NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine tours the NASA exhibit at the Space Symposium, Tuesday, April 9, 2019, at Broadmoor Hall in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Photo credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Deputy Administrator Jim Morhard tours the NASA exhibit at the Space Symposium, Tuesday, April 9, 2019, at Broadmoor Hall in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Photo credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine tours the NASA exhibit at the Space Symposium, Tuesday, April 9, 2019, at Broadmoor Hall in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Photo credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine tours the NASA exhibit at the Space Symposium, Tuesday, April 9, 2019, at Broadmoor Hall in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Photo credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine tours the NASA exhibit at the Space Symposium, Tuesday, April 9, 2019, at Broadmoor Hall in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Photo credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine tours the NASA exhibit at the Space Symposium, Tuesday, April 9, 2019, at Broadmoor Hall in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Photo credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine tours the NASA exhibit at the Space Symposium, Tuesday, April 9, 2019, at Broadmoor Hall in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Photo credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine tours the NASA exhibit at the Space Symposium, Tuesday, April 9, 2019, at Broadmoor Hall in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Photo credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine tours the NASA exhibit at the Space Symposium, Tuesday, April 9, 2019, at Broadmoor Hall in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Photo credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - A replica of a Space Shuttle orbiter is on exhibit outside the Astronaut Hall of Fame, which features the world’s largest collection of personal astronaut mementos plus historic spacecrafts and training simulators. The Hall of Fame is part of the KSC Visitor Complex.

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine is seen as he tours the exhibit hall at the 70th International Astronautical Congress, Monday, Oct. 21, 2019 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine is seen as he tours the exhibit hall at the 70th International Astronautical Congress, Monday, Oct. 21, 2019 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine is seen as he tours the exhibit hall at the 70th International Astronautical Congress, Monday, Oct. 21, 2019 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Atlantis moves out of Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, beginning to short move to High Bay 4 of the nearby Vehicle Assembly Building. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program's transition and retirement processing of the space shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis' future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit's grand opening in July 2013. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Observers watch as preparations begin to move space shuttle Atlantis out of Orbiter Processing Facility-1 and into High Bay 4 of the nearby Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program's transition and retirement processing of the space shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis' future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit's grand opening in July 2013. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Exhibits from several NASA centers are on display for the nationwide attendees of the Tom Joyner Family Reunion. The event was held in the Exhibit Hall of the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Kissimmee, Fla., and hosted by nationally syndicated radio personality Tom Joyner during the extended Labor Day weekend Sept. 1-4. Besides offering attendees the opportunity to visit tourist attractions in the Orlando area, the reunion gave NASA education specialists an avenue to tout the benefits of math and scientific learning, as well as the many educational opportunities offered by the space agency. For more information on NASA's education initiatives, visit http://www.nasa.gov/education. Photo credit: NASA/Frankie Martin

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, preparations are underway to begin closing the payload bay doors on space shuttle Atlantis in preparation for its move to the Vehicle Assembly Building. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of the space shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis’ future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit’s grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Atlantis’ payload bay doors were closed in preparation for its move to the Vehicle Assembly Building. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of the space shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis’ future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit’s grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Atlantis' aft is visible during preparations to move the spacecraft out of Orbiter Processing Facility-1 and into High Bay 4 of the nearby Vehicle Assembly Building. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program's transition and retirement processing of the space shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis' future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit's grand opening in July 2013. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Exhibits from several NASA centers are on display for the nationwide attendees of the Tom Joyner Family Reunion. The event was held in the Exhibit Hall of the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Kissimmee, Fla., and hosted by nationally syndicated radio personality Tom Joyner during the extended Labor Day weekend Sept. 1-4. Besides offering attendees the opportunity to visit tourist attractions in the Orlando area, the reunion gave NASA education specialists an avenue to tout the benefits of math and scientific learning, as well as the many educational opportunities offered by the space agency. For more information on NASA's education initiatives, visit http://www.nasa.gov/education. Photo credit: NASA/Frankie Martin

