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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 be seen the White Room at the end of the orbiter access arm. On the horizon at left is Launch Pad 39A. The rollout from the Vehicle Assembly Building began at 12:29 a.m. The mission is No. 20 to the International Space Station and construction flight 12A.1. The mission payload is the SPACEHAB module, the P5 integrated truss structure and other key components. The launch window for mission STS-116 opens Dec. 7. Photo credit: NASA/Amanda Diller KSC-06pd2482

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Discovery, on top of the ...

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. -- 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 experiments, flight hardware, spacewalk equipment and supplies to support mission STS-116 to the International Space Station. STS-116 will be mission number 20 to the station and construction flight 12A.1. Along with SPACEHAB, the mission payload on Space Shuttle Discovery includes the P5 integrated truss structure and other key components. The launch window opens Dec. 7. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-06pd2444

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Inside the Space Station Processing Fac...

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. -- Amid the glow of lights from the fixed and rotating service structures, Space Shuttle Discovery rests on the hardstand of Launch Pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center after completing the 4.2-mile journey from the Vehicle Assembly Building. First motion was at 12:45 p.m. EDT. The shuttle rests on a mobile launcher platform. The rollout is an important step before launch of Discovery on mission STS-121 to the International Space Station. First motion of the shuttle leaving NASA's Vehicle Assembly Building was at 12:45 p.m. EDT. Discovery's launch is targeted for July 1 in a launch window that extends to July 19. During the 12-day mission, Discovery's crew will test new hardware and techniques to improve shuttle safety, as well as deliver supplies and make repairs to the station. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley KSC-06pd0899

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Amid the glow of lights from the fixed ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Amid the glow of lights from the fixed and rotating service structures, Space Shuttle Discovery rests on the hardstand of Launch Pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center after compl... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Discovery rolls toward Launch Pad 39B. Launch Pad 39A is in the background. The shuttle rests on a mobile launcher platform that sits atop a crawler-transporter. First motion from NASA's Vehicle Assembly Building was at 12:45 p.m. EDT. The rollout is an important step before launch of Discovery on mission STS-121 to the International Space Station. Discovery's launch is targeted for July 1 in a launch window that extends to July 19. During the 12-day mission, Discovery's crew will test new hardware and techniques to improve shuttle safety, as well as deliver supplies and make repairs to the station. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton KSC-06pd0883

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Discovery rolls toward La...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Discovery rolls toward Launch Pad 39B. Launch Pad 39A is in the background. The shuttle rests on a mobile launcher platform that sits atop a crawler-transporter. ... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Discovery backs out of the Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3 for the short rollover to the Vehicle Assembly Building. First motion was at 9:23 p.m. Oct. 31. In the VAB the orbiter will be mated to its large external tank and twin solid rocket boosters already stacked on the mobile launcher platform. Space Shuttle Discovery is scheduled to roll out to Launch Pad 39B no earlier than Nov. 7 for mission STS-116. The mission is No. 20 to the International Space Station and construction flight 12A.1. The mission payload is the SPACEHAB module, the P5 integrated truss structure and other key components. The launch window for mission STS-116 opens Dec. 7. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-06pd2413

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Discovery backs out of the ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Discovery backs out of the Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3 for the short rollover to the Vehicle Assembly Building. First motion was at 9:23 p.m. Oct. 31. In the VA... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On Launch Pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the payload canister holding Space Shuttle Discovery's payloads is lifted off its transporter toward the payload changeout room on the rotating service structure. The payload changeout room provides an environmentally clean or "white room" condition in which to receive a payload transferred from a protective payload canister. After the shuttle arrives at the pad, the rotating service structure will close around it and the payloads, which include the multi-purpose logistics module and integrated cargo carrier, will then be transferred from the changeout room into Discovery's payload bay. Discovery's launch to the International Space Station on mission STS-121 is targeted for July 1 in a launch window that extends to July 19. During the 12-day mission, crew members will test new hardware and techniques to improve shuttle safety. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-06pd0855

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On Launch Pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Sp...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On Launch Pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the payload canister holding Space Shuttle Discovery's payloads is lifted off its transporter toward the payload changeout room ... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - With the help of the Closeout Crew in the White Room on Launch Pad 39B, STS-114 Commander Eileen Collins adjusts her launch suit before entering Space Shuttle Discovery. The crew is taking part in a full dress rehearsal for launch, including countdown and culminating in main engine cutoff. The rehearsal is the final part of Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) activities that the crew has been involved in for three days. TCDT provides the crew of each mission an opportunity to participate in various simulated countdown activities, including equipment familiarization and emergency egress training. STS-114 is the first Return to Flight mission to the International Space Station. The launch window extends July 13 through July 31. KSC-05pp0997

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - With the help of the Closeout Crew in the...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - With the help of the Closeout Crew in the White Room on Launch Pad 39B, STS-114 Commander Eileen Collins adjusts her launch suit before entering Space Shuttle Discovery. The crew i... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Discovery nears its destination on its rollout to Launch Pad 39B. Discovery rests on top of the mobile launcher platform, which is carried by the crawler-transporter underneath. First motion of the shuttle leaving NASA's Vehicle Assembly Building was at 12:45 p.m. EDT. The 4.2-mile journey from the VAB to the pad takes approximately 8 hours. The rollout is an important step before launch of Discovery on mission STS-121 to the International Space Station. Discovery's launch is targeted for July 1 in a launch window that extends to July 19. During the 12-day mission, Discovery's crew will test new hardware and techniques to improve shuttle safety, as well as deliver supplies and make repairs to the station. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis KSC-06pd0905

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Discovery nears its desti...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Discovery nears its destination on its rollout to Launch Pad 39B. Discovery rests on top of the mobile launcher platform, which is carried by the crawler-transporte... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Sitting on the mobile launcher platform, Space Shuttle Discovery rolls toward Launch Pad 39B via the crawler transporter. First motion of the shuttle from NASA's Vehicle Assembly Building was at 12:45 p.m. EDT. The rollout is an important step before launch of Discovery on mission STS-121 to the International Space Station. Discovery's launch is targeted for July 1 in a launch window that extends to July 19. During the 12-day mission, Discovery's crew will test new hardware and techniques to improve shuttle safety, as well as deliver supplies and make repairs to the station. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis KSC-06pd0878

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Sitting on the mobile launcher platfo...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Sitting on the mobile launcher platform, Space Shuttle Discovery rolls toward Launch Pad 39B via the crawler transporter. First motion of the shuttle from NASA's Vehicle Assemb... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At Launch Complex 36-A, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the TDRS-J satellite launches aboard an Atlas IIA vehicle on Dec. 4 at the beginning of the launch window at 9:42 p.m. EST. TDRS-J, the third in a series of telemetry satellites, will help replenish the current constellation of geosynchronous TDRS satellites that are the primary source of space-to-ground voice, data and telemetry for the Space Shuttle. The satellites also provide communications with the International Space Station and scientific spacecraft in low-Earth orbit such as the Hubble Space Telescope. This new advanced series of satellites will extend the availability of TDRS communications services until about 2017. KSC-02pd1852

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At Launch Complex 36-A, Cape Canaveral Ai...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At Launch Complex 36-A, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the TDRS-J satellite launches aboard an Atlas IIA vehicle on Dec. 4 at the beginning of the launch window at 9:42 p.m. EST.... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On Launch Pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the payload canister holding Space Shuttle Discovery's payloads nears the payload changeout room on the rotating service structure. The red umbilical lines are still attached. The payload changeout room provides an environmentally clean or "white room" condition in which to receive a payload transferred from a protective payload canister. After the shuttle arrives at the pad, the rotating service structure will close around it and the payloads, which include the multi-purpose logistics module and integrated cargo carrier, will then be transferred from the changeout room into Discovery's payload bay. Discovery's launch to the International Space Station on mission STS-121 is targeted for July 1 in a launch window that extends to July 19. During the 12-day mission, crew members will test new hardware and techniques to improve shuttle safety. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-06pd0858

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On Launch Pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Spa...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On Launch Pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the payload canister holding Space Shuttle Discovery's payloads nears the payload changeout room on the rotating service structur... More

STS-43 Atlantis, OV-104, lifts off from KSC Launch Complex (LC) Pad 39A

STS-43 Atlantis, OV-104, lifts off from KSC Launch Complex (LC) Pad 39...

STS043-S-087 (2 Aug 1991) --- The Space Shuttle Atlantis soars toward space to begin a scheduled nine-day mission. The 11:02:00 a.m. (EDT) liftoff from Launch Pad 39A came at the beginning of the launch window... More

STS-43 Atlantis, OV-104, lifts off from KSC Launch Complex (LC) Pad 39A

STS-43 Atlantis, OV-104, lifts off from KSC Launch Complex (LC) Pad 39...

STS043-S-090 (2 Aug 1991) --- The Space Shuttle Atlantis soars toward space to begin a scheduled nine-day mission. The 11:02:00 a.m. (EDT) liftoff from Launch Pad 39A came at the beginning of the launch window... More

STS-43 Atlantis, OV-104, soars into space after liftoff from KSC LC Pad 39A

STS-43 Atlantis, OV-104, soars into space after liftoff from KSC LC Pa...

STS043-S-088 (2 Aug 1991) --- A low angle, 35mm view of the Space Shuttle Atlantis as it soars toward space to begin a scheduled nine-day mission. The 11:02:00 a.m. (EDT) liftoff from Launch Pad 39A came at th... More

STS-66 Launch. NASA public domain image colelction.

STS-66 Launch. NASA public domain image colelction.

The 66th Space Shuttle flight begins with a nearly ontime liftoff of Space Shuttle Mission STS-66 into clear Florida skies. The orbiter Atlantis returned to space after an approximately two year absence with a ... More

Space Systems/LORAL employees inspect solar panels for the GOES-K weather satellite in the Astrotech facility at Titusville, Fla., as they begin final testing of the imaging system, communications and power systems of the spacecraft. The GOES-K is the third spacecraft to be launched in the new advanced series of geostationary weather satellites for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The GOES-K is built for NASA and NOAA by Space Systems/LORAL of Palo Alto, Calif. The launch of the satellite from Launch Pad 36B at Cape Canaveral Air Station on an Atlas 1 rocket (AC-79) is currently planned for Apr. 24 at the opening of a launch window which extends from 1:56 to 3:19 a.m. EDT KSC-97pc223

Space Systems/LORAL employees inspect solar panels for the GOES-K weat...

Space Systems/LORAL employees inspect solar panels for the GOES-K weather satellite in the Astrotech facility at Titusville, Fla., as they begin final testing of the imaging system, communications and power sys... More

Space Systems/LORAL employees inspect solar panels for the GOES-K weather satellite in the Astrotech facility at Titusville, Fla., as they begin final testing of the imaging system, communications and power systems of the spacecraft. The GOES-K is the third spacecraft to be launched in the new advanced series of geostationary weather satellites for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The GOES-K is built for NASA and NOAA by Space Systems/LORAL of Palo Alto, Calif. The launch of the satellite from Launch Pad 36B at Cape Canaveral Air Station on an Atlas 1 rocket (AC-79) is currently planned for Apr. 24 at the opening of a launch window which extends from 1:56 to 3:19 a.m. EDT KSC-97pc224

Space Systems/LORAL employees inspect solar panels for the GOES-K weat...

