Space Shuttle Operations

Images of space shuttles being prepared in vehicle assembly buildings, highlighting major operations and engineering efforts at NASA's facilities.

S84-35097 (May 1984) --- The Space Shuttle Orbiter 103 is about to be hoisted into a tail-toward-ground mode for mating to its two solid rocket boosters (SRB) and an external tank (ET) (awaiting the maneuver high out of frame) in the Kennedy Space Center's (KSC) huge vehicle assembly building (VAB). After its arrival here from the manufacturer in Palmdale, California, Discovery underwent extensive pre-launch preparations in the nearby processing facility (OPF).

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - This close-up shows space shuttle Atlantis being lowered onto its wheels in the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Atlantis has been removed from its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters stack after the delay of its STS-125 mission to NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. Atlantis will be returned to the Orbiter Processing Facility. Atlantis' targeted launch on Oct. 14 was delayed when a system that transfers science data from the orbiting observatory to Earth malfunctioned on Sept. 27. The new target launch date is under review.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- From inside the Orbiter Processing Facility, space shuttle Discovery begins rolling out on its orbiter transporter for the short trip to the Vehicle Assembly Building, or VAB, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The orbiter transporter system has 76 wheels and measures 106.5 feet long. In high bay 3 of the VAB, Discovery will be attached to its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters in preparation for its upcoming STS-124 mission to the International Space Station. On the mission, the STS-124 crew will transport the Japanese Experiment Module - Pressurized Module and the Japanese Remote Manipulator System to the space station. Launch of Discovery is targeted for May 31.

S84-35097 (May 1984) --- The Space Shuttle Orbiter 103 is about to be hoisted into a tail-toward-ground mode for mating to its two solid rocket boosters (SRB) and an external tank (ET) (awaiting the maneuver high out of frame) in the Kennedy Space Center's (KSC) huge vehicle assembly building (VAB). After its arrival here from the manufacturer in Palmdale, California, Discovery underwent extensive pre-launch preparations in the nearby processing facility (OPF).

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Preparations are under way at the the mate-demate device, or MDD, at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida to lift space shuttle Discovery atop a Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, or SCA.The MDD is a large gantry-like steel structure used to hoist a shuttle off the ground and position it onto the back of an SCA. The SCA is a Boeing 747 jet, originally manufactured for commercial use, which was modified by NASA to transport the shuttles between destinations on Earth. The SCA designated NASA 905 is assigned to the remaining ferry missions, delivering the shuttles to their permanent public display sites. Discoverys new home will be the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va.

PALMDALE, Calif. -- S91-39477 -- A Rockwell worker at the space shuttle's Palmdale Final Assembly Facility in Palmdale, Calif., takes a technical documentation image of space shuttle Endeavour as it is mated to the agency's Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, or SCA, designated NASA 911, in preparation for its first ferry flight to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Endeavour is scheduled to return to California in 2012, where it will be on public display at the California Science Center in Los Angeles. Its ferry flight across America is targeted for mid-September. Endeavour was the last space shuttle added to NASAs orbiter fleet. During the course of its 19-year career, Endeavour spent 299 days in space during 25 missions.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, shuttle Endeavour is suspended above the transfer aisle. The spacecraft will be lifted into a vertical position and moved into a high bay where it will be attached to the waiting external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters.Endeavour and its STS-134 crew will deliver the Express Logistics Carrier-3, Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, a high-pressure gas tank, additional spare parts for Dextre and micrometeoroid debris shields to the International Space Station. Endeavour's final launch is targeted for April 19 at 7:48 p.m. EDT.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft moves into position under space shuttle Discovery suspended 60 feet off the ground in the mate-demate device. The device, known as the MDD, is a large gantry-like steel structure used to hoist a shuttle off the ground and position it onto the back of the aircraft, or SCA. The SCA is a Boeing 747 jet, originally manufactured for commercial use, which was modified by NASA to transport the shuttles between destinations on Earth. This SCA, designated NASA 905, is assigned to the remaining ferry missions, delivering the shuttles to their permanent public display sites. NASA 905 is scheduled to ferry Discovery to the Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia on April 17, after which the shuttle will be placed on display in the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building, the sling is attached to the orbiter Discovery so it can be raised off the transporter to a vertical position. Then the orbiter will be lifted up into high bay 3 and lowered onto the mobile launcher platform where the external tank and solid rocket boosters are already stacked. 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.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - An aerodynamic tail cone covers space shuttle Endeavour's trio of replica shuttle main engines as the spacecraft backs out of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Endeavour moved to the nearby Shuttle Landing Facility, where it will be lifted in the gantry-like Mate-Demate Device and placed atop NASA's modified 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft for the final ferry flight of the Space Shuttle Program. Endeavour will be placed on permanent public display at the California Science Center in Los Angeles.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians monitor space shuttle Atlantis as it is towed from the Vehicle Assembly Building toward Orbiter Processing Facility-1 OPF-1. In the background is space shuttle Discovery after it was towed out of OPF-1. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Programs transition and retirement processing of the three space shuttles. Atlantis is being prepared for display at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and is scheduled to rollover to the complex in November.