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Exhibits from several NASA centers are on display for the nationwide attendees of the Tom Joyner Family Reunion. The event was held in the Exhibit Hall of the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Kissimmee, Fla., and hosted by nationally syndicated radio personality Tom Joyner during the extended Labor Day weekend Sept. 1-4. Besides offering attendees the opportunity to visit tourist attractions in the Orlando area, the reunion gave NASA education specialists an avenue to tout the benefits of math and scientific learning, as well as the many educational opportunities offered by the space agency. For more information on NASA's education initiatives, visit http://www.nasa.gov/education. Photo credit: NASA/Frankie Martin

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Technicians monitor progress as space shuttle Atlantis is backed out of Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1 for a move into High Bay 4 of the nearby Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program's transition and retirement processing of the space shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis' future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit's grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, one of the two payload bay doors on space shuttle Atlantis begins to close in preparation for its move to the Vehicle Assembly Building. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of the space shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis’ future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit’s grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Atlantis begins to emerge from Orbiter Processing Facility-1. The spacecraft moved into storage inside High Bay 4 of the nearby Vehicle Assembly Building. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program's transition and retirement processing of the space shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis' future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit's grand opening in July 2013. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, one of the two payload bay doors on space shuttle Atlantis begins to close in preparation for its move to the Vehicle Assembly Building. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of the space shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis’ future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit’s grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Atlantis’ payload bay doors were closed in preparation for its move to the Vehicle Assembly Building. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of the space shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis’ future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit’s grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Atlantis moves out of Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida beginning its short move to High Bay 4 of the nearby Vehicle Assembly Building. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program's transition and retirement processing of the space shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis' future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit's grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Atlantis' crew module and nose cap are visible during preparations to move the spacecraft out of Orbiter Processing Facility-1 and into High Bay 4 of the nearby Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program's transition and retirement processing of the space shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis' future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit's grand opening in July 2013. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Working at the main landing gear, technicians complete weight and center-of-gravity checks of space shuttle Atlantis in Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of the shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18, 2012, for Atlantis' future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex during November in preparation for the exhibit's grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Atlantis’ payload bay doors were closed in preparation for its move to the Vehicle Assembly Building. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of the space shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis’ future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit’s grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Technicians adjust a jack under space shuttle Atlantis as weight and center-of-gravity checks are completed in Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of the shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18, 2012, for Atlantis' future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex during November in preparation for the exhibit's grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, one of the two payload bay doors on space shuttle Atlantis is closed in preparation for its move to the Vehicle Assembly Building. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of the space shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis’ future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit’s grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Atlantis arrives in High Bay 4 of the Vehicle Assembly Building as technicians complete the tow from Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program's transition and retirement processing of the space shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis' future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit's grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, preparations are underway to begin closing the payload bay doors on space shuttle Atlantis in preparation for its move to the Vehicle Assembly Building. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of the space shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis’ future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit’s grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Working at the main landing gear, a technician supports weight and center-of-gravity checks of space shuttle Atlantis in Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of the shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18, 2012, for Atlantis' future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex during November in preparation for the exhibit's grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, one of the two payload bay doors on space shuttle Atlantis is closed in preparation for its move to the Vehicle Assembly Building. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of the space shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis’ future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit’s grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Atlantis is awash in sunlight as it rolls out of Orbiter Processing Facility-1 on its way to High Bay 4 of the nearby Vehicle Assembly Building. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program's transition and retirement processing of the space shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis' future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit's grand opening in July 2013. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Atlantis comes to a stop in High Bay 4 of the Vehicle Assembly Building after a short move from Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program's transition and retirement processing of the space shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis' future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit's grand opening in July 2013. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - A technician is reflected in the mirror of a transporter as preparations begin to move space shuttle Atlantis out of Orbiter Processing Facility-1 and into High Bay 4 of the nearby Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program's transition and retirement processing of the space shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis' future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit's grand opening in July 2013. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Working at the main landing gear, technicians complete weight and center-of-gravity checks of space shuttle Atlantis in Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of the shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18, 2012, for Atlantis' future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex during November in preparation for the exhibit's grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle technicians display an Atlantis flag on the spacecraft as it is moved from Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1 into High Bay 4 of the nearby Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program's transition and retirement processing of the space shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis' future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit's grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Technicians accompany space shuttle Atlantis as it is towed into High Bay 4 of the Vehicle Assembly Building after a short move from Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program's transition and retirement processing of the space shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis' future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit's grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Technicians tow space shuttle Atlantis into High Bay 4 of the Vehicle Assembly Building after a short move from Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program's transition and retirement processing of the space shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis' future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit's grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

