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AN aerial view of the Space Transportation System (STS) shuttle Columbia aboard the mobile launcher platform (MLP) as it leaves the vehicle assembly building (VAB) and heads toward Launch Pad 39. The shuttle is undergoing preparations prior to its maiden flight

AN aerial view of the Space Transportation System (STS) shuttle Columb...

The original finding aid described this photograph as: Base: Kennedy Space Center State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Camera Operator: Unknown Release Status: Released to Publ... More

The Space Transportation System (STS) shuttle Columbia is being moved on the mobile launcher platform from the vehicle assembly building (VAB) to Launch Pad 39 before its first flight

The Space Transportation System (STS) shuttle Columbia is being moved ...

The original finding aid described this photograph as: Base: Kennedy Space Center State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Camera Operator: Unknown Release Status: Released to Publ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The STS-1, orbiter Columbia, arrives at Launch Complex 39A after being rolled out of the VAB. Photo credit: NASA KSC-80PC-0737

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The STS-1, orbiter Columbia, arrives at Launch ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The STS-1, orbiter Columbia, arrives at Launch Complex 39A after being rolled out of the VAB. Photo credit: NASA

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – STS-1, orbiter Columbia, sits at Launch Complex 39A after being rolled out of the VAB. Photo credit: NASA KSC-80PC-0741

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – STS-1, orbiter Columbia, sits at Launch Complex...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – STS-1, orbiter Columbia, sits at Launch Complex 39A after being rolled out of the VAB. Photo credit: NASA

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Orbiter Columbia tow from OPF to VAB. Photo credit: NASA KSC-81PC-0668

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Orbiter Columbia tow from OPF to VAB. Photo ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Orbiter Columbia tow from OPF to VAB. Photo credit: NASA

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Orbiter Columbia tow from OPF to VAB. Photo credit: NASA KSC-81PC-0666

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Orbiter Columbia tow from OPF to VAB. Photo ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Orbiter Columbia tow from OPF to VAB. Photo credit: NASA

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the front end of space shuttle Endeavour is raised off the floor of the VAB by lifts, as workers prepare to attach an Approach and Landing Test Assembly (ALTA) pod to the back of the shuttle. The ALTA pod will be fitted over the area once housing the orbital maneuvering system (OMS) pod. The demonstration test is being conducted to ensure the center’s equipment will fit into the hangar at the National Air and Space Museum when installing an ALTA pod on shuttle Enterprise. The pod must be reinstalled on a shuttle for transport on a 747 carrier aircraft. The simulation also will test procedures and timelines necessary to carry out the process. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing. Enterprise, which was not equipped for space flight, was built as a test vehicle to demonstrate that the orbiter could fly in the atmosphere and land like an airplane. In 1985, Enterprise was ferried from the Kennedy Space Center to Dulles Airport, Washington, D.C., and became the property of the Smithsonian Institute. Enterprise will be moved from the Smithsonian Institution National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., to the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum in New York. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Shiflett KSC-2011-7110

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

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the front end of space shuttle Endeavour is raised off the floor of the VAB by lifts, as workers prepare to att... More

Construction of the Shuttle Orbiter Modification and Refurbishment Facility (OMRF). Northwest of the VAB. KSC-86PC-0302

Construction of the Shuttle Orbiter Modification and Refurbishment Fac...

Construction of the Shuttle Orbiter Modification and Refurbishment Facility (OMRF). Northwest of the VAB.

STS-27 external tank (ET) transfer into KSC's VAB

STS-27 external tank (ET) transfer into KSC's VAB

S88-37367 (March 28, 1988) --- The external tank (ET) for STS-27 arrived at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) today via ocean going barge and was moved into the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) where preparations will... More

STS-26 Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, rollover at KSC

STS-26 Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, rollover at KSC

S88-42092 (15 July 1988) --- STS-26 Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, rollover at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is closely monitored by engineers and technicians in the late stages of the move from the orbiter ... More

STS-26 Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, ET/SRB mating in KSC VAB

STS-26 Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, ET/SRB mating in KSC VAB

S88-41541 (7 July 1988) --- STS-26 Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, is suspended by overhead crane and large frame attached to vehicle at four points. A ground-level view shows OV-103 during operations to a... More

STS-27 Atlantis, OV-104, ET/SRB mating operations at KSC VAB

STS-27 Atlantis, OV-104, ET/SRB mating operations at KSC VAB

STS-27 Atlantis, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 104, is suspended via overhead crane, attached at four points, in the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). Below OV-104 on the mobile launcher platfo... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Following the rollover from the OPF, the orbiter Columbia is prepared for mating with the ET/SRB stack in the VAB. Columbia is scheduled for launch in late July 1989. Photo credit: NASA KSC-89PC-0635

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Following the rollover from the OPF, the orbite...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Following the rollover from the OPF, the orbiter Columbia is prepared for mating with the ET/SRB stack in the VAB. Columbia is scheduled for launch in late July 1989. Photo credit: NASA

STS-36 Atlantis, OV-104, leaves VAB during its rollout to KSC LC Pad 39A

STS-36 Atlantis, OV-104, leaves VAB during its rollout to KSC LC Pad 3...

Atlantis, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 104, is blocked by its large orange external tank (ET) as it leaves Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) during its rollout to Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Launch Complex (LC) Pad 39A. T... More

STS-35 Columbia, OV-102, rolls back to KSC VAB after hydrogen leak discovered

STS-35 Columbia, OV-102, rolls back to KSC VAB after hydrogen leak dis...

S90-42289 ( 3 July 1990) --- Kennedy Space Center (KSC) workers watch as Columbia, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 102, along with its external tank (ET) and two solid rocket boosters (SRBs) atop the giant crawler transpo... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The space shuttle Discovery heads out of the VAB to Launch Pad 39B. Discovery is set to leftoff on shuttle mission STS-41, carrying a five-member crew and the Ulysses solar explorer during a launch period extending from Oct. 5 through Oct. 23, 1990. Photo credit: NASA KSC-90PC-1339

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The space shuttle Discovery heads out of the VA...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The space shuttle Discovery heads out of the VAB to Launch Pad 39B. Discovery is set to leftoff on shuttle mission STS-41, carrying a five-member crew and the Ulysses solar explorer durin... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The orbiter Discovery, its wheels retracted atop the orbiter transporter, rolls over from the OPF high bay to the VAB. Discovery is slated to lift off in March on mission STS-39, a DoD flight carrying a crew of seven. Photo credit: NASA KSC-91PC-0219

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The orbiter Discovery, its wheels retracted ato...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The orbiter Discovery, its wheels retracted atop the orbiter transporter, rolls over from the OPF high bay to the VAB. Discovery is slated to lift off in March on mission STS-39, a DoD fl... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Two space planes pass inside the VAB as the orbiter Discovery is towed past its sister ship, Columbia. Photo credit: NASA KSC-91PC-0222

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Two space planes pass inside the VAB as the orb...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Two space planes pass inside the VAB as the orbiter Discovery is towed past its sister ship, Columbia. Photo credit: NASA

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The orbiter Discovery heads for the VAB atop the specially designed orbiter transporter. Once inside the VAB, Discovery will be mated with the external tank/solid rocket booster assembly. The fully assembled shuttle will then be rolled to Pad 39A, where liftoff on mission STS-42 is set for early 1992. Photo credit: NASA KSC-91PC-2003

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The orbiter Discovery heads for the VAB atop th...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The orbiter Discovery heads for the VAB atop the specially designed orbiter transporter. Once inside the VAB, Discovery will be mated with the external tank/solid rocket booster assembly.... More

Earth observations taken during STS-77 mission

Earth observations taken during STS-77 mission

STS077-713-010 (19-29 May 1996) --- Like a number of Shuttle flight crews that preceded them, the members of the crew aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour made eastern Florida one of their photographic targets. ... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Atlantis rolls to the VAB for stacking before rollout to Pad 39A in preparation for STS-79. KSC-96pc0973

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Atlantis rolls to the VAB for stacking b...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Atlantis rolls to the VAB for stacking before rollout to Pad 39A in preparation for STS-79.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - As the sun begins to rise in the early-morning sky after its departure from Launch Pad 39A, the Space Shuttle Atlantis slowly travels on the crawlerway toward the Vehicle Assembly Building. This marks the second rollback for Atlantis since July because of hurricane threats. Atlantis, which is targeted fo liftoff later this month on the STS-79 Shuttle mission, is returning to the VAB because of the threat from Hurricane Fran. The threat of Hurricane Bertha forced the rollback of Atlantis in July. Atlantis currently is scheduled for launch on the fourth Shuttle-Mir docking mission around mid-September. KSC-96pc1038

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - As the sun begins to rise in the early-m...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - As the sun begins to rise in the early-morning sky after its departure from Launch Pad 39A, the Space Shuttle Atlantis slowly travels on the crawlerway toward the Vehicle Assembly ... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Atlantis moves into the VAB during rollback from pad 39A KSC-96pc1040

