aircraft

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guppy

super

kennedy space center

space shuttle

exploration

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super guppy aircraft

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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the heat shield for the agency's Orion spacecraft arrived aboard the Super Guppy aircraft. The largest of its kind ever built, the heat shield is planned for installation on the Orion crew module in March next year. The Orion spacecraft is scheduled to make its first unpiloted flight test, Exploration Flight Test-1 EFT-1, in September 2014. The Orion spacecraft is designed to meet requirements for traveling beyond low-Earth orbit. The spacecraft will serve as the exploration vehicle that will carry crews to space, sustain the astronauts during the space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep space. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/orion Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston KSC-2013-4238

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the heat shield for the agency's Orion spacecraft arrived aboard the Super Guppy aircraft. The largest of its ki... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- At the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility, near the Mate/Demate Device (backgound), the P5 truss is rolled out from the Super Guppy aircraft that delivered it. The truss will be transported to the Space Station Processing Facility. The P5 is scheduled for delivery to the International Space Station on mission 12A.1 in April 2003. KSC-01pp1360

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- At the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility, nea...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- At the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility, near the Mate/Demate Device (backgound), the P5 truss is rolled out from the Super Guppy aircraft that delivered it. The truss will be transpor... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The nose of NASA's Super Guppy aircraft opens to reveal the /2000/78-00.htm">Joint Airlock Module</a> the gateway from which crew members aboard the International Space Station (ISS) will enter and exit the 470-ton orbiting research facility. The airlock was transported from NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. The airlock will be transported to the Operations and Checkout Building in the KSC industrial area where it will undergo vacuum chamber testing. It will then be moved to the Space Station Processing Facility (SSPF) for further prelaunch preparation and checkout. The massive, spindle-shaped airlock is 20 feet long, has a diameter of 13 feet at its widest point, and weighs six and a half tons. It was manufactured at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center by the Huntsville division of The Boeing Company. The Space Shuttle Atlantis will carry the airlock to orbit on mission STS-104, the tenth International Space Station flight, currently targeted for liftoff in May 2001 KSC00pp1344

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The nose of NASA's Super Guppy aircraft ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The nose of NASA's Super Guppy aircraft opens to reveal the kscpao/release/2000/78-00.htm">Joint Airlock Module</a> the gateway from which crew members aboard the International Spa... More

The Super Guppy aircraft - Saturn Apollo Program

The Super Guppy aircraft - Saturn Apollo Program

The Super Guppy is shown at the Redstone Airstrip. NASA used the aircraft to transport the S-IVB upper stage used on the Saturn IB and Saturn V launch vehicles between manufacturing facilities on the West coast... More

Super Guppy - Aircraft - Ellington AFB (EAFB), TX

Super Guppy - Aircraft - Ellington AFB (EAFB), TX

S69-41985 (14 Aug. 1969) --- The Apollo 11 spacecraft Command Module (CM) is loaded aboard a Super Guppy Aircraft at Ellington Air Force Base for shipment to the North American Rockwell Corporation at Downey, C... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the heat shield for the agency's Orion spacecraft is about to be offloaded from the Super Guppy aircraft. The largest of its kind ever built, the heat shield is planned for installation on the Orion crew module in March of next year. The Orion spacecraft is scheduled to make its first unpiloted flight test, Exploration Flight Test-1 EFT-1, in September 2014. The Orion spacecraft is designed to meet requirements for traveling beyond low-Earth orbit. The spacecraft will serve as the exploration vehicle that will carry crews to space, sustain the astronauts during the space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep space. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/orion Photo credit: NASA/Charisse Nasher KSC-2013-4245

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the heat shield for the agency's Orion spacecraft is about to be offloaded from the Super Guppy aircraft. The la... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At the Shuttle Landing Facility, the newly arrived S1 truss, a segment of the International Space Station (ISS), is offloaded from NASA's Super Guppy aircraft. Manufactured by the Boeing Co. in Huntington Beach, Calif., this component of the ISS is the first starboard (right-side) truss segment, whose main job is providing structural support for the orbiting research facility's radiator panels that cool the Space Station's complex power system. The S1 truss segment also will house communications systems, external experiment positions and other subsystems. Primarily constructed of aluminum, the truss segment is 45 feet long, 15 feet wide and 6 feet tall. When fully outfitted, it will weigh 31,137 pounds. The truss is slated for flight in 2001. The Super Guppy, with its 25-foot diameter fuselage designed to handle oversized loads, is well prepared to transport the truss and other ISS segments. Loading the Guppy is easy because of the unique "fold-away" nose of the aircraft that opens 110 degrees for cargo loading. A system of rails in the cargo compartment, used with either Guppy pallets or fixtures designed for specific cargo, makes cargo loading simple and efficient. Rollers mounted in the rails allow pallets or fixtures to be moved by an electric winch mounted beneath the cargo floor. Automatic hydraulic lock pins in each rail secure the pallet for flight. The truss is being transferred to the Operations and Checkout Building KSC-99pp1183

