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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Workers in the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility 2 place an antenna on the Microwave Anisotropy Probe (MAP). Several other milestones must be completed while MAP is at SAEF-2, including solar array installation, solar array deployment and illumination testing, a spacecraft comprehensive performance test, fueling with hydrazine propellant and a spin balance test. MAP will then be ready for integration with the solid propellant Payload Assist Module upper stage booster. MAP is scheduled for launch June 30 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on a Delta II rocket into a lunar-assisted trajectory to the Sun-Earth for a 27-month mission. The MAP instrument consists of a set of passively cooled microwave radiometers with 1.4x 1.6-meter diameter primary reflectors to provide the desired angular resolution. MAP measures small fluctuations in the temperature of the cosmic microwave background radiation to an accuracy of one millionth of a degree These measurements should reveal the size, matter content, age, geometry and fate of the universe. They will also reveal the primordial structure that grew to form galaxies and will test ideas about the origins of these primordial structures. The MAP instrument will be continuously shaded from the Sun, Earth, and Moon by the spacecraft. It is a product of Goddard Space Flight Center in partnership with Princeton University KSC-01pp0942

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Workers in the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility 2 place an antenna on the Microwave Anisotropy Probe (MAP). Several other milestones must be completed while MAP is a More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Microwave Anisotropy Probe (MAP) is worked on in the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility 2. Several milestones must be completed while MAP is at SAEF-2, including antenna installations, solar array installation, solar array deployment and illumination testing, a spacecraft comprehensive performance test, fueling with hydrazine propellant and a spin balance test. MAP will then be ready for integration with the solid propellant Payload Assist Module upper stage booster. MAP is scheduled for launch June 30 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on a Delta II rocket into a lunar-assisted trajectory to the Sun-Earth for a 27-month mission. The MAP instrument consists of a set of passively cooled microwave radiometers with 1.4x 1.6-meter diameter primary reflectors to provide the desired angular resolution. MAP measures small fluctuations in the temperature of the cosmic microwave background radiation to an accuracy of one millionth of a degree These measurements should reveal the size, matter content, age, geometry and fate of the universe. They will also reveal the primordial structure that grew to form galaxies and will test ideas about the origins of these primordial structures. The MAP instrument will be continuously shaded from the Sun, Earth, and Moon by the spacecraft. It is a product of Goddard Space Flight Center in partnership with Princeton University KSC-01pp0939

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Microwave Anisotropy Probe (MAP) is worked on in the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility 2. Several milestones must be completed while MAP is at SAEF-2, including an More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Workers in the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility 2 stand by while the Microwave Anisotropy Probe (MAP) is lifted to place it on a workstand. Several milestones must be completed while MAP is at SAEF-2, including antenna installations, solar array installation, solar array deployment and illumination testing, a spacecraft comprehensive performance test, fueling with hydrazine propellant and a spin balance test. MAP will then be ready for integration with the solid propellant Payload Assist Module upper stage booster. MAP is scheduled for launch June 30 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on a Delta II rocket into a lunar-assisted trajectory to the Sun-Earth for a 27-month mission. The MAP instrument consists of a set of passively cooled microwave radiometers with 1.4x 1.6-meter diameter primary reflectors to provide the desired angular resolution. MAP measures small fluctuations in the temperature of the cosmic microwave background radiation to an accuracy of one millionth of a degree These measurements should reveal the size, matter content, age, geometry and fate of the universe. They will also reveal the primordial structure that grew to form galaxies and will test ideas about the origins of these primordial structures. The MAP instrument will be continuously shaded from the Sun, Earth, and Moon by the spacecraft. It is a product of Goddard Space Flight Center in partnership with Princeton University KSC-01pp0940

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Workers in the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility 2 stand by while the Microwave Anisotropy Probe (MAP) is lifted to place it on a workstand. Several milestones must b More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility 2, the Microwave Anisotropy Probe (MAP) undergoes testing and checkout. Several milestones must be completed while MAP is at SAEF-2, including antenna and solar array installation, solar array deployment and illumination testing, a spacecraft comprehensive performance test, fueling with hydrazine propellant and a spin balance test. MAP will then be ready for integration with the solid propellant Payload Assist Module upper stage booster. MAP is scheduled for launch June 30 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on a Delta II rocket into a lunar-assisted trajectory to the Sun-Earth for a 27-month mission. The MAP instrument consists of a set of passively cooled microwave radiometers with 1.4x 1.6-meter diameter primary reflectors to provide the desired angular resolution. MAP measures small fluctuations in the temperature of the cosmic microwave background radiation to an accuracy of one millionth of a degree These measurements should reveal the size, matter content, age, geometry and fate of the universe. They will also reveal the primordial structure that grew to form galaxies and will test ideas about the origins of these primordial structures. The MAP instrument will be continuously shaded from the Sun, Earth, and Moon by the spacecraft. It is a product of Goddard Space Flight Center in partnership with Princeton University KSC-01pp0944