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Atlantis moves into the VAB during rollb...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Atlantis moves into the VAB during rollback from pad 39A

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Atlantis passes the American flag as it rolls back to VAB from pad 39A KSC-96pc1039

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Atlantis passes the American flag as it ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Atlantis passes the American flag as it rolls back to VAB from pad 39A

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Columbia completes the short journey from Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1 to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). During its approximately one-week stay inside the VAB, the spaceplane will be mated to the external tank and twin solid rocket boosters, and electrical and mechanical interfaces will be verified. Rollout to Launch Pad 39B is planned for Oct. 16, where the two primary payloads of the upcoming STS-80 mission -- the Wake Shield Facility-3 (WSF-3) and Orbiting and Retrievable Far and Extreme Ultraviolet Spectrograph-Shuttle Pallet Satellite-2 (ORFEUS-SPAS-2) -- will be installed. Liftoff on the final Shuttle flight of 1996 is targeted for no earlier than Nov 8 at 2:47 p.m. EST. KSC-96pc1160

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Columbia completes the short...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Columbia completes the short journey from Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1 to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). During its approximately one-week stay inside the VA... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Columbia completes the short journey from Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1 to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). During its approximately one-week stay inside the VAB, the spaceplane will be mated to the external tank and twin solid rocket boosters, and electrical and mechanical interfaces will be verified. Rollout to Launch Pad 39B is planned for Oct. 16, where the two primary payloads of the upcoming STS-80 mission -- the Wake Shield Facility-3 (WSF-3) and Orbiting and Retrievable Far and Extreme Ultraviolet Spectrograph-Shuttle Pallet Satellite-2 (ORFEUS-SPAS-2) -- will be installed. Liftoff on the final Shuttle flight of 1996 is targeted for no earlier than Nov 8 at 2:47 p.m. EST KSC-96pc1159

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Columbia completes the short...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Columbia completes the short journey from Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1 to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). During its approximately one-week stay inside the VA... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Columbia completes the short journey from Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1 to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). During its approximately one-week stay inside the VAB, the spaceplane will be mated to the external tank and twin solid rocket boosters, and electrical and mechanical interfaces will be verified. Rollout to Launch Pad 39B is planned for Oct. 16, where the two primary payloads of the upcoming STS-80 mission -- the Wake Shield Facility-3 (WSF-3) and Orbiting and Retrievable Far and Extreme Ultraviolet Spectrograph-Shuttle Pallet Satellite-2 (ORFEUS-SPAS-2) -- will be installed. Liftoff on the final Shuttle flight of 1996 is targeted for no earlier than Nov 8 at 2:47 p.m. EST KSC-96pc1158

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Columbia completes the short...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Columbia completes the short journey from Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1 to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). During its approximately one-week stay inside the VA... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- With the Mate/Demate Device (MDD) on the left and the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) on the right, the Space Shuttle orbiter Atlantis approaches Runway 33 at KSC’s Shuttle Landing Facility for a scheduled touchdown at about 9:23 a.m. EST Jan. 22. When the orbiter lands, it will conclude the fifth Shuttle-Mir docking mission and return NASA astronaut John Blaha to Earth after four months in space. At main gear touchdown, the STS-81 mission duration will be 10 days, 4 hours, 55 minutes. This is the 34th KSC landing in Shuttle history. Mission Commander Michael A. Baker is steering Atlantis to a perfect landing, with help from Pilot Brent W. Jett, Jr. Other returning STS-81 crew members are Mission Specialists John M. Grunsfeld, Peter J. K. "Jeff" Wisoff and Marsha S. Ivins. Atlantis also brought back experiment samples from the Russian space station Mir for analysis on Earth KSC-97pc193

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- With the Mate/Demate Device (MDD) on the...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- With the Mate/Demate Device (MDD) on the left and the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) on the right, the Space Shuttle orbiter Atlantis approaches Runway 33 at KSC’s Shuttle Landing... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Space Shuttle Orbiter Columbia glides in for a touchdown on Runway 33 at KSC’s Shuttle Landing Facility that will conclude the Microgravity Science Laboratory-1 (MSL-1) mission. Columbia was scheduled to touch down at 2:33 p.m. EDT, April 8. The Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) is to the right, while the Mate/Demate Device (MDD) is to the left. A NASA Shuttle Training Aircraft (STA) that acts as a chase plane during landings passes by overhead. With Columbia’s on-time main gear touchdown, the STS-83 mission duration will be 3 days, 23 hours, 12 minutes. The planned 16-day mission was cut short by a faulty fuel cell. This is only the third time in Shuttle program history that an orbiter was brought home early due to mechanical problems. This was also the 36th KSC landing since the program began in 1981 KSC-97pc605

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Space Shuttle Orbiter Columbia glide...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Space Shuttle Orbiter Columbia glides in for a touchdown on Runway 33 at KSC’s Shuttle Landing Facility that will conclude the Microgravity Science Laboratory-1 (MSL-1) mission... More

While KSC workers in the Launch Complex 39 Area watch, The Space Shuttle Orbiter Columbia rolls over to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) June 4 from Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF)1 atop its transporter in preparation for the STS-94 mission. Once inside the VAB, Columbia will be hoisted to be mated with its solid rocket boosters and external tank. Columbia was moved to the OPF April 8 after the completion of the STS-83 mission. KSC payloads processing employees then began work to reservice the Microgravity Science Laboratory-1 (MSL-1) Spacelab module in the orbiter’s payload bay for the STS-94 mission. This was the first time that this type of payload was reserviced without removing it from the payload bay. This new procedure pioneers processing efforts for possible quick relaunch turnaround times for future payloads. The MSL-1 module will fly again with the full complement of STS-83 experiments after that mission was cut short due to indications of a faulty fuel cell. During the scheduled 16-day STS-94 mission, the experiments will be used to test some of the hardware, facilities and procedures that are planned for use on the International Space Station while the flight crew conducts combustion, protein crystal growth and materials processing experiments KSC-97PC879

While KSC workers in the Launch Complex 39 Area watch, The Space Shut...

While KSC workers in the Launch Complex 39 Area watch, The Space Shuttle Orbiter Columbia rolls over to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) June 4 from Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF)1 atop its transporter ... More

The Space Shuttle Orbiter Columbia is reflected in a nearby pond as it rolls over to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) June 4 from Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) 1 atop its transporter in preparation for the STS-94 mission. Once inside the VAB, Columbia will be hoisted to be mated with its solid rocket boosters and external tank. Columbia was moved to the OPF April 8 after the completion of the STS-83 mission. KSC payloads processing employees then began work to reservice the Microgravity Science Laboratory-1 (MSL-1) Spacelab module in the orbiter’s payload bay for the STS-94 mission. This was the first time that this type of payload was reserviced without removing it from the payload bay. This new procedure pioneers processing efforts for possible quick relaunch turnaround times for future payloads. The MSL-1 module will fly again with the full complement of STS-83 experiments after that mission was cut short due to indications of a faulty fuel cell. During the scheduled 16-day STS-94 mission, the experiments will be used to test some of the hardware, facilities and procedures that are planned for use on the International Space Station while the flight crew conducts combustion, protein crystal growth and materials processing experiments KSC-97PC880

The Space Shuttle Orbiter Columbia is reflected in a nearby pond as i...

The Space Shuttle Orbiter Columbia is reflected in a nearby pond as it rolls over to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) June 4 from Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) 1 atop its transporter in preparation for... More

Carried atop an orbiter transporter, the Space Shuttle orbiter Atlantis makes the short journey from Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3 to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). This photo was taken from the roof of the 525-foot-tall VAB. The "rollover" of the orbiter is one of the prelaunch milestones. Atlantis is being readied for the next mission, STS-86, which is targeted for a September launch. STS-86 will be the seventh of nine planned dockings of the Space Shuttle orbiter with the Russian Space Station Mir KSC-97PC1221

Carried atop an orbiter transporter, the Space Shuttle orbiter Atlanti...

Carried atop an orbiter transporter, the Space Shuttle orbiter Atlantis makes the short journey from Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3 to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). This photo was taken from the roof ... More

Carried atop an orbiter transporter, the Space Shuttle orbiter Atlantis makes the short journey from Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3 to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). This photo was taken from the roof of the 525-foot-tall VAB. The "rollover" of the orbiter is one of the prelaunch milestones. Atlantis is being readied for the next mission, STS-86, which is targeted for a September launch. STS-86 will be the seventh of nine planned dockings of the Space Shuttle orbiter with the Russian Space Station Mir KSC-97PC1222

Carried atop an orbiter transporter, the Space Shuttle orbiter Atlanti...

Carried atop an orbiter transporter, the Space Shuttle orbiter Atlantis makes the short journey from Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3 to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). This photo was taken from the roof ... More

Carried atop an orbiter transporter, the Space Shuttle orbiter Atlantis rolls out of Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3, in background, en route to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). This photo was taken from the roof of the VAB. The "rollover" of the orbiter is one of the prelaunch milestones. Atlantis is being readied for the next mission, STS-86, which is targeted for a September launch. STS-86 will be the seventh of nine planned dockings of the Space Shuttle orbiter with the Russian Space Station Mir KSC-97PC1225

Carried atop an orbiter transporter, the Space Shuttle orbiter Atlanti...