T&R Atlantis Move from OPF-1 to VAB HB

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - This three -dimensional view at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, shows the space shuttle Endeavour, being mounted atop NASA's Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, or SCA, in the mate-demate device.This image may be viewed in 3-D with red and blue glasses.The SCA, a modified 747 jetliner, will fly Endeavour to Los Angeles where it will be placed on public display at the California Science Center. This is the final ferry flight scheduled in the Space Shuttle Program era.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Inside the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians begin to tow space shuttle Atlantis out of the transfer aisle and around to the VAB high bay 4 doors. Shuttle Atlantis will remain in temporary storage in high bay 4, while Space Shuttle Program transition and retirement work continues on Discovery and Endeavour in the orbiter processing facilities. Atlantis is being prepared for display at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Endeavour is being towed from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Orbiter Processing Facility-2 (OPF-2).Shuttle Endeavour will remain in OPF-2 so that the orbiter maneuvering system (OMS) pods and forward reaction control system can be installed. Technicians also will offload water and Freon gas from lines located in Endeavours midbody. The work is part of Endeavours transition and retirement processing. The spacecraft is being prepared for public display at the California Science Center in Los Angeles. Endeavour flew 25 missions, spent 299 days in space, orbited Earth 4,671 times and traveled 122, 883, 151 miles over the course of its 19-year career. Endeavours STS-134 and final mission was completed after landing on June 1, 2011.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Discovery waits in the Vehicle Assembly Building until it can be transferred to the Orbiter Processing Facility. Discovery last flew on mission STS-105 in August 2001

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Atlantis moves into the Vehicle Assembly Building from Orbiter Processing Facility-2 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Atlantis will be moved to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in November where it will be placed t on public display.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Atlantis begins rolling out of the Orbiter Processing Facility to make the short trip to the Vehicle Assembly Building. First motion was at 6:19 a.m. EST. Once in the VAB, Atlantis will be lifted into high bay 1 and mated with the external tank and solid rocket boosters already in place on the mobile launcher platform. The rollover signals the start of the journey to the launch pad for liftoff on mission STS-117 targeted for March 15. The mission is the 21st to the International Space Station and will deliver the S3/S4 starboard truss segments.

