M-2 Lifting Body being tested in Ames atmospheric entry simulator to determine the areas of most intense heat.

M-2 lifting body; heat transfer distribution test in the 1 ft hypervelocity wind tunnel

M-2 Lifting body 40x80ft Full Scale Wind Tunnel

M-2 Lifting body 40x80ft Full Scale Wind Tunnle

M-2 Lifting body 40x80ft Full Scale Wind Tunnle

M-2 Lifting body 40x80ft Full Scale Wind Tunnle

M-2 lifting body wind tunnel model with wind tunnel mechanic Chuck Greco. Model mounted on special support designed for lifting body models. Flaps and elevons visible.

Dr Smitty DeFrance greets Ames original staff members as they prepare to have photo taken

M2-F2 lifting body flight vehicle in 40x80ft w.t.

STS027-S-071 (2 Dec. 1988) --- The Space Shuttle Atlantis and its five-man crew of astronauts are launched from Kennedy Space Center?s Pad 39B at 9:30 a.m. (EST), Dec. 2, 1988. Onboard the Department of Defense?dedicated mission are astronauts Robert L. Gibson, Guy S. Gardner, Jerry L. Ross, Richard M. (Mike) Mullane and Williams M. Shepherd.

STS027-S-003 (2 Dec. 1988) --- The Space Shuttle Atlantis and its five-man crew of astronauts are launched from Kennedy Space Center?s Pad 39B at 9:30 a.m. (EST), Dec. 2, 1988. Onboard the Department of Defense ? dedicated mission are astronauts Robert L. Gibson, Guy S. Gardner, Jerry L. Ross, Richard M. (Mike) Mullane and Williams M. Shepherd.

S88-55870 (2 Dec. 1988) --- The space shuttle Atlantis and its five-man crew of astronauts are launched from Kennedy Space Center?s Pad 39B at 9:30 a.m. (EST), Dec. 2, 1988. Onboard the Department of Defense?dedicated mission are astronauts Robert L. Gibson, Guy S. Gardner, Jerry L. Ross, Richard M. (Mike) Mullane and Williams M. Shepherd. Photo credit: NASA

S73-27509 (6 June 1973) --- Scientist-astronaut Joseph P. Kerwin (right), Skylab 2 science pilot and a doctor of medicine, takes a blood sample from astronaut Charles Conrad Jr., Skylab 2 commander, as seen in this reproduction taken from a color television transmission made by a TV camera aboard the Skylab 1 and 2 space station cluster in Earth orbit. The blood sampling was part of the Skylab Hematology and Immunology Experiment M110 series. Photo credit: NASA

S65-10171 (2 Feb. 1965) --- Astronaut Walter M. Schirra Jr., the Gemini-Titan 3 backup crew command pilot, is shown during water egress para-drop training activity in nearby Galveston Bay.

S65-10172 (2 Feb. 1965) --- Astronaut Walter M. Schirra Jr., the Gemini-Titan 3 backup crew command pilot, is shown during water egress para-drop training activity in nearby Galveston Bay.

S114-E-6569 (2 August 2005) --- Astronaut James M. Kelly, STS-114 pilot, eats a meal on the middeck of the Space Shuttle Discovery while docked to the international space station.

S65-10173 (2 Feb. 1965) --- Astronaut Walter M. Schirra Jr., the Gemini-Titan 3 backup crew command pilot, is shown during water egress para-drop training activity in nearby Galveston Bay.

ISS011-E-11417 (2 August 2005) --- Astronauts Wendy B. Lawrence (foreground), STS-114 mission specialist, and James M. Kelly, pilot, work at the Canadarm2 workstation in the Destiny laboratory on the International Space Station.

Launched aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia on June 5, 1991 at 9:24; am (EDT), the STS-40 mission was the fifth dedicated Spacelab Mission, Spacelab Life Sciences-1 (SLS-1), and the first mission dedicated solely to life sciences. The STS-40 crew included 7 astronauts: Bryan D. O’Connor, commander; Sidney M. Gutierrez, pilot; F. Drew Gaffney, payload specialist 1; Milli-Hughes Fulford, payload specialist 2; James P. Bagian, mission specialist 1; Tamara E. Jernigan, mission specialist 2; and M. Rhea Seddon, mission specialist 3.

