KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- While in the White Room to complete suiting up before climbing into Space Shuttle Discovery, STS-116 Mission Specialist Nicholas Patrick sends a message home. In the background i More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- Twin columns of flame from the solid rocket boosters illuminate the clouds of smoke and steam as Space Shuttle Discovery lifts off on mission STS-92, the fifth construction flight More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Expedition 6 crew member Nikolai Budarin stands ready for a practice drive in an M-113 armored personnel carrier during emergency egress training at the pad, one of the Terminal Co More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On Launch Pad 39B, the payload transport canister, with the P6 integrated truss segment inside, is lifted toward the payload changeout room (PCR). The PCR is the enclosed, environm More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- At the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility, near the Mate/Demate Device (backgound), the P5 truss is rolled out from the Super Guppy aircraft that delivered it. The truss will be transpor More
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In Firing Room 4 of the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach, Assistant Launch Director Pete Nickolenko and Flow Director More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-92 Mission Specialist Leroy Chiao gives a thumbs-up to his arrival at KSC for launch of Space Shuttle Discovery on Oct. 5. Chiao is standing next to the T-38 jet aircraft that More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The STS-115 crew members are suiting up for their simulated launch countdown. Shown here is Mission Specialist Joseph Tanner. The mission crew is at KSC for Terminal Countdown D More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- STS-118 crew members get a close look at the payloads installed in Space Shuttle Endeavour. Seen in the foreground are Mission Specialists Dave Williams (center), who represents More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- After a 15-day mission to the International Space Station, space shuttle Discovery glides to a smooth landing on Runway 33 of the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space C More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Operations and Checkout Building, STS-118 Pilot Charlie Hobaugh is ready after suitup to head for the launch pad and board Space Shuttle Endeavour. The STS-118 mission is More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Space Station Processing Facility, STS-115 Mission Specialists Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper (left) and Joseph Tanner (center) get ready to check out the Japanese Experiment M More
At the Shuttle Landing Facility, STS-97 Mission Specialist Joseph Tanner (left) is greeted by Center Director Roy Bridges on his arrival at KSC from Johnson Space Center. Tanner and the rest of the crew have re More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - During suitup in the Operations and Checkout Building at NASA Kennedy Space Center, STS-115 Mission Specialist Daniel Burbank tests the communication system in his helmet. Burban More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Prior to their departure, the STS-110 crew pauses for the media at the Shuttle Landing Facility. Standing left to right are Mission Specialists Jerry Ross, Steven Smith and Lee M More
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Operations and Checkout Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-119 Mission Specialist Koichi Wakata puts on his helmet as part of the final fitting of his launch a More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The blue cones of light, known as shock or mach diamonds, beneath Space Shuttle Discovery's main engines confirm its rapid rise into the night sky after liftoff on mission STS-116 More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Inside the Space Station Processing Facility, an overhead crane moves towards the SPACEHAB Module to transport in to the Payload Canister. The SPACEHAB Module will carry racks of More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - After its overnight rollout from the Vehicle Assembly Building, Space Shuttle Atlantis rests on the hard stand on Launch Pad 39B. The shuttle sits on top of the mobile launcher More
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Operations and Checkout Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-119 Mission Specialist Steve Swanson adjusts his helmet as he puts on the launch-and-entry suit for More
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In Firing Room 4 of the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Deputy Director of NASA's Stennis Space Center Patrick Scheuermann and Mission Management Chair Mi More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The STS-117 crew arrives at NASA's Kennedy Space Center to take part in the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT), a preparation for the launch March 15 to the International More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Expedition 6 crew member Nikolai Budarin relaxes during fit check of his launch and entry suit, part of Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities. He and the rest of the cre More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- From the floor of the Space Station Processing Facility, astronauts get a look at the S6 integrated truss and solar arrays, scheduled to fly on STS-119 in 2008. In the center are More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Atlantis is poised for flight at liftoff from Launch Pad 39A on mission STS-117 to the International Space Station. Liftoff was on-time at 7:38:04 p.m. EDT. The s More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Workers at SPACEHAB gather to watch STS-102 Mission Specialist Andrew S.W. Thomas work on the Early Ammonia Servicer. Thomas and other crew members are at SPACEHAB to get acquainte More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Orbiter Processing Facility bay 1, members of the STS-92 crew examine equipment that will be part of their mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The fourth U.S. More
