The first Space Shuttle External Tank, the Main Propulsion Test Article (MPTA), rolls off the assembly line September 9, 1977 at the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. The MPTA was then transported to the National Space Technology Laboratories in southern Mississippi where it was used in the first static firing of the three main engines. Marshall Space Flight Center had management responsibility for Space Shuttle propulsion elements, including the External Tank. Martin Marietta was the prime contractor who designed and assembled the tanks at Michoud.
S93-29846 (2 Feb 1993) --- The orbiter Columbia is rolled out of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). Having completed its assembly with the external tank and solid rocket boosters, the Space Shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39A, where it is targeted for liftoff on Space Shuttle Mission STS-55 in late February.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – After rolling out of the Orbiter Processing Facility bay 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, space shuttle Atlantis rolls to the Vehicle Assembly Building. In the VAB, Atlantis will be attached to its external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39A to prepare for launch on the STS-125 mission targeted for Oct. 8. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – After rolling out of the Orbiter Processing Facility bay 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, space shuttle Atlantis rolls to the Vehicle Assembly Building. In the VAB, Atlantis will be attached to its external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39A to prepare for launch on the STS-125 mission targeted for Oct. 8. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Atlantis is lowered alongside the external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters in High Bay 3. The shuttle will be mated with the external tank and boosters on the mobile launcher platform. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39A for a targeted launch on May 12 on the STS-125 mission to service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Atlantis is lowered alongside the external fuel tank in High Bay 3. In the bay, the shuttle will be mated with the external tank and solid rocket boosters on the mobile launcher platform. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39A for a targeted launch on May 12 on the STS-125 mission to service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Atlantis rolls out of the Orbiter Processing Facility bay 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center for transfer to the Vehicle Assembly Building. In the VAB, Atlantis will be attached to its external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39A to prepare for launch on the STS-125 mission targeted for Oct. 8. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Discovery rolls out of Orbiter Processing Facility 3 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida to head to the Vehicle Assembly Building (in the background). First motion was at 2:30 p.m. EST. In the VAB, Discovery will be attached to its external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39A for a targeted launch to the International Space Station on Feb. 12. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – After rolling out of the Orbiter Processing Facility bay 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, space shuttle Atlantis begins the short transfer to the Vehicle Assembly Building. In the VAB, Atlantis will be attached to its external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39A to prepare for launch on the STS-125 mission targeted for Oct. 8. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Atlantis is ready to roll out of the Orbiter Processing Facility bay 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center for transfer to the Vehicle Assembly Building. In the VAB, Atlantis will be attached to its external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39A to prepare for launch on the STS-125 mission targeted for Oct. 8. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Atlantis rolls out of the Orbiter Processing Facility bay 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center for transfer to the Vehicle Assembly Building. In the VAB, Atlantis will be attached to its external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39A to prepare for launch on the STS-125 mission targeted for Oct. 8. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Discovery rolls out of Orbiter Processing Facility 3 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida to head to the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. First motion was at 2:30 p.m. EST. In the VAB, Discovery will be attached to its external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39A for a targeted launch to the International Space Station on Feb. 12. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- After rolling out of Orbiter Processing Facility 3 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery turns toward the Vehicle Assembly Building. First motion was at 2:30 p.m. EST. In the VAB, Discovery will be attached to its external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39A for a targeted launch to the International Space Station on Feb. 12. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Discovery is being prepped inside the Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) bay 1 for a "roll around" to OPF bay 3 where ongoing payload and ground processing assessments will be completed. Managers will then determine when to roll the orbiter to the Vehicle Assembly Building for stacking with the external tank and soid rocket boosters, and when to roll out to Launch Pad 39A. Discovery is scheduled to launch Oct. 5 at 9:30 p.m. EDT on mission STS-92, which will be the 100th flight in the Shuttle program.