The test version of the Orion crew module is secured on its fixture inside the well deck of the USS San Diego at Naval Base San Diego in California. NASA, Orion manufacturer Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Navy will head out to sea with the Orion test spacecraft aboard for Underway Recovery Test 5 (URT-5) in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. During URT-5, the team will demonstrate and evaluate the recovery processes, procedures, hardware and personnel necessary for recovery of Orion on its return from a deep space mission. Orion is the exploration spacecraft designed to carry astronauts to destinations not yet explored by humans, including an asteroid and NASA Journey to Mars. It will have emergency abort capability, sustain the crew during space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep space return velocities. Orion is scheduled to launch atop NASAs Space Launch System rocket in 2018.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida, final inspections are made on space shuttle Discovery before it is lifted into the mate-demate device and mated to a Shuttle Carrier Aircraft.The device, known as the MDD, is a large gantry-like steel structure used to hoist a shuttle off the ground and position it onto the back of the aircraft, or SCA. The SCA is a Boeing 747 jet, originally manufactured for commercial use, which was modified by NASA to transport the shuttles between destinations on Earth. The SCA designated NASA 905 is assigned to the remaining ferry missions, delivering the shuttles to their permanent public display sites. NASA 905 is scheduled to ferry Discovery to the Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia on April 17, after which the shuttle will be placed on display in the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Still on its 76-wheeled orbiter transporter, space shuttle Discovery rests in the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Discovery will be raised from the transporter to a vertical position and lifted into high bay 3. In the bay it will be attached to its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters in preparation for its upcoming STS-124 mission to the International Space Station. On the mission, the STS-124 crew will transport the Japanese Experiment Module - Pressurized Module and the Japanese Remote Manipulator System to the space station. Launch of Discovery is targeted for May 31.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Endeavour is towed into the Mate-Demate Device, or MDD, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The MDD will be used to lift and connect the shuttle to the top of NASA's Shuttle Carrier Aircraft SCA, a modified 747 jetliner. The shuttle has been fitted with an aerodynamic tailcone for its flight aboard the SCA to Los Angeles where it will be placed on public display. The shuttle was towed from the Vehicle Assembly Building.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a spacecraft technician, standing on a work platform next to space shuttle Endeavour, monitors the shuttle as it rolls toward the open door of Orbiter Processing Facility-1 (OPF-1), beginning its move to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). Endeavour is switching places with shuttle Discovery which temporarily has been stored in the VAB. Both shuttles will stop briefly outside OPF-3 for a "nose-to-nose" photo opportunity. Discovery then will be rolled into OPF-1 and Endeavour into the VAB.In OPF-1, Discovery will undergo further preparations for public display at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia. Endeavour will be stored in the VAB until October when it will be moved into OPF-2 for further work to get it ready for public display at the California Science Center in Los Angeles.

Soyuz TMA-20 spacecraft during mating operations to the booster on December 12, 2010 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in advance of the launch of the Expedition 26 crew, Kondratyev, Coleman and Nespoli, on December 16, Baikonur time, to the International Space Station.-NASA/Victor Zelentsov

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Atlantis is towed into the Orbiter Processing Facility, completing its journey from the Shuttle Landing Facility. The orbiter will undergo processing for its next launch, mission STS-122 in December. Visible on Atlantis is the tail cone that covers and protects the main engines during the ferry flight. Atlantis arrived at Kennedy Space Center atop the SCA on July 3 after a three-day, cross-country flight due to fuel stops and weather delays. Touchdown was at 8:27 a.m. EDT. Atlantis landed at Edwards Air Force Base in California on June 22 to end mission STS-117.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft moves into position under space shuttle Discovery suspended 60 feet off the ground in the mate-demate device. The device, known as the MDD, is a large gantry-like steel structure used to hoist a shuttle off the ground and position it onto the back of the aircraft, or SCA. The SCA is a Boeing 747 jet, originally manufactured for commercial use, which was modified by NASA to transport the shuttles between destinations on Earth. This SCA, designated NASA 905, is assigned to the remaining ferry missions, delivering the shuttles to their permanent public display sites. NASA 905 is scheduled to ferry Discovery to the Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia on April 17, after which the shuttle will be placed on display in the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The Shuttle Carrier Aircraft carrying space shuttle Discovery backs out of the Shuttle Landing Facility's mate-demate device at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The device, known as the MDD, is a large gantry-like steel structure used to hoist a shuttle off the ground and position it onto the back of the aircraft, or SCA. The SCA is a Boeing 747 jet that was originally manufactured for commercial use and modified by NASA to transport the shuttles between destinations on Earth. This SCA, designated NASA 905, is assigned to the remaining ferry missions, delivering the shuttles to their permanent public display sites. NASA 905 is scheduled to ferry Discovery to the Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia on April 17, after which the shuttle will be placed on display in the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.