Space Systems/LORAL employees inspect solar panels for the GOES-K weather satellite in the Astrotech facility at Titusville, Fla., as they begin final testing of the imaging system, communications and power sys... More

Space Systems/LORAL employees inspect solar panels for the GOES-K weather satellite in the Astrotech facility at Titusville, Fla., as they begin final testing of the imaging system, communications and power systems of the spacecraft. The GOES-K is the third spacecraft to be launched in the new advanced series of geostationary weather satellites for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The GOES-K is built for NASA and NOAA by Space Systems/LORAL of Palo Alto, Calif. The launch of the satellite from Launch Pad 36B at Cape Canaveral Air Station on an Atlas 1 rocket (AC-79) is currently planned for Apr. 24 at the opening of a launch window which extends from 1:56 to 3:19 a.m. EDT KSC-97pc222

Space Systems/LORAL employees inspect solar panels for the GOES-K weat...

Space Systems/LORAL employees inspect solar panels for the GOES-K weather satellite in the Astrotech facility at Titusville, Fla., as they begin final testing of the imaging system, communications and power sys... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Payload is seen inside of the Bay just before the doors are closed for flight at KSC's Launch Pad 39A. Discovery, the orbiter for the STS-82 mission, is ready for the launch of the second Hubble Space Telescope service mission. The payload consists of the Near Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer (NICMOS) that will be installed, Fine Guidance Sensor #1 (FGS-1), and the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) to be installed. The STS-82 will launch with a crew of seven at 3:54 a.m. EST, Feb. 11, 1997. The launch window is 65 minutes in duration. The Mission Commander for STS-82 is Ken Bowersox. The purpose of the mission is to upgrade the scientific capabilities, service or replace aging components on the Telescope, and provide a reboost to the optimum altitude.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Payload is seen inside of the Bay ju...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Payload is seen inside of the Bay just before the doors are closed for flight at KSC's Launch Pad 39A. Discovery, the orbiter for the STS-82 mission, is ready for the launch ... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Payload is seen inside of the Bay just before the doors are closed for flight at Pad 39A, Kennedy Space Center, Fla. Discovery, the orbiter for STS-82 mission, is ready for the launch of the second Hubble Space Telescope service mission. The payload consists of the Near Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer (NICMOS) that will be installed, Fine Guidance Sensor #1 (FGS-1), and the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) to be installed. The STS-82 will launch with a crew of seven at 3:54 a.m. EST, Feb. 11, 1997. The launch window is 65 minutes in duration. The Mission Commander for STS-82 is Ken Bowersox. The purpose of the mission is to upgrade the scientific capabilities, service or replace aging components on the Telescope, and provide a reboost to the optimum altitude.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Payload is seen inside of the Bay j...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Payload is seen inside of the Bay just before the doors are closed for flight at Pad 39A, Kennedy Space Center, Fla. Discovery, the orbiter for STS-82 mission, is ready for t... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At the KSC Launch Pad 39A, two members of the payload closeout crew check equipment as the doors are just about ready to be closed. The Payload inside the bay of Discovery, the orbiter for the STS-82 mission, is ready for the launch of the second Hubble Space Telescope service mission. The payload consists of the Near Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer (NICMOS) that will be installed, Fine Guidance Sensor #1 (FGS-1), and the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) to be installed. The STS-82 will launch with a crew of seven at 3:54 a.m. EST, Feb. 11, 1997. The launch window is 65 minutes in duration. The Mission Commander for STS-82 is Ken Bowersox. The purpose of the mission is to upgrade the scientific capabilities, service or replace aging components on the Telescope and provide a reboost to the optimum altitude.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At the KSC Launch Pad 39A, two members ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At the KSC Launch Pad 39A, two members of the payload closeout crew check equipment as the doors are just about ready to be closed. The Payload inside the bay of Discovery, the o... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Rotating Service Structure has been retracted at KSC's Launch Pad 39A. Discovery, the orbiter for the STS-82 mission, is ready for the launch of the second Hubble Space Telescope service mission. The payload consists of the Near Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer (NICMOS) that will be installed, Fine Guidance Sensor #1 (FGS-1), and the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) to be installed. The STS-82 will launch with a crew of seven at 3:54 a.m. EST, Feb. 11, 1997. The launch window is 65 minutes in duration. The Mission Commander for STS-82 is Ken Bowersox. The purpose of the mission is to upgrade the scientific capabilities, service or replace aging components on the Telescope, and provide a reboost to the optimum altitude.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Rotating Service Structure has been ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Rotating Service Structure has been retracted at KSC's Launch Pad 39A. Discovery, the orbiter for the STS-82 mission, is ready for the launch of the second Hubble Space Teles... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The White Room is seen at the upper left where the astronauts enter the Space Shuttle for flight. The Rotating Service Structure has been retracted at KSC's Launch Pad 39A. Discovery, the orbiter for the STS-82 mission, is ready for the launch of the second Hubble Space Telescope service mission. The payload consists of the Near Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer (NICMOS) that will be installed, Fine Guidance Sensor #1 (FGS-1), and the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) to be installed. The STS-82 will launch with a crew of seven at 3:54 a.m. EST, Feb. 11, 1997. The launch window is 65 minutes in duration. The Mission Commander for STS-82 is Ken Bowersox. The purpose of the mission is to upgrade the scientific capabilities, service or replace aging components on the Telescope, and provide a reboost to the optimum altitude.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The White Room is seen at the upper left...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The White Room is seen at the upper left where the astronauts enter the Space Shuttle for flight. The Rotating Service Structure has been retracted at KSC's Launch Pad 39A. Disc... More

As part of the final STS-82 prelaunch activities, the seven crew members gather for lunch and a photo opportunity in the Operations and Checkout Building. From left, are Payload Commander Mark C. Lee, Mission Specialist Steven A. Hawley, Pilot Scott J. "Doc" Horowitz, Mission Commander Kenneth D. Bowersox, and Mission Specialists Joseph R. "Joe" Tanner, Steven L. Smith and Gregory J. Harbaugh. After a weather briefing, the astronauts will don their launch and entry suits and depart for Launch Pad 39A, where the Space Shuttle Discovery awaits liftoff during a 65-minute launch window which opens at about 3:55 a.m. EST, Feb. 11. The exact opening of the launch window will be announced a few hours before launch based on the final computation of the location of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). STS-82 will be the second mission to service the HST which was deployed in 1990 KSC-97pc268

As part of the final STS-82 prelaunch activities, the seven crew membe...

As part of the final STS-82 prelaunch activities, the seven crew members gather for lunch and a photo opportunity in the Operations and Checkout Building. From left, are Payload Commander Mark C. Lee, Mission S... More

STS-83 Mission Commander James D. Halsell, Jr., gives a thumbs-up after he is assisted into his launch/entry suit in the Operations and Checkout (O&C) Building. Halsell is on his third space flight, having served as pilot of both STS-74 and STS-65. He is a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force and a former SR-71 Blackbird test pilot and holds master's degrees in management and space operations. Halsell will have responsibility for the success of the mission and will operate and maintain Columbia during the Red, or second shift. He will also assist with a materials science experiment and a protein crystal growth payload during the 16-day mission. Halsell and six fellow crew members will shortly depart the O&C and head for Launch Pad 39A, where the Space Shuttle Columbia will lift off during a launch window that opens at 2:00 p.m. EST, April 4 KSC-97pc563

STS-83 Mission Commander James D. Halsell, Jr., gives a thumbs-up afte...

STS-83 Mission Commander James D. Halsell, Jr., gives a thumbs-up after he is assisted into his launch/entry suit in the Operations and Checkout (O&C) Building. Halsell is on his third space flight, having serv... More

STS-83 Mission Specialist Michael L. Gernhardt is assisted into his launch/entry suit in the Operations and Checkout (O&C) Building. He first flew in this capacity on STS-69. He has been a professional deep sea diver and engineer and holds a doctorate in bioengineering. Gernhardt will be in charge of the Blue shift and as flight engineer will operate and maintain the orbiter while Halsell and Still are asleep as members of the Red shift. He will also back them up on the flight deck during the ascent and re-entry phases of the mission. Gernhardt and six fellow crew members will shortly depart the O&C and head for Launch Pad 39A, where the Space Shuttle Columbia will lift off during a launch window that opens at 2:00 p.m. EST, April 4 KSC-97pc564

STS-83 Mission Specialist Michael L. Gernhardt is assisted into his la...

STS-83 Mission Specialist Michael L. Gernhardt is assisted into his launch/entry suit in the Operations and Checkout (O&C) Building. He first flew in this capacity on STS-69. He has been a professional deep sea... More

STS-83 Payload Commander Janice Voss smiles as she is assisted into her launch/entry suit in the Operations and checkout (O&C) Building. She has flown on STS-63 and STS-57. Voss holds a doctorate degree in aeronautics/astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and has earned two NASA Space Flight Medals. As Payload Commander and a member of the Blue team, Voss will have overall responsibility for the operation of all of the MSL-1 experiments. During the experimentation phase of the mission, she will be working primarily with three combustion experiments. She and six fellow crew members will shortly depart the O&C and head for Launch Pad 39A, where the Space Shuttle Columbia will lift off during a launch window that opens at 2:00 p.m. EST, April 4 KSC-97pc567

STS-83 Payload Commander Janice Voss smiles as she is assisted into he...

STS-83 Payload Commander Janice Voss smiles as she is assisted into her launch/entry suit in the Operations and checkout (O&C) Building. She has flown on STS-63 and STS-57. Voss holds a doctorate degree in aero... More

STS-83 Mission Specialist Donald A. Thomas is assisted into his launch/entry suit in the Operations and Checkout (O&C) Building. He has flown on both STS-70 and STS-65. He holds a doctorate in materials science and has been the Principal Investigator for a Space Shuttle crystal growth experiment. Because of his background in materials science, Thomas will be concentrating his efforts during the Red shift on the five experiments in this discipline in the large Isothermal Furnace. He also will work on the ten materials science investigations in the Electromagnetic Containerless Processing Facility and four that will be measuring the effects of microgravity and motion in the orbiter on the experiments. Thomas and six fellow crew members will shortly depart the O&C and head for Launch Pad 39A, where the Space Shuttle Columbia will lift off during a launch window that opens at 2:00 pm EST, April 4 KSC-97pc561

STS-83 Mission Specialist Donald A. Thomas is assisted into his launch...