A photo of former NASA astronaut Gerald “Jerry” Carr is displayed alongside a memorial wreath during a remembrance ceremony at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Aug. 31, 2020. The ceremony was held at the Heroes and Legends exhibit within the Astronaut Hall of Fame at Kennedy’s visitor complex. Carr was commander of the Skylab 4 mission – the final, crewed mission of the Skylab program. He passed away Aug. 26 at the age of 88.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, preparations are under way to open the payload bay doors of space shuttle Atlantis. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of shuttle Atlantis. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis' future home -- a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

A portrait of Sen. John Glenn and a memorial wreath stand at the Heroes and Legends exhibit hall at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex before a ceremony remembering the iconic astronaut who passed away Dec. 8, 2016 at age 95. Glenn, one of the first seven astronauts NASA chose to fly the first missions of the Space Age, gained worldwide acclaim during his Mercury mission that made him the first American to orbit the Earth. He flew again in 1998 aboard space shuttle Discovery at age 77.

A memorial wreath stands at the Heroes and Legends exhibit hall at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex before a ceremony remembering astronaut Sen. John Glenn, who passed away Dec. 8, 2016 at age 95. Glenn, one of the first seven astronauts NASA chose to fly the first missions of the Space Age, gained worldwide acclaim during his Mercury mission that made him the first American to orbit the Earth. He flew again in 1998 aboard space shuttle Discovery at age 77.

Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana is photographed at a wreath-laying ceremony honoring former astronaut Owen Garriott. The ceremony was held April 18, 2019, at the Heroes and Legends exhibit within the Astronaut Hall of Fame at the Florida spaceport’s visitor complex. Garriott flew aboard the Skylab space station during the Skylab 3 mission and also on space shuttle Columbia for the STS-9/Spacelab-1 mission. He passed away April 15 at the age of 88.

A plaque inside the Heroes and Legends exhibit hall at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex shows the name of astronaut Sen. John Glenn. Glenn, who passed away Dec. 8, 2016 at age 95, was the last surviving member of NASA's original astronaut class. He gained worldwide acclaim during his Mercury mission that made him the first American to orbit the Earth. He flew again in 1998 aboard space shuttle Discovery at age 77.

A display for former NASA astronaut Gerald “Jerry” Carr is shown following a remembrance ceremony on Aug. 31, 2020, at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The ceremony was held at the Heroes and Legends exhibit within the Astronaut Hall of Fame at Kennedy’s visitor complex. Carr was commander of the Skylab 4 mission – the final, crewed mission of the Skylab program. He passed away Aug. 26 at the age of 88.

Former NASA astronaut Jon McBride shares a few words during a wreath-laying ceremony honoring astronaut Owen Garriott on April 18, 2019. The ceremony was held at the Heroes and Legends exhibit within the Astronaut Hall of Fame at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Garriott flew aboard the Skylab space station during the Skylab 3 mission and also on space shuttle Columbia for the STS-9/Spacelab-1 mission. He passed away April 15 at the age of 88.