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Discovery rolls into Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) bay 3 where ongoing payload and ground processing assessments will be completed. Managers will then determine when to roll the orbiter to the Vehicle Assembly Building for stacking with the external tank and solid rocket boosters, and when to roll out to Launch Pad 39A. Discovery is scheduled to launch Oct. 5 at 9:30 p.m. EDT on mission STS-92, which will be the 100th flight in the Shuttle program
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Discovery rolls past the Vehicle Assembly Building on its way to Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) bay 3 where ongoing payload and ground processing assessments will be completed. Managers will then determine when to roll the orbiter to the Vehicle Assembly Building for stacking with the external tank and solid rocket boosters, and when to roll out to Launch Pad 39A. Discovery is scheduled to launch Oct. 5 at 9:30 p.m. EDT on mission STS-92, which will be the 100th flight in the Shuttle program
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Discovery rolls past the Vehicle Assembly Building on its way to Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) bay 3 where ongoing payload and ground processing assessments will be completed. Managers will then determine when to roll the orbiter to the Vehicle Assembly Building for stacking with the external tank and solid rocket boosters, and when to roll out to Launch Pad 39A. Discovery is scheduled to launch Oct. 5 at 9:30 p.m. EDT on mission STS-92, which will be the 100th flight in the Shuttle program
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Discovery is being prepped inside the Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) bay 1 for a "roll around" to OPF bay 3 where ongoing payload and ground processing assessments will be completed. Managers will then determine when to roll the orbiter to the Vehicle Assembly Building for stacking with the external tank and soid rocket boosters, and when to roll out to Launch Pad 39A. Discovery is scheduled to launch Oct. 5 at 9:30 p.m. EDT on mission STS-92, which will be the 100th flight in the Shuttle program.
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Discovery rolls into Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) bay 3 where ongoing payload and ground processing assessments will be completed. Managers will then determine when to roll the orbiter to the Vehicle Assembly Building for stacking with the external tank and solid rocket boosters, and when to roll out to Launch Pad 39A. Discovery is scheduled to launch Oct. 5 at 9:30 p.m. EDT on mission STS-92, which will be the 100th flight in the Shuttle program
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Just before dawn, External Tank 119 rolls out of NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Vehicle Assembly Building. It is being moved to the barge at the Turn Basin. The tank will embark on a voyage around the Florida peninsula to the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. Delivered to KSC in June, ET-119 is the third newly redesigned tank.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – After rolling out of Orbiter Processing Facility 2, space shuttle Endeavour rolls through the open doors of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. In the VAB, Endeavour will be attached to its external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39B. Endeavour is the backup shuttle, if needed for rescue, for space shuttle Atlantis’ STS-125 mission to NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope targeted for October. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Outside the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Kennedy employees, and their families and friends, are on hand to watch space shuttle Discovery roll out to Launch Pad 39A. It will take the shuttle, attached to its external fuel tank, twin solid rocket boosters and mobile launcher platform, about seven hours to complete the move atop a crawler-transporter. This is the second time Discovery has rolled out to the pad for the STS-133 mission, and comes after a thorough check and modifications to the shuttle's external tank. Targeted to liftoff Feb. 24, Discovery will take the Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM) packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2 (R2) to the International Space Station. For more information on STS-133, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Xenon lights illuminate space shuttle Discovery and create a mirror image in the Turn Basin at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida as the space vehicle rolls out to Launch Pad 39A from the Vehicle Assembly Building. It will take the shuttle, attached to its external fuel tank, twin solid rocket boosters and mobile launcher platform, about seven hours to complete the move atop a crawler-transporter. This is the second time Discovery has rolled out to the pad for the STS-133 mission, and comes after a thorough check and modifications to the shuttle's external tank. Targeted to liftoff Feb. 24, Discovery will take the Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM) packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2 (R2) to the International Space Station. For more information on STS-133, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Shuttle Atlantis, with twin solid rocket boosters and external tank atop the Mobile Launcher Platform and crawler-transorter, moves in the predawn hours into high bay 2 in the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). For the first time in Space Shuttle history, a fully stacked Shuttle is rolling around the north side of the VAB into high bay 2 on the building's west side. The VAB and nearby rock-paved crawlerway have recently undergone major modifications to provide Shuttle fliglht hardware more storage space and protection - "Safe Haven" - from hurricanes or tropical storms. Atlantis, the twin solid rocket boosters and external tank begain moving out of VAB high bay 1 on the east side at 2:59 a.m. EDT. After the successful "Safe Haven" fit check, Shuttle Atlantis is scheduled to roll out to Launch Pad 39B in preparation for the STS-106 launch on Sept. 8.