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility 2, the Microwave Anisotropy Probe (MAP) undergoes testing and checkout. Several milestones must be completed while MAP is at More

US Air Force (USAF) AIRMAN First Class (A1C) Baeron Warren, a Videographer assigned to the 506th Expeditionary Communications Squadron (ECS), uses a digital video recorded to document an F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft, during a performance test of the Mobile Aircraft Arresting System at Kirkuk Air Base (AB), Iraq during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM

The original finding aid described this photograph as: Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Kirkuk Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Camera Operator: SSGT James A. Williams, USAF Release Status: Released More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At Astrotech Space Operations in Titusville, Fla., the STEREO spacecraft "A" is ready to be moved to a tilt table. On the table, the observatory will be tilted down so that technicians can perform the final comprehensive performance test of the instruments, verifying the instrument is fully functional before flight. After a rotation, this configuration also allows deployment tests to be done on the solar arrays. STEREO stands for Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory. The STEREO mission is the first to take measurements of the sun and solar wind in 3-dimension. This new view will improve our understanding of space weather and its impact on the Earth. STEREO is expected to lift off aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket on July 22. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton KSC-06pd1154

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At Astrotech Space Operations in Titusville, Fla., the STEREO spacecraft "A" is ready to be moved to a tilt table. On the table, the observatory will be tilted down so that techni More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At Astrotech Space Operations in Titusville, Fla., the STEREO spacecraft "A" is guided away from its stand for transfer to a tilt table, behind it. On the table, the observatory will be tilted down so that technicians can perform the final comprehensive performance test of the instruments, verifying the instrument is fully functional before flight. After a rotation, this configuration also allows deployment tests to be done on the solar arrays. STEREO stands for Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory. The STEREO mission is the first to take measurements of the sun and solar wind in 3-dimension. This new view will improve our understanding of space weather and its impact on the Earth. STEREO is expected to lift off aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket on July 22. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton KSC-06pd1155

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At Astrotech Space Operations in Titusville, Fla., the STEREO spacecraft "A" is guided away from its stand for transfer to a tilt table, behind it. On the table, the observatory w More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At Astrotech Space Operations in Titusville, Fla., the STEREO spacecraft "A" rests on a tilt table for testing. On the table, the observatory will be tilted down so that technicians can perform the final comprehensive performance test of the instruments, verifying the instrument is fully functional before flight. This configuration also allows deployment tests to be done on the solar arrays. STEREO stands for Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory. The STEREO mission is the first to take measurements of the sun and solar wind in 3-dimension. This new view will improve our understanding of space weather and its impact on the Earth. STEREO is expected to lift off aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket on July 22. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton KSC-06pd1158

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At Astrotech Space Operations in Titusville, Fla., the STEREO spacecraft "A" rests on a tilt table for testing. On the table, the observatory will be tilted down so that technici More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At Astrotech Space Operations in Titusville, Fla., technicians help guide the STEREO spacecraft "A" toward a tilt table. On the table, the observatory will be tilted down so that technicians can perform the final comprehensive performance test of the instruments, verifying the instrument is fully functional before flight. After a rotation, this configuration also allows deployment tests to be done on the solar arrays. STEREO stands for Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory. The STEREO mission is the first to take measurements of the sun and solar wind in 3-dimension. This new view will improve our understanding of space weather and its impact on the Earth. STEREO is expected to lift off aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket on July 22. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton KSC-06pd1156

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At Astrotech Space Operations in Titusville, Fla., technicians help guide the STEREO spacecraft "A" toward a tilt table. On the table, the observatory will be tilted down so that More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At Astrotech Space Operations in Titusville, Fla., the tilt table lowers the STEREO spacecraft "A." In this position, technicians can perform the final comprehensive performance test of the instruments, verifying the instrument is fully functional before flight. After a rotation, this configuration also allows deployment tests to be done on the solar arrays. STEREO stands for Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory. The STEREO mission is the first to take measurements of the sun and solar wind in 3-dimension. This new view will improve our understanding of space weather and its impact on the Earth. STEREO is expected to lift off aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket on July 22. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton KSC-06pd1159

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At Astrotech Space Operations in Titusville, Fla., the tilt table lowers the STEREO spacecraft "A." In this position, technicians can perform the final comprehensive performance More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At Astrotech Space Operations in Titusville, Fla., technicians help guide the STEREO spacecraft "A" as it is lowered onto a tilt table. On the table, the observatory will be tilted down so that technicians can perform the final comprehensive performance test of the instruments, verifying the instrument is fully functional before flight. After a rotation, this configuration also allows deployment tests to be done on the solar arrays. STEREO stands for Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory. The STEREO mission is the first to take measurements of the sun and solar wind in 3-dimension. This new view will improve our understanding of space weather and its impact on the Earth. STEREO is expected to lift off aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket on July 22. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton KSC-06pd1157

