2 and No. 3. Locomotive No. 3 was painstakingly restored in recent years by the NASA Railroad team, and handles much of the rail work required at the center in the post-shuttle era. But the trucks on locomotive No. 2 are in better shape and are more environmentally friendly. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/rpsf_locomotives.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6342

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facil...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, an overhead crane lifts NASA locomotive No. 3 off of its trucks to be moved into posit... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, an overhead crane lifts NASA locomotive No. 3 moving it into position atop the trucks previously used by locomotive No. 2.      The RPSF was built to support work on the solid rocket used motors during the space shuttle era. The facility had never previously been used for another purpose, but is now free to serve other customers. With rails running into the building's high bay and a pair of heavy-lift cranes positioned overhead, the facility's capabilities were a perfect fit for the NASA Railroad's needs. Railroad managers wanted to trade the wheel and axle assemblies, or trucks, of locomotives No. 2 and No. 3. Locomotive No. 3 was painstakingly restored in recent years by the NASA Railroad team, and handles much of the rail work required at the center in the post-shuttle era. But the trucks on locomotive No. 2 are in better shape and are more environmentally friendly. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/rpsf_locomotives.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6348

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facil...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, an overhead crane lifts NASA locomotive No. 3 moving it into position atop the trucks ... More

KSC-2012-6359 – CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA railroad locomotive No. 1 returns locomotives 2 and 3 to Launch Complex 39 area's rail yard after wheel and axle assemblies were swapped between locomotives 2 and 3.      The RPSF was built to support work on the solid rocket used motors during the space shuttle era. The facility had never previously been used for another purpose, but is now free to serve other customers. With rails running into the building's high bay and a pair of heavy-lift cranes positioned overhead, the facility's capabilities were a perfect fit for the NASA Railroad's needs. Railroad managers wanted to trade the wheel and axle assemblies, or trucks, of locomotives No. 2 and No. 3. Locomotive No. 3 was painstakingly restored in recent years by the NASA Railroad team, and handles much of the rail work required at the center in the post-shuttle era. But the trucks on locomotive No. 2 are in better shape and are more environmentally friendly. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/rpsf_locomotives.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6359

KSC-2012-6359 – CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At Kennedy Space Center in Flor...

KSC-2012-6359 – CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA railroad locomotive No. 1 returns locomotives 2 and 3 to Launch Complex 39 area's rail yard after wheel and axle assemblies were s... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA locomotive No. 1 pulls locomotive No. 3 out of the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Inside, an overhead crane was used to lift NASA locomotive No. 2 off of its trucks and moved aside, so locomotive No. 3 could be raised off its trucks and moved into position atop the trucks previously used by locomotive No. 2.       The RPSF was built to support work on the solid rocket used motors during the space shuttle era. The facility had never previously been used for another purpose, but is now free to serve other customers. With rails running into the building's high bay and a pair of heavy-lift cranes positioned overhead, the facility's capabilities were a perfect fit for the NASA Railroad's needs. Railroad managers wanted to trade the wheel and axle assemblies, or trucks, of locomotives No. 2 and No. 3. Locomotive No. 3 was painstakingly restored in recent years by the NASA Railroad team, and handles much of the rail work required at the center in the post-shuttle era. But the trucks on locomotive No. 2 are in better shape and are more environmentally friendly. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/rpsf_locomotives.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6351

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA locomotive No. 1 pulls locomotive No. 3 ou...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA locomotive No. 1 pulls locomotive No. 3 out of the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Inside, an overhead crane was used to lif... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA locomotive No. 1 pulls locomotive No. 3 out of the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Inside, an overhead crane was used to lift NASA locomotive No. 2 off of its trucks and moved aside, so locomotive No. 3 could be raised off its trucks and moved into position atop the trucks previously used by locomotive No. 2.      The RPSF was built to support work on the solid rocket used motors during the space shuttle era. The facility had never previously been used for another purpose, but is now free to serve other customers. With rails running into the building's high bay and a pair of heavy-lift cranes positioned overhead, the facility's capabilities were a perfect fit for the NASA Railroad's needs. Railroad managers wanted to trade the wheel and axle assemblies, or trucks, of locomotives No. 2 and No. 3. Locomotive No. 3 was painstakingly restored in recent years by the NASA Railroad team, and handles much of the rail work required at the center in the post-shuttle era. But the trucks on locomotive No. 2 are in better shape and are more environmentally friendly. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/rpsf_locomotives.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6353