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Outside the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Kennedy employees, and their families and friends, are on hand to watch space shuttle Discovery roll out to Launch Pad 39A. It will take the shuttle, attached to its external fuel tank, twin solid rocket boosters and mobile launcher platform, about seven hours to complete the move atop a crawler-transporter. This is the second time Discovery has rolled out to the pad for the STS-133 mission, and comes after a thorough check and modifications to the shuttle's external tank. Targeted to liftoff Feb. 24, Discovery will take the Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM) packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2 (R2) to the International Space Station. For more information on STS-133, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Outside the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Kennedy employees, and their families and friends, are on hand to watch space shuttle Discovery roll out to Launch Pad 39A. It will take the shuttle, attached to its external fuel tank, twin solid rocket boosters and mobile launcher platform, about seven hours to complete the move atop a crawler-transporter. This is the second time Discovery has rolled out to the pad for the STS-133 mission, and comes after a thorough check and modifications to the shuttle's external tank. Targeted to liftoff Feb. 24, Discovery will take the Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM) packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2 (R2) to the International Space Station. For more information on STS-133, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Shuttle Atlantis, with twin solid rocket boosters and external tank atop the Mobile Launcher Platform and crawler-transorter, moves in the predawn hours into high bay 2 in the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). For the first time in Space Shuttle history, a fully stacked Shuttle is rolling around the north side of the VAB into high bay 2 on the building's west side. The VAB and nearby rock-paved crawlerway have recently undergone major modifications to provide Shuttle fliglht hardware more storage space and protection - "Safe Haven" - from hurricanes or tropical storms. Atlantis, the twin solid rocket boosters and external tank begain moving out of VAB high bay 1 on the east side at 2:59 a.m. EDT. After the successful "Safe Haven" fit check, Shuttle Atlantis is scheduled to roll out to Launch Pad 39B in preparation for the STS-106 launch on Sept. 8.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Outside the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Kennedy employees, and their families and friends, are on hand to watch space shuttle Discovery roll out to Launch Pad 39A. It will take the shuttle, attached to its external fuel tank, twin solid rocket boosters and mobile launcher platform, about seven hours to complete the move atop a crawler-transporter. This is the second time Discovery has rolled out to the pad for the STS-133 mission, and comes after a thorough check and modifications to the shuttle's external tank. Targeted to liftoff Feb. 24, Discovery will take the Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM) packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2 (R2) to the International Space Station. For more information on STS-133, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Discovery slowly rolls out of the Vehicle Assembly Building and heads toward Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The slow trek, known as "rollout," will take the shuttle, attached to its external fuel tank, twin solid rocket boosters and mobile launcher platform atop a crawler-transporter, about seven hours to complete. This is the second time Discovery has rolled out to the pad for the STS-133 mission, and comes after a thorough check and modifications to the shuttle's external tank. Targeted to liftoff Feb. 24, Discovery will take the Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM) packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2 (R2) to the International Space Station. For more information on STS-133, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Atlantis rolls out of Orbiter Processing Facility 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida to roll over to the Vehicle Assembly Building. First motion was at 11:30 a.m. EDT. In the VAB, Atlantis will be lifted into High Bay 3 and mated to the solid rocket booster-external fuel tank already installed on the mobile launcher platform. Atlantis is targeted to launch May 12 for the STS-125 Hubble servicing mission. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Aboard its transporter, space shuttle Discovery rolls into the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Discovery left Orbiter Processing Facility 3 at 2:30 p.m. EST. In the VAB, Discovery will be attached to its external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39A for a targeted launch to the International Space Station on Feb. 12. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- KSC employees chaperone the transfer of the orbiter Discovery from Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) bay 1 to OPF bay 3 where ongoing payload and ground processing assessments will be completed. Managers will then determine when to roll the orbiter to the Vehicle Assembly Building for stacking with the external tank and solid rocket boosters, and when to roll out to Launch Pad 39A. Discovery is scheduled to launch Oct. 5 at 9:30 p.m. EDT on mission STS-92, which will be the 100th flight in the Shuttle program
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Atlantis begins rolling out of Orbiter Processing Facility 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida to roll over to the Vehicle Assembly Building. First motion was at 11:30 a.m. EDT. In the VAB, Atlantis will be lifted into High Bay 3 and mated to the solid rocket booster-external fuel tank already installed on the mobile launcher platform. Atlantis is targeted to launch May 12 for the STS-125 Hubble servicing mission. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Atlantis rolls into the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The shuttle arrived in the VAB by 11:05 p.m. EDT. Atlantis will next be attached to its external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39A to prepare for launch on the STS-125 mission targeted for Oct. 8. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller
Space Shuttle Columbia rolls over from Orbiter Processing Facility bay 1 to the Vehicle Assembly Building to be mated to its external tank/solid rocket booster stack. Roll out to Pad 39A in preparation for mission STS-83 is set for first motion at 7 a.m. on Tuesday. Launch is currently targeted for April 3 at 2:01 p.m. EST