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At the Shuttle Landing Facility, the new...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At the Shuttle Landing Facility, the newly arrived S1 truss, a segment of the International Space Station (ISS), is offloaded from NASA's Super Guppy aircraft. Manufactured by the ... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility, the cargo of NASA's Super Guppy aircraft begins rolling out onto a payload transporter. The cargo is a P3 port-side truss, a segment of the International Space Station (ISS). The truss is scheduled to be added to the ISS on mission STS-115 in 2002 aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis. The second port truss segment, P3 will be attached to the first port truss segment (P1). The P3 truss will be taken to the Operations and Checkout Building. KSC-99pp1353

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

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility, the cargo of NASA's Super Guppy aircraft begins rolling out onto a payload transporter. The cargo is a P3 port-side truss, a seg... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility, workers watch as the nose of NASA's Super Guppy aircraft opens to reveal its cargo, a component for the International Space Station (ISS), the port-side P3 truss. The truss is scheduled to be added to the ISS on mission STS-115 in 2002 aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis. The second port truss segment, P3 will be attached to the first port truss segment (P1). The P3 truss will be taken to the Operations and Checkout Building. KSC-99pp1352

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

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility, workers watch as the nose of NASA's Super Guppy aircraft opens to reveal its cargo, a component for the International Space Stat... More

With its cargo off-loaded (background), the nose cone of the Super Guppy aircraft is closed. The cargo is a P3 port-side truss, a segment of the International Space Station (ISS). The truss is scheduled to be added to the ISS on mission STS-115 in 2002 aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis. The second port truss segment, P3 will be attached to the first port truss segment (P1). The P3 truss will be taken to the Operations and Checkout Building. KSC-99pp1355

With its cargo off-loaded (background), the nose cone of the Super Gup...

With its cargo off-loaded (background), the nose cone of the Super Guppy aircraft is closed. The cargo is a P3 port-side truss, a segment of the International Space Station (ISS). The truss is scheduled to be a... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Rolling out of NASA's Super Guppy aircraft aboard a payload transporter is a port-side P3 truss, a component for the International Space Station (ISS). The truss is scheduled to be added to the ISS on mission STS-115 in 2002 aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis. The second port truss segment, P3 will be attached to the first port truss segment (P1). The P3 truss will be taken to the Operations and Checkout Building. KSC-99pp1354

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Rolling out of NASA's Super Guppy aircra...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Rolling out of NASA's Super Guppy aircraft aboard a payload transporter is a port-side P3 truss, a component for the International Space Station (ISS). The truss is scheduled to be... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- NASA's Super Guppy aircraft arrives at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility. The plane carries a component for the International Space Station (ISS), the port-side P3 truss. The truss is scheduled to be added to the ISS on mission STS-115 in 2002 aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis. The second port truss segment, P3 will be attached to the first port truss segment (P1). The P3 truss will be taken to the Operations and Checkout Building. KSC-99pp1351

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- NASA's Super Guppy aircraft arrives at K...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- NASA's Super Guppy aircraft arrives at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility. The plane carries a component for the International Space Station (ISS), the port-side P3 tr... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- NASA's Super Guppy aircraft arrives at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility. The plane carries a component for the International Space Station (ISS), the port-side P3 truss. The truss is scheduled to be added to the ISS on mission STS-115 in 2002 aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis. The second port truss segment, P3 will be attached to the first port truss segment (P1). The P3 truss will be taken to the Operations and Checkout Building KSC-99pp1350

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- NASA's Super Guppy aircraft arrives at K...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- NASA's Super Guppy aircraft arrives at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility. The plane carries a component for the International Space Station (ISS), the port-side P3 tr... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The nose of NASA's Super Guppy aircraft opens to reveal the /2000/78-00.htm">Joint Airlock Module</a> the gateway from which crew members aboard the International Space Station (ISS) will enter and exit the 470-ton orbiting research facility. The airlock was transported from NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. The airlock will be transported to the Operations and Checkout Building in the KSC industrial area where it will undergo vacuum chamber testing. It will then be moved to the Space Station Processing Facility (SSPF) for further prelaunch preparation and checkout. The massive, spindle-shaped airlock is 20 feet long, has a diameter of 13 feet at its widest point, and weighs six and a half tons. It was manufactured at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center by the Huntsville division of The Boeing Company. The Space Shuttle Atlantis will carry the airlock to orbit on mission STS-104, the tenth International Space Station flight, currently targeted for liftoff in May 2001 KSC-00pp1344