A photo of former NASA astronaut Gerald “Jerry” Carr is displayed alongside a memorial wreath during a remembrance ceremony at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Aug. 31, 2020. The ceremony was held at the Heroes and Legends exhibit within the Astronaut Hall of Fame at Kennedy’s visitor complex. Carr was commander of the Skylab 4 mission – the final, crewed mission of the Skylab program. He passed away Aug. 26 at the age of 88.

In the Heroes and Legends exhibit at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, former NASA astronaut Richard Gordon's plaque is seen among others enshrined in the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame. Gordon performed two spacewalks during Gemini XI in 1966 and was command module pilot on Apollo 12 in 1969. Gordon died Nov. 6, 2017, at the age of 88.

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, center in red tie, joins Jean-Yves Le Gall, President of International Astronautical Federation (IAF), and other space agency leaders and dignitaries for the ceremonial ribbon cutting to the exhibit hall at the 70th International Astronautical Congress, Monday, Oct. 21, 2019 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

News media members and visitors gather at the Heroes and Legends exhibit hall at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex during a ceremony remembering astronaut Sen. John Glenn who passed away Dec. 8, 2016 at age 95. Glenn, one of the first seven astronauts NASA chose to fly the first missions of the Space Age, gained worldwide acclaim during his Mercury mission that made him the first American to orbit the Earth. He flew again in 1998 aboard space shuttle Discovery at age 77.

Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana speaks during a wreath-laying ceremony honoring former astronaut Owen Garriott on April 18, 2019. The ceremony was held at the Heroes and Legends exhibit within the Astronaut Hall of Fame at the center’s visitor complex in Florida. Garriott flew aboard the Skylab space station during the Skylab 3 mission and also on space shuttle Columbia for the STS-9/Spacelab-1 mission. He passed away April 15 at the age of 88.

In the Heroes and Legends exhibit at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, former NASA astronaut Richard Gordon's plaque is seen among other enshrines of the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame. Gordon performed two spacewalks during Gemini XI in 1966 and was command module pilot on Apollo 12 in 1969. Gordon died Nov. 6, 2017, at the age of 88.

A photo of former NASA astronaut Gerald “Jerry” Carr is displayed during a remembrance ceremony at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Aug. 31, 2020. The ceremony was held at the Heroes and Legends exhibit within the Astronaut Hall of Fame at Kennedy’s visitor complex. Carr was commander of the Skylab 4 mission – the final, crewed mission of the Skylab program. He passed away Aug. 26 at the age of 88.

A photo of former astronaut Owen Garriott is displayed during a memorial ceremony at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The ceremony was held April 18, 2019, at the Heroes and Legends exhibit within the Astronaut Hall of Fame at the center’s visitor complex. Garriott flew aboard the Skylab space station during the Skylab 3 mission and also on space shuttle Columbia for the STS-9/Spacelab-1 mission. He passed away April 15 at the age of 88.

Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana is photographed next to a memorial wreath and portrait of former NASA astronaut Gerald “Jerry” Carr during a remembrance ceremony on Aug. 31, 2020. The ceremony was held at the Heroes and Legends exhibit within the Astronaut Hall of Fame at Kennedy’s visitor complex. Carr was commander of the Skylab 4 mission – the final, crewed mission of the Skylab program. He passed away Aug. 26 at the age of 88.

A photo of former Apollo astronaut Walter Cunningham is displayed during a memorial ceremony at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The ceremony was held Jan. 9, 2023, at the Heroes and Legends exhibit within the Astronaut Hall of Fame at the center’s visitor complex. Cunningham was the lunar module pilot for Apollo 7 – the first crewed flight test of the Apollo spacecraft – where he tested maneuvers necessary for docking and lunar orbit rendezvous. He passed away Jan. 3 at the age of 90.

In the Heroes and Legends exhibit at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, former NASA astronaut Richard Gordon's plaque is seen among others enshrined in the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame. Gordon performed two spacewalks during Gemini XI in 1966 and was command module pilot on Apollo 12 in 1969. Gordon died Nov. 6, 2017, at the age of 88.