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Touchdown of space shuttle Discovery on Runway 15 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center disturbs the resident wildlife, unaware that the conclusion of the 13-day, 5.3-million mile journey on the More
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Discovery passes the control tower on Runway 15 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida as it touches down March 28, 2009, to complete the 13-day, 5.3-million mile journey More
The STS-92 crew exits the Operations and Checkout Building on their way to the Astrovan and Launch Pad 39A for a simulated countdown. Walking left to right are (foreground) Mission Specialists Koichi Wakata of More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In Space Shuttle Discovery’s payload bay, STS-92 Mission Specialist William S. McArthur Jr. explains something about the Pressurized Mating Adapter in front of him to other Mission More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - On Launch Pad 39B, the cargo in Space Shuttle Atlantis' payload bay is seen before the closing of the bay doors. The cargo is the 17-and-a-half-ton P3/P4 truss segment for the In More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-110 Mission Specialist Steven Smith relaxes during suit fit, which is part of Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities. The TCDT is held at KSC prior to each Space Shut More
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The fiery light of ignition spills over Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida as space shuttle Discovery roars toward space on the STS-119 mission. Liftoff was on time More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Discovery, on top of the mobile launcher platform and crawler-transporter, reaches Launch Pad 39B for launch of mission STS-116. On the right edge of the photo can b More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-113 Commander James Wetherbee checks the cockpit window from inside Endeavour. The check is part of Crew Equipment Interface Test activities, which include familiarization w More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At the slidewire basket area of Launch Pad 39A, the STS-92 crew poses for a group photograph after a question and answer session with the media. Standing left to right are Commande More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The flag at right identifies Space Shuttle Discovery on Launch Pad 39A after its rollout and before the Rotating Service Structure is moved around it. Scheduled to launch Oct. 5 at More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Atlantis rockets into the blue sky above Launch Pad 39A after liftoff. Beneath Atlantis' main engines are blue cones of light, known as shock or mach diamonds. T More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-116 Pilot William Oefelein joins convoy personnel during post-landing inspections beneath Space Shuttle Discovery on Runway 15 at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing F More
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Discovery approaches Runway 15 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida to complete the 13-day, 5.3-million mile journey on the STS-119 mission to the International Space S More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- STS-118 Mission Specialist Dave Williams, who represents the Canadian Space Agency, gets ready to practice driving an M-113 armored personnel carrier as part of emergency exit tr More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Sitting on top of the mobile launcher platform, Space Shuttle Atlantis is on its slow rollout to Launch Pad 39B. First motion out of the Vehicle Assembly Building was 1:05 a.m. Th More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The STS-115 crew members stride out of the Operations and Checkout Building eager to get to Launch Pad 39B and the start of their mission to the International Space Station. This More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the white room on Launch Pad 39B, STS-116 Mission Specialist Sunita Williams is helped with her gear before entering Space Shuttle Discovery. The mission crew is taking part More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. - STS-112 Mission Specialist Sandra Magnus gets help donning her boots during suit check, part of Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities. The TCDT also includes emergency More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Huge clouds roll over Launch Pad 39B where Space Shuttle Atlantis still sits after the scrub of its launch on mission STS-115. Atlantis was originally scheduled to launch at 12: More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Space Station Processing Facility, STS-118 Commander Scott Kelly (left) and Mission Specialist Barbara Morgan (center) are briefed on equipment during Crew Equipment Interfac More