Space Shuttle Columbia rolls over from Orbiter Processing Facility bay 1 to the Vehicle Assembly Building to be mated to its external tank/solid rocket booster stack. Roll out to Pad 39A in preparation for mission STS-83 is set for first motion at 7 a.m. on Tuesday. Launch is currently targeted for April 3 at 2:01 p.m. EST
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- KSC employees chaperone the transfer of the orbiter Discovery from Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) bay 1 to OPF bay 3 where ongoing payload and ground processing assessments will be completed. Managers will then determine when to roll the orbiter to the Vehicle Assembly Building for stacking with the external tank and solid rocket boosters, and when to roll out to Launch Pad 39A. Discovery is scheduled to launch Oct. 5 at 9:30 p.m. EDT on mission STS-92, which will be the 100th flight in the Shuttle program
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, space shuttle Atlantis is lowered alongside the external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters in high bay 3. Atlantis will be mated to the tank and boosters stacked on the mobile launcher platform. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39A to prepare for launch on the STS-125 mission targeted for 1:34 a.m. EDT Oct. 8. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, space shuttle Atlantis is lowered toward the external fuel tank in high bay 3. Atlantis will be mated to the tank and twin solid rocket boosters stacked on the mobile launcher platform. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39A to prepare for launch on the STS-125 mission targeted for 1:34 a.m. EDT Oct. 8. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, space shuttle Atlantis approaches the floor of the mobile launcher platform in high bay 3. Behind the shuttle are the external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters already stacked there. Atlantis will be mated to the tank and boosters. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39A to prepare for launch on the STS-125 mission targeted for 1:34 a.m. EDT Oct. 8. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, space shuttle Atlantis is lowered toward the external fuel tank in high bay 3. Atlantis will be mated to the tank and twin solid rocket boosters stacked on the mobile launcher platform. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39A to prepare for launch on the STS-125 mission targeted for 1:34 a.m. EDT Oct. 8. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, a technician closely watches the progress of space shuttle Atlantis as it is lowered alongside the external fuel tank in high bay 3. Atlantis will be mated to the tank and twin solid rocket boosters stacked on the mobile launcher platform. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39A to prepare for launch on the STS-125 mission targeted for 1:34 a.m. EDT Oct. 8. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, space shuttle Atlantis is lowered toward the external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters in high bay 3. Atlantis will be mated to the tank and boosters stacked on the mobile launcher platform. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39A to prepare for launch on the STS-125 mission targeted for 1:34 a.m. EDT Oct. 8. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In high bay 3 of NASA's Vehicle Assembly Building, a crane lowers the orbiter Discovery into place alongside its external tank and twin solid rocket boosters for mating. Discovery will be mated with its external tank and twin solid rocket boosters waiting below on the mobile launcher platform. Space Shuttle Discovery is expected to roll out to Launch Pad 39B later this week via the crawler-transporter. Launch of Discovery on mission STS-121 is scheduled to take place in a window extending July 1 to July 19. Photo credit: NASA/Charisse Nahser
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Atlantis is moved toward High Bay 3 where the top of its external fuel tank can be seen. In the bay, the shuttle will be lowered and mated with the external tank and solid rocket boosters on the mobile launcher platform. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39A for a targeted launch on May 12 on the STS-125 mission to service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In High Bay 1 of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the solid rocket boosters flank the external fuel tank that will be attached to space shuttle Discovery. The SRBs and external tank are already stacked on the mobile launcher platform. Discovery is scheduled to roll out to Launch Pad 39A the first week of August to prepare for the STS-128 mission to the International Space Station. The shuttle will carry the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module containing life support racks and science racks and the Lightweight Multi-Purpose Experiment Support Structure Carrier in its payload bay. Launch of Discovery is targeted for late August. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – After rolling out of Orbiter Processing Facility 2, space shuttle Endeavour turns toward the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. In the VAB, Endeavour will be attached to its external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39B. Endeavour is the backup shuttle, if needed for rescue, for space shuttle Atlantis’ STS-125 mission to NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope targeted for October. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Endeavour begins rolling out of Orbiter Processing Facility 2 to head to the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. First motion was 7:01 a.m. EDT. In the VAB, Endeavour will be attached to its external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39B. Endeavour is the backup shuttle, if needed for rescue, for space shuttle Atlantis’ STS-125 mission to NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope targeted for October. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Endeavour begins to roll out of Orbiter Processing Facility 2 to head to the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. First motion was 7:01 a.m. EDT. In the VAB, Endeavour will be attached to its external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39B. Endeavour is the backup shuttle, if needed for rescue, for space shuttle Atlantis’ STS-125 mission to NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope targeted for October. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Moved by the orbiter transporter, space shuttle Endeavour turns away from Orbiter Processing Facility 2 after rolling out to head to the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. First motion was 7:01 a.m. EDT. In the VAB, Endeavour will be attached to its external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39B. Endeavour is the backup shuttle, if needed for rescue, for space shuttle Atlantis’ STS-125 mission to NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope targeted for October. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – After rolling out of Orbiter Processing Facility 2, space shuttle Endeavour begins the turn toward the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. In the VAB, Endeavour will be attached to its external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39B. Endeavour is the backup shuttle, if needed for rescue, for space shuttle Atlantis’ STS-125 mission to NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope targeted for October. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Endeavour is ready to roll out of Orbiter Processing Facility 2 and head to the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. First motion was 7:01 a.m. EDT. In the VAB, Endeavour will be attached to its external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39B. Endeavour is the backup shuttle, if needed for rescue, for space shuttle Atlantis’ STS-125 mission to NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope targeted for October. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Endeavour rolls out of Orbiter Processing Facility 2 to head to the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. First motion was 7:01 a.m. EDT. In the VAB, Endeavour will be attached to its external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39B. Endeavour is the backup shuttle, if needed for rescue, for space shuttle Atlantis’ STS-125 mission to NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope targeted for October. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians in the Vehicle Assembly Building inspect space shuttle Discovery, its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters. As technicians were attaching the left-side main separation bolt on the bottom of the shuttle to the external tank Sept. 10 a bolt nut slipped back into Discovery's aft compartment. To retrieve it, technicians entered Discovery’s aft section through an access door. They then moved the nut back into position to finish attaching the bolt, which is used to separate Discovery from the external tank once the shuttle is in orbit. Discovery is scheduled to roll out to Launch Pad 39A later this month for its STS-133 launch to the International Space Station. Targeted to lift off Nov. 1, Discovery will take the Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM) packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2 (R2) to the station. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery is attached to its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters in the Vehicle Assembly Building. As technicians were attaching the left-side main separation bolt on the bottom of the shuttle to the external tank Sept. 10 a bolt nut slipped back into Discovery's aft compartment. To retrieve it, technicians entered Discovery’s aft section through an access door. They then moved the nut back into position to finish attaching the bolt, which is used to separate Discovery from the external tank once the shuttle is in orbit. Discovery is scheduled to roll out to Launch Pad 39A later this month for its STS-133 launch to the International Space Station. Targeted to lift off Nov. 1, Discovery will take the Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM) packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2 (R2) to the station. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery is attached to its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters in the Vehicle Assembly Building. As technicians were attaching the left-side main separation bolt on the bottom of the shuttle to the external tank Sept. 10 a bolt nut slipped back into Discovery's aft compartment. To retrieve it, technicians entered Discovery’s aft section through an access door. They then moved the nut back into position to finish attaching the bolt, which is used to separate Discovery from the external tank once the shuttle is in orbit. Discovery is scheduled to roll out to Launch Pad 39A later this month for its STS-133 launch to the International Space Station. Targeted to lift off Nov. 1, Discovery will take the Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM) packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2 (R2) to the station. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery is in the spotlight as it is being moved atop the crawler-transporter out of the Vehicle Assembly Building on its 3.4-mile trek to Launch Pad 39A. It will take the shuttle, attached to its external fuel tank, twin solid rocket boosters and mobile launcher platform, about seven hours to complete the journey. This is the second time Discovery has rolled out to the pad for the STS-133 mission, and comes after a thorough check and modifications to the shuttle's external tank. Targeted to liftoff Feb. 24, Discovery will take the Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM) packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2 (R2) to the International Space Station. For more information on STS-133, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery, perched on a crawler-transporter, begins a nighttime trek out of the massive Vehicle Assembly Building, on its 3.4-mile journey to Launch Pad 39A. It will take the shuttle, attached to its external fuel tank, twin solid rocket boosters and mobile launcher platform, about seven hours to complete the move. This is the second time Discovery has rolled out to the pad for the STS-133 mission, and comes after a thorough check and modifications to the shuttle's external tank. Targeted to liftoff Feb. 24, Discovery will take the Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM) packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2 (R2) to the International Space Station. For more information on STS-133, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery, perched on a crawler-transporter, begins a nighttime trek out of the massive Vehicle Assembly Building, on its 3.4-mile journey to Launch Pad 39A. It will take the shuttle, attached to its external fuel tank, twin solid rocket boosters and mobile launcher platform, about seven hours to complete the move. This is the second time Discovery has