Therrin Protze, chief operating officer of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, is photographed at a wreath-laying ceremony honoring former astronaut Owen Garriott on April 18, 2019. The ceremony was held at the Heroes and Legends exhibit within the Astronaut Hall of Fame at the center’s visitor complex in Florida. Garriott flew aboard the Skylab space station during the Skylab 3 mission and also on space shuttle Columbia for the STS-9/Spacelab-1 mission. He passed away April 15 at the age of 88.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, operations to open the payload bay doors of space shuttle Atlantis are well under way. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of shuttle Atlantis. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis' future home -- a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

Therrin Protze, chief operating officer of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, speaks during a memorial ceremony honoring former Apollo astronaut Walter Cunningham. The ceremony was held Jan. 9, 2023, at the Heroes and Legends exhibit within the Astronaut Hall of Fame at the Florida spaceport’s visitor complex. Cunningham was the lunar module pilot for Apollo 7 – the first crewed flight test of the Apollo spacecraft – where he tested maneuvers necessary for docking and lunar orbit rendezvous. He passed away Jan. 3 at the age of 90.

From Space to the Super Bowl Members of the STS-129 shuttle mission present a specially minted silver medallion to National Football League officials on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010, at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. The coin, which was flown in space during the November flight of Atlantis, will be used for the official coin toss prior to the kickoff of Super Bowl XLIV on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010. One member of Atlantis' crew, Leland Melvin, was drafted by the NFL's Detroit Lions in 1986. The crew also flew other NFL-related memorabilia, including jerseys and a football inscribed with the name of every member of the Hall of Fame. From left: Astronauts Bobby Satcher, Randy Bresnik, and Charlie Hobaugh; Joe Horrigan, Vice President of Communications/Exhibits for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Steve Perry, President/Executive Director of the Pro Football Hall of Fame; astronauts Berry Wilmore, Michael Foreman and Leland Melvin. Photo Credit: NASA/Marv Smith

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Atlantis begins its move from Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1. The spacecraft is being moved into storage inside High Bay 4 of the nearby Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program's transition and retirement processing of the space shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis' future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit's grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United Space Alliance technicians lift the forward reaction control system from a transporter during preparations to reinstall it on space shuttle Atlantis. The system helped the shuttle maneuver while it was in orbit. Atlantis’ FRCS was removed and sent to White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico to be cleaned of its toxic propellants. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of the shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis' future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit’s grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a technician moves the Hyster forklift carrying replica shuttle main engine RSME number 1 toward space shuttle Atlantis. Three RSMEs will be installed on Atlantis. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of the space shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis’ future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit’s grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the fuel line that supplied liquid hydrogen propellant to space shuttle Atlantis’ main engine No. 2 has been disconnected from the shuttle. The liquid hydrogen lines will be placed in storage to preserve the option to reuse them on NASA’s Space Launch System heavy-lift vehicle, under development. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of shuttle Atlantis. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis' future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit’s grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United Space Alliance technicians monitor the progress of space shuttle Atlantis’ payload bay doors as they are closed in preparation for its move to the Vehicle Assembly Building. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of the space shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis’ future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit’s grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The camera captures a nose-on view of space shuttle Atlantis as it is backed out of Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1 for a move to High Bay 4 of the nearby Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program's transition and retirement processing of the space shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis' future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit's grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United Space Alliance technicians work with other technicians inside space shuttle Atlantis’ aft compartment, out of view, to remove the fuel line that supplied liquid hydrogen propellant to Atlantis’ main engine No. 2. The liquid hydrogen lines will be placed in storage to preserve the option to reuse them on NASA’s Space Launch System heavy-lift vehicle, under development. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of shuttle Atlantis. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis' future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit’s grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United Space Alliance technicians position the forward reaction control system over space shuttle Atlantis during the system’s reinstallation on the shuttle. The system helped the shuttle maneuver while it was in orbit. Atlantis’ FRCS was removed and sent to White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico to be cleaned of its toxic propellants. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of the shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis' future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit’s grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians on the Hyster forklift position replica shuttle main engine RSME number 2 for installation on space shuttle Atlantis. Three RSMEs will be installed on Atlantis. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of the space shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis’ future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit’s grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition. Photo credit: NASA/Glenn Benson