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – On the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, one of the Shuttle Training Aircraft is ready for STS-119 Commander Lee Archambault or Pilot Tony Antonelli to p More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Seen from behind, Endeavour kicks up dust as its wheels touch down on runway 15 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, completing a 13-day mission to the International Space Station. The More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- A large bird appears to chase Space Shuttle Discovery as it roars into space and emblazons the night sky. This was the second launch attempt of Discovery on mission STS-116. Lift More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The STS-92 crew gather outside the gate to Launch Pad 39A where Space Shuttle Discovery waits in the background for liftoff Oct. 5 at 9:38 p.m. EDT. From left to right are Command More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Clouds of smoke and steam roll across Launch Pad 39A as Space Shuttle Endeavour leaps free above them, beginning its journey on mission STS-118. Liftoff of Endeavour was on time More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Launch Complex 39, members of the STS-117 crew are instructed in the operation of an M-113 armored personnel carrier by the astronaut rescue team. The astronauts on the STS-117 More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Sitting on top of the mobile launcher platform, Space Shuttle Atlantis rolls out to Launch Pad 39B via the crawlerway. First motion out of the Vehicle Assembly Building was 1:05 More
The STS-92 crew wave to onlookers as they exit the Operations and Checkout Building on their way to Launch Pad 39A for liftoff at 8:05 p.m. EDT to the International Space Station (ISS). They are (from front to More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- Perched atop the Mobile Launcher Platform, Space Shuttle Endeavour passes through the gate to Launch Pad 39B. To the right of the pad is a 290-foot tall water tower. To the left is More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-116 Commander Mark Polansky is ready to begin practice flights on the shuttle training aircraft (STA) three days before launch. The STA is a Grumman American Aviation-built G More
STS-92 Pilot Pamela Ann Melroy has her helmet checked during suitup for launch, scheduled for 8:05 p.m. EDT. The mission is the fifth flight for the construction of the ISS. The payload includes the Integrated More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Sitting atop the Mobile Launcher Platform, Space Shuttle Atlantis inches its way to the launch pad. The Shuttle and MLP rest on top of the crawler-transporter beneath it, which mo More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- Perched atop the Mobile Launcher Platform, Space Shuttle Endeavour passes through the gate to Launch Pad 39B. To the right of the pad is a 290-foot tall water tower. To the left is More
The STS-92 crew spends a few minutes on the tarmac at the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility to address the media. At the microphone, Commander Brian Duffy introduces the crew: (from left) Mission Specialists Koichi More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- On the slidewire basket bunker area of Launch Pad 39A, STS-118 educator astronaut and Mission Specialist Barbara R. Morgan responds to a question from the media before the crew's More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - External tank No. 123 is being transported from the Pegasus barge in the turn basin at the Launch Complex 39 Area to the Vehicle Assembly Building where it will be lifted into a c More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-92 Commander Brian Duffy is happy to return to KSC for the launch of Space Shuttle Discovery on Oct. 5. . He and other crew members Pilot Pamela Ann Melroy and Mission Speciali More
Workers in the Space Station Processing Facility gather with the crew of mission STS-97, who are holding the symbolic key representing the turnover of the P6 Integrated Truss Structure, part of the payload on t More
In the White Room, STS-97 Pilot Michael Bloomfield (center) prepares for entry into Space Shuttle Endeavour with the help of the Closeout Crew, (left to right) Al Schmidt, Travis Thompson and Mike Birkenseher. More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At a media showcase in the Space Station Processing Facility, reporters and photographers get a close look at the S3/S4 integrated truss segment. The starboard 3/4 truss segment More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building, an overhead crane and sling raise Atlantis off its transporter in preparation for lifting it to a vertical position. Atla More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At the Shuttle Landing Facility, STS-116 Mission Specialist Nicholas Patrick is greeted after his arrival by Kennedy Space Center Deputy Director Bill Parsons. The crew has returne More
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, (at left) one of three space shuttle main engines is being prepared for installation in space shuttle Disco More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the White Room at Launch Pad 39B, STS-112 Mission Specialist Sandra Magnus, Ph.D., receives assistance with her spacesuit during a simulated launch countdown, part of Terminal More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Cameras are prepared to record the launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis from Launch Pad 39A following sunrise on a cloudy Florida day. Rollback of the pad's rotating service structure, More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The STS-115 crew is in the White Room on the orbiter access arm on Launch Pad 39B to get instruction on using the emergency egress system. From left are Commander Brent Jett, Pilo More