STS-83 Mission Specialist Donald A. Thomas is assisted into his launch/entry suit in the Operations and Checkout (O&C) Building. He has flown on both STS-70 and STS-65. He holds a doctorate in materials science... More

STS-83 Pilot Susan L. Still gives a thumbs-up as she is assisted into her launch/entry suit in the Operations and checkout (O&C) Building. She is the second woman to fly in this capacity on a Space Shuttle. Still is a lieutenant colonel in the Navy and has more than 2,000 flight hours in 30 different types of aircraft. She also holds a master's degree in aerospace engineering. Still will assist Halsell with all phases of the space flight and will have primary responsibility to take action in the event of an emergency. After Columbia reaches orbit, Still will be busy with the many and varied tasks associated with monitoring and maintaining the orbiter. She and six fellow crew members will shortly depart the O&C and head for Launch Pad 39A, where the Space Shuttle Columbia will lift off during a launch window that opens at 2:00 p.m. EST, April 4 KSC-97pc565

STS-83 Pilot Susan L. Still gives a thumbs-up as she is assisted into ...

STS-83 Pilot Susan L. Still gives a thumbs-up as she is assisted into her launch/entry suit in the Operations and checkout (O&C) Building. She is the second woman to fly in this capacity on a Space Shuttle. Sti... More

STS-83 Payload Specialist Roger K. Crouch is assisted into his launch/entry suit in the Operations and Checkout (O&C) Building. He is the Chief Scientist of the NASA Microgravity Space and Applications Division. He also has served as a Program Scientist for previous Spacelab microgravity missions and is an expert in semiconductor crystal growth. Since Crouch has more than 25 years of experience as a materials scientist, he will be concentrating on the five physics of materials processing experiments in the Middeck Glovebox Facility on the Blue shift. He will also share the workload with Thomas by monitoring the materials furnace experiments during this time. Crouch and six fellow crew members will shortly depart the O&C and head for Launch Pad 39A, where the Space Shuttle Columbia will lift off during a launch window that opens at 2:00 p.m. EST, April 4 KSC-97pc562

STS-83 Payload Specialist Roger K. Crouch is assisted into his launch/...

STS-83 Payload Specialist Roger K. Crouch is assisted into his launch/entry suit in the Operations and Checkout (O&C) Building. He is the Chief Scientist of the NASA Microgravity Space and Applications Division... More

STS-83 Payload Specialist Gregory T. Linteris gives a thumbs-up as he is assisted into his launch/entry suit in the Operations and Checkout (O&C) Building. He holds a doctorate in mechanical and aerospace engineering. Linteris has worked at the National Institute of Standards and Technology and is the Principal Investigator on a NASA microgravity combustion experiments. As a member of the Red team, Linteris will concentrate on three combustion experiments. Two of these experiments are housed in the Combustion Module. He will also be backing up crew members on the other Microgravity Science Laboratory-1 (MSL-1) investigations. He and six fellow crew members will shortly depart the O&C and head for Launch Pad 39A, where the Space Shuttle Columbia will lift off during a launch window that opens at 2:00 p.m. EST, April 4 KSC-97pc566

STS-83 Payload Specialist Gregory T. Linteris gives a thumbs-up as he ...

STS-83 Payload Specialist Gregory T. Linteris gives a thumbs-up as he is assisted into his launch/entry suit in the Operations and Checkout (O&C) Building. He holds a doctorate in mechanical and aerospace engin... More

The Lockheed Martin Atlas 1 expendable launch vehicle (AC-79) which will carry the GOES-K advanced weather satellite undergoes a critical prelaunch test with its mobile service tower pulled back. The Wet Dress Rehearsal is a major prelaunch test designed to demonstrate, in part, the launch readiness of the vehicle and launch support equipment. AC-79 will be the final launch of an Atlas 1 rocket, a derivative of the original Atlas Centaur which had its first successful launch for NASA in 1963. Future launches of Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) in the current series will be on Atlas II vehicles. The GOES satellites are owned and operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); NASA manages the design, development and launch of the spacecraft. The launch of AC-79 with the GOES-K is targeted for /1997/63-97.htm">April 24</a> during a launch window which extends from 1:50-3:09 a.m. EDT KSC-97pc632

The Lockheed Martin Atlas 1 expendable launch vehicle (AC-79) which wi...

The Lockheed Martin Atlas 1 expendable launch vehicle (AC-79) which will carry the GOES-K advanced weather satellite undergoes a critical prelaunch test with its mobile service tower pulled back. The Wet Dress ... More

The Lockheed Martin Atlas 1 expendable launch vehicle (AC-79) which will carry the GOES-K advanced weather satellite undergoes a critical prelaunch test with its mobile service tower pulled back. The Wet Dress Rehearsal is a major prelaunch test designed to demonstrate, in part, the launch readiness of the vehicle and launch support equipment. AC-79 will be the final launch of an Atlas 1 rocket, a derivative of the original Atlas Centaur which had its first successful launch for NASA in 1963. Future launches of Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) in the current series will be on Atlas II vehicles. The GOES satellites are owned and operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); NASA manages the design, development and launch of the spacecraft. The launch of AC-79 with the GOES-K is targeted for /1997/63-97.htm">April 24</a> during a launch window which extends from 1:50-3:09 a.m. EDT KSC-97pc633

The Lockheed Martin Atlas 1 expendable launch vehicle (AC-79) which wi...

The Lockheed Martin Atlas 1 expendable launch vehicle (AC-79) which will carry the GOES-K advanced weather satellite undergoes a critical prelaunch test with its mobile service tower pulled back. The Wet Dress ... More

With its prelaunch processing completed, the GOES-K advanced weather satellite awaits encapsulation in the Atlas 1 payload fairing, seen at left rear. GOES-K was prepared for launch at the Astrotech Space Operations LP facility in Titusville. GOES-K will be the third spacecraft to be launched in the advanced series of Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES). The GOES satellites are owned and operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); NASA manages the design, development and launch of the spacecraft. GOES-K is targeted for an /1997/63-97.htm">April 24 launch</a> aboard a Lockheed Martin Atlas 1 expendable launch vehicle (AC-79) from Launch Complex 36, Pad B, Cape Canaveral Air Station. The launch window opens at 1:50 a.m. and extends to 3:09 a.m. EDT. Once in orbit, GOES-K will become GOES-10, joining GOES-8 and GOES-9 in space KSC-97pc635

With its prelaunch processing completed, the GOES-K advanced weather s...

With its prelaunch processing completed, the GOES-K advanced weather satellite awaits encapsulation in the Atlas 1 payload fairing, seen at left rear. GOES-K was prepared for launch at the Astrotech Space Opera... More

Workers at the Astrotech Space Operations LP facility in Titusville make final checks and adjustments after encapsulating the GOES-K advanced weather satellite in the Atlas 1 payload fairing. GOES-K will be the third spacecraft to be launched in the advanced series of Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES). The GOES satellites are owned and operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); NASA manages the design, development and launch of the spacecraft. GOES-K is targeted for an /1997/63-97.htm">April 24 launch</a> aboard a Lockheed Martin Atlas 1 expendable launch vehicle (AC-79) from Launch Complex 36, Pad B, Cape Canaveral Air Station. The launch window opens at 1:50 a.m. and extends to 3:09 a.m. EDT. Once in orbit, GOES-K will become GOES-10, joining GOES-8 and GOES-9 in space KSC-97pc637

Workers at the Astrotech Space Operations LP facility in Titusville ma...

Workers at the Astrotech Space Operations LP facility in Titusville make final checks and adjustments after encapsulating the GOES-K advanced weather satellite in the Atlas 1 payload fairing. GOES-K will be the... More

The Atlas 1 payload fairing with the encapsulated GOES-K advanced weather satellite awaits transport to the launch pad. GOES-K was prepared for launch at the Astrotech Space Operations LP facility in Titusville. GOES-K will be the third spacecraft to be launched in the advanced series of Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES). The GOES satellites are owned and operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); NASA manages the design, development and launch of the spacecraft. GOES-K is targeted for an /1997/63-97.htm">April 24 launch</a> aboard a Lockheed Martin Atlas 1 expendable launch vehicle (AC-79) from Launch Complex 36, Pad B, Cape Canaveral Air Station. The launch window opens at 1:50 a.m. and extends to 3:09 a.m. EDT. Once in orbit, GOES-K will become GOES-10, joining GOES-8 and GOES-9 in space KSC-97pc638

The Atlas 1 payload fairing with the encapsulated GOES-K advanced weat...

The Atlas 1 payload fairing with the encapsulated GOES-K advanced weather satellite awaits transport to the launch pad. GOES-K was prepared for launch at the Astrotech Space Operations LP facility in Titusville... More

Workers at the Astrotech Space Operations LP facility in Titusville make final checks and adjustments after encapsulating the GOES-K advanced weather satellite in the Atlas 1 payload fairing. GOES-K will be the third spacecraft to be launched in the advanced series of Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES). The GOES satellites are owned and operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); NASA manages the design, development and launch of the spacecraft. GOES-K is targeted for an /1997/63-97.htm">April 24 launch</a> aboard a Lockheed Martin Atlas 1 expendable launch vehicle (AC-79) from Launch Complex 36, Pad B, Cape Canaveral Air Station. The launch window opens at 1:50 a.m. and extends to 3:09 a.m. EDT. Once in orbit, GOES-K will become GOES-10, joining GOES-8 and GOES-9 in space KSC-97pc636

Workers at the Astrotech Space Operations LP facility in Titusville ma...

Workers at the Astrotech Space Operations LP facility in Titusville make final checks and adjustments after encapsulating the GOES-K advanced weather satellite in the Atlas 1 payload fairing. GOES-K will be the... More

The GOES-K advanced weather satellite, already encapsulated in the Atlas 1 payload fairing, is carefully placed on the transporter at Astrotech Space Operations LP facility in Titusville. GOES-K will be the third spacecraft to be launched in the advanced series of Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES). The GOES satellites are owned and operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); NASA manages the design, development and launch of the spacecraft. GOES-K is targeted for an /1997/63-97.htm">April 24 launch</a> aboard a Lockheed Martin Atlas 1 expendable launch vehicle (AC-79) from Launch Complex 36, Pad B, Cape Canaveral Air Station. The launch window opens at 1:50 a.m. and extends to 3:09 a.m. EDT. Once in orbit, GOES-K will become GOES-10, joining GOES-8 and GOES-9 in space KSC-97pc634

The GOES-K advanced weather satellite, already encapsulated in the Atl...

The GOES-K advanced weather satellite, already encapsulated in the Atlas 1 payload fairing, is carefully placed on the transporter at Astrotech Space Operations LP facility in Titusville. GOES-K will be the thi... More

The Atlas 1 payload fairing with the encapsulated GOES-K advanced weather satellite, at top center, is mated to the Lockheed Martin Atlas 1 expendable launch vehicle (AC-79) at Launch Complex 36, Pad B, Cape Canaveral Air Station. GOES-K will be the third spacecraft to be launched in the advanced series of Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES). The GOES satellites are owned and operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); NASA manages the design, development and launch of the spacecraft. GOES-K is targeted for an /1997/63-97.htm">April 24 launch</a> during a launch window which extends from 1:50-3:09 a.m. EDT KSC-97pc651

The Atlas 1 payload fairing with the encapsulated GOES-K advanced weat...