Launched aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia on June 5, 1991 at 9:24; am (EDT), the STS-40 mission was the fifth dedicated Spacelab Mission, Spacelab Life Sciences-1 (SLS-1), and the first mission dedicated solely to life sciences. The STS-40 crew included 7 astronauts: Bryan D. O’Connor, commander; Sidney M. Gutierrez, pilot; F. Drew Gaffney, payload specialist 1; Milli-Hughes Fulford, payload specialist 2; James P. Bagian, mission specialist 1; Tamara E. Jernigan, mission specialist 2; and M. Rhea Seddon, mission specialist 3.

S88-53088 (2 Dec. 1988) --- The STS-27 crew strides down the ramp from the Operations and Checkout Building at Kennedy Space Center to grab a van that will take the crew members to Launch Complex 39 for the Dec. 2, 1988 liftoff of Atlantis. Astronaut Robert L. Gibson, commander, waves to well-wishers (out of frame). He is followed by astronaut Guy S. Gardner, pilot, along with the flight?s three mission specialists -- astronauts William M. Shepherd, Richard M.(Mike) Mullane and Jerry L. Ross. Photo credit: NASA

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-112 Commander Jeffrey Ashby is ready for his practice run driving the M-113 armored personnel carrier. Ashby and the rest of the crew are at KSC for Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities, which include emergency egress training and driving the M-113. Mission STS-112 aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis is scheduled to launch no earlier than Oct. 2, between 2 and 6 p.m. EDT. STS-112 is the 15th assembly mission to the International Space Station. Atlantis will be carrying the S1 Integrated Truss Structure, the first starboard truss segment. The S1 will be attached to the central truss segment, S0, during the 11-day mission.

The STS-27 crew portrait features 5 astronauts. Seated, left to right, are Jerry L. Ross, mission specialist; Guy S. Gardner, pilot; and Robert L. Gibson, commander. On the back row, left to right, are mission specialists Richard M. Mullane, and William M. Shepherd. Launched aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis on December 2, 1988 at 9:30:34 am (EST), the STS-27 mission was the third mission dedicated to the Department of Defense (DOD).

S114-E-6751 (2 August 2005) --- The STS-114 crewmembers pose for an in-flight portrait in the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station. From the left (front row) are astronauts Andrew S. W. Thomas, mission specialist; Eileen M. Collins, commander; and Soichi Noguchi, mission specialist representing Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). From the left (back row) are astronauts James M. Kelly, pilot; Charles J. Camarda, Stephen K. Robinson, and Wendy B. Lawrence, all mission specialists.

STS027-S-020 (6 Dec 1988) --- The five astronauts who were aboard Atlantis for its return to flight leave their spacecraft after almost 4 1/2 days in space. From bottom to top are Astronauts Robert L. Gibson, mission commander; Guy S. Gardner, pilot; and Richard M. (Mike) Mullane, Jerry L. Ross and William M. Shepherd, mission specialists. Atlantis touched down on Rogers Dry Lake Bed at 3:36 p.m. (PST), Dec. 6, 1988.

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. -- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) spacecraft (NOAA-M) streaks above a cloud layer after a successful launch at 2:23 p.m. EDT aboard a Titan II rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. NOAA-M is another in a series of polar-orbiting Earth environmental observation satellites that provide global data to NOAA's short- and long-range weather forecasting systems

Five (5) views of President Richard M. Nixon during his visit to the JSC. These views show the President as he addresses a crowd of employees and visitors outside of Building 1 Auditorium. Dr. Christopher C. Kraft, Fletcher, and Astronaut Gerald Carr, with Pete Clements, George Abbey, and Jack Waite in the background is also seen with the President. 1. Pres. Richard M. Nixon 2. Dr. Christopher C. Kraft JSC, HOUSTON, TX

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. -- A Titan II rocket hurtles above the launch tower at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) spacecraft (NOAA-M) aboard. The rocket lifted off at 2:23 p.m. EDT. NOAA-M is another in a series of polar-orbiting Earth environmental observation satellites that provide global data to NOAA's short- and long-range weather forecasting systems. [Photo by William Hartenstein]

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. -- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) spacecraft (NOAA-M) lifts off at 2:23 p.m. EDT aboard a Titan II rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. NOAA-M is another in a series of polar-orbiting Earth environmental observation satellites that provide global data to NOAA's short- and long-range weather forecasting systems. [Photo by William Hartenstein]

STS027-S-005 (Dec 2, 1988) --- Space Shuttle Atlantis is launched from Kennedy Space Center's (KSC) Pad 39-B at 9:30 a.m. EST, on a Department of Defense (DOD) dedicated mission. This is the third mission for the orbiter Atlantis. Crew members are: Commander Robert L. "Hoot" Gibson; Pilot Guy S. Gardner; and Mission Specialists Jerry L. Ross, William M. Shepherd and Richard M. (Mike) Mullane.