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Looking along the underbelly toward the nose landing gear of space shuttle Atlantis, technicians complete weight and center-of-gravity checks in Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of the shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18, 2012, for Atlantis' future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex during November in preparation for the exhibit's grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a technician on the Hyster forklift monitors the progress as he guides replica shuttle main engine RSME number 1 toward space shuttle Atlantis. Three RSMEs will be installed on Atlantis. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of the space shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis’ future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit’s grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a technician moves the Hyster forklift carrying replica shuttle main engine RSME number 1 toward space shuttle Atlantis. Three RSMEs will be installed on Atlantis. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of the space shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis’ future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit’s grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United Space Alliance technicians align the forward reaction control system onto space shuttle Atlantis during the system’s reinstallation on the shuttle. The system helped the shuttle maneuver while it was in orbit. Atlantis’ FRCS was removed and sent to White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico to be cleaned of its toxic propellants. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of the shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis' future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit’s grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United Space Alliance technicians remove the lifting device from the forward reaction control system reinstalled on space shuttle Atlantis. The system helped the shuttle maneuver while it was in orbit. Atlantis’ FRCS was removed and sent to White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico to be cleaned of its toxic propellants. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of the shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis' future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit’s grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United Space Alliance technicians prepare to reinstall the forward reaction control system on space shuttle Atlantis. The system helped the shuttle maneuver while it was in orbit. Atlantis’ FRCS was removed and sent to White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico to be cleaned of its toxic propellants. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of the shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis' future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit’s grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians sitting on the Hyster forklift monitor the progress as technicians in the aft portion of space shuttle Atlantis connect replica shuttle main engine RSME number 2. Three RSMEs will be installed on Atlantis. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of the space shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis’ future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit’s grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition. Photo credit: NASA/Glenn Benson

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United Space Alliance technicians remove the fuel line that supplied liquid hydrogen propellant to space shuttle Atlantis’ main engine No. 2. The liquid hydrogen lines will be placed in storage to preserve the option to reuse them on NASA’s Space Launch System heavy-lift vehicle, under development. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of shuttle Atlantis. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis' future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit’s grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, three replica shuttle main engines RSMEs have been installed on the space shuttle Atlantis. Three RSMEs were installed on Atlantis. The replicas were built in the Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne engine shop at KSC to replace the space shuttle main engines SSMEs which will be placed in storage to support NASA's Space Launch System currently under development. The RSME installation is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of the space shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18, 2012 for Atlantis’ future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex during November in preparation for the exhibit’s grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition. Photo credit: NASA/Glenn Benson

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Looking along the underbelly toward the nose landing gear of space shuttle Atlantis, technicians complete weight and center-of-gravity checks in Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of the shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18, 2012, for Atlantis' future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex during November in preparation for the exhibit's grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Atlantis is surrounded by work platforms in this wide-angle view inside Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Technicians are completing weight and center-or-gravity checks on the spacecraft. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of the shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18, 2012, for Atlantis' future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex during November in preparation for the exhibit's grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians on the Hyster forklift position replica shuttle main engine RSME number 2 for installation on space shuttle Atlantis. Three RSMEs will be installed on Atlantis. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of the space shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis’ future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit’s grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition. Photo credit: NASA/Glenn Benson