rolled out to the pad for the STS-133 mission, and comes after a thorough check and modifications to the shuttle's external tank. Targeted to liftoff Feb. 24, Discovery will take the Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM) packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2 (R2) to the International Space Station. For more information on STS-133, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Discovery is lowered toward the external fuel tank in High Bay 1 of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Discovery will be attached to the external and solid rocket boosters already stacked on the mobile launcher platform. Visible on Discovery's underside are the umbilical areas, the external fuel tank attach points. Discovery is scheduled to roll out to Launch Pad 39A the first week of August to prepare for the STS-128 mission to the International Space Station. The shuttle will carry the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module containing life support racks and science racks and the Lightweight Multi-Purpose Experiment Support Structure Carrier in its payload bay. Launch of Discovery is targeted for late August. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – After rotation in the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Atlantis is suspended vertically above the transfer aisle. The shuttle will be lifted into High Bay 3 where it will be attached to its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters on the mobile launcher platform. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39A for a targeted launch on May 12 on the STS-125 Hubble servicing mission. Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In In the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building, the orbiter Atlantis is suspended by a sling. The orbiter will be raised to vertical and lifted up into high bay 1. Then it will be lowered onto the mobile launcher platform where the external tank and solid rocket boosters are already stacked. Space Shuttle Atlantis is targeted to roll out to Launch Pad 39A on February 14 for mission STS-117. The mission is No. 21 to the International Space Station and construction flight 13A. Photo credit: NASA/Amanda Diller
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The overhead sling lowers the orbiter Atlantis next to the external tank and solid rocket boosters stacked on the mobile launcher platform (MLP) below. Atlantis will be mated to the MLPs as well. Space Shuttle Atlantis is targeted to roll out to Launch Pad 39A on February 14 for mission STS-117. The mission is No. 21 to the International Space Station and construction flight 13A. Photo credit: NASA/Amanda Diller
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building, the orbiter Atlantis is being raised to a vertical position. Then it will be lifted up into high bay 1 and lowered onto the mobile launcher platform where the external tank and solid rocket boosters are already stacked. Space Shuttle Atlantis is targeted to roll out to Launch Pad 39A on February 14 for mission STS-117. The mission is No. 21 to the International Space Station and construction flight 13A. Photo credit: NASA/Amanda Diller
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A crane lifts space shuttle Atlantis into the upper levels of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The shuttle will be moved into high bay 3 and lowered for stacking with its external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39A to prepare for launch on the STS-125 mission targeted for 1:34 a.m. EDT Oct. 8. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Workers watch as the orbiter Discovery rolls backward out of the Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3 for transfer to the Vehicle Assembly Building, where it will be mated with its external tank and solid rocket boosters. Discovery is scheduled to launch Oct. 5 at 9:30 p.m. EDT on mission STS-92, delivering two elements of the International Space Station: the Z-1 truss and Pressurized Mating Adapter-3. The launch will be the 100th flight in the Shuttle program
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Discovery is rolled out of the Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3 for transfer to the Vehicle Assembly Building, where it will be mated with its external tank and solid rocket boosters. Discovery is scheduled to launch Oct. 5 at 9:30 p.m. EDT on mission STS-92, delivering two elements of the International Space Station: the Z-1 truss and PMA-3. The launch will be the 100th flight in the Shuttle program.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building transfer aisle at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, workers detach space shuttle Atlantis from its transporter. An overhead crane will lift Atlantis to vertical for transfer to high bay 3 to be stacked with its external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39A to prepare for launch on the STS-125 mission targeted for Oct. 8. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, space shuttle Atlantis is suspended vertically above the transfer aisle. The view shows the underbelly of the shuttle. Atlantis will be lifted into high bay 3 and stacked with its external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39A to prepare for launch on the STS-125 mission targeted for 1:34 a.m. EDT Oct. 8. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The overhead sling lowers the orbiter Atlantis next to the external tank and solid rocket boosters stacked on the mobile launcher platform (MLP) below. Atlantis will be mated to the MLP as well. Space Shuttle Atlantis is targeted to roll out to Launch Pad 39A on February 14 for mission STS-117. The mission is No. 21 to the International Space Station and construction flight 13A. Photo credit: NASA/Amanda Diller
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery is lowered alongside the external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters already stacked on the mobile launcher platform. Discovery will be mated with the stack. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39A for a targeted launch on Feb. 12. Discovery will carry the final starboard truss (S6) in the assembly of the International Space Station. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Discovery rolls backward out of the Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3 for transfer to the Vehicle Assembly Building (behind it), where it will be mated with its external tank and solid rocket boosters. Discovery is scheduled to launch Oct. 5 at 9:30 p.m. EDT on mission STS-92, delivering two elements of the International Space Station: the Z-1 truss and PMA-3. The launch will be the 100th flight in the Shuttle program