Carried atop an orbiter transporter, the Space Shuttle orbiter Atlantis rolls out of Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3, in background, en route to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). This photo was taken from ... More

Carried atop an orbiter transporter, the Space Shuttle orbiter Atlantis rolls into the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) . The "rollover" of the orbiter from the Orbiter Processing Facility to the nearby VAB is one of the prelaunch milestones. Atlantis is being readied for the next mission, STS-86, which is targeted for a September launch. STS-86 will be the seventh of nine planned dockings of the Space Shuttle orbiter with the Russian Space Station Mir KSC-97PC1226

Carried atop an orbiter transporter, the Space Shuttle orbiter Atlanti...

Carried atop an orbiter transporter, the Space Shuttle orbiter Atlantis rolls into the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) . The "rollover" of the orbiter from the Orbiter Processing Facility ... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- With Commander Curtis L. Brown, Jr. and Pilot Kent V. Rominger at the controls and the Mate/Demate Device (MDD) and the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) in the background, the Space Shuttle orbiter Discovery touches down on Runway 33 at KSC’s Shuttle Landing Facility at 7:07:59 a.m. EDT Aug. 19 to complete the 11-day, 20-hour and 27-minute-long STS-85 mission. The first landing opportunity on Aug. 18 was waved off due to the potential for ground fog. Also onboard the orbiter are Payload Commander N. Jan Davis, Mission Specialist Robert L. Curbeam, Jr., Mission Specialist Stephen K. Robinson and Payload Specialist Bjarni V. Tryggvason. During the 86th Space Shuttle mission, the crew deployed the Cryogenic Infrared Spectrometers and Telescopes for the Atmosphere-Shuttle Pallet Satellite-2 (CRISTA-SPAS-2) free-flyer to conduct research on the Earth’s middle atmosphere, retrieving it on flight day 9. The crew also conducted investigations with the Manipulator Flight Demonstration (MFD), Technology Applications and Science-1 (TAS-1) and International Extreme Ultraviolet Hitchhiker-2 (IEH-2) experiments. Robinson also made observations of the comet HaleBopp with the Southwest Ultraviolet Imaging System (SWIS) while other members of the crew conducted biological experiments in the orbiter’s crew cabin. This was the 39th landing at KSC in the history of the Space Shuttle program and the 11th touchdown for Discovery at the space center KSC-97PC1260

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- With Commander Curtis L. Brown, Jr. and ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- With Commander Curtis L. Brown, Jr. and Pilot Kent V. Rominger at the controls and the Mate/Demate Device (MDD) and the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) in the background, the Space... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- With Commander Curtis L. Brown, Jr. and Pilot Kent V. Rominger at the controls and the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) in the background, the Space Shuttle orbiter Discovery touches down on Runway 33 at KSC’s Shuttle Landing Facility at 7:07:59 a.m. EDT Aug. 19 to complete the 11-day, 20-hour and 27-minute-long STS-85 mission. The first landing opportunity on Aug. 18 was waved off due to the potential for ground fog. Also onboard the orbiter are Payload Commander N. Jan Davis, Mission Specialist Robert L. Curbeam, Jr., Mission Specialist Stephen K. Robinson and Payload Specialist Bjarni V. Tryggvason. During the 86th Space Shuttle mission, the crew deployed the Cryogenic Infrared Spectrometers and Telescopes for the Atmosphere-Shuttle Pallet Satellite-2 (CRISTA-SPAS-2) free-flyer to conduct research on the Earth’s middle atmosphere, retrieving it on flight day 9. The crew also conducted investigations with the Manipulator Flight Demonstration (MFD), Technology Applications and Science-1 (TAS-1) and International Extreme Ultraviolet Hitchhiker-2 (IEH-2) experiments. Robinson also made observations of the comet HaleBopp with the Southwest Ultraviolet Imaging System (SWIS) while other members of the crew conducted biological experiments in the orbiter’s crew cabin. This was the 39th landing at KSC in the history of the Space Shuttle program and the 11th touchdown for Discovery at the space center KSC-97PC1255

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- With Commander Curtis L. Brown, Jr. and ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- With Commander Curtis L. Brown, Jr. and Pilot Kent V. Rominger at the controls and the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) in the background, the Space Shuttle orbiter Discovery touche... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The orbiter drag chute deploys after the Space Shuttle orbiter Atlantis lands on Runway 15 of the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) at the conclusion of the nearly 11-day STS-86 mission. The Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) can be seen in the background. Main gear touchdown was at 5:55:09 p.m. EDT, Oct. 6, 1997, with an unofficial mission-elapsed time of 10 days, 19 hours, 20 minutes and 50 seconds. The first two KSC landing opportunities on Sunday were waved off because of weather concerns. The 87th Space Shuttle mission was the 40th landing of the Shuttle at KSC. On Sunday evening, the Space Shuttle program reached a milestone: The total flight time of the Shuttle passed the two-year mark. STS86 was the seventh of nine planned dockings of the Space Shuttle with the Russian Space Station Mir. STS-86 Mission Specialist David A. Wolf replaced NASA astronaut and Mir 24 crew member C. Michael Foale, who has been on the Mir since mid-May. Foale returned to Earth on Atlantis with the remainder of the STS-86 crew. The other crew members are Commander James D. Wetherbee, Pilot Michael J. Bloomfield, and Mission Specialists Wendy B. Lawrence, Scott E. Parazynski, Vladimir Georgievich Titov of the Russian Space Agency, and Jean-Loup J.M. Chretien of the French Space Agency, CNES. Wolf is scheduled to remain on the Mir until the STS-89 Shuttle mission in January. Besides the docking and crew exchange, STS-86 included the transfer of more than three-and-a-half tons of science/logistical equipment and supplies between the two orbiting spacecraft. Parazynski and Titov also conducted a spacewalk while Atlantis and the Mir were docked KSC-97PC1498

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The orbiter drag chute deploys after the...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The orbiter drag chute deploys after the Space Shuttle orbiter Atlantis lands on Runway 15 of the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) at the conclusion of the nearly 11-day STS-86 m... More

The orbiter Endeavour awaits further processing in the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). It had been undergoing preparations for the STS-89 mission in Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1. In the VAB, Endeavour will be mated to the external tank/solid rocket booster stack slated for use on the STS-89 mission. The STS-89 launch is targeted for Jan. 20, 1998 KSC-97PC1795

The orbiter Endeavour awaits further processing in the transfer aisle ...

The orbiter Endeavour awaits further processing in the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). It had been undergoing preparations for the STS-89 mission in Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1. In ... More

The orbiter Endeavour awaits further processing in the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). It had been undergoing preparations for the STS-89 mission in Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1. In the VAB, Endeavour will be mated to the external tank/solid rocket booster stack slated for use on the STS-89 mission. The STS-89 launch is targeted for Jan. 20, 1998 KSC-97PC1794

The orbiter Endeavour awaits further processing in the transfer aisle ...

The orbiter Endeavour awaits further processing in the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). It had been undergoing preparations for the STS-89 mission in Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1. In ... More

VAB Aerial. NASA public domain image. Kennedy space center.

VAB Aerial. NASA public domain image. Kennedy space center.

KSC's Launch Complex 39 is strategically located next to a barge site and a variety of structures, including a Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), Orbiter Processing Facilities (OPF), Press Site, Launch Control Ce... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Space Shuttle orbiter Columbia was transferred from Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3 today to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), where it will be mated to its external tank and solid rocket boosters. Here it is shown in the transfer aisle of the VAB. Columbia is being prepared for the STS-90 mission, carrying the Neurolab payload. Investigations during the Neurolab mission will focus on the effects of microgravity on the nervous system. The mission is a joint venture of six space agencies and seven U.S. research agencies. Investigator teams from nine countries will conduct 31 studies in the microgravity environment of space. The launch is targeted for April 16 at 2:19 p.m. EDT KSC-98pc373

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Space Shuttle orbiter Columbia was t...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Space Shuttle orbiter Columbia was transferred from Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3 today to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), where it will be mated to its external tank ... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Space Shuttle orbiter Columbia was transferred from Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3 today to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), where it will be mated to its external tank and solid rocket boosters. Here it is shown on its way to the VAB. Columbia is being prepared for the STS-90 mission, carrying the Neurolab payload. Investigations during the Neurolab mission will focus on the effects of microgravity on the nervous system. The mission is a joint venture of six space agencies and seven U.S. research agencies. Investigator teams from nine countries will conduct 31 studies in the microgravity environment of space. The launch is targeted for April 16 at 2:19 p.m. EDT KSC-98pc372

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Space Shuttle orbiter Columbia was t...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Space Shuttle orbiter Columbia was transferred from Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3 today to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), where it will be mated to its external tank ... More

The orbiter Discovery rolls out of KSC's Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 2 en route to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). Once inside the VAB, Discovery will be hoisted upright into a vertical position to be mated with an orange external tank and two white solid rocket boosters. Once mated, the orbiter becomes the Space Shuttle Discovery, slated for launch on STS-91, the ninth and final docking mission with the Russian Space Station Mir. The six-member crew of STS-91 will dock with Mir and pick up Mission Specialist Andrew Thomas, Ph.D., who will have been on Mir about four months, to return him to Earth. STS-91 is scheduled to launch June 2 at about 6:04 p.m. EDT KSC-98pc535

The orbiter Discovery rolls out of KSC's Orbiter Processing Facility B...