The NASA 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) in position beneath the Space Shuttle Endeavour OV-105 (Orbiter Vehicle-105), suspended with a massive lifting structure, at Rockwell International's Air Force Plant 42, Site 1, at Palmdale. The shuttle will be attached to the 747 SCA for transporting to the Kennedy Space Center, FLorida. Exact Date Shot Unknown. State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery is suspended 60 feet off the ground inside the mate-demate device in preparation for the arrival of the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, in the background. The device, known as the MDD, is a large gantry-like steel structure used to hoist a shuttle off the ground and position it onto the back of the aircraft, or SCA. The SCA is a Boeing 747 jet, originally manufactured for commercial use, which was modified by NASA to transport the shuttles between destinations on Earth. This SCA, designated NASA 905, is assigned to the remaining ferry missions, delivering the shuttles to their permanent public display sites. NASA 905 is scheduled to ferry Discovery to the Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia on April 17, after which the shuttle will be placed on display in the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building, or VAB, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, preparations are under way to attach space shuttle Discovery to a lifting device for its move into a high bay. In the high bay, Discovery will be attached to its external tank and solid rocket boosters completing the STS-131 shuttle stack. Rollout to Launch Pad 39A is planned for March 2. The seven-member STS-131 crew will deliver the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Leonardo, filled with resupply stowage platforms and racks, to the International Space Station aboard space shuttle Discovery. Work to attach a spare ammonia tank assembly to the station's exterior and return a European experiment from outside the station's Columbus module will be conducted during three spacewalks. STS-131, targeted for launch on April 5, will be the 33rd shuttle mission to the station and the 131st shuttle mission overall.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Atlantis dwarfs the employees monitoring its arrival into the empty bay of Orbiter Processing Facility-2. Once inside the processing facility, Atlantis will be prepared for future public display at Kennedy's Visitor Complex.Atlantis' final return from space at 5:57 a.m. EDT concluded the STS-135 mission, secured the space shuttle fleet's place in history and brought a close to America's Space Shuttle Program. Main gear touchdown was at 5:57:00 a.m. EDT, followed by nose gear touchdown at 5:57:20 a.m., and wheelstop at 5:57:54 a.m. On board were STS-135 Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley, and Mission Specialists Sandra Magnus and Rex Walheim. On the 37th shuttle mission to the International Space Station, STS-135 delivered the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module filled with more than 9,400 pounds of spare parts, equipment and supplies that will sustain station operations for the next year. ST

Canada, Alberta, Calgary: Aero Space Museum of Calgary, Interior Aviation Display

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Atlantis is slowly lowered to the ground at the mate/demate device at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility. The orbiter will be detached from the lifting crane and then towed to the Orbiter Processing Facility to begin processing for its next launch, mission STS-122 in December. Atlantis arrived at Kennedy Space Center atop the SCA on July 3 after a three-day, cross-country flight due to fuel stops and weather delays. Touchdown was at 8:27 a.m. EDT. Atlantis landed at Edwards Air Force Base in California on June 22 to end mission STS-117.