The Atlas 1 payload fairing with the encapsulated GOES-K advanced weather satellite, at top center, is mated to the Lockheed Martin Atlas 1 expendable launch vehicle (AC-79) at Launch Complex 36, Pad B, Cape Ca... More

Workers prepare for the mating of the Atlas 1 payload fairing containing the GOES-K advanced weather satellite with the Lockheed Martin Atlas 1 expendable launch vehicle (AC-79) at Launch Complex 36, Pad B, Cape Canaveral Air Station. GOES-K will be the third spacecraft to be launched in the advanced series of Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES). The GOES satellites are owned and operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); NASA manages the design, development and launch of the spacecraft. GOES-K is targeted for an /1997/63-97.htm">April 24 launch</a> during a launch window which extends from 1:50-3:09 a.m. EDT KSC-97pc649

Workers prepare for the mating of the Atlas 1 payload fairing containi...

Workers prepare for the mating of the Atlas 1 payload fairing containing the GOES-K advanced weather satellite with the Lockheed Martin Atlas 1 expendable launch vehicle (AC-79) at Launch Complex 36, Pad B, Cap... More

The Atlas 1 payload fairing with the encapsulated GOES-K advanced weather satellite is being lifted into position for mating to the Lockheed Martin Atlas 1 expendable launch vehicle (AC-79) at Launch Complex 36, Pad B, Cape Canaveral Air Station. GOES-K will be the third spacecraft to be launched in the advanced series of Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES). The GOES satellites are owned and operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); NASA manages the design, development and launch of the spacecraft. GOES-K is targeted for an /1997/63-97.htm">April 24 launch</a> during a launch window which extends from 1:50-3:09 a.m. EDT. Once in orbit, GOES-K will become GOES-10, joining GOES-8 and GOES-9 in space KSC-97pc650

The Atlas 1 payload fairing with the encapsulated GOES-K advanced weat...

The Atlas 1 payload fairing with the encapsulated GOES-K advanced weather satellite is being lifted into position for mating to the Lockheed Martin Atlas 1 expendable launch vehicle (AC-79) at Launch Complex 36... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The Space Shuttle Columbia soars from Launch Pad 39A at 2:02 p.m. EDT July 1 to begin the 16-day STS-94 Microgravity Science Laboratory-1 (MSL-1) mission. The launch window was opened 47 minutes earlier than the originally scheduled time of 2:37 p.m. to improve the opportunity to lift off before Florida summer rain showers reached the space center. The crew members are Mission Commander James D. Halsell Jr.; Pilot Susan L. Still; Payload Commander Janice Voss; Mission Specialists Michael L.Gernhardt and Donald A. Thomas; and Payload Specialists Roger K. Crouch and Gregory T. Linteris. During the space flight, the MSL-1 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. Also onboard is the Hitchhiker Cryogenic Flexible Diode (CRYOFD) experiment payload, which is attached to the right side of Columbia’s payload bay. These payloads had previously flown on the STS-83 mission in April, which was cut short after nearly four days because of indications of a faulty fuel cell. STS-94 is a reflight of that mission KSC-97PC960

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The Space Shuttle Columbia soars from La...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The Space Shuttle Columbia soars from Launch Pad 39A at 2:02 p.m. EDT July 1 to begin the 16-day STS-94 Microgravity Science Laboratory-1 (MSL-1) mission. The launch window was o... More

STS-94 Pilot Susan L. Still waves as she is assisted into her launch/entry suit in the Operations and Checkout (O&C) Building. She is the second woman to fly in this capacity on a Space Shuttle. Still is a lieutenant colonel in the Navy and has more than 2,000 flight hours in 30 different types of aircraft. She also holds a master’s degree in aerospace engineering. Still will assist Halsell with all phases of the space flight and will have primary responsibility to take action in the event of an emergency. After Columbia reaches orbit, Still will be busy with the many and varied tasks associated with monitoring and maintaining the orbiter. She and six fellow crew members will shortly depart the O&C and head for Launch Pad 39A, where the Space Shuttle Columbia will lift off during a launch window that opens at 1:50 p.m. EDT, July 1. The launch window was opened 47 minutes early to improve the opportunity to lift off before Florida summer rain showers reached the space center KSC-97PC953

STS-94 Pilot Susan L. Still waves as she is assisted into her launch...

STS-94 Pilot Susan L. Still waves as she is assisted into her launch/entry suit in the Operations and Checkout (O&C) Building. She is the second woman to fly in this capacity on a Space Shuttle. Still is a l... More

STS-94 Payload Specialist Roger K. Crouch prepares to enter the Space Shuttle Columbia at Launch Pad 39A in preparation for launch. He is the Chief Scientist of the NASA Microgravity Space and Applications Division. He also has served as a Program Scientist for previous Spacelab microgravity missions and is an expert in semiconductor crystal growth. Since Crouch has more than 25 years of experience as a materials scientist, he will be concentrating on the five physics of materials processing experiments in the Middeck Glovebox Facility on the Blue shift. He will also share the workload with Thomas by monitoring the materials furnace experiments during this time. Crouch and six fellow crew members will lift off during a launch window that opens at 1:50 p.m. EDT, July 1. The launch window will open 47 minutes early to improve the opportunity to lift off before Florida summer rain showers reach the space center KSC-97PC972

STS-94 Payload Specialist Roger K. Crouch prepares to enter the Space ...

STS-94 Payload Specialist Roger K. Crouch prepares to enter the Space Shuttle Columbia at Launch Pad 39A in preparation for launch. He is the Chief Scientist of the NASA Microgravity Space and Applications Di... More

STS-94 Pilot Susan L. Still prepares to enter the Space Shuttle Columbia at Launch Pad 39A in preparation for launch. She is the second woman to fly in this capacity on a Space Shuttle. Still is a lieutenant colonel in the Navy and has more than 2,000 flight hours in 30 different types of aircraft. She also holds a master’s degree in aerospace engineering. Still will assist Halsell with all phases of the space flight and will have primary responsibility to take action in the event of an emergency. After Columbia reaches orbit, Still will be busy with the many and varied tasks associated with monitoring and maintaining the orbiter. She and six fellow crew members will lift off during a launch window that opens at 1:50 p.m. EDT, July 1. The launch window will open 47 minutes early to improve the opportunity to lift off before Florida summer rain showers reach the space center KSC-97PC969

STS-94 Pilot Susan L. Still prepares to enter the Space Shuttle Columb...

STS-94 Pilot Susan L. Still prepares to enter the Space Shuttle Columbia at Launch Pad 39A in preparation for launch. She is the second woman to fly in this capacity on a Space Shuttle. Still is a lieutenant ... More

Space Shuttle Columbia, Space Shuttle Project

Space Shuttle Columbia, Space Shuttle Project

The Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-94) soared from Launch Pad 39A begirning its 16-day Microgravity Science Laboratory -1 (MSL-1) mission. The launch window was opened 47 minutes earlier than the originally schedu... More

STS-94 Payload Commander Janice Voss prepares to enter the Space Shuttle Columbia at Launch Pad 39A in preparation for launch. She has flown on STS-83, STS-63 and STS-57. Voss holds a doctorate degree in aeronautics/astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and has earned two NASA Space Flight Medals. As Payload Commander and a member of the Blue team, Voss will have overall responsibility for the operation of all of the MSL-1 experiments. During the experimentation phase of the mission, she be working primarily with three combustion experiments. She and six fellow crew members will lift off during a launch window that opens at 1:50 p.m. EDT, July 1. The launch window will open 47 minutes early to improve the opportunity to lift off before Florida summer rain showers reach the space center KSC-97PC970

STS-94 Payload Commander Janice Voss prepares to enter the Space Shutt...

STS-94 Payload Commander Janice Voss prepares to enter the Space Shuttle Columbia at Launch Pad 39A in preparation for launch. She has flown on STS-83, STS-63 and STS-57. Voss holds a doctorate degree in aero... More

Space Shuttle Columbia, Space Shuttle Project

Space Shuttle Columbia, Space Shuttle Project

The Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-94) soared from Launch Pad 39A begirning its 16-day Microgravity Science Laboratory -1 (MSL-1) mission. The launch window was opened 47 minutes earlier than the originally schedu... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The Space Shuttle Columbia soars from Launch Pad 39A at 2:02 p.m. EDT July 1 to begin the 16-day STS-94 Microgravity Science Laboratory-1 (MSL-1) mission. The launch window was opened 47 minutes earlier than the originally scheduled time of 2:37 p.m. to improve the opportunity to lift off before Florida summer rain showers reached the space center. The crew members are Mission Commander James D. Halsell Jr.; Pilot Susan L. Still; Payload Commander Janice Voss; Mission Specialists Michael L.Gernhardt and Donald A. Thomas; and Payload Specialists Roger K. Crouch and Gregory T. Linteris. During the space flight, the MSL-1 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. Also onboard is the Hitchhiker Cryogenic Flexible Diode (CRYOFD) experiment payload, which is attached to the right side of Columbia’s payload bay. These payloads had previously flown on the STS-83 mission in April, which was cut short after nearly four days because of indications of a faulty fuel cell. STS-94 is a reflight of that mission KSC-97PC959

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The Space Shuttle Columbia soars from La...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The Space Shuttle Columbia soars from Launch Pad 39A at 2:02 p.m. EDT July 1 to begin the 16-day STS-94 Microgravity Science Laboratory-1 (MSL-1) mission. The launch window was o... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The Space Shuttle Columbia soars from Launch Pad 39A at 2:02 p.m. EDT July 1 to begin the 16-day STS-94 Microgravity Science Laboratory-1 (MSL-1) mission. The launch window was opened 47 minutes earlier than the originally scheduled time of 2:37 p.m. to improve the opportunity to lift off before Florida summer rain showers reached the space center. The crew members are Mission Commander James D. Halsell Jr.; Pilot Susan L. Still; Payload Commander Janice Voss; Mission Specialists Michael L.Gernhardt and Donald A. Thomas; and Payload Specialists Roger K. Crouch and Gregory T. Linteris. During the space flight, the MSL-1 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. Also onboard is the Hitchhiker Cryogenic Flexible Diode (CRYOFD) experiment payload, which is attached to the right side of Columbia’s payload bay. These payloads had previously flown on the STS-83 mission in April, which was cut short after nearly four days because of indications of a faulty fuel cell. STS-94 is a reflight of that mission KSC-97PC964

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The Space Shuttle Columbia soars from La...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The Space Shuttle Columbia soars from Launch Pad 39A at 2:02 p.m. EDT July 1 to begin the 16-day STS-94 Microgravity Science Laboratory-1 (MSL-1) mission. The launch window was o... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The Space Shuttle Columbia soars from Launch Pad 39A at 2:02 p.m. EDT July 1 to begin the 16-day STS-94 Microgravity Science Laboratory-1 (MSL-1) mission. The launch window was opened 47 minutes earlier than the originally scheduled time of 2:37 p.m. to improve the opportunity to lift off before Florida summer rain showers reached the space center. The crew members are Mission Commander James D. Halsell Jr.; Pilot Susan L. Still; Payload Commander Janice Voss; Mission Specialists Michael L.Gernhardt and Donald A. Thomas; and Payload Specialists Roger K. Crouch and Gregory T. Linteris. During the space flight, the MSL-1 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. Also onboard is the Hitchhiker Cryogenic Flexible Diode (CRYOFD) experiment payload, which is attached to the right side of Columbia’s payload bay. These payloads had previously flown on the STS-83 mission in April, which was cut short after nearly four days because of indications of a faulty fuel cell. STS-94 is a reflight of that mission KSC-97PC961