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At Astrotech Space Operations in Titusville, Fla., technicians help guide the STEREO spacecraft "A" as it is lowered onto a tilt table. On the table, the observatory will be tilt More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Astrotech Space Operations in Titusville, Fla., a worker installs bolt cutters on one of the THEMIS probes. The cutters will separate each probe from the payload carrier. The probes will undergo weeks of testing and launch preparations. This includes a functional performance test to verify the state of health of each of the five probes and pressurization and leak checks of the reaction control systems. THEMIS consists of five identical probes, the largest number of scientific satellites ever launched into orbit aboard a single rocket. This unique constellation of satellites will resolve the tantalizing mystery of what causes the spectacular sudden brightening of the aurora borealis and aurora australis - the fiery skies over the Earth's northern and southern polar regions. These lights are the visible manifestations of invisible energy releases, called geomagnetic substorms, in near-Earth space. THEMIS will not only seek to answer where and when substorms start, but will also provide clues as to how and why these space storms create havoc on satellites, terrestrial power grids, and communication systems. THEMIS is scheduled to launch Feb. 15 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-06pd2801

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Astrotech Space Operations in Titusville, Fla., a worker installs bolt cutters on one of the THEMIS probes. The cutters will separate each probe from the payload carrier. The More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Astrotech Space Operations in Titusville, Fla., the five probes of the THEMIS spacecraft remain under cover. The probes will undergo weeks of testing and launch preparations. This includes a functional performance test to verify the state of health of each of the five probes, installation of bolt cutters that will separate each probe from the payload carrier, and pressurization and leak checks of the reaction control systems. THEMIS consists of five identical probes, the largest number of scientific satellites ever launched into orbit aboard a single rocket. This unique constellation of satellites will resolve the tantalizing mystery of what causes the spectacular sudden brightening of the aurora borealis and aurora australis - the fiery skies over the Earth's northern and southern polar regions. These lights are the visible manifestations of invisible energy releases, called geomagnetic substorms, in near-Earth space. THEMIS will not only seek to answer where and when substorms start, but will also provide clues as to how and why these space storms create havoc on satellites, terrestrial power grids, and communication systems. THEMIS is scheduled to launch Feb. 15 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-06pd2799

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Astrotech Space Operations in Titusville, Fla., the five probes of the THEMIS spacecraft remain under cover. The probes will undergo weeks of testing and launch preparations. More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Astrotech Space Operations in Titusville, Fla., workers maneuver one of the THEMIS probes before installing bolt cutters that will separate each probe from the payload carrier. The probes will undergo weeks of testing and launch preparations. This includes a functional performance test to verify the state of health of each of the five probes and pressurization and leak checks of the reaction control systems. THEMIS consists of five identical probes, the largest number of scientific satellites ever launched into orbit aboard a single rocket. This unique constellation of satellites will resolve the tantalizing mystery of what causes the spectacular sudden brightening of the aurora borealis and aurora australis - the fiery skies over the Earth's northern and southern polar regions. These lights are the visible manifestations of invisible energy releases, called geomagnetic substorms, in near-Earth space. THEMIS will not only seek to answer where and when substorms start, but will also provide clues as to how and why these space storms create havoc on satellites, terrestrial power grids, and communication systems. THEMIS is scheduled to launch Feb. 15 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-06pd2803

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Astrotech Space Operations in Titusville, Fla., workers maneuver one of the THEMIS probes before installing bolt cutters that will separate each probe from the payload carrier. More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Astrotech Space Operations in Titusville, Fla., workers prepare one of the THEMIS probes for installation of bolt cutters that will separate each probe from the payload carrier. The probes will undergo weeks of testing and launch preparations. This includes a functional performance test to verify the state of health of each of the five probes and pressurization and leak checks of the reaction control systems. THEMIS consists of five identical probes, the largest number of scientific satellites ever launched into orbit aboard a single rocket. This unique constellation of satellites will resolve the tantalizing mystery of what causes the spectacular sudden brightening of the aurora borealis and aurora australis - the fiery skies over the Earth's northern and southern polar regions. These lights are the visible manifestations of invisible energy releases, called geomagnetic substorms, in near-Earth space. THEMIS will not only seek to answer where and when substorms start, but will also provide clues as to how and why these space storms create havoc on satellites, terrestrial power grids, and communication systems. THEMIS is scheduled to launch Feb. 15 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-06pd2800