STS-131 DISCOVERY ROLLOUT - 1ST MOTION

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA's Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, or SCA, rolls from beneath the mate-demate device at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida with space shuttle Endeavour secured on its back.The SCA, a modified 747 jetliner, will fly Endeavour to Los Angeles where it will be placed on public display at the California Science Center. This is the final ferry flight scheduled in the Space Shuttle Program era.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The clouds take on a rosy glow as the dawn breaks over the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Preparations are under way to back NASA's Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, or SCA, away from the mate-demate device surrounding it. Space shuttle Endeavour has been fitted with an aerodynamic tailcone and secured atop the aircraft for its upcoming ferry flight.The SCA, a modified 747 jetliner, will fly Endeavour to Los Angeles where it will be placed on public display at the California Science Center. This is the final ferry flight scheduled in the Space Shuttle Program era.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Cranes remove a full-size, 149-foot-long, space shuttle solid rocket booster, or SRB, replica from the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex as the space-themed attraction makes way for a new exhibit featuring space shuttle Atlantis, which is currently undergoing preparations to go on public display. The SRB is being placed into temporary storage at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The SRB was part of a mockup of the external tank and two SRBs at the visitor complex that were used to show visitors the size of actual space shuttle components. A space shuttle rode piggyback on the tank and boosters at liftoff and during the ascent into space. The SRBs burned out after about two-and-a-half minutes of flight. After recovery from the ocean, the boosters could be used repeatedly.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Inside Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a tow vehicle is used to back space shuttle Discovery out of Orbiter Processing Facility-1 for its move to the Vehicle Assembly Building VAB.The work is part of the Space Shuttle Programs transition and retirement processing of shuttle Discovery, which is being prepared for display at Smithsonians National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va. Discovery will remain in high bay 4 of the VAB until its scheduled transport atop a NASA Shuttle Carrier Aircraft modified 747 jet to Dulles International Airport in Virginia on April 17. Discovery will then be transported to the Smithsonian on April 19.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Viewed from inside, the orbiter Endeavour rolls out of Orbiter Processing Facility bay 2 on its transporter. It is headed for the Vehicle Assembly Building where it will be stacked with the external tank and solid rocket boosters atop the mobile launcher platform for its launch on mission STS-118. The mission will be Endeavour's first flight in more than four years. The shuttle has undergone extensive modifications, including the addition of safety upgrades already added to shuttles Discovery and Atlantis. Endeavour also features new hardware, such as the Station-to-Shuttle Power Transfer System that will allow the docked shuttle to draw electrical power from the station and extend its visits to the orbiting lab. Endeavour is targeted for launch on Aug. 7.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Atlantis is towed out of the Vehicle Assembly Building and over to Orbiter Processing Facility-1. Atlantis forward reaction control system, orbiter maneuvering system pods and three space shuttle main engines have been removed. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Programs transition and retirement processing of the three space shuttles. Atlantis is being prepared for display at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and is scheduled to rollover to the complex in November.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Before daybreak at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a crane on the mate-demate device prepares to lift space shuttle Discovery from the ground. Operations are under way to position Discovery on top of a Shuttle Carrier Aircraft in preparation for its departure from Kennedy on Tuesday. A tail cone has been installed over Discoverys three replica shuttle main engines to reduce aerodynamic drag and turbulence during the ferry flight.The device, known as the MDD, is a large gantry-like steel structure used to hoist a shuttle off the ground and position it onto the back of the aircraft, or SCA. The SCA is a Boeing 747 jet, originally manufactured for commercial use, which was modified by NASA to transport the shuttles between destinations on Earth. The SCA designated NASA 905 is assigned to the remaining ferry missions, delivering the shuttles to their permanent public display sites. NASA 905 is scheduled to ferry Discovery t

Lifting Body in Wind Tunnel

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At NASA Kennedy Space Centers Shuttle Landing Facility in Florida, the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, or SCA, with space shuttle Discovery attached atop, backs away from the mate/demate device. Known as the MDD, the devise is a large gantry-like steel structure used to hoist a shuttle off the ground and position it onto the back of the SCA.The SCA is a Boeing 747 jet that was originally manufactured for commercial use and modified by NASA to transport the shuttles between destinations on Earth. This SCA, designated NASA 905, is assigned to the remaining ferry missions, delivering the shuttles to their permanent public display sites. NASA 905 is scheduled to ferry Discovery to the Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia on April 17, after which the shuttle will be placed on display in the Smithsonians National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Endeavour is towed into the Mate-Demate Device, or MDD, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida after being backed out of the Vehicle Assembly Building. The MDD is located at the Shuttle Landing Facility at Kennedy. The shuttle will be lifted and connected to the top of NASA's Shuttle Carrier Aircraft SCA, a modified 747 jetliner. The shuttle has been fitted with an aerodynamic tailcone for its flight aboard the SCA to Los Angeles where it will be placed on public display.

F-16 Alert Jet in Hangar, Loaded with Live Weapons, Rear View, High Dynamic Range, or HDR Image

Endeavour moved from the Orbiter Processing Facility, bay 3, for temporary storage in the Vehicle Assembly Building to make room for the return of Atlantis on May 24, 1997.