The orbiter Discovery rolls out of KSC's Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 2 en route to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). Once inside the VAB, Discovery will be hoisted upright into a vertical position to be ... More

Astronaut Fernando (Frank) Caldeiro poses in front of the orbiter Discovery as it rolls out of KSC's Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 2 en route to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). Once inside the VAB, Discovery will be hoisted upright into a vertical position to be mated with an orange external tank and two white solid rocket boosters. Once mated, the orbiter becomes the Space Shuttle Discovery, slated for launch on STS-91, the ninth and final docking mission with the Russian Space Station Mir. The six-member crew of STS-91 will dock with Mir and pick up Mission Specialist Andrew Thomas, Ph.D., who will have been on Mir about four months, to return him to Earth. STS-91 is scheduled to launch June 2 at about 6:04 p.m. EDT KSC-98pc534

Astronaut Fernando (Frank) Caldeiro poses in front of the orbiter Disc...

Astronaut Fernando (Frank) Caldeiro poses in front of the orbiter Discovery as it rolls out of KSC's Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 2 en route to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). Once inside the VAB, Disco... More

The orbiter Discovery is backed out of KSC's Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 2 en route to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). Once inside the VAB, Discovery will be hoisted upright into a vertical position to be mated with an orange external tank and two white solid rocket boosters. Once mated, the orbiter becomes the Space Shuttle Discovery, slated for launch on STS-91, the ninth and final docking mission with the Russian Space Station Mir. The six-member crew of STS-91 will dock with Mir and pick up Mission Specialist Andrew Thomas, Ph.D., who will have been on Mir about four months, to return him to Earth. STS-91 is scheduled to launch June 2 at about 6:04 p.m. EDT KSC-98pc533

The orbiter Discovery is backed out of KSC's Orbiter Processing Facili...

The orbiter Discovery is backed out of KSC's Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 2 en route to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). Once inside the VAB, Discovery will be hoisted upright into a vertical position to... More

The orbiter Discovery approaches KSC's 525-foot-high Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) after leaving the Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 2. Once inside the VAB, Discovery will be hoisted upright into a vertical position to be mated with an orange external tank and two white solid rocket boosters. Once mated, the orbiter becomes the Space Shuttle Discovery, slated for launch on STS-91, the ninth and final docking mission with the Russian Space Station Mir. The six-member crew of STS-91 will dock with Mir and pick up Mission Specialist Andrew Thomas, Ph.D., who will have been on Mir about four months, to return him to Earth. STS-91 is scheduled to launch June 2 at about 6:04 p.m. EDT KSC-98pc536

The orbiter Discovery approaches KSC's 525-foot-high Vehicle Assembly ...

The orbiter Discovery approaches KSC's 525-foot-high Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) after leaving the Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 2. Once inside the VAB, Discovery will be hoisted upright into a vertical p... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Discovery is silhouetted against the early morning sky as it is makes its 3.4 mile trek atop a crawler/transporter to Launch Complex 39A from the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). There, in high bay 1, Discovery was mated to the first Space Shuttle super lightweight external tank/solid rocket booster stack. Discovery will be launched on mission STS-91, concluding Phase I of the joint U.S.-Russian International Space Station Program, on June 2 with a launch window opening around 6:10 p.m. EDT. This will be the ninth Shuttle docking with the Russian Space Station Mir, but the first Mir docking for Discovery. The STS-91 flight crew includes Commander Charles Precourt; Pilot Dominic Gorie; and Mission Specialists Wendy B. Lawrence; Franklin Chang-Diaz, Ph.D.; Janet Kavandi, Ph.D.; and Valery Ryumin, with the Russian Space Agency. Andrew Thomas, Ph.D., will be returning to Earth with the crew after living more than four months aboard Mir KSC-98pc568

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Discovery is silhouetted a...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Discovery is silhouetted against the early morning sky as it is makes its 3.4 mile trek atop a crawler/transporter to Launch Complex 39A from the Vehicle Assembly Bui... More

Participants in the ribbon cutting for KSC's new 34,600-square-foot Space Shuttle Main Engine Processing Facility (SSMEPF) pose in front of a Space Shuttle Main Engine on display for the ceremony. From left, they are Ed Adamek, vice president and associate program manager for Ground Operations of United Space Alliance; John Plowden, vice president of Rocketdyne; Donald R. McMonagle, manager of Launch Integration; U.S. Congressman Dave Weldon; KSC Center Director Roy D. Bridges Jr.; Wade Ivey of Ivey Construction, Inc.; and Robert B. Sieck, director of Shuttle Processing. A major addition to the existing Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3, the SSMEPF replaces the Shuttle Main Engine Shop located in the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). The decision to move the shop out of the VAB was prompted by safety considerations and recent engine processing improvements. The first three main engines to be processed in the new facility will fly on Shuttle Endeavour's STS-88 mission in December 1998 KSC-98pc784

Participants in the ribbon cutting for KSC's new 34,600-square-foot Sp...

Participants in the ribbon cutting for KSC's new 34,600-square-foot Space Shuttle Main Engine Processing Facility (SSMEPF) pose in front of a Space Shuttle Main Engine on display for the ceremony. From left, th... More

Participants in the ribbon cutting for KSC's new 34,600-square-foot Space Shuttle Main Engine Processing Facility (SSMEPF) gather to talk inside the facility following the ceremony. From left, they are Robert B. Sieck, director of Shuttle Processing; KSC Center Director Roy D. Bridges Jr.; U.S. Congressman Dave Weldon; John Plowden, vice president of Rocketdyne; and Donald R. McMonagle, manager of Launch Integration. A major addition to the existing Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3, the SSMEPF replaces the Shuttle Main Engine Shop located in the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). The decision to move the shop out of the VAB was prompted by safety considerations and recent engine processing improvements. The first three main engines to be processed in the new facility will fly on Shuttle Endeavour's STS-88 mission in December 1998 KSC-98pc785

Participants in the ribbon cutting for KSC's new 34,600-square-foot Sp...

Participants in the ribbon cutting for KSC's new 34,600-square-foot Space Shuttle Main Engine Processing Facility (SSMEPF) gather to talk inside the facility following the ceremony. From left, they are Robert B... More

James W. Tibble (pointing at engine), an Engine Systems/Ground Support Equipment team manager for Rocketdyne, discusses the operation of a Space Shuttle Main Engine with Robert B. Sieck, director of Shuttle Processing; U.S. Congressman Dave Weldon; and KSC Center Director Roy D. Bridges Jr. Following the ribbon cutting ceremony for KSC's new 34,600-square-foot Space Shuttle Main Engine Processing Facility (SSMEPF), KSC employees and media explored the facility. A major addition to the existing Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3, the SSMEPF replaces the Shuttle Main Engine Shop located in the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). The decision to move the shop out of the VAB was prompted by safety considerations and recent engine processing improvements. The first three main engines to be processed in the new facility will fly on Shuttle Endeavour's STS-88 mission in December 1998 KSC-98pc786

James W. Tibble (pointing at engine), an Engine Systems/Ground Support...

James W. Tibble (pointing at engine), an Engine Systems/Ground Support Equipment team manager for Rocketdyne, discusses the operation of a Space Shuttle Main Engine with Robert B. Sieck, director of Shuttle Pro... More

KSC Center Director Roy D. Bridges Jr. and U.S. Congressman Dave Weldon (holding scissors) cut the ribbon at a ceremony on July 6 to open KSC's new 34,600-square-foot Space Shuttle Main Engine Processing Facility (SSMEPF). Joining in the ribbon cutting are (left) Ed Adamek, vice president and associate program manager for Ground Operations of United Space Alliance; Marvin L. Jones, director of Installation Operations; Donald R. McMonagle, manager of Launch Integration; (right) Wade Ivey of Ivey Construction, Inc.; Robert B. Sieck, director of Shuttle Processing; and John Plowden, vice president of Rocketdyne. A major addition to the existing Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3, the SSMEPF replaces the Shuttle Main Engine Shop located in the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). The decision to move the shop out of the VAB was prompted by safety considerations and recent engine processing improvements. The first three main engines to be processed in the new facility will fly on Shuttle Endeavour's STS-88 mission in December 1998 KSC-98pc783

KSC Center Director Roy D. Bridges Jr. and U.S. Congressman Dave Weldo...