STS-97 Mission Specialist Marc Garneau arrives at the Shuttle Landing Facility aboard a T-38 jet aircraft. Garneau is with the Canadian Space Agency. He and the rest of the crew are at KSC to take part in Termi More
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the S6 truss segment is on display for the media. The S6 truss segment, with its set of large U.S. s More
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery is lowered alongside the external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters already stacked More
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In Firing Room 4 of the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA management waits for the launch of space shuttle Discovery on the STS-119 mission. From left More
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Lights bathe space shuttle Discovery on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida after rollback of the rotating service structure. The orbiter access arm and White Room ar More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility, an overhead crane moves the external stowage platform 3 to the payload canister at right. The platform is part of the payload on missio More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The crew of mission STS-115 arrives at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility to prepare for a second launch attempt on Sept. 6 to the International Space Station. See More
Space Shuttle Endeavour finally rests on Launch Pad 39B after its rollout was stalled several hours to fix a broken cleat on the crawler-transporter. At the far left is the Rotating Service Structure. From the More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- Following mission STS-105, the Crew Transfer Vehicle (CTV) is moved into place beside orbiter Discovery on KSC’s Shuttle Landing Facility runway 15. Both the STS-105 and Expedition More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Launch Complex 39A, the payload canister doors are open to reveal the P1 truss before transfer to the Payload Changeout Room. The P1 truss is the primary payload for Mission S More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Endeavour, atop the mobile launcher platform, is hard down on Launch Pad 39A after rolling out overnight. First motion out of the Vehicle Assembly Building was at 8: More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Across the expanse of the turn basin, Space Shuttle Atlantis is seen as it creeps toward Launch Pad 39A. At left is the 525-foot-tall Vehicle Assembly Building. First motion was More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The crew of mission STS-115 stop to talk to the media after arriving at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility to prepare for a second launch attempt on Sept. 6 to the More
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Discovery approaches Runway 15 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida to complete the 13-day, 5.3-million mile journey on the STS-119 mission to the International Space S More
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Discovery looms against the pre-dawn, cloud-streaked sky as it makes the slow 3.4-mile journey to Launch Pad 39A. The shuttle sits atop the mobile launcher platform, which More
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-119 Mission Specialist Steve Swanson is ready to practice driving the M-113 armored personnel carrier used for emergency escape, if needed, More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - After their arrival at the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility, the crews of mission STS-113 pause for a group photo. From left are STS-113 Commander James Wetherbee, Pilot Paul Lockhart, More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility, the P5 truss for mission STS-116 is lowered into the payload canister. The canister will transport the truss to Launch Pad 39B where it More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. - STS-112 Pilot Pamela Melroy is ready for her practice run driving the M-113 armored personnel carrier. Melroy and the rest of the crew are at KSC for Terminal Countdown Demonstrati More
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Operations and Checkout Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-119 Mission Specialist John Phillips is eager for launch as he puts on his launch-and-entry suit. More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Endeavour races into the sky trailing columns of fire from the solid rocket boosters as it begins mission STS-118. The liftoff from Launch Pad 39A was on time at 6:3 More
STS-92 Commander Brian Duffy smiles after landing at the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility in a T-38 training jet aircraft. He and the rest of the crew are at KSC to take part in Terminal Countdown Demonstration Tes More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The STS-112 crew pauses for a photo in the White Room during Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities. Kneeling in front are Mission Specialists Piers Sellers and David Wo More
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-110 Commander Michael Bloomfield settles into his seat in Space Shuttle Atlantis as he prepares for a simulated launch countdown. The simulation is part of Terminal Countdown More
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-119 Mission Specialist Koichi Wakata is ready to practice driving the M-113 armored personnel carrier used for emergency escape, if needed, More