STS027-11-012 (2-6 Dec. 1988) --- The crew members for the STS-27 space flight pose on the flight deck of the Earth-orbiting space shuttle Atlantis with a football free-floating in the foreground. Left to right are astronauts Robert L. Gibson, commander; Richard M. (Mike) Mullane, Jerry L. Ross and William M. Shepherd, mission specialists; and Guy S. Gardner, pilot. The football was later presented to the National Football League (NFL) at halftime of the Super Bowl in Miami. Photo credit: NASA

The Naica mine in Chihuahua, Mexico, with its enormous gypsum crystals, may well be called the "Queen of the Giant Crystals localities." Though the Naica mine is no show mine, but still a working lead-zinc mine hosted in layered limestones, the first of several crystal caves was discovered in 1910. This "Cave of the Swords" contained extraordinary large sword-like selenite (gypsum) crystals up to 2 m long. In 2000 another crystal cave system was discovered at 300 m depth, even more spectacular than the original cave. Inside were free growing gypsum crystals up to 12 m long and 2 m in diameter. The ASTER image uses SWIR bands 4, 6, and 8 in RGB. Limestone is displayed in yellow-green colors, vegetation is red. The image was acquired February 16, 2004, covers an area of 26 x 23.5 km, and is located near 27.8 degrees north latitude, 105.5 degrees west longitude. The photo of crystals was taken from: http://www.thatcrystalsite.com/. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA10615

STS067-377-008 (2-18 March 1995) --- Astronaut John M. Grunsfeld, mission specialist, uses a handheld Hasselblad camera to record the Astro-2 payload. Orbiting Earth at 190 nautical miles, Grunsfeld joined four other NASA astronauts and two scientists for almost 17 days conducting research in support of the Astro-2 mission.

JSC2008-E-031810 (2 April 2008) --- Astronauts John M. Grunsfeld, STS-125 mission specialist, participates in an extravehicular activity (EVA) hardware training session in the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Flight director Tony Ceccacci looks on.

JSC2008-E-031807 (2 April 2008) --- Astronaut John M. Grunsfeld, STS-125 mission specialist, participates in an extravehicular activity (EVA) hardware training session in the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

Lead flight director James M. Heflin, Jr answers question at STS-34's thirty days before launch (T-30) press briefing conducted in the JSC Auditorium and Public Affairs Facility Bldg 2 briefing room.

STS035-19-019 (2-11 Dec 1990) --- Astronaut John M. (Mike) Lounge, STS 35 mission specialist makes a notation as he observes telescopes (out of frame) at work in Columbia's cargo bay. This aft flight deck scene was exposed with a 35mm camera.

ISS006-E-13970 (2 January 2003) --- Cosmonaut Nikolai M. Budarin, Expedition Six flight engineer, takes inventory of equipment in the functional cargo block (FGB), or Zarya, on the International Space Station (ISS). Budarin represents Rosaviakosmos.

ISS006-E-13971 (2 January 2003) --- Cosmonaut Nikolai M. Budarin, Expedition 6 flight engineer, takes inventory of equipment in the functional cargo block (FGB), or Zarya, on the International Space Station (ISS). Budarin represents Rosaviakosmos.

STS027-10-021 (2-6 Dec. 1988) --- Astronaut Richard M. (Mike) Mullane, STS-27 mission specialist, is able to handle a number of cameras with the aid of the microgravity in the shirt sleeve environment of the Earth-orbiting space shuttle Atlantis. Photo credit: NASA

ISS011-E-11376 (31 July 2005) --- Astronauts James M. Kelly (left), STS-114 pilot, and Wendy B. Lawrence, mission specialist, are photographed after installing the new Human Research Facility (HRF) rack 2 in the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station.

ISS028-E-014320 (6 July 2011) --- Russian cosmonaut Sergei Volkov, Expedition 28 flight engineer, works with the Russian TEKh-15/DAKON-M IZGIB (?Bend?) experiment in the Poisk Mini-Research Module 2 (MRM2) of the International Space Station.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- More than 600 accredited newsmen at Press Site #2 covered this morning's launch of Apollo 7, carying astronauts Walter M. Schirra Jr., Donn F. Eisele and Walter Cunningham from Launch Complex 34.