KSC Center Director Roy D. Bridges Jr. and U.S. Congressman Dave Weldon (holding scissors) cut the ribbon at a ceremony on July 6 to open KSC's new 34,600-square-foot Space Shuttle Main Engine Processing Facili... More

In this aerial view the Crawler Transporter Maintenance Building (center) sits between two crawler transporters. The KSC crawlers are the largest tracked vehicles known. Once used to move assembled Apollo/Saturn from the VAB to the launch pad, they are now used for transporting Shuttle vehicles. They move the Mobile Launcher Platform into the Vehicle Assembly Building and then to the Launch Pad with an assembled space vehicle. Maximum speed is 1.6 km (one mile) per hour loaded, about 3.2 km (2 miles) per hour unloaded. Launch Pad to VAB trip time with the Mobile Launch Platform is about 5 hours. The crawler burns 568 liters (150 gallons) of diesel oil per mile. KSC's two crawlers have accumulated 1,243 miles since 1977. Including the Apollo years, the transporters have racked up 2,526 miles, about the same distance as a one-way trip from KSC to Los Angeles by interstate highway or a round trip between KSC and New York City KSC-98pc1044

In this aerial view the Crawler Transporter Maintenance Building (cent...

In this aerial view the Crawler Transporter Maintenance Building (center) sits between two crawler transporters. The KSC crawlers are the largest tracked vehicles known. Once used to move assembled Apollo/Satur... More

In this aerial view looking south can be seen Launch Complex (LC) 39 area, where assembly, checkout and launch of the Space Shuttle Orbiter and its External Tank and twin Solid Rocket Boosters take place. Central to the complex is the tallest building at the center, the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). To the immediate left, from top to bottom, are the Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) High Bay 3 and new engine shop (north side), OPF Modular Office Building, Thermal Protection System Facility, and a crawler-transporter (to its left). In front of the VAB are OPF 1 and OPF 2. At right is the Processing Control Center. West of OPF 3 is the Mobile Launch Platform. In the upper left corner is Launch Pad B; at the far right is the turn basin, with the Press Site located just below it to the right. KSC-98PC-1043

In this aerial view looking south can be seen Launch Complex (LC) 39 a...

In this aerial view looking south can be seen Launch Complex (LC) 39 area, where assembly, checkout and launch of the Space Shuttle Orbiter and its External Tank and twin Solid Rocket Boosters take place. Centr... More

This aerial view, looking north, shows the Apollo/Saturn V Center, part of the KSC Visitor Complex. Located about 2 miles north of the Vehicle Assembly Building on the Kennedy Parkway, it is near the current Banana Creek VIP Shuttle launch viewing site. The 100,000-square-foot attraction includes a refurbished 363-foot-long Apollo-era Saturn V rocket that had been displayed previously near the VAB. Inside, the center includes artifacts and historical displays, plus two film theaters KSC-98pc1004

This aerial view, looking north, shows the Apollo/Saturn V Center, par...

This aerial view, looking north, shows the Apollo/Saturn V Center, part of the KSC Visitor Complex. Located about 2 miles north of the Vehicle Assembly Building on the Kennedy Parkway, it is near the current Ba... More

Painters are suspended on platforms from the top of the 525-foot-high Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at KSC during repainting of the American flag. The flag spans an area 209 feet by 110 feet and will require 510 gallons of red, white and blue paint. Each stripe of the flag is 9 feet wide and each star is 6 feet in diameter. The platforms are operated by two electric motors and travel 35 feet per minute. Work is being done with rollers, with brushes being used for details. The paint was donated by ICI Devoe of Louisville, Ky. In addition to the flag, the Bicentennial Emblem on the other side of the VAB doors is being replaced by the NASA logo, honoring NASA’s 40th anniversary (in October). The logo covers an area 110 feet by 132 feet. Work is expected to be completed in mid-September KSC-98pc903

Painters are suspended on platforms from the top of the 525-foot-high ...

Painters are suspended on platforms from the top of the 525-foot-high Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at KSC during repainting of the American flag. The flag spans an area 209 feet by 110 feet and will require ... More

Painters are suspended on platforms from the top of the 525-foot-high Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at KSC during repainting of the American flag and NASA logo. The flag spans an area 209 feet by 110 feet and will require 510 gallons of red, white and blue paint. Each stripe of the flag is 9 feet wide and each star is 6 feet in diameter. The previous Bicentennial Emblem on the other side of the VAB doors is being replaced by the NASA logo, honoring NASA’s 40th anniversary (in October). The logo covers an area 110 feet by 132 feet. The painting platforms are operated by two electric motors and travel 35 feet per minute. Work is being done with rollers, with brushes being used for details. The paint was donated by ICI Devoe of Louisville, Ky. Work is expected to be completed in mid-September KSC-98pc904

Painters are suspended on platforms from the top of the 525-foot-high ...

Painters are suspended on platforms from the top of the 525-foot-high Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at KSC during repainting of the American flag and NASA logo. The flag spans an area 209 feet by 110 feet and... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Painters are suspended on platforms from the top of the 525-foot-high Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at KSC during repainting of the American flag and NASA logo. The flag spans an area 209 feet by 110 feet, or about 23,437 square feet, and will require 510 gallons of red, white and blue paint. Each stripe of the flag is 9 feet wide and each star is 6 feet in diameter. The previous Bicentennial Emblem on the right side of the VAB doors is being replaced by the NASA logo, honoring NASA’s 40th anniversary (in October). The logo will cover an area 110 feet by 132 feet, or about 12,300 square feet. The painting platforms are operated by two electric motors and travel 35 feet per minute. Work is being done with rollers, with brushes being used for details. The paint was donated by ICI Devoe of Louisville, Ky. Work is expected to be completed in mid-September KSC-98pc915

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Painters are suspended on platforms from...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Painters are suspended on platforms from the top of the 525-foot-high Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at KSC during repainting of the American flag and NASA logo. The flag spans an... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Painters are dwarfed by the six-foot stars in the blue field of the American flag they are repainting on the side of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). The flag spans an area 209 feet by 110 feet, or about 23, 437 square feet. Each stripe is 9 feet wide. Workers, suspended on platforms from the top of the 525-foot-high VAB, are using rollers and brushes to do the painting. In addition to the flag, the NASA logo, also known as the "meatball," is being painted on the VAB. When finished, the logo will measure 110 feet by 132 feet, or about 12,300 square feet. The entire fleet of orbiters is also receiving the addition of the NASA logo on their wings and sidewalls. The painting honors NASA’s 40th anniversary on Oct. 1 and is expected to be complete in mid-September KSC-98pc989

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Painters are dwarfed by the six-foot sta...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Painters are dwarfed by the six-foot stars in the blue field of the American flag they are repainting on the side of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). The flag spans an area 209... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The NASA logo, also known as the "meatball," is painted on the side of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). When finished, the logo will measure 110 feet by 132 feet, or about 12,300 square feet. Workers, suspended on platforms from the top of the 525-foot-high VAB, are using rollers and brushes to do the painting. In addition to the logo, the American flag is also being repainted on the other side of the VAB. The flag spans an area 209 feet by 110 feet, or about 23, 437 square feet. Each stripe is 9 feet wide and each star is 6 feet in diameter. The entire fleet of orbiters is also receiving the addition of the NASA logo on their wings and sidewalls. The painting honors NASA’s 40th anniversary on Oct. 1 and is expected to be complete in mid-September KSC-98pc987

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The NASA logo, also known as the "meatba...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The NASA logo, also known as the "meatball," is painted on the side of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). When finished, the logo will measure 110 feet by 132 feet, or about 12,3... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The American flag is being repainted on the side of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). The flag spans an area 209 feet by 110 feet, or about 23, 437 square feet. Each stripe is 9 feet wide and each star is 6 feet in diameter. Workers, suspended on platforms from the top of the 525-foot-high VAB, are using rollers and brushes to do the painting. In addition to the flag, the NASA logo, also known as the "meatball," is being painted on the VAB. When finished, the logo will measure 110 feet by 132 feet, or about 12,300 square feet. The entire fleet of orbiters is also receiving the addition of the NASA logo on their wings and sidewalls. The painting honors NASA’s 40th anniversary on Oct. 1 and is expected to be complete in mid-September KSC-98pc988

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The American flag is being repainted on ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The American flag is being repainted on the side of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). The flag spans an area 209 feet by 110 feet, or about 23, 437 square feet. Each stripe is 9... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) gets a facelift with the repainting of the American flag and replacing of the bicentennial emblem with the NASA logo. The painting honors NASA’s 40th anniversary on Oct. 1 and is expected to be complete in mid-September. The flag spans an area 209 feet by 110 feet, or about 23, 437 square feet. Each stripe is 9 feet wide and each star is 6 feet in diameter. The logo, also known as the "meatball," will measure 110 feet by 132 feet, or about 12,300 square feet. Workers, suspended on platforms from the top of the 525-foot-high VAB, are using rollers and brushes to do the painting. The entire fleet of orbiters is also receiving the addition of the NASA logo on their wings and sidewalls KSC-98pc986