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The nose of NASA's Super Guppy aircraft ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The nose of NASA's Super Guppy aircraft opens to reveal the kscpao/release/2000/78-00.htm">Joint Airlock Module</a> the gateway from which crew members aboard the International Spa... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Joint Airlock Module, the gateway from which crew members aboard the International Space Station (ISS) will enter and exit the 470-ton orbiting research facility, rolls out of NASA's Super Guppy aircraft. It will be transferred to the Operations and Checkout Building in the KSC industrial area where it will undergo vacuum chamber testing. It will then be moved to the Space Station Processing Facility (SSPF) for further prelaunch preparation and checkout. The massive, spindle-shaped airlock is 20 feet long, has a diameter of 13 feet at its widest point, and weighs six and a half tons. It was manufactured at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center by the Huntsville division of The Boeing Company. The Space Shuttle Atlantis will carry the airlock to orbit on mission STS-104, the tenth International Space Station flight, currently targeted for liftoff in May 2001 KSC-00pp1345

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Joint Airlock Module, the gateway fr...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Joint Airlock Module, the gateway from which crew members aboard the International Space Station (ISS) will enter and exit the 470-ton orbiting research facility, rolls out of ... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Joint Airlock Module, the gateway from which crew members aboard the International Space Station (ISS) will enter and exit the 470-ton orbiting research facility, rolls out of NASA's Super Guppy aircraft. It will be transferred to the Operations and Checkout Building in the KSC industrial area where it will undergo vacuum chamber testing. It will then be moved to the Space Station Processing Facility (SSPF) for further prelaunch preparation and checkout. The massive, spindle-shaped airlock is 20 feet long, has a diameter of 13 feet at its widest point, and weighs six and a half tons. It was manufactured at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center by the Huntsville division of The Boeing Company. The Space Shuttle Atlantis will carry the airlock to orbit on mission STS-104, the tenth International Space Station flight, currently targeted for liftoff in May 2001 KSC00pp1345

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Joint Airlock Module, the gateway fr...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Joint Airlock Module, the gateway from which crew members aboard the International Space Station (ISS) will enter and exit the 470-ton orbiting research facility, rolls out of ... More

On the parking apron of the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility, near the Mate/Demate device (seen in the foreground), the opened nose of the Super Guppy aircraft reveals its cargo, the Integrated Truss Structure S3. It was built by The Boeing Co. After offloading, the S3 will be transported to the Operations and Checkout Building. The second starboard truss segment of the International Space Station, the S3 truss is scheduled to be added to the Station in April 2003 KSC00pp1863

On the parking apron of the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility, near the Mat...

On the parking apron of the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility, near the Mate/Demate device (seen in the foreground), the opened nose of the Super Guppy aircraft reveals its cargo, the Integrated Truss Structure S3. ... More

The Integrated Truss Structure S3 waits on the parking apron of the Shuttle Landing Facility after being offloaded from the Super Guppy aircraft in the background. The truss will be moved to a transporter and taken to the Operations and Checkout Building. The second starboard truss segment of the International Space Station, the S3 truss is scheduled to be added to the Station in April 2003 KSC-00pp1866

The Integrated Truss Structure S3 waits on the parking apron of the Sh...

The Integrated Truss Structure S3 waits on the parking apron of the Shuttle Landing Facility after being offloaded from the Super Guppy aircraft in the background. The truss will be moved to a transporter and t... More

A flatbed trailer begins moving the Integrated Truss Structure S3 from the Shuttle Landing Facility to the Operations and Checkout Building. The S3 arrived aboard a Super Guppy aircraft. The second starboard truss segment of the International Space Station, the S3 truss is scheduled to be added to the Station in April 2003 KSC-00pp1871

A flatbed trailer begins moving the Integrated Truss Structure S3 from...

A flatbed trailer begins moving the Integrated Truss Structure S3 from the Shuttle Landing Facility to the Operations and Checkout Building. The S3 arrived aboard a Super Guppy aircraft. The second starboard tr... More

On the parking apron of the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility, the Integrated Truss Structure S3 moves out from inside the Super Guppy aircraft that brought it to KSC from Tulsa, Okla. After offloading, the S3 will be transported to the Operations and Checkout Building. The second starboard truss segment of the International Space Station, the S3 truss is scheduled to be added to the Station in April 2003 KSC00pp1864

On the parking apron of the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility, the Integrat...

On the parking apron of the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility, the Integrated Truss Structure S3 moves out from inside the Super Guppy aircraft that brought it to KSC from Tulsa, Okla. After offloading, the S3 will ... More

Cranes move toward the Integrated Truss Structure S3 as it sits on the parking apron of the Shuttle Landing Facility after being offloaded from the Super Guppy aircraft. The truss will be moved to a transporter and taken to the Operations and Checkout Building. The second starboard truss segment of the International Space Station, the S3 truss is scheduled to be added to the Station in April 2003 KSC-00pp1867

Cranes move toward the Integrated Truss Structure S3 as it sits on the...

Cranes move toward the Integrated Truss Structure S3 as it sits on the parking apron of the Shuttle Landing Facility after being offloaded from the Super Guppy aircraft. The truss will be moved to a transporter... More

A Super Guppy aircraft arrives at the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility with its cargo of Integrated Truss Structure S3, built by The Boeing Co. After offloading, the S3 will be transported to the Operations and Checkout Building. The second starboard truss segment of the International Space Station, the S3 truss is scheduled to be added to the Station in April 2003 KSC00pp1862

A Super Guppy aircraft arrives at the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility wit...