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The Space Shuttle Columbia soars from La...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The Space Shuttle Columbia soars from Launch Pad 39A at 2:02 p.m. EDT July 1 to begin the 16-day STS-94 Microgravity Science Laboratory-1 (MSL-1) mission. The launch window was o... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The Space Shuttle Columbia soars from Launch Pad 39A at 2:02 p.m. EDT July 1 to begin the 16-day STS-94 Microgravity Science Laboratory-1 (MSL-1) mission. The launch window was opened 47 minutes earlier than the originally scheduled time of 2:37 p.m. to improve the opportunity to lift off before Florida summer rain showers reached the space center. The crew members are Mission Commander James D. Halsell Jr.; Pilot Susan L. Still; Payload Commander Janice Voss; Mission Specialists Michael L.Gernhardt and Donald A. Thomas; and Payload Specialists Roger K. Crouch and Gregory T. Linteris. During the space flight, the MSL-1 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. Also onboard is the Hitchhiker Cryogenic Flexible Diode (CRYOFD) experiment payload, which is attached to the right side of Columbia’s payload bay. These payloads had previously flown on the STS-83 mission in April, which was cut short after nearly four days because of indications of a faulty fuel cell. STS-94 is a reflight of that mission KSC-97PC963

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The Space Shuttle Columbia soars from La...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The Space Shuttle Columbia soars from Launch Pad 39A at 2:02 p.m. EDT July 1 to begin the 16-day STS-94 Microgravity Science Laboratory-1 (MSL-1) mission. The launch window was o... More

The STS-94 crew walks out of the Operations and Checkout Building and heads for the Astrovan that will transport them to Launch Pad 39A as KSC employees show their support. Waving to the crowd and leading the way are Mission Commander James D. Halsell, Jr. and Pilot Susan L. Still. Behind Still is Mission Specialist Donald A.Thomas, followed by Mission Specialist Michael L. Gernhardt , Payload Commander Janice Voss, and Payload Specialists Roger K.Crouch and Gregory T. Linteris. During the scheduled 16-day Microgravity Science Laboratory-1 (MSL-1) mission, the Spacelab module 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. Also onboard is the Hitchhiker Cryogenic Flexible Diode (CRYOFD) experiment payload, which is attached to the right side of Columbia’s payload bay.The Space Shuttle Columbia is scheduled to lift off when the launch window opens at 1:50 p.m. EDT, July 1. The launch window was opened 47 minutes early to improve the opportunity to lift off before Florida summer rain showers reached the space center KSC-97PC958

The STS-94 crew walks out of the Operations and Checkout Building and...

The STS-94 crew walks out of the Operations and Checkout Building and heads for the Astrovan that will transport them to Launch Pad 39A as KSC employees show their support. Waving to the crowd and leading the... More

STS-94 Payload Specialist Gregory T. Linteris prepares to enter the Space Shuttle Columbia at Launch Pad 39A in preparation for launch. He holds a doctorate in mechanical and aerospace engineering. Linteris has worked at the National Institute of Standards and Technology and is the Principal Investigator on a NASA microgravity combustion experiment. As a member of the Red team, Linteris will concentrate on three combustion experiments. Two of these experiments are housed in the Combustion Module. He will also be backing up crew members on the other Microgravity Science Laboratory-1 (MSL-1) investigations. He and six fellow crew members will lift off during a launch window that opens at 1:50 p.m. EDT, July 1. The launch window will open 47 minutes early to improve the opportunity to lift off before Florida summer rain showers reach the space center KSC-97PC967

STS-94 Payload Specialist Gregory T. Linteris prepares to enter the Sp...

STS-94 Payload Specialist Gregory T. Linteris prepares to enter the Space Shuttle Columbia at Launch Pad 39A in preparation for launch. He holds a doctorate in mechanical and aerospace engineering. Linteris ha... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The Space Shuttle Columbia soars from Launch Pad 39A at 2:02 p.m. EDT July 1 to begin the 16-day STS-94 Microgravity Science Laboratory-1 (MSL-1) mission. The launch window was opened 47 minutes earlier than the originally scheduled time of 2:37 p.m. to improve the opportunity to lift off before Florida summer rain showers reached the space center. The crew members are Mission Commander James D. Halsell Jr.; Pilot Susan L. Still; Payload Commander Janice Voss; Mission Specialists Michael L.Gernhardt and Donald A. Thomas; and Payload Specialists Roger K. Crouch and Gregory T. Linteris. During the space flight, the MSL-1 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. Also onboard is the Hitchhiker Cryogenic Flexible Diode (CRYOFD) experiment payload, which is attached to the right side of Columbia’s payload bay. These payloads had previously flown on the STS-83 mission in April, which was cut short after nearly four days because of indications of a faulty fuel cell. STS-94 is a reflight of that mission KSC-97PC966

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The Space Shuttle Columbia soars from La...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The Space Shuttle Columbia soars from Launch Pad 39A at 2:02 p.m. EDT July 1 to begin the 16-day STS-94 Microgravity Science Laboratory-1 (MSL-1) mission. The launch window was o... More

STS-94 Mission Specialist Michael L. Gernhardt prepares to enter the Space Shuttle Columbia at Launch Pad 39A in preparation for launch. He first flew in this capacity on STS-69. He has been a professional deep sea diver and engineer and holds a doctorate in bioengineering. Gernhardt will be in charge of the Blue shift and as flight engineer will operate and maintain the orbiter while Halsell and Still are asleep as members of the Red shift. He will also back them up on the flight deck during the ascent and re-entry phases of the mission. Gernhardt and six fellow crew members will lift off during a launch window that opens at 1:50 p.m. EDT, July 1. The launch window will open 47 minutes early to improve the opportunity to lift off before Florida summer rain showers reach the space center KSC-97PC971

STS-94 Mission Specialist Michael L. Gernhardt prepares to enter the S...

STS-94 Mission Specialist Michael L. Gernhardt prepares to enter the Space Shuttle Columbia at Launch Pad 39A in preparation for launch. He first flew in this capacity on STS-69. He has been a professional de... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The Space Shuttle Columbia soars from Launch Pad 39A at 2:02 p.m. EDT July 1 to begin the 16-day STS-94 Microgravity Science Laboratory-1 (MSL-1) mission. The launch window was opened 47 minutes earlier than the originally scheduled time of 2:37 p.m. to improve the opportunity to lift off before Florida summer rain showers reached the space center. The crew members are Mission Commander James D. Halsell Jr.; Pilot Susan L. Still; Payload Commander Janice Voss; Mission Specialists Michael L.Gernhardt and Donald A. Thomas; and Payload Specialists Roger K. Crouch and Gregory T. Linteris. During the space flight, the MSL-1 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. Also onboard is the Hitchhiker Cryogenic Flexible Diode (CRYOFD) experiment payload, which is attached to the right side of Columbia’s payload bay. These payloads had previously flown on the STS-83 mission in April, which was cut short after nearly four days because of indications of a faulty fuel cell. STS-94 is a reflight of that mission KSC-97PC962

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The Space Shuttle Columbia soars from La...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The Space Shuttle Columbia soars from Launch Pad 39A at 2:02 p.m. EDT July 1 to begin the 16-day STS-94 Microgravity Science Laboratory-1 (MSL-1) mission. The launch window was o... More

STS-94 Mission Commander James D. Halsell, Jr., prepares to enter the Space Shuttle Columbia at Launch Pad 39A in preparation for launch. Halsell is on his fourth space flight, having served as commander of STS-83 and pilot of both STS-74 and STS-65. He is a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force and a former SR-71 Blackbird test pilot and holds master’s degrees in management and space operations. Halsell will have responsibility for the success of the mission and will operate and maintain Columbia during the Red, or second shift. He will also assist with a materials science experiment and a protein crystal growth payload during the 16-day mission. Halsell and six fellow crew members will lift off during a launch window that opens at 1:50 p.m. EDT, July 1. The launch window will open 47 minutes early to improve the opportunity to lift off before Florida summer rain showers reach the space center KSC-97PC973

STS-94 Mission Commander James D. Halsell, Jr., prepares to enter the...

STS-94 Mission Commander James D. Halsell, Jr., prepares to enter the Space Shuttle Columbia at Launch Pad 39A in preparation for launch. Halsell is on his fourth space flight, having served as commander of ... More

The STS-94 flight crew enjoys the traditional preliftoff breakfast in the crew quarters of the Operations and Checkout Building. They are (from left): Payload Specialist Gregory T. Linteris; Mission Specialist Donald A. Thomas; Mission Specialist Michael L. Gernhardt; Mission Commander James D. Halsell, Jr.; Pilot Susan L. Still; Payload Commander Janice Voss; and Payload Specialist Roger K. Crouch. After a weather briefing, the flight crew will be fitted with their launch/entry suits and depart for Launch Pad 39A. Once there, they will take their positions in the crew cabin of the Space Shuttle Columbia to await a liftoff during a window that will open at 1:50 p.m. EDT, July 1. The launch window was opened 47 minutes early to improve the opportunity to lift off before Florida summer rain showers reached the space center KSC-97PC950

The STS-94 flight crew enjoys the traditional preliftoff breakfast in...

The STS-94 flight crew enjoys the traditional preliftoff breakfast in the crew quarters of the Operations and Checkout Building. They are (from left): Payload Specialist Gregory T. Linteris; Mission Speciali... More

STS-94 Mission Commander James D. Halsell, Jr., puts his left glove on while he is assisted into his launch/entry suit in the Operations and Checkout (O&C) Building. Halsell is on his fourth space flight, having served as commander of STS-83 and pilot of both STS-74 and STS-65. He is a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force and a former SR-71 Blackbird test pilot and holds master’s degrees in management and space operations. Halsell will have responsibility for the success of the mission and will operate and maintain Columbia during the Red, or second shift. He will also assist with a materials science experiment and a protein crystal growth payload during the 16-day mission. Halsell and six fellow crew members will shortly depart the O&C and head for Launch Pad 39A, where the Space Shuttle Columbia will lift off during a launch window that opens at 1:50 p.m. EDT, July 1. The launch window was opened 47 minutes early to improve the opportunity to lift off before Florida summer rain showers reached the space center KSC-97PC956

STS-94 Mission Commander James D. Halsell, Jr., puts his left glove ...