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Looking along the underbelly toward the main landing gear of the space shuttle Atlantis, technicians monitor weight and center-of-gravity checks in Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of the shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18, 2012, for Atlantis' future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex during November in preparation for the exhibit's grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, three replica shuttle main engines RSMEs have been installed on the space shuttle Atlantis. Three RSMEs were installed on Atlantis. The replicas were built in the Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne engine shop at KSC to replace the space shuttle main engines SSMEs which will be placed in storage to support NASA's Space Launch System currently under development. The RSME installation is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of the space shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18, 2012 for Atlantis’ future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex during November in preparation for the exhibit’s grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition. Photo credit: NASA/Glenn Benson

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the forward reaction control system has been reinstalled on space shuttle Atlantis. The system helped the shuttle maneuver while it was in orbit. Atlantis’ FRCS was removed and sent to White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico to be cleaned of its toxic propellants. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of the shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis' future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit’s grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - While wearing a safety harness, a technician checks his communications equipment during weight and center-of-gravity checks on space shuttle Atlantis in Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of the shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18, 2012, for Atlantis' future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex during November in preparation for the exhibit's grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Atlantis’ engine well is empty where main engine No. 1 has been removed. The liquid hydrogen lines will be placed in storage to preserve the option to reuse them on NASA’s Space Launch System heavy-lift vehicle, under development. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of shuttle Atlantis. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis' future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit’s grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United Space Alliance technicians monitor the progress of space shuttle Atlantis’ payload bay doors as they are closed in preparation for its move to the Vehicle Assembly Building. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of the space shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis’ future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit’s grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians sitting on the Hyster forklift monitor the progress as they guide replica shuttle main engine RSME number 1 toward space shuttle Atlantis. Three RSMEs will be installed on Atlantis. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of the space shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis’ future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit’s grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians on the Hyster forklift position replica shuttle main engine RSME number 2 for installation on space shuttle Atlantis. Three RSMEs will be installed on Atlantis. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of the space shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis’ future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit’s grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition. Photo credit: NASA/Glenn Benson

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, exhibits and displays are set up in Space Florida's Exploration Park at the site of space shuttle Atlantis' stop during its 10-mile journey from the Vehicle Assembly Building to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis paused in the park for a viewing opportunity for visitor complex guests before completing the trip to its new home. As part of transition and retirement of the Space Shuttle Program, Atlantis will be displayed in a new exhibit hall at the visitor complex beginning in the summer of 2013. Over the course of its 26-year career, Atlantis traveled 125,935,769 miles, completing 33 missions during 307 days in space. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a technician moves the Hyster forklift carrying replica shuttle main engine RSME number 1 toward space shuttle Atlantis. Three RSMEs will be installed on Atlantis. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of the space shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis’ future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit’s grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians sitting on the Hyster forklift monitor the progress as they guide replica shuttle main engine RSME number 1 toward space shuttle Atlantis. Three RSMEs will be installed on Atlantis. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of the space shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis’ future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit’s grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United Space Alliance technicians inspect space shuttle Atlantis’ payload bay doors after they were closed in preparation for its move to the Vehicle Assembly Building. The work is part of the Space Shuttle Program’s transition and retirement processing of the space shuttle fleet. A groundbreaking was held Jan. 18 for Atlantis’ future home, a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall in Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the visitor complex in November in preparation for the exhibit’s grand opening in July 2013. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Education specialists at a joint exhibit from NASA's Kennedy Space Center and Glenn Research Center discuss the advancements the agency has made in aeronautics with the nationwide attendees of the Tom Joyner Family Reunion. The event was held in the Exhibit Hall of the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Kissimmee, Fla., and hosted by nationally syndicated radio personality Tom Joyner during the extended Labor Day weekend Sept. 1-4. Besides offering attendees the opportunity to visit tourist attractions in the Orlando area, the reunion gave NASA an avenue to tout the benefits of math and scientific learning, as well as the many educational opportunities offered by the space agency. For more information on NASA's education initiatives, visit http://www.nasa.gov/education. Photo credit: NASA/Frankie Martin