DF-SC-89-11478. Country: Unknown

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Atlantis backs out of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for its 10-mile trip to the Kennedy Visitor Complex where it will be put on public display.As part of transition and retirement of the Space Shuttle Program, Atlantis is to be displayed at Kennedy's Visitor Complex beginning in the summer of 2013. Over the course of its 26-year career, Atlantis traveled 125,935,769 miles during 307 days in space over 33 missions.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - As the sun rises at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, preparations are under way to back NASA's Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, or SCA, away from the mate-demate device. Space shuttle Endeavour has been fitted with an aerodynamic tailcone and secured atop the aircraft for its upcoming ferry flight.The SCA, a modified 747 jetliner, will fly Endeavour to Los Angeles where it will be placed on public display at the California Science Center. This is the final ferry flight scheduled in the Space Shuttle Program era.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Space Shuttle Atlantis sits atop the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft at Kennedy Space Centers Shuttle Landing Facility. Atlantis is being prepared for its ferry flight to California for its Orbiter Maintenance Down Period at Palmdales Orbiter Assembly Facility where it will remain until August 1998. At Palmdale, modifications and structural inspections will be conducted in preparation for Atlantis future missions to support International Space Station assembly activities. Atlantis next flight into space is scheduled to be Space Shuttle mission STS-92, targeted for launch from KSC in January 1999.

Crowds come out on October 12, 2012, to see the Space Shuttle Endeavour at a parking lot in Westchester, as it is transported over three days, 12 miles from Los Angeles Airport to its new home at the California Science Center. Los Angeles, California

A cable is attached to a Fighter Squadron 211 (VF-211) F-14A Tomcat aircraft prior to being hoisted by crane aboard the aircraft carrier USS KITTY HAWK (CV-63). Country: Unknown

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, rays from the early morning sun catch the space shuttle Endeavour, mounted atop NASA's Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, or SCA, as it is prepared to roll back from the mate-demate device.The SCA, a modified 747 jetliner, will fly Endeavour to Los Angeles where it will be placed on public display at the California Science Center. This is the final ferry flight scheduled in the Space Shuttle Program era.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Endeavour is ready for the rollover from Orbiter Processing Facility 2 to the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla. The first motion of the shuttle out of its hangar was at 6:56 a.m. EDT. In the VAB, Endeavour will be lifted into High Bay 1 and mated to the external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters already installed on the mobile launcher platform. Endeavour is scheduled to roll out to Launch Pad 39B in about a week. Endeavour will be prepared on the pad for liftoff in the unlikely event that a rescue mission is necessary following space shuttle Atlantis' launch on the STS-125 mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope. After Atlantis is cleared to land, Endeavour will move to Launch Pad 39A for its upcoming STS-127 mission to the International Space Station, targeted to launch in mid-June.

Unwrapping of Orion STA

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the space shuttle Endeavour, mounted atop NASA's Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, or SCA, is ready to roll back from the mate-demate device.The SCA, a modified 747 jetliner, will fly Endeavour to Los Angeles where it will be placed on public display at the California Science Center. This is the final ferry flight scheduled in the Space Shuttle Program era.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Just before sunrise, preparations are underway to separate space shuttle Atlantis from the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, or SCA, underneath via the mate/demate device. The hoist is attached to Atlantis to lower the shuttle to the ground. Atlantis returned from California atop the SCA after its May 24 landing at Edwards Air Force Base, concluding mission STS-125. The ferry flight from Edwards Air Force Base began June 1. Atlantis' next assignment is the STS-129 mission, targeted to launch in November 2009.

An A 380 test aerodrome with water tanks for the weight and balance of the aircraft

T&R Atlantis Move from OPF-1 to VAB HB

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Enterprise in California at VAFB.

Teams peform Orion Parachute Test Vehicle (PTV) loading operations on July 22, 2013 in preparation for the July 24 parachute drop test at the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. Part of Batch image transfer from Flickr.

The super guppy is seen as NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine arrives to see how the Orion crew module and service module will be secured inside, and taken to a testing facility in Sandusky, Ohio, for full thermal vacuum testing, Monday March 11, 2019 at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Airliner in maintenance hangar at Luqa airport in Malta

France, Ile de France, Seine-Saint-Denis, Saint-Ouen. Les Docks de Saint-Ouen. Communale Saint-Ouen. Food court

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - This three-dimensional view at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, shows a lift being used to support the space shuttle Endeavour, mounted atop NASA's Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, or SCA, as it was being prepared for its ferry flight to California.This image may be viewed in 3-D with red and blue glasses.The SCA, a modified 747 jetliner, will fly Endeavour to Los Angeles where it will be placed on public display at the California Science Center. This is the final ferry flight scheduled in the Space Shuttle Program era.