A Super Guppy aircraft arrives at the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility with its cargo of Integrated Truss Structure S3, built by The Boeing Co. After offloading, the S3 will be transported to the Operations and Che... More

On the parking apron of the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility, the Integrated Truss Structure S3 moves out from inside the Super Guppy aircraft that brought it to KSC from Tulsa, Okla. After offloading, the S3 will be transported to the Operations and Checkout Building. The second starboard truss segment of the International Space Station, the S3 truss is scheduled to be added to the Station in April 2003 KSC-00pp1864

On the parking apron of the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility, the Integrat...

On the parking apron of the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility, the Integrated Truss Structure S3 moves out from inside the Super Guppy aircraft that brought it to KSC from Tulsa, Okla. After offloading, the S3 will ... More

At the Shuttle Landing Facility, cranes position the Integrated Truss Structure S3 onto a flatbed trailer for transport to the Operations and Checkout Building. The S3 arrived aboard a Super Guppy aircraft. The second starboard truss segment of the International Space Station, the S3 truss is scheduled to be added to the Station in April 2003 KSC-00pp1870

At the Shuttle Landing Facility, cranes position the Integrated Truss ...

At the Shuttle Landing Facility, cranes position the Integrated Truss Structure S3 onto a flatbed trailer for transport to the Operations and Checkout Building. The S3 arrived aboard a Super Guppy aircraft. The... More

The Integrated Truss Structure S3 is offloaded from the Super Guppy aircraft that brought it to KSC from Tulsa, Okla. The S3 is built by The Boeing Co. The truss will be transported to the Operations and Checkout Building. The second starboard truss segment of the International Space Station, the S3 truss is scheduled to be added to the Station in April 2003 KSC-00pp1865

The Integrated Truss Structure S3 is offloaded from the Super Guppy ai...

The Integrated Truss Structure S3 is offloaded from the Super Guppy aircraft that brought it to KSC from Tulsa, Okla. The S3 is built by The Boeing Co. The truss will be transported to the Operations and Checko... More

The Integrated Truss Structure S3 is offloaded from the Super Guppy aircraft that brought it to KSC from Tulsa, Okla. The S3 is built by The Boeing Co. The truss will be transported to the Operations and Checkout Building. The second starboard truss segment of the International Space Station, the S3 truss is scheduled to be added to the Station in April 2003 KSC00pp1865

The Integrated Truss Structure S3 is offloaded from the Super Guppy ai...

The Integrated Truss Structure S3 is offloaded from the Super Guppy aircraft that brought it to KSC from Tulsa, Okla. The S3 is built by The Boeing Co. The truss will be transported to the Operations and Checko... More

On the parking apron of the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility, near the Mate/Demate device (seen in the foreground), the opened nose of the Super Guppy aircraft reveals its cargo, the Integrated Truss Structure S3. It was built by The Boeing Co. After offloading, the S3 will be transported to the Operations and Checkout Building. The second starboard truss segment of the International Space Station, the S3 truss is scheduled to be added to the Station in April 2003 KSC-00pp1863

On the parking apron of the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility, near the Mat...

On the parking apron of the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility, near the Mate/Demate device (seen in the foreground), the opened nose of the Super Guppy aircraft reveals its cargo, the Integrated Truss Structure S3. ... More

A Super Guppy aircraft arrives at the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility with its cargo of Integrated Truss Structure S3, built by The Boeing Co. After offloading, the S3 will be transported to the Operations and Checkout Building. The second starboard truss segment of the International Space Station, the S3 truss is scheduled to be added to the Station in April 2003 KSC-00pp1862

A Super Guppy aircraft arrives at the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility wit...

A Super Guppy aircraft arrives at the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility with its cargo of Integrated Truss Structure S3, built by The Boeing Co. After offloading, the S3 will be transported to the Operations and Che... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- A Super Guppy aircraft arrives at the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility to deliver its cargo, the P5 truss. The truss will be transported to the Space Station Processing Facility. The P5 is scheduled for delivery to the International Space Station on mission 12A.1 in April 2003 KSC-01pp1358

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- A Super Guppy aircraft arrives at the KS...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- A Super Guppy aircraft arrives at the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility to deliver its cargo, the P5 truss. The truss will be transported to the Space Station Processing Facility. The P... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- At the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility, the P5 truss (right) is clear of the Super Guppy aircraft that delivered it (left). The truss will be transported to the Space Station Processing Facility. The P5 is scheduled for delivery to the International Space Station on mission 12A.1 in April 2003 KSC-01pp1361