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery is lowered into high bay 3 alongside the external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters are already stacked on the mobile launcher platform. Discovery will be mated with the stack. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39A for a targeted launch on Feb. 12. Discovery will carry the final starboard truss (S6) in the assembly of the International Space Station. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Atlantis is suspended vertically above the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building. It will be lifted up into high bay 1 and lowered onto the mobile launcher platform where the external tank and solid rocket boosters are already stacked. Space Shuttle Atlantis is targeted to roll out to Launch Pad 39A on February 14 for mission STS-117. The mission is No. 21 to the International Space Station and construction flight 13A. Photo credit: NASA/Amanda Diller
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- Orbiter Discovery rolls out of Orbiter Processing Facility bay 2 atop its transporter for the short trip to the Vehicle Assembly Building. There it will be mated with its external tank and solid rocket boosters for its launch on mission STS-105. The payload on this 11th mission to the International Space Station includes the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Leonardo, which was built by the Italian Space Agency. Leonardo will be outfitted with 12 racks of experiments and equipment. Launch of Discovery is scheduled for no earlier than Aug. 5, 2001
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Atlantis is lifted off its transporter in the transfer aisle. The shuttle will be raised to a vertical position and lifted into High Bay 3 where it will be attached to its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters on the mobile launcher platform. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39A for a targeted launch on May 12 on the STS-125 Hubble servicing mission. Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- Endeavour rolls out of the Orbiter Processing Facility to begin the next stage of launch preparation: stacking with the external tank and solid rocket boosters. Endeavour is scheduled to be launched Nov. 29 on mission STS-108. The 11-day mission will carry the replacement Expedition 4 crew to the International Space Station as well as the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello, filled with supplies and equipment.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building transfer aisle at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the overhead crane is being attached to space shuttle Atlantis. The crane will lift Atlantis to vertical for transfer to high bay 3 to be stacked with its external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39A to prepare for launch on the STS-125 mission targeted for Oct. 8. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Discovery rolls backward out of the Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3 for transfer to the Vehicle Assembly Building (behind it), where it will be mated with its external tank and solid rocket boosters. Discovery is scheduled to launch Oct. 5 at 9:30 p.m. EDT on mission STS-92, delivering two elements of the International Space Station: the Z-1 truss and PMA-3. The launch will be the 100th flight in the Shuttle program
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Atlantis is lowered into High Bay 3. In the bay, the shuttle will be mated with its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters on the mobile launcher platform. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39A for a targeted launch on May 12 on the STS-125 mission to service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building transfer aisle at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, workers have detached space shuttle Atlantis from its transporter. An overhead crane will lift Atlantis to vertical for transfer to high bay 3 to be stacked with its external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39A to prepare for launch on the STS-125 mission targeted for Oct. 8. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- After backing out of Orbiter Processing Facility bay 2, Endeavour is ready to roll over to the Vehicle Assembly Building. In the VAB, Endeavour will be stacked with its solid rocket boosters and external tank atop the Mobile Launcher Platform in high bay 3. Endeavour is scheduled to launch April 19 on mission STS-100, the ninth flight to the International Space Station
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building transfer aisle at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, an overhead crane attached to space shuttle Atlantis lifts the shuttle from its transporter. Atlantis will be lifted to vertical for transfer to high bay 3 to be stacked with its external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39A to prepare for launch on the STS-125 mission targeted for Oct. 8. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery is lifted into the upper levels for transfer to high bay 3. The shuttle will then be lowered onto the mobile launcher platform for mating with its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39A for a targeted launch on Feb. 12. Discovery will carry the final starboard truss (S6) in the assembly of the International Space Station. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building, workers adjust the sling attachment on the orbiter Atlantis. The orbiter will be lifted up into high bay 1 and lowered onto the mobile launcher platform where the external tank and solid rocket boosters are already stacked. Space Shuttle Atlantis is targeted to roll out to Launch Pad 39A on February 14 for mission STS-117. The mission is No. 21 to the International Space Station and construction flight 13A. Photo credit: NASA/Amanda Diller
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In high bay 3 of NASA's Vehicle Assembly Building, Discovery's external tank and solid rocket boosters are being mated with the orbiter atop the mobile launcher platform. Space Shuttle Discovery is expected to roll out to Launch Pad 39B later this week via the crawler-transporter. Launch of Discovery on mission STS-121 is scheduled to take place in a window extending July 1 to July 19. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Orbiter Processing Facility 3 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery is lowered onto a transporter for its move to the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. In the VAB, Discovery will be attached to its external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39A for a targeted launch to the International Space Station on Feb. 12. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