ISS028-E-015593 (10 July 2011) --- This is one of a series of images showing various parts of the space shuttle Atlantis in Earth orbit as photographed by one of three crew members -- half the station crew -- who were equipped with still cameras for this purpose on the International Space Station as the shuttle posed” for photos and visual surveys and performed a back-flip for the rendezvous pitch maneuver (RPM). A 1000 millimeter lens was used to capture this particular series of images.

The three Bell Huey 2 helicopters utilized by Kennedy Space Centers Flight Operations team for security purposes are photographed inside the Launch and Landing Facility hangar on Sept. 30, 2020. Two new Airbus H135 (T3) helicopters arrived at the Florida spaceport on Sept. 30 to replace the Bell Huey 2 aircraft in service now. The new helicopters provide a number of technological and safety advantages over the Hueys, such as more lifting power, greater stability in the air, and expanded medical capabilities. The team expects to fully transition to flying the two H135 aircraft later this year. A third is expected to arrive in early 2021, and with its arrival, will complete the fleets upgrade.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Workers watch as space shuttle Endeavour is towed into the Mate-Demate Device, or MDD, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The MDD will be used to lift and connect the shuttle to the top of NASA's Shuttle Carrier Aircraft SCA, a modified 747 jetliner. The shuttle has been fitted with an aerodynamic tailcone for its flight aboard the SCA to Los Angeles where it will be placed on public display. The shuttle was towed from the Vehicle Assembly Building.

The plane carrying U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for meetings related to Yemen, as seen on December 17, 2016, as it sits in a hangar at Joint Base Andrews in Camp Springs, Maryland, due to freezing rain passing through the area.

Europe, France, ship Lighthouse and Beacon aluminum on a quay of the port of Les Sables d'Olonne in the Vendee

24 10 2024, Germany, Saxony, Air Traffic, Airports, Old Lufthansa Aircraft at Leipzig Halle Airport, Germany

Perseus B on the Ramp

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The space shuttle Discovery nears the Orbital Processing Facility, or OPF, where processing Discovery for another flight begins. Towing normally begins within four hours after landing and is completed within six hours unless removal of time-sensitive experiments is required on the runway. Umbilicals are attached to purge the vehicle of any possible residual explosive or toxic fumes. In the OPF, turnaround processing procedures on Discovery will include various post-flight deservicing and maintenance functions, which are carried out in parallel with payload removal and the installation of equipment needed for the next mission. Before post-flight deservicing can continue beyond initial safing operations, certain vehicle systems must be mechanically secured and access platforms installed. Discovery completed mission STS-120 with an on-time landing at 1:01 p.m. EST.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Endeavour is towed into the Mate-Demate Device, or MDD, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The MDD will be used to lift and connect the shuttle to the top of NASA's Shuttle Carrier Aircraft SCA, a modified 747 jetliner. The shuttle has been fitted with an aerodynamic tailcone for its flight aboard the SCA to Los Angeles where it will be placed on public display. The shuttle was towed from the Vehicle Assembly Building.

Douglas A4D Skyhawk Attack Bomber

The United Launch Alliance Atlas V booster for NOAA's Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-S (GOES-S) is offloaded from the Mariner transport ship at the Army Wharf at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The booster will be transported to the Atlas Spaceflight Operations Center near Space Launch Complex 41 at CCAFS. GOES-S is the second in a series of four advanced geostationary weather satellites. The satellite is slated to launch aboard the Atlas V rocket March 1.

The X-40A SMV being delivered to NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards, California.

THE APOLLO 16 CAPSULE SITS ON DISPLAY IN THE FOREGROUND OF AN EVENT AT THE DAVIDSON CENTER.