ISS006-E-13966 (2 January 2003) --- Cosmonaut Nikolai M. Budarin, Expedition Six flight engineer, takes inventory of equipment in the functional cargo block (FGB), or Zarya, on the International Space Station (ISS). Budarin represents Rosaviakosmos.

S63-00562 (February 1963) --- Portrait of astronaut groups 1 and 2. The original seven Mercury astronauts selected by NASA in April 1959, are seated (left to right): L. Gordon Cooper Jr., Virgil I. Grissom, M. Scott Carpenter, Water M. Schirra Jr., John H. Glenn Jr., Alan B. Shepard Jr., and Donald K. Slayton. The second group of NASA astronauts, which were named in September 1962, are standing (left to right): Edward H. White II, James A. McDivitt, John W. Young, Elliot M. See Jr., Charles Conrad Jr., Frank Borman, Neil A. Armstrong, Thomas P. Stafford, and James A. Lovell Jr. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Astronauts included in the STS-62 crew portrait include (standing left to right) mission specialists Charles D. Gemar, Marsha S. Ivins, and Pierre J. Thuot. Seated left to right are Andrew M. Allen, pilot; and John H. Casper, commander. Launched aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia on March 4, 1994 at 8:53:00 am (EST), the STS-62 mission carried two primary payloads; the U.S Microgravity Payload-2 (USMP-2) and the Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology-2 (OAST-2).

See intricate cloud patterns in the northern hemisphere of Jupiter in this new view taken by NASA's Juno spacecraft. The color-enhanced image was taken on April 1, 2018 at 2:32 a.m. PST (5:32 a.m. EST), as Juno performed its twelfth close flyby of Jupiter. At the time the image was taken, the spacecraft was about 7,659 miles (12,326 kilometers) from the tops of the clouds of the planet at a northern latitude of 50.2 degrees. Citizen scientist Kevin M. Gill processed this image using data from the JunoCam imager. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA21984 . - Enhanced image by Kevin M. Gill (CC-BY) based on images provided courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS

Space Shuttle orbiter Atlantis takes flight on its STS-27 mission, December 2, 1988, utilizing 375,000 pounds of thrust produced by its three main engines. The engines start in 3.9 seconds of ignition and go to static pump speeds of approximately 35,000 revolutions per minute during that time. The Marshall Space Flight Center had management responsibility of Space Shuttle propulsion elements, including the Main Engines. The STS-27 mission, the third mission dedicated to the Department of Defense (DOD), was crewed by five astronauts: Robert L. Gibson, commander; Guy S. Gardner, pilot; and mission specialists Richard M. Mullane, Jerry L. Ross, and William M. Shepherd.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-120 Mission Specialist Doug Wheelock gets ready in the driver's seat for driving practice in the M-113 armored personnel carrier. The M-113 is part of emergency exit procedures from Launch Pad 39A. Behind him, at right, is Pilot George Zamka. The training is part of terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT, activities the crew is undertaking at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The TCDT also includes equipment familiarization and a simulated launch countdown. Mission STS-120, which will carry the Italian-built U.S. Node 2 to the International Space Station, is targeted for launch on Oct. 23. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

STS81-E-05107 (13 Jan. 1997) --- Astronaut John M. Grunsfeld, mission specialist, begins to activate a biorack glovebox aboard the Spacehab Double Module (DM) early on Day 2 of the mission. Grunsfeld is joined by five other NASA astronauts for the almost ten-day mission. The crew is scheduled to dock with Russia's Mir Space Station and pick up John E. Blaha, NASA astronaut who has been serving as a cosmonaut guest researcher since September 1996. Jerry M. Linenger (out of frame) will replace Blaha onboard Mir.

Various views of STS-6 MOCR activities during Day-5 with Vice-Pres. George Bush, Cap Communicator Bridges, JSC Director Gerald Griffin, Eugene F. Kranz, NASA Admin. James M. Beggs, Cap Com Astronaut O'Connor, Flight Directors Jay H. Greene, Gary E. Coen, and Harold Draughon. 1. BUSH, GEORGE, VICE-PRES. - STS-6 MOCR 2. DIR. GRIFFIN, GERALD D. - STS-6 MOCR 3. ADMIN. BEGGS, JAMES M. - STS-6 MOCR 4. FLT. DIRECTORS - STS-6 JSC, HOUSTON, TX Also available in 35 CN