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) gets...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) gets a facelift with the repainting of the American flag and replacing of the bicentennial emblem with the NASA logo. The painting honors NASA’s... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The worker on the lower left applies the red paint to the chevron while the worker on the right fills in the blue field to the NASA logo they are painting on the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). When finished, the logo, also known as the "meatball," will measure 110 feet by 132 feet, or about 12,300 square feet. Workers, suspended on platforms from the top of the 525-foot-high VAB, are using rollers and brushes to do the painting. The entire fleet of orbiters is also receiving the addition of the NASA logo on their wings and sidewalls. In addition to the logo, the American flag is being repainted on the other side of the VAB. The flag spans an area 209 feet by 110 feet, or about 23, 437 square feet. Each stripe is 9 feet wide and each star is 6 feet in diameter. The painting honors NASA’s 40th anniversary on Oct. 1 and is expected to be complete in mid-September KSC-98pc991

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The worker on the lower left applies the...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The worker on the lower left applies the red paint to the chevron while the worker on the right fills in the blue field to the NASA logo they are painting on the Vehicle Assembly B... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The worker on the lower left applies the red paint to the chevron while the worker on the right fills in the blue field to the NASA logo they are painting on the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). When finished, the logo, also known as the "meatball," will measure 110 feet by 132 feet, or about 12,300 square feet. Workers, suspended on platforms from the top of the 525-foot-high VAB, are using rollers and brushes to do the painting. The entire fleet of orbiters is also receiving the addition of the NASA logo on their wings and sidewalls. In addition to the logo, the American flag is being repainted on the other side of the VAB. The flag spans an area 209 feet by 110 feet, or about 23, 437 square feet. Each stripe is 9 feet wide and each star is 6 feet in diameter. The painting honors NASA’s 40th anniversary on Oct. 1 and is expected to be complete in mid-September KSC-98pc990

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The worker on the lower left applies the...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The worker on the lower left applies the red paint to the chevron while the worker on the right fills in the blue field to the NASA logo they are painting on the Vehicle Assembly B... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- This aerial view shows the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) getting a facelift with the repainting of the American flag and replacing of the Bicentennial emblem with the NASA logo. The painting honors NASA's 40th anniversary on Oct. 1 and is expected to be complete in mid-September. The flag spans an area 209 feet by 110 feet, or about 23,437 square feet. Each stripe is 9 feet wide and each star is 6 feet in diameter. The logo, also known as the "meatball," measures 110 feet by 132 feet, or about 12,300 square feet. Workers, suspended on platforms from the top of the 525-foot-high VAB, are using rollers and brushes to do the painting. The entire fleet of orbiters is also receiving the addition of the NASA logo on their wings and sidewalls KSC-98pc997

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- This aerial view shows the Vehicle Assem...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- This aerial view shows the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) getting a facelift with the repainting of the American flag and replacing of the Bicentennial emblem with the NASA logo. ... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- This aerial view shows workers, suspended on platforms from the top of the 525-foot-high VAB, using rollers and brushes to repaint the flag on the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). The facelift honors NASA's 40th anniversary on Oct. 1 and is expected to be complete in mid-September. The flag spans an area 209 feet by 110 feet, or about 23,437 square feet. Each stripe is 9 feet wide and each star is 6 feet in diameter KSC-98pc1002

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- This aerial view shows workers, suspende...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- This aerial view shows workers, suspended on platforms from the top of the 525-foot-high VAB, using rollers and brushes to repaint the flag on the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). ... More

This aerial view shows the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) getting a facelift with the repainting of the American flag and replacing of the Bicentennial emblem with the NASA logo. The painting honors NASA's 40th anniversary on Oct. 1 and is expected to be complete in mid-September. The flag spans an area 209 feet by 110 feet, or about 23, 437 square feet. Each stripe is 9 feet wide and each star is 6 feet in diameter. The logo, also known as the 'meatball,' measures 110 feet by 132 feet, or about 12,300 square feet. Workers, suspended on platforms from the top of the 525-foot-high VAB, are using rollers and brushes to do the painting. The entire fleet of orbiters is also receiving the addition of the NASA logo on their wings and sidewalls. KSC-98PC-0998

This aerial view shows the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) getting a f...

This aerial view shows the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) getting a facelift with the repainting of the American flag and replacing of the Bicentennial emblem with the NASA logo. The painting honors NASA's 40t... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- This aerial view shows the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) getting a facelift with the repainting of the American flag and replacing of the bicentennial emblem with the NASA logo. The painting honors NASA's 40th anniversary on Oct. 1 and is expected to be complete in mid-September. The flag spans an area 209 feet by 110 feet, or about 23, 437 square feet. Each stripe is 9 feet wide and each star is 6 feet in diameter. The logo, also known as the "meatball," measures 110 feet by 132 feet, or about 12,300 square feet. Workers, suspended on platforms from the top of the 525-foot-high VAB, are using rollers and brushes to do the painting. The entire fleet of orbiters is also receiving the addition of the NASA logo on their wings and sidewalls KSC-98pc996

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- This aerial view shows the Vehicle Assem...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- This aerial view shows the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) getting a facelift with the repainting of the American flag and replacing of the bicentennial emblem with the NASA logo. ... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) in the Launch Complex 39 area wears a new coat of paint, along with newly painted American flag and NASA logo. The improved look was finished in time to honor NASA's 40th anniversary on Oct. 1. In order to do the job, workers were suspended on platforms from the top of the 525-foot-high VAB. One of the world's largest buildings by volume, the VAB is the last stop for the Shuttle before rollout to the launch pad. Integration and stacking of the complete Space Shuttle vehicle (orbiter, two solid rocket boosters and the external tank) takes place in High Bays 1 or 3. To the right of the VAB is the Launch Control Center. Each of its four firing rooms are equipped with automated, computer-controlled Launch Processing System (LPS) for monitoring and controlling Shuttle assembly, checkout and launch operations, as well as work order control and scheduling. Banana Creek is visible behind and to the right of the VAB KSC-98pc1237

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) in t...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) in the Launch Complex 39 area wears a new coat of paint, along with newly painted American flag and NASA logo. The improved look was finished in... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Looking northwest, the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) in the Launch Complex 39 area of KSC can be seen with its new coat of paint, along with newly painted American flag and NASA logo. The improved look was finished in time to honor NASA's 40th anniversary on Oct. 1. In order to do the job, workers were suspended on platforms from the top of the 525-foot-high VAB. One of the world's largest buildings by volume, the VAB is the last stop for the Shuttle before rollout to the launch pad. Integration and stacking of the complete Space Shuttle vehicle (orbiter, two solid rocket boosters and the external tank) takes place in High Bays 1 or 3. The High Bay doors (shown partially open), four in all, are 456 feet high. The low-door section, 114 feet high, has four panels that move horizontally. The upper section, 342 feet high, has seven panels that move vertically. It takes about 45 minutes to open all panels. Beyond the VAB is the Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) and Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. The SLF is used for end-of-mission orbiter landings, and also military and civilian cargo carriers, astronauts' T-38 trainers, Shuttle Training Aircraft, and helicopters KSC-98pc1239

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Looking northwest, the Vehicle Assembly ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Looking northwest, the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) in the Launch Complex 39 area of KSC can be seen with its new coat of paint, along with newly painted American flag and NASA ... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Looking eastward, the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) in the Launch Complex 39 area can be seen with its new coat of paint, along with newly painted American flag and NASA logo. The improved look was finished in time to honor NASA's 40th anniversary on Oct. 1. In order to do the job, workers were suspended on platforms from the top of the 525-foot-high VAB. One of the world's largest buildings by volume, the VAB is the last stop for the Shuttle before rollout to the launch pad. Integration and stacking of the complete Space Shuttle vehicle (orbiter, two solid rocket boosters and the external tank) takes place in High Bays 1 or 3. Stretching from the side of the VAB, on the right, is the crawlerway, used to transport the Space Shuttle to the launch pad. Beyond the VAB is Banana Creek KSC-98pc1238

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Looking eastward, the Vehicle Assembly B...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Looking eastward, the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) in the Launch Complex 39 area can be seen with its new coat of paint, along with newly painted American flag and NASA logo. Th... More

The orbiter Atlantis, being towed from the Shuttle Landing Facility toward the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) , intersects the morning sun's rays. In the background, to the right of the VAB, are the Orbiter Processing Facility 1 and 2. Atlantis spent 10 months in Palmdale, CA, undergoing extensive inspections and modifications in the orbiter processing facility there. The modifications included several upgrades enabling it to support International Space Station missions, such as adding an external airlock for ISS docking missions and installing thinner, lighter thermal protection blankets for weight reduction which will allow it to haul heavier cargo. Atlantis will undergo preparations at KSC in Orbiter Processing Facility 2 for its planned flight in June 1999 KSC-98pc1166

The orbiter Atlantis, being towed from the Shuttle Landing Facility to...