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- At the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility, the...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- At the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility, the P5 truss (right) is clear of the Super Guppy aircraft that delivered it (left). The truss will be transported to the Space Station Processi... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - This front view of the Super Guppy aircraft, parked on NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility, appears more like a hot air balloon. In fact, it is the bulbous nose which, when unhinged, can open more than 200 degrees and allow large pieces of cargo to be loaded and unloaded from the front. The aircraft has flown to the Center to pick up and transport the common module structural test element to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. The common module is an aluminum canister used as a structural test element for an actual Space Station flight element. At Marshall, the module will be used to conduct advanced environmental control and life support testing for future NASA exploration missions. Guppy aircraft were used in several past space programs, including Gemini, Apollo and Skylab, to transport spacecraft components. NASA personnel at Ellington Field in Texas outfitted the Super Guppy with a specially designed cradle to be used when carrying International Space Station components. The first Guppy aircraft was developed in 1962, designed specifically for NASA operations by Aero Spacelines of California. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-06pd0208

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - This front view of the Super Guppy air...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - This front view of the Super Guppy aircraft, parked on NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility, appears more like a hot air balloon. In fact, it is the bulbous nose... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - This Super Guppy aircraft is parked on NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility after landing. It has flown to the Center to pick up and transport the common module structural test element to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. The common module is an aluminum canister used as a structural test element for an actual Space Station flight element. At Marshall, the module will be used to conduct advanced environmental control and life support testing for future NASA exploration missions. The Super Guppy aircraft has a unique hinged nose that can open more than 200 degrees, allowing large pieces of cargo to be loaded and unloaded from the front. Guppy aircraft were used in several past space programs, including Gemini, Apollo and Skylab, to transport spacecraft components. NASA personnel at Ellington Field outfitted the Super Guppy with a specially designed cradle to be used when carrying International Space Station components. The first Guppy aircraft was developed in 1962, designed specifically for NASA operations by Aero Spacelines of California. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-06pd0207

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - This Super Guppy aircraft is parked on ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - This Super Guppy aircraft is parked on NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility after landing. It has flown to the Center to pick up and transport the common module s... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - This Super Guppy aircraft approaches landing at NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility. It has flown to the Center to pick up and transport the common module structural test element to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. The common module is an aluminum canister used as a structural test element for an actual Space Station flight element. At Marshall, the module will be used to conduct advanced environmental control and life support testing for future NASA exploration missions. The Super Guppy aircraft has a unique hinged nose that can open more than 200 degrees, allowing large pieces of cargo to be loaded and unloaded from the front. Guppy aircraft were used in several past space programs, including Gemini, Apollo and Skylab, to transport spacecraft components. NASA personnel at Ellington Field outfitted the Super Guppy with a specially designed cradle to be used when carrying International Space Station components. The first Guppy aircraft was developed in 1962, designed specifically for NASA operations by Aero Spacelines of California. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-06pd0203

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - This Super Guppy aircraft approaches la...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - This Super Guppy aircraft approaches landing at NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility. It has flown to the Center to pick up and transport the common module structu... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - This Super Guppy aircraft approaches landing at NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility. It has flown to the Center to pick up and transport the common module structural test element to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. The common module is an aluminum canister used as a structural test element for an actual Space Station flight element. At Marshall, the module will be used to conduct advanced environmental control and life support testing for future NASA exploration missions. The Super Guppy aircraft has a unique hinged nose that can open more than 200 degrees, allowing large pieces of cargo to be loaded and unloaded from the front. Guppy aircraft were used in several past space programs, including Gemini, Apollo and Skylab, to transport spacecraft components. NASA personnel at Ellington Field outfitted the Super Guppy with a specially designed cradle to be used when carrying International Space Station components. The first Guppy aircraft was developed in 1962, designed specifically for NASA operations by Aero Spacelines of California. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-06pd0204

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - This Super Guppy aircraft approaches la...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - This Super Guppy aircraft approaches landing at NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility. It has flown to the Center to pick up and transport the common module struct... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - This Super Guppy aircraft rolls down the runway after landing at NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility. It has flown to the Center to pick up and transport the common module structural test element to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. The common module is an aluminum canister used as a structural test element for an actual Space Station flight element. At Marshall, the module will be used to conduct advanced environmental control and life support testing for future NASA exploration missions. The Super Guppy aircraft has a unique hinged nose that can open more than 200 degrees, allowing large pieces of cargo to be loaded and unloaded from the front. Guppy aircraft were used in several past space programs, including Gemini, Apollo and Skylab, to transport spacecraft components. NASA personnel at Ellington Field outfitted the Super Guppy with a specially designed cradle to be used when carrying International Space Station components. The first Guppy aircraft was developed in 1962, designed specifically for NASA operations by Aero Spacelines of California. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-06pd0206