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-120 Commander Pamela Melroy is ready for her turn at driving practice in the M-113 armored personnel carrier. The M-113 is part of emergency exit procedures from Launch Pad 39A. The training is part of terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT, activities the crew is undertaking at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The TCDT also includes equipment familiarization and a simulated launch countdown. Mission STS-120, which will carry the Italian-built U.S. Node 2 to the International Space Station, is targeted for launch on Oct. 23. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Space Shuttle orbiter Atlantis takes flight on its STS-27 mission, December 2, 1988, utilizing 375,000 pounds of thrust produced by its three main engines. The engines start in 3.9 seconds of ignition and go to static pump speeds of approximately 35,000 revolutions per minute during that time. The Marshall Space Flight Center had management responsibility of Space Shuttle propulsion elements, including the Main Engines. The STS-27 mission, the third mission dedicated to the Department of Defense (DOD), was crewed by five astronauts: Robert L. Gibson, commander; Guy S. Gardner, pilot; and mission specialists Richard M. Mullane, Jerry L. Ross, and William M. Shepherd.

Space Shuttle orbiter Atlantis takes flight on its STS-27 mission, December 2, 1988, utilizing 375,000 pounds of thrust produced by its three main engines. The engines start in 3.9 seconds of ignition and go to static pump speeds of approximately 35,000 revolutions per minute during that time. The Marshall Space Flight Center had management responsibility of Space Shuttle propulsion elements, including the Main Engines. The STS-27 mission, the third mission dedicated to the Department of Defense (DOD), was crewed by five astronauts: Robert L. Gibson, commander; Guy S. Gardner, pilot; and mission specialists Richard M. Mullane, Jerry L. Ross, and William M. Shepherd.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-120 Commander Pamela Melroy poses for another photo after driving practice in the M-113 armored personnel carrier. The M-113 is part of emergency exit procedures from Launch Pad 39A. The training is part of terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT, activities the crew is undertaking at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The TCDT also includes equipment familiarization and a simulated launch countdown. Mission STS-120, which will carry the Italian-built U.S. Node 2 to the International Space Station, is targeted for launch on Oct. 23. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-120 Mission Specialist Paolo Nespoli, who represents the European Space Agency, gets ready in the driver's seat for driving practice in the M-113 armored personnel carrier. The M-113 is part of emergency exit procedures from Launch Pad 39A. The training is part of terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT, activities the crew is undertaking at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The TCDT also includes equipment familiarization and a simulated launch countdown. Mission STS-120, which will carry the Italian-built U.S. Node 2 to the International Space Station, is targeted for launch on Oct. 23. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

The Space Shuttle Atlantis touches down at 3:35 p.m. PST on 6 December 1988 at NASA's then Ames-Dryden Flight Research Facility at the conclusion of the STS-27 Department of Defense mission. Landing took place on runway 17 of the Rogers Dry Lake, concluding the 4-day, 9-hour, 6-minute mission. The five-man crew was led by Commander Robert L. Gibson and included Pilot Guy S. Gardner; Mission Specialists Jerry L. Ross, William M. Sheperd, and Richard M. Mullane. Atlantis was launched on December 2 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

S114-E-6730 (2 August 2005) --- The STS-114 crewmembers pose for their traditional in-flight crew portrait in the Destiny laboratory of the international space station. From the left (front row) are astronauts Andrew S. W. Thomas, mission specialist; Eileen M. Collins, commander; and Soichi Noguchi, mission specialist representing the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). From the left (back row) are astronauts James M. Kelly, pilot; Charles J. Camarda, Stephen K. Robinson, and Wendy B. Lawrence, all mission specialists.

iss059e036890 (4/30/2019) --- Photo documentation onboard the International Space Station (ISS) of the ACE Modules prior to science runs. The Advanced Colloids Experiment-Microscopy-2 (ACE-M-2) observes the microscopic behavior of liquids and gases separating from each other, using a new microscope to record micro-scale events on short time scales, while previous experiments observed large-scale behavior over many weeks.

STS053-S-056 (2 Dec 1992) --- The Space Shuttle Discovery, with a crew of five astronauts onboard, launches from Kennedy Space Center's (KSC) Pad 39A at 8:24:00 a.m. (EST), December 2, 1992. The all military crew supporting the Department of Defense (DOD) flight included astronauts David M. Walker, Robert D. Cabana, Guion S. Bluford Jr., James S. Voss and Michael R. U. (Rick) Clifford.