STS-94 Mission Commander James D. Halsell, Jr., puts his left glove on while he is assisted into his launch/entry suit in the Operations and Checkout (O&C) Building. Halsell is on his fourth space flight, ha... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The Space Shuttle Columbia soars from Launch Pad 39A at 2:02 p.m. EDT July 1 to begin the 16-day STS-94 Microgravity Science Laboratory-1 (MSL-1) mission. The launch window was opened 47 minutes earlier than the originally scheduled time of 2:37 p.m. to improve the opportunity to lift off before Florida summer rain showers reached the space center. The crew members are Mission Commander James D. Halsell Jr.; Pilot Susan L. Still; Payload Commander Janice Voss; Mission Specialists Michael L.Gernhardt and Donald A. Thomas; and Payload Specialists Roger K. Crouch and Gregory T. Linteris. During the space flight, the MSL-1 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. Also onboard is the Hitchhiker Cryogenic Flexible Diode (CRYOFD) experiment payload, which is attached to the right side of Columbia’s payload bay. These payloads had previously flown on the STS-83 mission in April, which was cut short after nearly four days because of indications of a faulty fuel cell. STS-94 is a reflight of that mission KSC-97PC965

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The Space Shuttle Columbia soars from La...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The Space Shuttle Columbia soars from Launch Pad 39A at 2:02 p.m. EDT July 1 to begin the 16-day STS-94 Microgravity Science Laboratory-1 (MSL-1) mission. The launch window was o... More

STS-94 Payload Commander Janice Voss smiles and gives a thumbs-up as she is assisted into her launch/entry suit in the Operations and Checkout (O&C) Building. She has flown on STS-83, STS-63 and STS-57. Voss holds a doctorate degree in aeronautics/astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and has earned two NASA Space Flight Medals. As Payload Commander and a member of the Blue team, Voss will have overall responsibility for the operation of all of the MSL-1 experiments. During the experimentation phase of the mission, she be working primarily with three combustion experiments. She and six fellow crew members will shortly depart the O&C and head for Launch Pad 39A, where the Space Shuttle Columbia will lift off during a launch window that opens at 1:50 p.m. EDT, July 1. The launch window was opened 47 minutes early to improve the opportunity to lift off before Florida summer rain showers reached the space center KSC-97PC955

STS-94 Payload Commander Janice Voss smiles and gives a thumbs-up as ...

STS-94 Payload Commander Janice Voss smiles and gives a thumbs-up as she is assisted into her launch/entry suit in the Operations and Checkout (O&C) Building. She has flown on STS-83, STS-63 and STS-57. Voss ... More

STS-94 Payload Specialist Gregory T. Linteris waves as he completes the donning of his launch/entry suit in the Operations and Checkout (O&C) Building. He holds a doctorate in mechanical and aerospace engineering. Linteris has worked at the National Institute of Standards and Technology and is the Principal Investigator on a NASA microgravity combustion experiment. As a member of the Red team, Linteris will concentrate on three combustion experiments. Two of these experiments are housed in the Combustion Module. He will also be backing up crew members on the other Microgravity Science Laboratory-1 (MSL-1) investigations. He and six fellow crew members will shortly depart the O&C and head for Launch Pad 39A, where the Space Shuttle Columbia will lift off during a launch window that opens at 1:50 p.m. EDT, July 1. The launch window was opened 47 minutes early to improve the opportunity to lift off before Florida summer rain showers reached the space center KSC-97PC951

STS-94 Payload Specialist Gregory T. Linteris waves as he completes t...

STS-94 Payload Specialist Gregory T. Linteris waves as he completes the donning of his launch/entry suit in the Operations and Checkout (O&C) Building. He holds a doctorate in mechanical and aerospace engine... More

STS-94 Mission Specialist Donald A. Thomas smiles as a suit technician helps him into his launch/entry suit in the Operations and Checkout (O&C) Building. He has flown on STS-83, STS-70 and STS-65. He holds a doctorate in materials science and has been the Principal Investigator for a Space Shuttle crystal growth experiment. Because of his background in materials science, Thomas will be concentrating his efforts during the Red shift on the five experiments in this discipline in the Large Isothermal Furnace. He also will work on the ten materials science investigations in the Electromagnetic Containerless Processing Facility and four that will be measuring the effects of microgravity and motion in the orbiter on the experiments. Thomas and six fellow crew members will shortly depart the O&C and head for Launch Pad 39A, where the Space Shuttle Columbia will lift off during a launch window that opens at 1:50 p.m. EDT, July 1. The launch window was opened 47 minutes early to improve the opportunity to lift off before Florida summer rain showers reached the space center KSC-97PC952

STS-94 Mission Specialist Donald A. Thomas smiles as a suit technicia...

STS-94 Mission Specialist Donald A. Thomas smiles as a suit technician helps him into his launch/entry suit in the Operations and Checkout (O&C) Building. He has flown on STS-83, STS-70 and STS-65. He holds a... More

STS-94 Payload Specialist Roger K. Crouch is helped into his launch/entry suit by a suit technician in the Operations and Checkout (O&C) Building after the suit has been given a pressure test. He is the Chief Scientist of the NASA Microgravity Space and Applications Division. He also has served as a Program Scientist for previous Spacelab microgravity missions and is an expert in semiconductor crystal growth. Since Crouch has more than 25 years of experience as a materials scientist, he will be concentrating on the five physics of materials processing experiments in the Middeck Glovebox Facility on the Blue shift. He will also share the workload with Thomas by monitoring the materials furnace experiments during this time. Crouch and six fellow crew members will shortly depart the O&C and head for Launch Pad 39A, where the Space Shuttle Columbia will lift off during a launch window that opens at 1:50 p.m. EDT, July 1. The launch window was opened 47 minutes early to improve the opportunity to lift off before Florida summer rain showers reached the space center KSC-97PC957

STS-94 Payload Specialist Roger K. Crouch is helped into his launch/e...

STS-94 Payload Specialist Roger K. Crouch is helped into his launch/entry suit by a suit technician in the Operations and Checkout (O&C) Building after the suit has been given a pressure test. He is the Chief... More

STS-94 Mission Specialist Michael L. Gernhardt is assisted into his launch/entry suit by a suit technician in the Operations and Checkout (O&C) Building. He first flew in this capacity on STS-69. He has been a professional deep sea diver and engineer and holds a doctorate in bioengineering. Gernhardt will be in charge of the Blue shift and as flight engineer will operate and maintain the orbiter while Halsell and Still are asleep as members of the Red shift. He will also back them up on the flight deck during the ascent and re-entry phases of the mission. Gernhardt and six fellow crew members will shortly depart the O&C and head for Launch Pad 39A, where the Space Shuttle Columbia will lift off during a launch window that opens at 1:50 p.m. EDT, July 1. The launch window was opened 47 minutes early to improve the opportunity to lift off before Florida summer rain showers reached the space center KSC-97PC954

STS-94 Mission Specialist Michael L. Gernhardt is assisted into his l...

STS-94 Mission Specialist Michael L. Gernhardt is assisted into his launch/entry suit by a suit technician in the Operations and Checkout (O&C) Building. He first flew in this capacity on STS-69. He has been ... More

At Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Station, workers are installing three Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) on the Cassini spacecraft. RTGs are lightweight, compact spacecraft electrical power systems that have flown successfully on 23 previous U.S. missions over the past 37 years. These generators produce power by converting heat into electrical energy; the heat is provided by the natural radioactive decay of plutonium-238 dioxide, a non-weapons-grade material. RTGs enable spacecraft to operate at significant distances from the Sun where solar power systems would not be feasible. Cassini will travel two billion miles to reach Saturn and another 1.1 billion miles while in orbit around Saturn. Cassini is undergoing final preparations for liftoff on a Titan IVB/Centaur launch vehicle, with the launch window opening at 4:55 a.m. EDT, Oct. 13 KSC-97PC1535

At Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Station, workers are instal...

At Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Station, workers are installing three Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) on the Cassini spacecraft. RTGs are lightweight, compact spacecraft electrical powe... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Station, workers are installing three Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) on the Cassini spacecraft. RTGs are lightweight, compact spacecraft electrical power systems that have flown successfully on 23 previous U.S. missions over the past 37 years. These generators produce power by converting heat into electrical energy; the heat is provided by the natural radioactive decay of plutonium-238 dioxide, a non-weapons-grade material. RTGs enable spacecraft to operate at significant distances from the Sun where solar power systems would not be feasible. Cassini will travel two billion miles to reach Saturn and another 1.1 billion miles while in orbit around Saturn. Cassini is undergoing final preparations for liftoff on a Titan IVB/Centaur launch vehicle, with the launch window opening at 4:55 a.m. EDT, Oct. 13 KSC-97PC1536

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral A...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Station, workers are installing three Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) on the Cassini spacecraft. RTGs are lightweight, comp... More

At Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Station, one of three Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) is being installed on the Cassini spacecraft. RTGs are lightweight, compact spacecraft electrical power systems that have flown successfully on 23 previous U.S. missions over the past 37 years. These generators produce power by converting heat into electrical energy; the heat is provided by the natural radioactive decay of plutonium-238 dioxide, a non-weapons-grade material. RTGs enable spacecraft to operate at significant distances from the Sun where solar power systems would not be feasible. Cassini will travel two billion miles to reach Saturn and another 1.1 billion miles while in orbit around Saturn. Cassini is undergoing final preparations for liftoff on a Titan IVB/Centaur launch vehicle, with the launch window opening at 4:55 a.m. EDT, Oct. 13 KSC-97PC1534

At Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Station, one of three Radio...

At Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Station, one of three Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) is being installed on the Cassini spacecraft. RTGs are lightweight, compact spacecraft electrical p... More

At Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Station, workers are installing three Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) on the Cassini spacecraft. RTGs are lightweight, compact spacecraft electrical power systems that have flown successfully on 23 previous U.S. missions over the past 37 years. These generators produce power by converting heat into electrical energy; the heat is provided by the natural radioactive decay of plutonium-238 dioxide, a non-weapons-grade material. RTGs enable spacecraft to operate at significant distances from the Sun where solar power systems would not be feasible. Cassini will travel two billion miles to reach Saturn and another 1.1 billion miles while in orbit around Saturn. Cassini is undergoing final preparations for liftoff on a Titan IVB/Centaur launch vehicle, with the launch window opening at 4:55 a.m. EDT, Oct. 13 KSC-97PC1538

At Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Station, workers are instal...

At Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Station, workers are installing three Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) on the Cassini spacecraft. RTGs are lightweight, compact spacecraft electrical powe... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Station, workers are installing three Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) on the Cassini spacecraft. RTGs are lightweight, compact spacecraft electrical power systems that have flown successfully on 23 previous U.S. missions over the past 37 years. These generators produce power by converting heat into electrical energy; the heat is provided by the natural radioactive decay of plutonium-238 dioxide, a non-weapons-grade material. RTGs enable spacecraft to operate at significant distances from the Sun where solar power systems would not be feasible. Cassini will travel two billion miles to reach Saturn and another 1.1 billion miles while in orbit around Saturn. Cassini is undergoing final preparations for liftoff on a Titan IVB/Centaur launch vehicle, with the launch window opening at 4:55 a.m. EDT, Oct. 13 KSC-97PC1532

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral A...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Station, workers are installing three Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) on the Cassini spacecraft. RTGs are lightweight, comp... More

At Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Station, workers are installing three Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) on the Cassini spacecraft. RTGs are lightweight, compact spacecraft electrical power systems that have flown successfully on 23 previous U.S. missions over the past 37 years. These generators produce power by converting heat into electrical energy; the heat is provided by the natural radioactive decay of plutonium-238 dioxide, a non-weapons-grade material. RTGs enable spacecraft to operate at significant distances from the Sun where solar power systems would not be feasible. Cassini will travel two billion miles to reach Saturn and another 1.1 billion miles while in orbit around Saturn. Cassini is undergoing final preparations for liftoff on a Titan IVB/Centaur launch vehicle, with the launch window opening at 4:55 a.m. EDT, Oct. 13 KSC-97PC1533

At Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Station, workers are instal...

At Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Station, workers are installing three Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) on the Cassini spacecraft. RTGs are lightweight, compact spacecraft electrical powe... More

At Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Station, workers are installing three Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) on the Cassini spacecraft. RTGs are lightweight, compact spacecraft electrical power systems that have flown successfully on 23 previous U.S. missions over the past 37 years. These generators produce power by converting heat into electrical energy; the heat is provided by the natural radioactive decay of plutonium-238 dioxide, a non-weapons-grade material. RTGs enable spacecraft to operate at significant distances from the Sun where solar power systems would not be feasible. Cassini will travel two billion miles to reach Saturn and another 1.1 billion miles while in orbit around Saturn. Cassini is undergoing final preparations for liftoff on a Titan IVB/Centaur launch vehicle, with the launch window opening at 4:55 a.m. EDT, Oct. 13 KSC-97PC1537

At Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Station, workers are instal...

At Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Station, workers are installing three Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) on the Cassini spacecraft. RTGs are lightweight, compact spacecraft electrical powe... More

At Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Station, the Mobile Service Tower has been retracted away from the Titan IVB/Centaur carrying the Cassini spacecraft and its attached Huygens probe. This is the second launch attempt for the Saturn-bound mission; a first try Oct. 13 was scrubbed primarily due to concerns about upper level wind conditions. Liftoff Oct. 15 is set to occur during a launch window opening at 4:43 a.m. EDT and extending until 7:03 a.m. Clearly visible in this view are the 66-foot-tall, 17-foot-wide payload fairing atop the vehicle, in which Cassini and the attached Centaur stage are encased, the two-stage liquid propellant core vehicle, and the twin 112-foot long solid rocket motor upgrades (SRMUs) straddling the core vehicle. It is the SRMUs which ignite first to begin the launch sequence KSC-97PC1542

At Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Station, the Mobile Service...

At Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Station, the Mobile Service Tower has been retracted away from the Titan IVB/Centaur carrying the Cassini spacecraft and its attached Huygens probe. This is the second... More

At Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Station, the Mobile Service Tower is being rolled away from the Titan IVB/Centaur launch vehicle carrying the Cassini spacecraft, completing a major countdown milestone. This is the second launch attempt for the Saturn-bound mission; a first try Oct. 13 was scrubbed primarily due to concerns about upper level wind conditions. Liftoff Oct. 15 is set to occur during a launch window opening at 4:43 a.m. EDT and extending until 7:03 a.m KSC-97PC1541

At Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Station, the Mobile Service...

At Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Station, the Mobile Service Tower is being rolled away from the Titan IVB/Centaur launch vehicle carrying the Cassini spacecraft, completing a major countdown mileston... More

STS-89 Mission Specialist James Reilly, Ph.D., smiles as he completes the donning of his launch/entry suit in the Operations and Checkout (O&C) Building. He holds a doctorate in geosciences. He and six fellow crew members will shortly depart the O&C and head for Launch Pad 39A, where the Space Shuttle Endeavour will lift off during a launch window that opens at 9:43 p.m. EST, Jan. 22. STS-89 is the eighth of nine planned missions to dock the Space Shuttle with Russia's Mir space station KSC-98pc206

STS-89 Mission Specialist James Reilly, Ph.D., smiles as he completes ...

STS-89 Mission Specialist James Reilly, Ph.D., smiles as he completes the donning of his launch/entry suit in the Operations and Checkout (O&C) Building. He holds a doctorate in geosciences. He and six fellow c... More

STS-89 Commander Terrence Wilcutt smiles as he completes the donning of his launch/entry suit in the Operations and Checkout (O&C) Building. A veteran of two space flights, he has logged more than 512 hours in space. He served as pilot on STS-68 and STS-79. He and six fellow crew members will soon depart the O&C and head for Launch Pad 39A, where the Space Shuttle Endeavour will lift off during a launch window that opens at 9:43 p.m. EST, Jan. 22. STS-89 is the eighth of nine planned missions to dock the Space Shuttle with Russia's Mir space station KSC-98pc211

STS-89 Commander Terrence Wilcutt smiles as he completes the donning o...

STS-89 Commander Terrence Wilcutt smiles as he completes the donning of his launch/entry suit in the Operations and Checkout (O&C) Building. A veteran of two space flights, he has logged more than 512 hours in ... More

STS-89 Mission Specialist Andrew Thomas, Ph.D., gives a ‘thumbs up’ as he completes the donning of his launch/entry suit in the Operations and Checkout (O&C) Building. In June 1995, he was named as payload commander for STS-77 and flew his first flight in space on Endeavour in May 1996. He and six fellow crew members will soon depart the O&C and head for Launch Pad 39A, where the Space Shuttle Endeavour will lift off during a launch window that opens at 9:43 p.m. EST, Jan. 22. STS-89 is the eighth of nine planned missions to dock the Space Shuttle with Russia's Mir space station, where Dr. Thomas will succeed David Wolf, M.D KSC-98pc210

STS-89 Mission Specialist Andrew Thomas, Ph.D., gives a ‘thumbs up’ as...

STS-89 Mission Specialist Andrew Thomas, Ph.D., gives a ‘thumbs up’ as he completes the donning of his launch/entry suit in the Operations and Checkout (O&C) Building. In June 1995, he was named as payload comm... More

STS-89 Mission Specialist Salizhan Sharipov of the Russian Space Agency, at left, waves as he and his flight surgeon, Alexander Kulev, complete the donning of Sharipov’s launch/entry suit in the Operations and Checkout (O&C) Building. In 1994, Sharipov graduated from Moscow State University with a degree in cartography. He and six fellow crew members will soon depart the O&C and head for Launch Pad 39A, where the Space Shuttle Endeavour will lift off during a launch window that opens at 9:43 p.m. EST, Jan. 22. STS-89 is the eighth of nine planned missions to dock the Space Shuttle with Russia's Mir space station KSC-98pc208

STS-89 Mission Specialist Salizhan Sharipov of the Russian Space Agenc...

STS-89 Mission Specialist Salizhan Sharipov of the Russian Space Agency, at left, waves as he and his flight surgeon, Alexander Kulev, complete the donning of Sharipov’s launch/entry suit in the Operations and ... More

STS-89 Mission Specialist Michael Anderson smiles as he completes the donning of his launch/entry suit in the Operations and Checkout (O&C) Building. A major in the U.S. Air Force, Anderson has a master of science degree in physics from Creighton University. He and six fellow crew members will soon depart the O&C and head for Launch Pad 39A, where the Space Shuttle Endeavour will lift off during a launch window that opens at 9:43 p.m. EST, Jan. 22. STS-89 is the eighth of nine planned missions to dock the Space Shuttle with Russia's Mir space station KSC-98pc209

STS-89 Mission Specialist Michael Anderson smiles as he completes the ...

STS-89 Mission Specialist Michael Anderson smiles as he completes the donning of his launch/entry suit in the Operations and Checkout (O&C) Building. A major in the U.S. Air Force, Anderson has a master of scie... More

STS-89 Mission Specialist Bonnie Dunbar, Ph.D., smiles as she completes the donning of her launch/entry suit in the Operations and Checkout (O&C) Building. Dr. Dunbar completed her doctorate at the University of Houston in Texas. Her multi-disciplinary dissertation (materials science and physiology) involved evaluating the effects of simulated space flight on bone strength and fracture toughness. She and six fellow crew members will shortly depart the O&C and head for Launch Pad 39A, where the Space Shuttle Endeavour will lift off during a launch window that opens at 9:43 p.m. EST, Jan. 22. STS-89 is the eighth of nine planned missions to dock the Space Shuttle with Russia's Mir space station KSC-98pc207

STS-89 Mission Specialist Bonnie Dunbar, Ph.D., smiles as she complete...

STS-89 Mission Specialist Bonnie Dunbar, Ph.D., smiles as she completes the donning of her launch/entry suit in the Operations and Checkout (O&C) Building. Dr. Dunbar completed her doctorate at the University o... More

STS-89 Pilot Joe Edwards Jr. gives a ‘thumbs up’ as he completes the donning of his launch/entry suit in the Operations and Checkout (O&C) Building. He has flown more than 2,600 hours in over 25 different aircraft and logged over 650 arrested landings. He and six fellow crew members will soon depart the O&C and head for Launch Pad 39A, where the Space Shuttle Endeavour will lift off during a launch window that opens at 9:43 p.m. EST, Jan. 22. STS-89 is the eighth of nine planned missions to dock the Space Shuttle with Russia's Mir space station KSC-98pc212

STS-89 Pilot Joe Edwards Jr. gives a ‘thumbs up’ as he completes the d...

STS-89 Pilot Joe Edwards Jr. gives a ‘thumbs up’ as he completes the donning of his launch/entry suit in the Operations and Checkout (O&C) Building. He has flown more than 2,600 hours in over 25 different aircr... More

STS-90 Payload Specialist Jay Buckey, M.D., is assisted by NASA and USA closeout crew members immediately preceding launch for the nearly 17-day Neurolab mission. Investigations during the Neurolab mission will focus on the effects of microgravity on the nervous system. Buckey and six fellow crew members will shortly enter the orbiter at KSC's Launch Pad 39B, where the Space Shuttle Columbia will lift off during a launch window that opens at 2:19 p.m. EDT, April 17 KSC-98pc514

STS-90 Payload Specialist Jay Buckey, M.D., is assisted by NASA and US...

STS-90 Payload Specialist Jay Buckey, M.D., is assisted by NASA and USA closeout crew members immediately preceding launch for the nearly 17-day Neurolab mission. Investigations during the Neurolab mission will... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-90 Commander Richard Searfoss is assisted by NASA and USA closeout crew members immediately preceding launch for the nearly 17-day Neurolab mission. Investigations during the Neurolab mission will focus on the effects of microgravity on the nervous system. Searfoss and his six fellow crew members will shortly enter the orbiter at KSC's Launch Pad 39B, where the Space Shuttle Columbia will lift off during a launch window that opens at 2:19 p.m. EDT, April 17 KSC-98pc511

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-90 Commander Richard Searfoss is ass...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-90 Commander Richard Searfoss is assisted by NASA and USA closeout crew members immediately preceding launch for the nearly 17-day Neurolab mission. Investigations during the N... More

STS-90 Mission Specialist Kathryn (Kay) Hire is assisted by NASA and USA closeout crew members immediately preceding launch for the nearly 17-day Neurolab mission. Investigations during the Neurolab mission will focus on the effects of microgravity on the nervous system. Hire and six fellow crew members will shortly enter the orbiter at KSC's Launch Pad 39B, where the Space Shuttle Columbia will lift off during a launch window that opens at 2:19 p.m. EDT, April 17 KSC-98pc510

STS-90 Mission Specialist Kathryn (Kay) Hire is assisted by NASA and U...