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - This Super Guppy aircraft rolls down th...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - This Super Guppy aircraft rolls down the runway after landing at NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility. It has flown to the Center to pick up and transport the com... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - This Super Guppy aircraft touches down on the runway at NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility. It has flown to the Center to pick up and transport the common module structural test element to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. The common module is an aluminum canister used as a structural test element for an actual Space Station flight element. At Marshall, the module will be used to conduct advanced environmental control and life support testing for future NASA exploration missions. The Super Guppy aircraft has a unique hinged nose that can open more than 200 degrees, allowing large pieces of cargo to be loaded and unloaded from the front. Guppy aircraft were used in several past space programs, including Gemini, Apollo and Skylab, to transport spacecraft components. NASA personnel at Ellington Field outfitted the Super Guppy with a specially designed cradle to be used when carrying International Space Station components. The first Guppy aircraft was developed in 1962, designed specifically for NASA operations by Aero Spacelines of California. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-06pd0205

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - This Super Guppy aircraft touches down ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - This Super Guppy aircraft touches down on the runway at NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility. It has flown to the Center to pick up and transport the common modu... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the heat shield for the agency's Orion spacecraft arrived aboard the Super Guppy aircraft. The largest of its kind ever built, the heat shield is planned for installation on the Orion crew module in March next year. The Orion spacecraft is scheduled to make its first unpiloted flight test, Exploration Flight Test-1 EFT-1, in September 2014. The Orion spacecraft is designed to meet requirements for traveling beyond low-Earth orbit. The spacecraft will serve as the exploration vehicle that will carry crews to space, sustain the astronauts during the space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep space. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/orion Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston KSC-2013-4233

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the heat shield for the agency's Orion spacecraft arrived aboard the Super Guppy aircraft. The largest of its ki... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the heat shield for the agency's Orion spacecraft arrived aboard the Super Guppy aircraft. The largest of its kind ever built, the heat shield is planned for installation on the Orion crew module in March next year. The Orion spacecraft is scheduled to make its first unpiloted flight test, Exploration Flight Test-1 EFT-1, in September 2014. The Orion spacecraft is designed to meet requirements for traveling beyond low-Earth orbit. The spacecraft will serve as the exploration vehicle that will carry crews to space, sustain the astronauts during the space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep space. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/orion Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston KSC-2013-4239

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the heat shield for the agency's Orion spacecraft arrived aboard the Super Guppy aircraft. The largest of its ki... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the heat shield for the agency's Orion spacecraft arrived aboard the Super Guppy aircraft. The largest of its kind ever built, the heat shield is planned for installation on the Orion crew module in March next year. The Orion spacecraft is scheduled to make its first unpiloted flight test, Exploration Flight Test-1 EFT-1, in September 2014. The Orion spacecraft is designed to meet requirements for traveling beyond low-Earth orbit. The spacecraft will serve as the exploration vehicle that will carry crews to space, sustain the astronauts during the space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep space. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/orion Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston KSC-2013-4234

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the heat shield for the agency's Orion spacecraft arrived aboard the Super Guppy aircraft. The largest of its ki... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the heat shield for the agency's Orion spacecraft arrived aboard the Super Guppy aircraft. The largest of its kind ever built, the heat shield is planned for installation on the Orion crew module in March next year. The Orion spacecraft is scheduled to make its first unpiloted flight test, Exploration Flight Test-1 EFT-1, in September 2014. The Orion spacecraft is designed to meet requirements for traveling beyond low-Earth orbit. The spacecraft will serve as the exploration vehicle that will carry crews to space, sustain the astronauts during the space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep space. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/orion Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston KSC-2013-4237

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the heat shield for the agency's Orion spacecraft arrived aboard the Super Guppy aircraft. The largest of its ki... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the heat shield for the agency's Orion spacecraft arrived aboard the Super Guppy aircraft. The largest of its kind ever built, the heat shield is planned for installation on the Orion crew module in March next year. The Orion spacecraft is scheduled to make its first unpiloted flight test, Exploration Flight Test-1 EFT-1, in September 2014. The Orion spacecraft is designed to meet requirements for traveling beyond low-Earth orbit. The spacecraft will serve as the exploration vehicle that will carry crews to space, sustain the astronauts during the space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep space. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/orion Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston KSC-2013-4235

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the heat shield for the agency's Orion spacecraft arrived aboard the Super Guppy aircraft. The largest of its ki... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the heat shield for the agency's Orion spacecraft arrived aboard the Super Guppy aircraft. The largest of its kind ever built, the heat shield is planned for installation on the Orion crew module in March next year. The Orion spacecraft is scheduled to make its first unpiloted flight test, Exploration Flight Test-1 EFT-1, in September 2014. The Orion spacecraft is designed to meet requirements for traveling beyond low-Earth orbit. The spacecraft will serve as the exploration vehicle that will carry crews to space, sustain the astronauts during the space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep space. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/orion Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston KSC-2013-4236