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA locomotive No. 1 pulls locomotive No. 3 ou...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA locomotive No. 1 pulls locomotive No. 3 out of the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Inside, an overhead crane was used to lif... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA locomotive No. 1 pulls locomotives No. 2 and 3 out after wheel and axle assemblies to be swapped between locomotives 2 and 3.      The RPSF was built to support work on the solid rocket used motors during the space shuttle era. The facility had never previously been used for another purpose, but is now free to serve other customers. With rails running into the building's high bay and a pair of heavy-lift cranes positioned overhead, the facility's capabilities were a perfect fit for the NASA Railroad's needs. Railroad managers wanted to trade the wheel and axle assemblies, or trucks, of locomotives No. 2 and No. 3. Locomotive No. 3 was painstakingly restored in recent years by the NASA Railroad team, and handles much of the rail work required at the center in the post-shuttle era. But the trucks on locomotive No. 2 are in better shape and are more environmentally friendly. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/rpsf_locomotives.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6355

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facil...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA locomotive No. 1 pulls locomotives No. 2 and 3 out after wheel and axle assemblie... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, an overhead crane lifts NASA locomotive No. 2 off of its trucks to be moved aside, clearing the way for locomotive No. 3 to be raised off its trucks and moved into position atop the trucks previously used by locomotive No. 2.       The RPSF was built to support work on the solid rocket used motors during the space shuttle era. The facility had never previously been used for another purpose, but is now free to serve other customers. With rails running into the building's high bay and a pair of heavy-lift cranes positioned overhead, the facility's capabilities were a perfect fit for the NASA Railroad's needs. Railroad managers wanted to trade the wheel and axle assemblies, or trucks, of locomotives No. 2 and No. 3. Locomotive No. 3 was painstakingly restored in recent years by the NASA Railroad team, and handles much of the rail work required at the center in the post-shuttle era. But the trucks on locomotive No. 2 are in better shape and are more environmentally friendly. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/rpsf_locomotives.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6340

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facil...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, an overhead crane lifts NASA locomotive No. 2 off of its trucks to be moved aside, cle... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, an overhead crane lifts NASA locomotive No. 3 moving it into position atop the trucks previously used by locomotive No. 2.      The RPSF was built to support work on the solid rocket used motors during the space shuttle era. The facility had never previously been used for another purpose, but is now free to serve other customers. With rails running into the building's high bay and a pair of heavy-lift cranes positioned overhead, the facility's capabilities were a perfect fit for the NASA Railroad's needs. Railroad managers wanted to trade the wheel and axle assemblies, or trucks, of locomotives No. 2 and No. 3. Locomotive No. 3 was painstakingly restored in recent years by the NASA Railroad team, and handles much of the rail work required at the center in the post-shuttle era. But the trucks on locomotive No. 2 are in better shape and are more environmentally friendly. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/rpsf_locomotives.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6347

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facil...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, an overhead crane lifts NASA locomotive No. 3 moving it into position atop the trucks ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA railroad locomotive No. 1 pulls locomotives 2 and 3 away from Launch Complex 39 area's Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF, where wheel and axle assemblies were swapped between locomotives 2 and 3.      The RPSF was built to support work on the solid rocket used motors during the space shuttle era. The facility had never previously been used for another purpose, but is now free to serve other customers. With rails running into the building's high bay and a pair of heavy-lift cranes positioned overhead, the facility's capabilities were a perfect fit for the NASA Railroad's needs. Railroad managers wanted to trade the wheel and axle assemblies, or trucks, of locomotives No. 2 and No. 3. Locomotive No. 3 was painstakingly restored in recent years by the NASA Railroad team, and handles much of the rail work required at the center in the post-shuttle era. But the trucks on locomotive No. 2 are in better shape and are more environmentally friendly. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/rpsf_locomotives.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6356

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA railro...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA railroad locomotive No. 1 pulls locomotives 2 and 3 away from Launch Complex 39 area's Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF, where whe... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, an overhead crane lifts NASA locomotive No. 3 off of its trucks to be moved into position atop the trucks previously used by locomotive No. 2.       The RPSF was built to support work on the solid rocket used motors during the space shuttle era. The facility had never previously been used for another purpose, but is now free to serve other customers. With rails running into the building's high bay and a pair of heavy-lift cranes positioned overhead, the facility's capabilities were a perfect fit for the NASA Railroad's needs. Railroad managers wanted to trade the wheel and axle assemblies, or trucks, of locomotives No. 2 and No. 3. Locomotive No. 3 was painstakingly restored in recent years by the NASA Railroad team, and handles much of the rail work required at the center in the post-shuttle era. But the trucks on locomotive No. 2 are in better shape and are more environmentally friendly. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/rpsf_locomotives.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6346