The orbiter Atlantis, being towed from the Shuttle Landing Facility toward the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) , intersects the morning sun's rays. In the background, to the right of the VAB, are the Orbiter Pr... More

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

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

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

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

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

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

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Standing inside a protective tent around the external tank of Space Shuttle Discovery in the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), United Space Alliance technician Don Pataky repairs divots caused by hail storms. The Shuttle was rolled back from Pad 39B to the VAB for repairs because access to all of the damaged areas was not possible at the pad. The work is expected to take two to three days, allowing Discovery to roll back to the pad late this week for launch of mission STS-96, the 94th launch in the Space Shuttle Program. Liftoff will occur no earlier than May 27. STS-96 is a logistics and resupply mission for the International Space Station, carrying such payloads as a Russian crane, the Strela; a U.S.-built crane; the Spacehab Oceaneering Space System Box (SHOSS), a logistics items carrier; and STARSHINE, a student-shared experiment KSC-99pp0552

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Standing inside a protective tent around...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Standing inside a protective tent around the external tank of Space Shuttle Discovery in the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), United Space Alliance technician Don Pataky repairs di... More

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- As the STS-93 stack of solid rocket boosters and external tank moves toward the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), it passes underneath one of the lightning shield wires strung from the roof of the VAB for protection. The stack is temporarily being stored outside while repair work is being done inside on the hail-damaged external tank of Space Shuttle Discovery. Discovery was rolled back from Pad 39B to the VAB for repairs because access to all of the damaged areas was not possible at the pad. The STS-93 stack is expected to be moved back into the VAB after Discovery returns to the pad. The scheduled date for launch of mission STS-96 is no earlier than May 27. STS-93 is targeted for launch on July 22, carrying the Chandra X-ray Observatory KSC-99pp0557

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- As the STS-93 stack of solid rocket boos...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- As the STS-93 stack of solid rocket boosters and external tank moves toward the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), it passes underneath one of the lightning shield wires strung from ... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The STS-93 stack of solid rocket boosters and external tank sits at the Mobile Launcher Platform park site waiting for lightning shield wires to be installed on the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) in the background. The stack is being temporarily stored outside the VAB while Space Shuttle Discovery undergoes repair to hail damage in High Bay 1. Discovery was rolled back from Pad 39B to the VAB for repairs because access to all of the damaged areas was not possible at the pad. The STS-93 stack will be moved under the wires at the VAB for protection until Discovery returns to the pad, later this week. The scheduled date for launch of mission STS-96 is no earlier than May 27. STS-93 is targeted for launch on July 22, carrying the Chandra X-ray Observatory KSC-99pp0559

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The STS-93 stack of solid rocket booster...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The STS-93 stack of solid rocket boosters and external tank sits at the Mobile Launcher Platform park site waiting for lightning shield wires to be installed on the Vehicle Assembl... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), United Space Alliance technician Robert Williams sands the repaired areas near the top of Space Shuttle Discovery's external tank. Repairs were required for damage caused by hail during recent storms. Because access to all of the damaged areas was not possible at the pad, the Shuttle was rolled back from Pad 39B to the VAB. The work is expected to take two to three days, allowing Discovery to roll back to the pad late this week for launch of mission STS-96, the 94th launch in the Space Shuttle Program. Liftoff will occur no earlier than May 27. STS-96 is a logistics and resupply mission for the International Space Station, carrying such payloads as a Russian crane, the Strela; a U.S.-built crane; the Spacehab Oceaneering Space System Box (SHOSS), a logistics items carrier; and STARSHINE, a student-shared experiment KSC-99pp0553

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), United Space Alliance technician Robert Williams sands the repaired areas near the top of Space Shuttle Discovery's external tank. Repairs w... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The STS-93 stack of solid rocket boosters and external tank moves toward the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) after lightning shield wires were strung from the roof of the VAB for protection. The stack is temporarily being stored outside the VAB while repair work is being done inside on the hail-damaged external tank of Space Shuttle Discovery. Discovery was rolled back from Pad 39B to the VAB for repairs because access to all of the damaged areas was not possible at the pad. The STS-93 stack is expected to be moved back into the VAB after Discovery returns to the pad. The scheduled date for launch of mission STS-96 is no earlier than May 27. STS-93 is targeted for launch on July 22, carrying the Chandra X-ray Observatory KSC-99pp0556

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The STS-93 stack of solid rocket booster...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The STS-93 stack of solid rocket boosters and external tank moves toward the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) after lightning shield wires were strung from the roof of the VAB for p... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The STS-93 stack of solid rocket boosters and external tank nears the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) where it will sit underneath the lightning shield wires strung from the roof of the VAB for protection. The stack is temporarily being stored outside while repair work is being done inside on the hail-damaged external tank of Space Shuttle Discovery. Discovery was rolled back from Pad 39B to the VAB for repairs because access to all of the damaged areas was not possible at the pad. The STS-93 stack is expected to be moved back into the VAB after Discovery returns to the pad. The scheduled date for launch of mission STS-96 is no earlier than May 27. STS-93 is targeted for launch on July 22, carrying the Chandra X-ray Observatory KSC-99pp0558

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The STS-93 stack of solid rocket booster...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The STS-93 stack of solid rocket boosters and external tank nears the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) where it will sit underneath the lightning shield wires strung from the roof o... More

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Viewed from the top of the rotating service structure, Space Shuttle Discovery rests on the mobile launcher platform and towers over the landscape after rollout to Launch Pad 39B. In the background are portions of the Banana River and the Atlantic Ocean. The lighter spots on the top of the external tank are areas of hail damage that was recently repaired. The Shuttle had to be returned to the VAB for the repairs, making this the second rollout for the Shuttle. Discovery is scheduled for liftoff May 27 at 6:48 a.m. EDT on mission STS-96, the 94th launch in the Space Shuttle Program. A logistics and resupply mission for the International Space Station, STS-96 is carrying such payloads as a Russian crane, the Strela; a U.S.-built crane; the Spacehab Oceaneering Space System Box (SHOSS), a logistics items carrier; and STARSHINE, a student-shared experiment KSC-99pp0568

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Viewed from the top of the rotating serv...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Viewed from the top of the rotating service structure, Space Shuttle Discovery rests on the mobile launcher platform and towers over the landscape after rollout to Launch Pad 39B. ... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Columbia is rolled out from the Orbiter Processing Facility (background) on its transporter. It is being moved to the nearby Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) for external tank mating operations. Columbia is scheduled for rollout to Launch Pad 39B on Monday, June 7, for mission STS-93. The primary mission objective will be the deployment of the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility, recently renamed the Chandra X-Ray Observatory. Mission STS-93 will be the first Space Shuttle commanded by a woman, Commander Eileen M. Collins. It is scheduled to launch July 22 at 12:27 a.m. EDT although that date is currently under review KSC-99pp0613

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Columbia is rolled out from ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Columbia is rolled out from the Orbiter Processing Facility (background) on its transporter. It is being moved to the nearby Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) for externa... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Columbia, aboard its orbiter transporter system, makes the turn from the Orbiter Processing Facility (behind it, left) to the nearby Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) for external tank mating operations. Columbia is scheduled for rollout to Launch Pad 39B on Monday, June 7, for mission STS-93. The primary mission objective will be the deployment of the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility, recently renamed the Chandra X-Ray Observatory. Mission STS-93 will be the first Space Shuttle commanded by a woman, Commander Eileen M. Collins. It is scheduled to launch July 22 at 12:27 a.m. EDT although that date is currently under review KSC-99pp0614

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Columbia, aboard its orbiter...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Columbia, aboard its orbiter transporter system, makes the turn from the Orbiter Processing Facility (behind it, left) to the nearby Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) for... More

The east side of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at Kennedy Space Center shows missing panels around the leaves of the upper door, the effect of the high winds from Hurricane Floyd as it passed along the East Coast of Florida, Sept. 14-15. At a weather tower located between Shuttle Launch Pad 39A and Launch Complex 41, the highest winds recorded during the superstorm were 91 mph from the NNW at 4:50 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 15. The maximum sustained winds were recorded at 66 mph. The highest amount of rain recorded at KSC was 2.82 inches as the eye of Hurricane Floyd passed 121 miles east of Cape Canaveral at 4 a.m. Wednesday. A preliminary review of conditions at the Kennedy Space Center was positive after the worst of Hurricane Floyd passed. There appeared to be no major damage to NASA assets, including the launch pads, the four Space Shuttle Orbiters, and flight hardware KSC-99pp1121

The east side of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at Kennedy Space ...

The east side of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at Kennedy Space Center shows missing panels around the leaves of the upper door, the effect of the high winds from Hurricane Floyd as it passed along the Ea... More

The walls of the Butler Building at Kennedy Space Center come tumbling down, with the help of the crane in the background. The building, which is near the Orbiter Processing Facility, is being demolished in order to extend the crawlerway leading to the high bay of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), part of KSC's Safe Haven project. The goal of Safe Haven is to strengthen readiness for Florida's hurricane season by expanding the VAB's storage capacity. Construction includes outfitting the VAB with a third stacking area, in high bay 2, that will allow NASA to preassemble stacks and still have room in the VAB to pull a Shuttle back from the pad into the safety of the VAB if severe weather threatens. The VAB can withstand winds up to 125 mph KSC-99pp1132

The walls of the Butler Building at Kennedy Space Center come tumbling...