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the heat shield for the agency's Orion spacecraft arrived aboard the Super Guppy aircraft. The largest of its ki... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the heat shield for the agency's Orion spacecraft is about to be offloaded from the Super Guppy aircraft. The largest of its kind ever built, the heat shield is planned for installation on the Orion crew module in March of next year. The Orion spacecraft is scheduled to make its first unpiloted flight test, Exploration Flight Test-1 EFT-1, in September 2014. The Orion spacecraft is designed to meet requirements for traveling beyond low-Earth orbit. The spacecraft will serve as the exploration vehicle that will carry crews to space, sustain the astronauts during the space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep space. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/orion Photo credit: NASA/Charisse Nasher KSC-2013-4243

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the heat shield for the agency's Orion spacecraft is about to be offloaded from the Super Guppy aircraft. The la... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the heat shield for the agency's Orion spacecraft has been offloaded from the Super Guppy aircraft and a crane is loading it on to a transport truck. The largest of its kind ever built, the heat shield is planned for installation on the Orion crew module in March of next year. The Orion spacecraft is scheduled to make its first unpiloted flight test, Exploration Flight Test-1 EFT-1, in September 2014. The Orion spacecraft is designed to meet requirements for traveling beyond low-Earth orbit. The spacecraft will serve as the exploration vehicle that will carry crews to space, sustain the astronauts during the space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep space. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/orion Photo credit: NASA/Charisse Nasher KSC-2013-4252

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the heat shield for the agency's Orion spacecraft has been offloaded from the Super Guppy aircraft and a crane i... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the heat shield for the agency's Orion spacecraft arrived aboard the Super Guppy aircraft. The largest of its kind ever built, the heat shield is planned for installation on the Orion crew module in March next year. The Orion spacecraft is scheduled to make its first unpiloted flight test, Exploration Flight Test-1 EFT-1, in September 2014. The Orion spacecraft is designed to meet requirements for traveling beyond low-Earth orbit. The spacecraft will serve as the exploration vehicle that will carry crews to space, sustain the astronauts during the space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep space. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/orion Photo credit: NASA/Charisse Nasher KSC-2013-4241

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the heat shield for the agency's Orion spacecraft arrived aboard the Super Guppy aircraft. The largest of its ki... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the heat shield for the agency's Orion spacecraft has been offloaded from the Super Guppy aircraft and a crane is loading it on to a transport truck. The largest of its kind ever built, the heat shield is planned for installation on the Orion crew module in March of next year. The Orion spacecraft is scheduled to make its first unpiloted flight test, Exploration Flight Test-1 EFT-1, in September 2014. The Orion spacecraft is designed to meet requirements for traveling beyond low-Earth orbit. The spacecraft will serve as the exploration vehicle that will carry crews to space, sustain the astronauts during the space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep space. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/orion Photo credit: NASA/Charisse Nasher KSC-2013-4253

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the heat shield for the agency's Orion spacecraft has been offloaded from the Super Guppy aircraft and a crane i... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians begin the process to offload the heat shield for the agency's Orion spacecraft from the Super Guppy aircraft. The largest of its kind ever built, the heat shield is planned for installation on the Orion crew module in March of next year. The Orion spacecraft is scheduled to make its first unpiloted flight test, Exploration Flight Test-1 EFT-1, in September 2014. The Orion spacecraft is designed to meet requirements for traveling beyond low-Earth orbit. The spacecraft will serve as the exploration vehicle that will carry crews to space, sustain the astronauts during the space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep space. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/orion Photo credit: NASA/Charisse Nasher KSC-2013-4242

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians begin the process to offload the heat shield for the agency's Orion spacecraft from the Super Guppy ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the heat shield for the agency's Orion spacecraft is being offloaded from the Super Guppy aircraft. The largest of its kind ever built, the heat shield is planned for installation on the Orion crew module in March of next year. The Orion spacecraft is scheduled to make its first unpiloted flight test, Exploration Flight Test-1 EFT-1, in September 2014. The Orion spacecraft is designed to meet requirements for traveling beyond low-Earth orbit. The spacecraft will serve as the exploration vehicle that will carry crews to space, sustain the astronauts during the space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep space. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/orion Photo credit: NASA/Charisse Nasher KSC-2013-4250

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the heat shield for the agency's Orion spacecraft is being offloaded from the Super Guppy aircraft. The largest ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the heat shield for the agency's Orion spacecraft has been offloaded from the Super Guppy aircraft and a crane is loading it on to a transport truck. The largest of its kind ever built, the heat shield is planned for installation on the Orion crew module in March of next year. The Orion spacecraft is scheduled to make its first unpiloted flight test, Exploration Flight Test-1 EFT-1, in September 2014. The Orion spacecraft is designed to meet requirements for traveling beyond low-Earth orbit. The spacecraft will serve as the exploration vehicle that will carry crews to space, sustain the astronauts during the space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep space. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/orion Photo credit: NASA/Charisse Nasher KSC-2013-4251