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facil...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, or RPSF, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, an overhead crane lifts NASA locomotive No. 3 off of its trucks to be moved into posit... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA railroad locomotive No. 1 returns locomotives 2 and 3 to Launch Complex 39 area's rail yard after wheel and axle assemblies were swapped between locomotives 2 and 3.      The RPSF was built to support work on the solid rocket used motors during the space shuttle era. The facility had never previously been used for another purpose, but is now free to serve other customers. With rails running into the building's high bay and a pair of heavy-lift cranes positioned overhead, the facility's capabilities were a perfect fit for the NASA Railroad's needs. Railroad managers wanted to trade the wheel and axle assemblies, or trucks, of locomotives No. 2 and No. 3. Locomotive No. 3 was painstakingly restored in recent years by the NASA Railroad team, and handles much of the rail work required at the center in the post-shuttle era. But the trucks on locomotive No. 2 are in better shape and are more environmentally friendly. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/rpsf_locomotives.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6358

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA railro...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA railroad locomotive No. 1 returns locomotives 2 and 3 to Launch Complex 39 area's rail yard after wheel and axle assemblies were swapped between l... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA railroad locomotive No. 1 returns locomotives 2 and 3 to Launch Complex 39 area's rail yard after wheel and axle assemblies were swapped between locomotives 2 and 3.      The RPSF was built to support work on the solid rocket used motors during the space shuttle era. The facility had never previously been used for another purpose, but is now free to serve other customers. With rails running into the building's high bay and a pair of heavy-lift cranes positioned overhead, the facility's capabilities were a perfect fit for the NASA Railroad's needs. Railroad managers wanted to trade the wheel and axle assemblies, or trucks, of locomotives No. 2 and No. 3. Locomotive No. 3 was painstakingly restored in recent years by the NASA Railroad team, and handles much of the rail work required at the center in the post-shuttle era. But the trucks on locomotive No. 2 are in better shape and are more environmentally friendly. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/rpsf_locomotives.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2012-6357

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA railro...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA railroad locomotive No. 1 returns locomotives 2 and 3 to Launch Complex 39 area's rail yard after wheel and axle assemblies were swapped between l... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility, or C3PF, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida is going through major renovations to support the manufacturing of The Boeing Company's CST-100 spacecraft. Known throughout the space shuttle era as Orbiter Processing Facilty-3, or OPF-3, the facility's orbiter-specific platforms were removed recently to make room for a clean-floor factory-like facility. The modernization will allow Boeing to process its new fleet of low-Earth-orbit bound spacecraft, which is under development in collaboration with NASA's Commercial Crew Program, or CCP. Boeing is leasing the excess government facility for next-generation commercial activities through a land-use agreement with Space Florida.    To learn more about CCP and its industry partners, visit www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew. Photo credit: Dimitri Gerondidakis KSC-2012-6484

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facil...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility, or C3PF, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida is going through major renovations to support the manufacturing of The Boeing Compan... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility, or C3PF, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida is going through major renovations to support the manufacturing of The Boeing Company's CST-100 spacecraft. Known throughout the space shuttle era as Orbiter Processing Facilty-3, or OPF-3, the facility's orbiter-specific platforms were removed recently to make room for a clean-floor factory-like facility. The modernization will allow Boeing to process its new fleet of low-Earth-orbit bound spacecraft, which is under development in collaboration with NASA's Commercial Crew Program, or CCP. Boeing is leasing the excess government facility for next-generation commercial activities through a land-use agreement with Space Florida.    To learn more about CCP and its industry partners, visit www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew. Photo credit: Dimitri Gerondidakis KSC-2012-6486

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facil...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility, or C3PF, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida is going through major renovations to support the manufacturing of The Boeing Compan... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility, or C3PF, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida is going through major renovations to support the manufacturing of The Boeing Company's CST-100 spacecraft. Known throughout the space shuttle era as Orbiter Processing Facilty-3, or OPF-3, the facility's orbiter-specific platforms were removed recently to make room for a clean-floor factory-like facility. The modernization will allow Boeing to process its new fleet of low-Earth-orbit bound spacecraft, which is under development in collaboration with NASA's Commercial Crew Program, or CCP. Boeing is leasing the excess government facility for next-generation commercial activities through a land-use agreement with Space Florida.    To learn more about CCP and its industry partners, visit www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew. Photo credit: Dimitri Gerondidakis KSC-2012-6487