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Astrotech Space Operations in Titusville, Fla., workers prepare one of the THEMIS probes for installation of bolt cutters that will separate each probe from the payload carrier More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Astrotech Space Operations in Titusville, Fla., workers maneuver one of the THEMIS probes before installing bolt cutters that will separate each probe from the payload carrier. The probes will undergo weeks of testing and launch preparations. This includes a functional performance test to verify the state of health of each of the five probes and pressurization and leak checks of the reaction control systems. THEMIS consists of five identical probes, the largest number of scientific satellites ever launched into orbit aboard a single rocket. This unique constellation of satellites will resolve the tantalizing mystery of what causes the spectacular sudden brightening of the aurora borealis and aurora australis - the fiery skies over the Earth's northern and southern polar regions. These lights are the visible manifestations of invisible energy releases, called geomagnetic substorms, in near-Earth space. THEMIS will not only seek to answer where and when substorms start, but will also provide clues as to how and why these space storms create havoc on satellites, terrestrial power grids, and communication systems. THEMIS is scheduled to launch Feb. 15 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-06pd2802

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Astrotech Space Operations in Titusville, Fla., workers maneuver one of the THEMIS probes before installing bolt cutters that will separate each probe from the payload carrier. More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Astrotech Space Operations in Titusville, Fla., workers install bolt cutters on one of the THEMIS probes. The cutters will separate each probe from the payload carrier. The probes will undergo weeks of testing and launch preparations. This includes a functional performance test to verify the state of health of each of the five probes and pressurization and leak checks of the reaction control systems. THEMIS consists of five identical probes, the largest number of scientific satellites ever launched into orbit aboard a single rocket. This unique constellation of satellites will resolve the tantalizing mystery of what causes the spectacular sudden brightening of the aurora borealis and aurora australis - the fiery skies over the Earth's northern and southern polar regions. These lights are the visible manifestations of invisible energy releases, called geomagnetic substorms, in near-Earth space. THEMIS will not only seek to answer where and when substorms start, but will also provide clues as to how and why these space storms create havoc on satellites, terrestrial power grids, and communication systems. THEMIS is scheduled to launch Feb. 15 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-06pd2805

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Astrotech Space Operations in Titusville, Fla., workers install bolt cutters on one of the THEMIS probes. The cutters will separate each probe from the payload carrier. The p More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Astrotech Space Operations in Titusville, Fla., workers install bolt cutters on one of the THEMIS probes. The cutters will separate each probe from the payload carrier. The probes will undergo weeks of testing and launch preparations. This includes a functional performance test to verify the state of health of each of the five probes and pressurization and leak checks of the reaction control systems. THEMIS consists of five identical probes, the largest number of scientific satellites ever launched into orbit aboard a single rocket. This unique constellation of satellites will resolve the tantalizing mystery of what causes the spectacular sudden brightening of the aurora borealis and aurora australis - the fiery skies over the Earth's northern and southern polar regions. These lights are the visible manifestations of invisible energy releases, called geomagnetic substorms, in near-Earth space. THEMIS will not only seek to answer where and when substorms start, but will also provide clues as to how and why these space storms create havoc on satellites, terrestrial power grids, and communication systems. THEMIS is scheduled to launch Feb. 15 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-06pd2804

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Astrotech Space Operations in Titusville, Fla., workers install bolt cutters on one of the THEMIS probes. The cutters will separate each probe from the payload carrier. The pr More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In a clean room at Vandenberg Air Force Base's processing facility in California, NASA's NuSTAR spacecraft undergoes a limited performance test, a two-day functional checkout of the spacecraft. A Pegasus XL rocket is set to launch NuSTAR into space. Once the rocket and spacecraft are processed at Vandenberg, they will be flown on the Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 carrier aircraft to the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site at the Pacific Ocean’s Kwajalein Atoll for launch. The high-energy x-ray telescope will conduct a census for black holes, map radioactive material in young supernovae remnants, and study the origins of cosmic rays and the extreme physics around collapsed stars. For more information, visit science.nasa.gov/missions/nustar/. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2012-1213

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In a clean room at Vandenberg Air Force Base's processing facility in California, NASA's NuSTAR spacecraft undergoes a limited performance test, a two-day functional checkou More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In a clean room at Vandenberg Air Force Base's processing facility in California, NASA's NuSTAR spacecraft undergoes a limited performance test, a two-day functional checkout of the spacecraft. A Pegasus XL rocket is set to launch NuSTAR into space. Once the rocket and spacecraft are processed at Vandenberg, they will be flown on the Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 carrier aircraft to the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site at the Pacific Ocean’s Kwajalein Atoll for launch. The high-energy x-ray telescope will conduct a census for black holes, map radioactive material in young supernovae remnants, and study the origins of cosmic rays and the extreme physics around collapsed stars. For more information, visit science.nasa.gov/missions/nustar/. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2012-1212

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In a clean room at Vandenberg Air Force Base's processing facility in California, NASA's NuSTAR spacecraft undergoes a limited performance test, a two-day functional checkou More