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the heat shield for the agency's Orion spacecraft has been offloaded from the Super Guppy aircraft and a crane i... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the heat shield for the agency's Orion spacecraft arrived aboard the Super Guppy aircraft. The largest of its kind ever built, the heat shield is planned for installation on the Orion crew module in March next year. The Orion spacecraft is scheduled to make its first unpiloted flight test, Exploration Flight Test-1 EFT-1, in September 2014. The Orion spacecraft is designed to meet requirements for traveling beyond low-Earth orbit. The spacecraft will serve as the exploration vehicle that will carry crews to space, sustain the astronauts during the space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep space. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/orion Photo credit: NASA/Charisse Nasher KSC-2013-4240

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the heat shield for the agency's Orion spacecraft arrived aboard the Super Guppy aircraft. The largest of its ki... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the heat shield for the agency's Orion spacecraft is being offloaded from the Super Guppy aircraft. The largest of its kind ever built, the heat shield is planned for installation on the Orion crew module in March of next year. The Orion spacecraft is scheduled to make its first unpiloted flight test, Exploration Flight Test-1 EFT-1, in September 2014. The Orion spacecraft is designed to meet requirements for traveling beyond low-Earth orbit. The spacecraft will serve as the exploration vehicle that will carry crews to space, sustain the astronauts during the space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep space. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/orion Photo credit: NASA/Charisse Nasher KSC-2013-4249

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the heat shield for the agency's Orion spacecraft is being offloaded from the Super Guppy aircraft. The largest ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the agency's Super Guppy aircraft is opened to offload the heat shield for the Orion spacecraft. The largest of its kind ever built, the heat shield is planned for installation on the Orion crew module in March of next year. The Orion spacecraft is scheduled to make its first unpiloted flight test, Exploration Flight Test-1 EFT-1, in September 2014. The Orion spacecraft is designed to meet requirements for traveling beyond low-Earth orbit. The spacecraft will serve as the exploration vehicle that will carry crews to space, sustain the astronauts during the space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep space. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/orion Photo credit: NASA/Charisse Nasher KSC-2013-4244

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the agency's Super Guppy aircraft is opened to offload the heat shield for the Orion spacecraft. The largest of ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the heat shield for the agency's Orion spacecraft is being offloaded from the Super Guppy aircraft. The largest of its kind ever built, the heat shield is planned for installation on the Orion crew module in March of next year. The Orion spacecraft is scheduled to make its first unpiloted flight test, Exploration Flight Test-1 EFT-1, in September 2014. The Orion spacecraft is designed to meet requirements for traveling beyond low-Earth orbit. The spacecraft will serve as the exploration vehicle that will carry crews to space, sustain the astronauts during the space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep space. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/orion Photo credit: NASA/Charisse Nasher KSC-2013-4247

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the heat shield for the agency's Orion spacecraft is being offloaded from the Super Guppy aircraft. The largest ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the heat shield for the agency's Orion spacecraft is being offloaded from the Super Guppy aircraft. The largest of its kind ever built, the heat shield is planned for installation on the Orion crew module in March of next year. The Orion spacecraft is scheduled to make its first unpiloted flight test, Exploration Flight Test-1 EFT-1, in September 2014. The Orion spacecraft is designed to meet requirements for traveling beyond low-Earth orbit. The spacecraft will serve as the exploration vehicle that will carry crews to space, sustain the astronauts during the space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep space. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/orion Photo credit: NASA/Charisse Nasher KSC-2013-4246

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the heat shield for the agency's Orion spacecraft is being offloaded from the Super Guppy aircraft. The largest ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the heat shield for the agency's Orion spacecraft has been offloaded from the Super Guppy aircraft, seen in the background. The largest of its kind ever built, the heat shield is planned for installation on the Orion crew module in March of next year. A transport truck is delivering it to Kennedy's Operations and Checkout Building where the Orion spacecraft is being prepared for its first unpiloted flight test, Exploration Flight Test-1 EFT-1, scheduled for September 2014. The Orion spacecraft is designed to meet requirements for traveling beyond low-Earth orbit. The spacecraft will serve as the exploration vehicle that will carry crews to space, sustain the astronauts during the space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep space. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/orion Photo credit: NASA/Charisse Nasher KSC-2013-4254

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the heat shield for the agency's Orion spacecraft has been offloaded from the Super Guppy aircraft, seen in the ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the heat shield for the agency's Orion spacecraft is being offloaded from the Super Guppy aircraft. The largest of its kind ever built, the heat shield is planned for installation on the Orion crew module in March of next year. The Orion spacecraft is scheduled to make its first unpiloted flight test, Exploration Flight Test-1 EFT-1, in September 2014. The Orion spacecraft is designed to meet requirements for traveling beyond low-Earth orbit. The spacecraft will serve as the exploration vehicle that will carry crews to space, sustain the astronauts during the space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep space. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/orion Photo credit: NASA/Charisse Nasher KSC-2013-4248

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the heat shield for the agency's Orion spacecraft is being offloaded from the Super Guppy aircraft. The largest ... More