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facil...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility, or C3PF, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida is going through major renovations to support the manufacturing of The Boeing Compan... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility, or C3PF, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida is going through major renovations to support the manufacturing of The Boeing Company's CST-100 spacecraft. Known throughout the space shuttle era as Orbiter Processing Facilty-3, or OPF-3, the facility's orbiter-specific platforms were removed recently to make room for a clean-floor factory-like facility. The modernization will allow Boeing to process its new fleet of low-Earth-orbit bound spacecraft, which is under development in collaboration with NASA's Commercial Crew Program, or CCP. Boeing is leasing the excess government facility for next-generation commercial activities through a land-use agreement with Space Florida.    To learn more about CCP and its industry partners, visit www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew. Photo credit: Dimitri Gerondidakis KSC-2012-6488

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facil...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility, or C3PF, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida is going through major renovations to support the manufacturing of The Boeing Compan... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – As seen on Google Maps, space shuttle Endeavour goes through transition and retirement processing in high bay 4 of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The spacecraft completed 25 missions beginning with its first flight, STS-49, in May 1992, and ending with STS-134 in May 2011. It helped construct the International Space Station in orbit and travelled more than 122 million miles in orbit during its career. The reaction control system pods in the shuttle's nose and aft section were removed for processing before Endeavour was put on public display at the California Science Center in Los Angeles. Google precisely mapped the space center and some of its historical facilities for the company's map page. The work allows Internet users to see inside buildings at Kennedy as they were used during the space shuttle era. Photo credit: Google/Wendy Wang KSC-2013-3240

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – As seen on Google Maps, space shuttle Endeavour...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – As seen on Google Maps, space shuttle Endeavour goes through transition and retirement processing in high bay 4 of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The spacec... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – As seen on Google Maps, a Space Shuttle Main Engine, or SSME, stands inside the Engine Shop at Orbiter Processing Facility 3 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Each orbiter used three of the engines during launch and ascent into orbit. The engines burn super-cold liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen and each one produces 155,000 pounds of thrust. The engines, known in the industry as RS-25s, could be reused on multiple shuttle missions. They will be used again later this decade for NASA's Space Launch System rocket. Google precisely mapped the space center and some of its historical facilities for the company's map page. The work allows Internet users to see inside buildings at Kennedy as they were used during the space shuttle era. Photo credit: Google/Wendy Wang KSC-2013-3238

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – As seen on Google Maps, a Space Shuttle Main En...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – As seen on Google Maps, a Space Shuttle Main Engine, or SSME, stands inside the Engine Shop at Orbiter Processing Facility 3 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Each orbiter used three of the... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – As seen on Google Maps, the view from the top of the Fixed Service Structure at Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The FSS, as the structure is known, is 285 feet high and overlooks the Rotating Service Structure that was rolled into place when a space shuttle was at the pad. The path taken by NASA's massive crawler-transporters that carried the shuttle stack 3 miles from Vehicle Assembly Building are also visible leading up to the launch pad. In the distance are seen the launch pads and support structures at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station for the Atlas V, Delta IV and Falcon 9 rockets. Google precisely mapped the space center and some of its historical facilities for the company's map page. The work allows Internet users to see inside buildings at Kennedy as they were used during the space shuttle era. Photo credit: Google/Wendy Wang KSC-2013-3237

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – As seen on Google Maps, the view from the top o...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – As seen on Google Maps, the view from the top of the Fixed Service Structure at Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The FSS, as the structure is known, is 285 feet high and... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – As seen on Google Maps, the Rotating Service Structure at Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center housed space shuttle payloads temporarily so they could be loaded inside the 60-foot-long cargo bay of a shuttle before launch. The RSS, as the structure was known, was hinged to the Fixed Service Structure on one side and rolled on a rail on the other. As its name suggests, the enclosed facility would rotate into place around the shuttle as it stood at the launch pad. Once in place, the RSS protected the shuttle and its cargo. Google precisely mapped the space center and some of its historical facilities for the company's map page. The work allows Internet users to see inside buildings at Kennedy as they were used during the space shuttle era. Photo credit: Google/Wendy Wang KSC-2013-3236

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – As seen on Google Maps, the Rotating Service St...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – As seen on Google Maps, the Rotating Service Structure at Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center housed space shuttle payloads temporarily so they could be loaded inside the 60... More