In preparation for Space Shuttle Mission STS-87, the orbiter Columbia is lifted into high bay 3 in the Vehicle Assembly Building. The orbiter will be mated to the <a href="http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/nasafact/count3.htm#et">external tank</a> and <a href="http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/nasafact/ships.htm#srbs">solid rocket boosters</a> over the weekend and is slated to roll out to Pad 39B on Wednesday. STS-87 will be the fourth flight of the United States Microgravity Payload and the Spartan-201 deployable satellite
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, workers observe the movement of space shuttle Atlantis as it is lowered toward the mobile launcher platform. The shuttle will be mated with the external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters on the platform. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39A for a targeted launch on May 12 on the STS-125 mission to service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building, the orbiter Atlantis is suspended by a sling. With the transporter moved away, the orbiter will be raised to vertical and lifted up into high bay 1. Then it will be lowered onto the mobile launcher platform where the external tank and solid rocket boosters are already stacked. Space Shuttle Atlantis is targeted to roll out to Launch Pad 39A on February 14 for mission STS-117. The mission is No. 21 to the International Space Station and construction flight 13A. Photo credit: NASA/Amanda Diller
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Orbiter Endeavour is rolled out of the Orbiter Processing Facility atop a transporter. The orbiter is being moved to the Vehicle Assembly Building for mating to the External Tank/Solid Rocket Boosters atop the Mobile Launcher Platform. Endeavour is targeted to launch May 30, 2002, on mission STS-111 to the International Space Station. Mission goals include delivering and installing the Mobile Base System to complete the Canadian Mobile Service System and carrying the Expedition 5 crew to the Station for rotation with Expedition 4
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Atlantis is rotated by the crane toward a vertical position above the transfer aisle. The shuttle will be lifted into High Bay 3 where it will be attached to its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters on the mobile launcher platform. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39A for a targeted launch on May 12 on the STS-125 Hubble servicing mission. Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The overhead sling lowers the orbiter Atlantis in front of the external tank and solid rocket boosters stacked on the mobile launcher platform (MLP) below. Atlantis will be mated to the MLP as well. Space Shuttle Atlantis is targeted to roll out to Launch Pad 39A on February 14 for mission STS-117. The mission is No. 21 to the International Space Station and construction flight 13A. Photo credit: NASA/Amanda Diller
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In NASA's Vehicle Assembly Building, orbiter Discovery is in place on the mobile launcher platform after being lowered into high bay 3 for mating with its external tank and solid rocket boosters. Space Shuttle Discovery is expected to roll out to Launch Pad 39B later this week via the crawler-transporter. Launch of Discovery on mission STS-121 is scheduled to take place in a window extending July 1 to July 19. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Atlantis is ready to move out of Orbiter Processing Facility 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida and roll over to the Vehicle Assembly Building. In the VAB, Atlantis will be lifted into High Bay 3 and mated to the solid rocket booster-external fuel tank already installed on the mobile launcher platform. Atlantis is targeted to launch May 12 for the STS-125 Hubble servicing mission. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Suspended above the transfer aisle in the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, space shuttle Atlantis is ready to be lifted into high bay 3 and stacked with its external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39A to prepare for launch on the STS-125 mission targeted for 1:34 a.m. EDT Oct. 8. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building transfer aisle at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the overhead crane lifts space shuttle Atlantis from its transporter. Atlantis will be raised to vertical for transfer to high bay 3. There it will be stacked with its external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39A to prepare for launch on the STS-125 mission targeted for 1:34 a.m. EDT Oct. 8. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The orbiter Atlantis is suspended vertically above the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building. It will be lifted up into high bay 1 and lowered onto the mobile launcher platform where the external tank and solid rocket boosters are already stacked. Space Shuttle Atlantis is targeted to roll out to Launch Pad 39A on February 14 for mission STS-117. The mission is No. 21 to the International Space Station and construction flight 13A. Photo credit: NASA/Amanda Diller
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building transfer aisle at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the overhead crane lifts space shuttle Atlantis from its transporter. Atlantis will be raised to vertical for transfer to high bay 3. There it will be stacked with its external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39A to prepare for launch on the STS-125 mission targeted for 1:34 a.m. EDT Oct. 8. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building, workers take a close look at the orbiter Atlantis before it is lifted up into high bay 1. After the lift, it will be lowered onto the mobile launcher platform where the external tank and solid rocket boosters are already stacked. Space Shuttle Atlantis is targeted to roll out to Launch Pad 39A on February 14 for mission STS-117. The mission is No. 21 to the International Space Station and construction flight 13A. Photo credit: NASA/Amanda Diller