DD-ST-89-04064. Base: Washington State: District Of Columbia (DC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

USA, Washington D.C. National Air and Space Museum, elevated lobby view with X-15 space plane (Editorial Use Only)

Aviation - Louis Breguet Co.. Photographs of Marshall Plan Programs, Exhibits, and Personnel

A C-17 Globemaster III aircrafts wings are flanked by newly manufactured maintenance stands while its parked in the home station check aircraft hangar at the 167th Airlift Wing, Shepherd Field, Martinsburg, West Virginia, July 21, 2022.

An unusual vintage aiplane rolls out of airport hangar

detail Military Fixed Wing biplane Aviat Airplanes N3N nose propeller head on

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Shuttle Orbiter Columbia arriving at OPF.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Inside Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians continue work to install the ferry flight doors on space shuttle Discovery. The view shows the aft section of the shuttle with the tail cone installed over the shuttle replica engines..The work is part of the Space Shuttle Programs transition and retirement processing of shuttle Discovery, which is being prepared for display at Smithsonians National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va. Discovery is scheduled to be transported atop a NASA Shuttle Carrier Aircraft modified 747 jet to Dulles International Airport in Virginia on April 17 and then moved to the Smithsonian for permanent public display on April 19.

National Air and Space Museum, Washington D.C. (District of Columbia), United States (Editorial Usage Only)

France, Puy-de-Dome Department, Auvergne Region, Clermont-Ferrand, L'Aventure Michelin museum, museum entrance

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The MAVEN spacecraft is offloaded from a C-17 aircraft at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The aircraft delivered MAVEN for processing ahead of a launch later this year on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket.MAVEN, short for Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution, will orbit Mars to study the Red Planet's upper atmosphere in unprecedented detail.

A C-5A Galaxy aircraft is loaded with vehicles for transport to Cairo, Egypt, where they will be used for exercise Bright Star '83. Base: Pope Air Force Base State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Close up of the 363-foot Saturn V rocket at the Kennedy Space Center in Orlando, Florida; Orlando, Florida, United States of America

The deep submergence rescue vehicle Mystic (DSRV-1) is being unloaded from a C-5A Galaxy aircraft. The aircraft is from the 22nd Military Airlift Wing. Base: Charleston Air Force Base State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Pendennis Shipyard, Falmouth TR11 4NR, United Kingdom. Architect: na, 2014. Overall view from under hull.

Super Guppy arrival and (MBB) Multi-Bay Box Delivery ; Super Guppy arrival and MBB Delivery: super Guppy arrival at NASA Langley hangar, and unloading of (MBB) multi-bay box, transport of MBB to COLTS and move into building 1256.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility, workers surround the 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft with space shuttle Discovery on top after it was towed beneath the mate-demate device. The piggybacked shuttle and aircraft touched down on runway 33 at 12:05 p.m. EDT. Discovery landed at Edwards Air Force Base in California on Sept. 11 after the 13-day STS-128 mission to the International Space Station. Landings at Kennedy were waved off on two days due to inclement weather, leading to the landing at Edwards. The two-day return flight from California began at 9:20 a.m. EDT Sept. 20.

A close-up view of the port side Mark 32 3-inch/50-caliber enclosed gun mount aboard the tank landing ship USS SAGINAW (LST-1188). The ship is docked at the Government Services Administration pier along the Potomac River during an open house. Base: Alexandria State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Super Guppy arrival and (MBB) Multi-Bay Box Delivery ; Super Guppy arrival and MBB Delivery: super Guppy arrival at NASA Langley hangar, and unloading of (MBB) multi-bay box, transport of MBB to COLTS and move into building 1256.

T&R Endeavour Left Side Tail Cone Buildup

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- A closeup of the crawler-transporter underneath the mobile launcher platform with Space Shuttle Discovery on top as they approach the ramp to Launch Pad 39B for launch of 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.

The 168th Wing host a recreational hockey team from the Mustang Hockey Association in Eagle River, Alaska, December 10, 2022. The house hockey team players and parents toured a KC-135 Stratotanker at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, where they learned about the aircraft and the Alaska Air National Guard. (Alaska Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Julie Avey)

The Space Shuttle Endeavour receives post-flight servicing in the Mate-Demate Device (MDD), following its landing at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California, May 1, 2001.Once servicing was complete, one of NASA's two 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, No. 905, was readied to ferry Endeavour back to the Kennedy Space Center, FL.

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