STS-90 Mission Specialist Kathryn (Kay) Hire is assisted by NASA and USA closeout crew members immediately preceding launch for the nearly 17-day Neurolab mission. Investigations during the Neurolab mission wil... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-90 Payload Specialist James Pawelczyk, Ph.D., is assisted by NASA and United Space Alliance closeout crew members immediately preceding launch for the nearly 17-day Neurolab mission. Investigations during the Neurolab mission will focus on the effects of microgravity on the nervous system. Pawelczyk and six fellow crew members will shortly enter the orbiter at KSC's Launch Pad 39B, where the Space Shuttle Columbia will lift off during a launch window that opens at 2:19 p.m. EDT, April 17 KSC-98pc509

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-90 Payload Specialist James Pawelczy...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-90 Payload Specialist James Pawelczyk, Ph.D., is assisted by NASA and United Space Alliance closeout crew members immediately preceding launch for the nearly 17-day Neurolab mi... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-90 Pilot Scott Altman is assisted by NASA and United Space Alliance closeout crew members immediately preceding launch for the nearly 17-day Neurolab mission. Investigations during the Neurolab mission will focus on the effects of microgravity on the nervous system. Altman and six fellow crew members will shortly enter the orbiter at KSC's Launch Pad 39B, where the Space Shuttle Columbia will lift off during a launch window that opens at 2:19 p.m. EDT, April 17 KSC-98pc513

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-90 Pilot Scott Altman is assisted by...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-90 Pilot Scott Altman is assisted by NASA and United Space Alliance closeout crew members immediately preceding launch for the nearly 17-day Neurolab mission. Investigations du... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-90 Mission Specialist Dafydd (Dave) Williams, M.D., with the Canadian Space Agency is assisted by NASA and United Space Alliance closeout crew members immediately preceding launch for the nearly 17-day Neurolab mission. Investigations during the Neurolab mission will focus on the effects of microgravity on the nervous system. Seen behind Williams also in an orange launch and re-entry suit is Mission Specialist Richard Linnehan, D.V.M. Williams and six fellow crew members will shortly enter the orbiter at KSC's Launch Pad 39B, where the Space Shuttle Columbia will lift off during a launch window that opens at 2:19 p.m. EDT, April 17 KSC-98pc508

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-90 Mission Specialist Dafydd (Dave) ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-90 Mission Specialist Dafydd (Dave) Williams, M.D., with the Canadian Space Agency is assisted by NASA and United Space Alliance closeout crew members immediately preceding lau... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-90 Mission Specialist Richard Linnehan, D.V.M., is assisted by NASA and United Space Alliance closeout crew members immediately preceding launch for the nearly 17-day Neurolab mission. Investigations during the Neurolab mission will focus on the effects of microgravity on the nervous system. Linnehan and six fellow crew members will shortly enter the orbiter at KSC's Launch Pad 39B, where the Space Shuttle Columbia will lift off during a launch window that opens at 2:19 p.m. EDT, April 17 KSC-98pc512

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-90 Mission Specialist Richard Linneh...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-90 Mission Specialist Richard Linnehan, D.V.M., is assisted by NASA and United Space Alliance closeout crew members immediately preceding launch for the nearly 17-day Neurolab ... More

Processing activities for STS-91 continue in KSC's Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 2. Two Get Away Special (GAS) canisters are shown after their installation into Discovery's payload bay. At left is G-648, an Canadian Space Agency-sponsored study of manufactured organic thin film by the physical vapor transport method, and the can on the right contains commemorative flags to be flown during the mission. STS-91 is scheduled to launch aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery for the ninth and final docking with the Russian Space Station Mir from KSC's Launch Pad 39A on June 2 with a launch window opening around 6:04 p.m. EDT KSC-98pc522

Processing activities for STS-91 continue in KSC's Orbiter Processing ...

Processing activities for STS-91 continue in KSC's Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 2. Two Get Away Special (GAS) canisters are shown after their installation into Discovery's payload bay. At left is G-648, an C... More

Processing activities for STS-91 continue in KSC's Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 2. Two Get Away Special (GAS) canisters are shown after their installation into Discovery's payload bay. The GAS canister on the left houses the Space Experiment Module (SEM-03), part of an educational initiative of NASA's Shuttle Small Payloads Project. On the right is a canister containing commemorative flags to be flown during the mission. STS-91 is scheduled to launch aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery for the ninth and final docking with the Russian Space Station Mir from KSC's Launch Pad 39A on June 2 with a launch window opening around 6:04 p.m. EDT KSC-98pc524

Processing activities for STS-91 continue in KSC's Orbiter Processing ...

Processing activities for STS-91 continue in KSC's Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 2. Two Get Away Special (GAS) canisters are shown after their installation into Discovery's payload bay. The GAS canister on th... More

Processing activities for STS-91 continue in Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 2. Two Get Away Special (GAS) canisters are shown after their installation into Discovery's payload bay. The GAS payload G-765, in the canister on the left, is sponsored by the Canadian Space Agency and managed by C-CORE/Memorial University of Newfoundland. It is a study to understand the transport of fluids in porous media as it pertains to improving methods for enhanced oil recovery. The GAS canister on the right houses the Space Experiment Module (SEM-05), part of an educational initiative of NASA's Shuttle Small Payloads Project. STS-91 is scheduled to launch aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery for the ninth and final docking with the Russian Space Station Mir from KSC's Launch Pad 39A on June 2 with a launch window opening around 6:04 p.m. EDT KSC-98pc523

Processing activities for STS-91 continue in Orbiter Processing Facili...

Processing activities for STS-91 continue in Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 2. Two Get Away Special (GAS) canisters are shown after their installation into Discovery's payload bay. The GAS payload G-765, in th... More

Processing activities for STS-91 continue in KSC's Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 2. Two Get Away Special (GAS) canisters are shown after their installation into Discovery's payload bay. At left is G-090, containing three educational experiments sponsored by Utah State University, and at right is G-743, an experiment sponsored by Broward Community College in Florida to test DNA exposed to cosmic radiation in a microgravity environment. STS-91 is scheduled to launch aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery for the ninth and final docking with the Russian Space Station Mir from KSC's Launch Pad 39A on June 2 with a launch window opening around 6:04 p.m. EDT KSC-98pc521

Processing activities for STS-91 continue in KSC's Orbiter Processing ...

Processing activities for STS-91 continue in KSC's Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 2. Two Get Away Special (GAS) canisters are shown after their installation into Discovery's payload bay. At left is G-090, cont... More

Processing activities for STS-91 continue in KSC's Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 2. The payload bay of Space Shuttle Discovery is relatively empty as installation of the Get Away Special (GAS) canisters begins. Two GAS canisters can be seen in the center of the photograph. On the left is G-648, a Canadian Space Agency-sponsored study on manufactured organic thin film by the physical vapor transport method, and on the right is a can with hundreds of commemorative flags to be flown on the mission. STS-91 is scheduled to launch aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery for the ninth and final docking with the Russian Space Station Mir from KSC's Launch Pad 39A on June 2 with a launch window opening around 6:04 p.m. EDT KSC-98pc520

Processing activities for STS-91 continue in KSC's Orbiter Processing ...

Processing activities for STS-91 continue in KSC's Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 2. The payload bay of Space Shuttle Discovery is relatively empty as installation of the Get Away Special (GAS) canisters begin... More

Under the supervision of Boeing technicians, the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS), a payload slated to fly on STS-91, is undergoing a final weight and balance check on the Launch Package Integration Stand in the Space Station Processing Facility (SSPF). Next, it will be placed in the Payload Canister and transported to Launch Complex 39A where it will be installed into Space Shuttle Discovery's payload bay. Weighing in at approximately three tons, the AMS is a major particle physics experiment that will look for cosmic antimatter originating from outside our galaxy. The data it gathers could also give clues about the mysterious "dark matter" that may make up 90 percent or more of the universe. STS-91 is scheduled to be launched on June 2 with a launch window opening around 6:10 p.m. EDT. The mission will also feature the ninth Shuttle docking with the Russian Space Station Mir, the first Mir docking for Discovery, and the conclusion of Phase I of the joint U.S.-Russian International Space Station Program. 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-98pc587

Under the supervision of Boeing technicians, the Alpha Magnetic Spectr...

Under the supervision of Boeing technicians, the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS), a payload slated to fly on STS-91, is undergoing a final weight and balance check on the Launch Package Integration Stand in t... More

Space Shuttle Discovery sits atop a mobile launcher platform at Launch Complex 39A after its move this morning from Vehicle Assembly Building high bay 1 where it 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-98dc551

Space Shuttle Discovery sits atop a mobile launcher platform at Launch...

Space Shuttle Discovery sits atop a mobile launcher platform at Launch Complex 39A after its move this morning from Vehicle Assembly Building high bay 1 where it was mated to the first Space Shuttle super light... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Discovery sits atop a mobile launcher platform at Launch Complex 39A after its move this morning from Vehicle Assembly Building high bay 1 where it 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-98pc570

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Discovery sits atop a mobi...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Discovery sits atop a mobile launcher platform at Launch Complex 39A after its move this morning from Vehicle Assembly Building high bay 1 where it was mated to the f... More

Space Shuttle Discovery sits atop a mobile launcher platform at Launch Complex 39A after its move this morning from Vehicle Assembly Building high bay 1 where it 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-98dc550

Space Shuttle Discovery sits atop a mobile launcher platform at Launch...

Space Shuttle Discovery sits atop a mobile launcher platform at Launch Complex 39A after its move this morning from Vehicle Assembly Building high bay 1 where it was mated to the first Space Shuttle super light... More

Space Shuttle Discovery sits atop a mobile launcher platform at Launch Complex 39A after its move this morning from Vehicle Assembly Building high bay 1, where it was mated to the first Space Shuttle super lightweight external tank/solid rocket booster stack. This unusual image was taken from the 95-foot level of the pad as the Orbiter Access Arm supporting the white room (arm on right) and the External Tank Gaseous Oxygen Vent Arm were moved into place on the orbiter and its 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-98dc552

Space Shuttle Discovery sits atop a mobile launcher platform at Launch...

Space Shuttle Discovery sits atop a mobile launcher platform at Launch Complex 39A after its move this morning from Vehicle Assembly Building high bay 1, where it was mated to the first Space Shuttle super ligh... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Discovery sits atop a mobile launcher platform at Launch Complex 39A after its move this morning from Vehicle Assembly Building high bay 1, where it was mated to the first Space Shuttle super lightweight external tank/solid rocket booster stack. The Orbiter Access Arm, with the white room located at its outer end, is being positioned into place on the orbiter. This white room provides personnel entry into the orbiter while it is on the pad. 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-98pc569

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Discovery sits atop a mobi...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Discovery sits atop a mobile launcher platform at Launch Complex 39A after its move this morning from Vehicle Assembly Building high bay 1, where it was mated to the ... More

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