The walls of the Butler Building at Kennedy Space Center come tumbling down, with the help of the crane in the background. The building, which is near the Orbiter Processing Facility, is being demolished in ord... More

The Butler Building at Kennedy Space Center is nearly demolished, with the help of the crane in the background. The building, which is near the Orbiter Processing Facility (right), is being demolished in order to extend the crawlerway leading to the high bay of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), part of KSC's Safe Haven project. The goal of Safe Haven is to strengthen readiness for Florida's hurricane season by expanding the VAB's storage capacity. Construction includes outfitting the VAB with a third stacking area, in high bay 2, that will allow NASA to preassemble stacks and still have room in the VAB to pull a Shuttle back from the pad into the safety of the VAB if severe weather threatens. The VAB can withstand winds up to 125 mph KSC-99pp1133

The Butler Building at Kennedy Space Center is nearly demolished, with...

The Butler Building at Kennedy Space Center is nearly demolished, with the help of the crane in the background. The building, which is near the Orbiter Processing Facility (right), is being demolished in order ... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At the Apollo/Saturn V Center, some of the 1998 astronaut candidate class (group 17) line up for a photo while standing under the engines of the Saturn V rocket on display. The U.S. candidates include Clayton C. Anderson, Lee J. Archambault, Tracy E. Caldwell (Ph.D.), Gregory E. Chamitoff (Ph.D.), Timothy J. Creamer, Christopher J. Ferguson, Michael J. Foreman, Michael E. Fossum, Kenneth T. Ham, Patricia C. Hilliard (M.D.), Gregory C. Johnson, Gregory H. Johnson, Stanley G. Love (Ph.D.), Leland D. Melvin, Barbara R. Morgan, William A. Oefelein, John D. Olivas (Ph.D.), Nicholas J.M. Patrick (Ph.D.), Alan G. Poindexter, Garrett E. Reisman (Ph.D.), Steven R. Swanson, Douglas H. Wheelock, Sunita L. Williams, Neil W. Woodward III, George D. Zamka; and international candidates Leopold Eyharts, Paolo Nespoli, Hans Schlegel, Roberto Vittori, Bjarni V. Tryggvason, and Marcos Pontes. The class is at KSC for training activities, including fire training and a flight awareness program, plus touring the OPF, SSME Processing Facility, VAB, SSPF, launch pads, SLF, Apollo/Saturn V Center and the crew headquarters KSC-99pp1144

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At the Apollo/Saturn V Center, some of t...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At the Apollo/Saturn V Center, some of the 1998 astronaut candidate class (group 17) line up for a photo while standing under the engines of the Saturn V rocket on display. The U.S... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Some of the 1998 astronaut candidate class (group 17) take a close look at displays in the Apollo/Saturn V Center at KSC. The U.S. candidates include Clayton C. Anderson, Lee J. Archambault, Tracy E. Caldwell (Ph.D.), Gregory E. Chamitoff (Ph.D.), Timothy J. Creamer, Christopher J. Ferguson, Michael J. Foreman, Michael E. Fossum, Kenneth T. Ham, Patricia C. Hilliard (M.D.), Gregory C. Johnson, Gregory H. Johnson, Stanley G. Love (Ph.D.), Leland D. Melvin, Barbara R. Morgan, William A. Oefelein, John D. Olivas (Ph.D.), Nicholas J.M. Patrick (Ph.D.), Alan G. Poindexter, Garrett E. Reisman (Ph.D.), Steven R. Swanson, Douglas H. Wheelock, Sunita L. Williams, Neil W. Woodward III, George D. Zamka; and international candidates Leopold Eyharts, Paolo Nespoli, Hans Schlegel, Roberto Vittori, Bjarni V. Tryggvason, and Marcos Pontes. The class is at KSC for training activities, including fire training and a flight awareness program, plus touring the OPF, SSME Processing Facility, VAB, SSPF, launch pads, SLF, Apollo/Saturn V Center and the crew headquarters KSC-99pp1146

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Some of the 1998 astronaut candidate cla...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Some of the 1998 astronaut candidate class (group 17) take a close look at displays in the Apollo/Saturn V Center at KSC. The U.S. candidates include Clayton C. Anderson, Lee J. Ar... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At the Apollo/Saturn V Center, some of the 1998 astronaut candidate class (group 17) take a close look at the Saturn V rocket on display. The U.S. candidates include Clayton C. Anderson, Lee J. Archambault, Tracy E. Caldwell (Ph.D.), Gregory E. Chamitoff (Ph.D.), Timothy J. Creamer, Christopher J. Ferguson, Michael J. Foreman, Michael E. Fossum, Kenneth T. Ham, Patricia C. Hilliard (M.D.), Gregory C. Johnson, Gregory H. Johnson, Stanley G. Love (Ph.D.), Leland D. Melvin, Barbara R. Morgan, William A. Oefelein, John D. Olivas (Ph.D.), Nicholas J.M. Patrick (Ph.D.), Alan G. Poindexter, Garrett E. Reisman (Ph.D.), Steven R. Swanson, Douglas H. Wheelock, Sunita L. Williams, Neil W. Woodward III, George D. Zamka; and international candidates Leopold Eyharts, Paolo Nespoli, Hans Schlegel, Roberto Vittori, Bjarni V. Tryggvason, and Marcos Pontes. The class is at KSC for training activities, including fire training and a flight awareness program, plus touring the OPF, SSME Processing Facility, VAB, SSPF, launch pads, SLF, Apollo/Saturn V Center and the crew headquarters KSC-99pp1145

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At the Apollo/Saturn V Center, some of t...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At the Apollo/Saturn V Center, some of the 1998 astronaut candidate class (group 17) take a close look at the Saturn V rocket on display. The U.S. candidates include Clayton C. And... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At the Apollo/Saturn V Center, some of the 1998 astronaut candidate class (group 17) line up for a photo during a tour of facilities at KSC. The U.S. candidates include Clayton C. Anderson, Lee J. Archambault, Tracy E. Caldwell (Ph.D.), Gregory E. Chamitoff (Ph.D.), Timothy J. Creamer, Christopher J. Ferguson, Michael J. Foreman, Michael E. Fossum, Kenneth T. Ham, Patricia C. Hilliard (M.D.), Gregory C. Johnson, Gregory H. Johnson, Stanley G. Love (Ph.D.), Leland D. Melvin, Barbara R. Morgan, William A. Oefelein, John D. Olivas (Ph.D.), Nicholas J.M. Patrick (Ph.D.), Alan G. Poindexter, Garrett E. Reisman (Ph.D.), Steven R. Swanson, Douglas H. Wheelock, Sunita L. Williams, Neil W. Woodward III, George D. Zamka; and international candidates Leopold Eyharts, Paolo Nespoli, Hans Schlegel, Roberto Vittori, Bjarni V. Tryggvason, and Marcos Pontes. The class is at KSC for training activities, including fire training and a flight awareness program, plus touring the OPF, SSME Processing Facility, VAB, SSPF, launch pads, SLF and the crew headquarters KSC-99pp1143

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At the Apollo/Saturn V Center, some of t...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At the Apollo/Saturn V Center, some of the 1998 astronaut candidate class (group 17) line up for a photo during a tour of facilities at KSC. The U.S. candidates include Clayton C. ... More

In the Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3, members of the 1998 astronaut candidate class (group 17) get a close-up view of the tiles, part of the thermal protection system, on the underside of the orbiter Atlantis overhead. The class is at KSC for training activities, including fire training and a flight awareness program, plus touring the OPF, SSME Processing Facility, VAB, SSPF, launch pads, SLF, Apollo/Saturn V Center and the crew headquarters. The U.S. candidates in the '98 class are Clayton C. Anderson, Lee J. Archambault, Tracy E. Caldwell (Ph.D.), Gregory E. Chamitoff (Ph.D.), Timothy J. Creamer, Christopher J. Ferguson, Michael J. Foreman, Michael E. Fossum, Kenneth T. Ham, Patricia C. Hilliard (M.D.), Gregory C. Johnson, Gregory H. Johnson, Stanley G. Love (Ph.D.), Leland D. Melvin, Barbara R. Morgan, William A. Oefelein, John D. Olivas (Ph.D.), Nicholas J.M. Patrick (Ph.D.), Alan G. Poindexter, Garrett E. Reisman (Ph.D.), Steven R. Swanson, Douglas H. Wheelock, Sunita L. Williams, Neil W. Woodward III, George D. Zamka; and the international candidates are Leopold Eyharts, Paolo Nespoli, Hans Schlegel, Roberto Vittori, Bjarni V. Tryggvason, and Marcos Pontes KSC-99pp1147

In the Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3, members of the 1998 astronau...

In the Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3, members of the 1998 astronaut candidate class (group 17) get a close-up view of the tiles, part of the thermal protection system, on the underside of the orbiter Atlant... More

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