STS035-S-021 (2 Dec 1990) --- The Space Shuttle Columbia lifts off Launch Pad 39B at 1:49 a.m. (EST), Dec. 2, 1990. Primary payload onboard is the Astro-1 astronomical laboratory, headed for a ten-day fight dedicated to the single discipline of astrophysics. Crewmembers are five astronauts--Vance D. Brand, Guy S. Gardner, John M. (Mike) Lounge, Jeffrey A. Hoffman and Robert A.R. Parker--and two payload specialists--Samuel T. Durrance and Ronald A. Parise.

STS053-S-058 (2 Dec. 1992) --- The space shuttle Discovery, with a crew of five astronauts onboard, launches from Kennedy Space Center's (KSC) Pad 39A at 8:24:00 a.m. (EST), Dec. 2, 1992. The all military crew supporting the Department of Defense (DOD) flight included astronauts David M. Walker, Robert D. Cabana, Guion S. Bluford, Jr., James S. Voss and Michael R. U. (Rich) Clifford.

The STS-36 crew portrait features 5 astronauts who served in the 6th Department of Defense (DOD) mission. Posed near the Space Shuttle Orbiter Discovery are (left to right) Pierre J. Thuot, mission specialist 3; John H. Caster, pilot; John H. Creighton, commander; Richard M. (Mike) Mullane, mission specialist 1; and David. C. Hilmers, mission specialist 2. The crew launched aboard Atlantis on February 28, 1990 at 2:50:22am (EST).

These five NASA astronauts were the crew members for the STS-69 mission that launched aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour September 7, 1995. Pictured on the front row (left to right) are David M. Walker, mission commander; and Kenneth D. Cockrell, pilot. On the back row (left to right) are Michael L. Gernhardt and James H. Newman, both mission specialists; and James S. Voss, payload commander. The mission’s two primary payloads included the Spartan 201-3 and Wake Shield Facility-2 (WSF-2).

The STS-40 crew portrait includes 7 astronauts. Pictured on the front row from left to right are F. Drew Gaffney, payload specialist 1; Milli-Hughes Fulford, payload specialist 2; M. Rhea Seddon, mission specialist 3; and James P. Bagian, mission specialist 1. Standing in the rear, left to right, are Bryan D. O’Connor, commander; Tamara E. Jernigan, mission specialist 2; and Sidney M. Gutierrez, pilot. Launched aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia on June 5, 1991 at 9:24; am (EDT), the STS-40 mission was the fifth dedicated Spacelab Mission, Spacelab Life Sciences-1 (SLS-1), and the first mission dedicated solely to life sciences.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - An “injured” rescue worker is lifted into an M-113 armored personnel carrier provided for transportation during a “Mode VII” emergency landing simulation at Kennedy Space Center. The purpose of the Mode VII is to exercise emergency preparedness personnel, equipment and facilities in rescuing astronauts from a downed orbiter and providing immediate medical attention. This simulation presents an orbiter that has crashed short of the Shuttle Landing Facility in a wooded area 2-1/2 miles south of Runway 33. Emergency crews are responding to the volunteer astronauts who are simulating various injuries inside the crew compartment mock-up. Rescuers must remove the crew, provide triage and transport to hospitals those who need further treatment. Local hospitals are participating in the exercise.

The crew assigned to the STS-41D mission included (seated left to right) Richard M. (Mike) Mullane, mission specialist; Steven A. Hawley, mission specialist; Henry W. Hartsfield, commander; and Michael L. (Mike) Coats, pilot. Standing in the rear are Charles D. Walker, payload specialist; and Judith A. (Judy) Resnik, mission specialist. Launched aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery August 30, 1984 at 8:41:50 am (EDT), the STS-41D mission deployed three satellites: the Satellite Business System SBS-D; the SYCOM IV-2 (also known as LEASAT-2); and the TELSTAR.

ISS009-E-21205 (2 September 2004) --- From 230 miles above, this is a view into the eye of Hurricane Frances as it churned in the Atlantic Ocean almost 500 miles east-southeast of West Palm Beach, Fla., at about 8 a.m EDT Thursday, Sept. 2, 2004. At the time, Frances was a category 4 hurricane with winds of 145 mph. Astronaut Edward M. (Mike) Fincke took this photo through the window of the International Space Station. Expedition 9 Commander Gennady Padalka and Fincke, the NASA ISS Science Officer and Flight Engineer, are in the fifth month of a six-month stay on the orbiting research platform.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. - STS-112 Mission Specialist Sandra Magnus is ready for her practice run driving the M-113 armored personnel carrier. Magnus and the rest of the crew are at KSC for Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities, which also include a simulated launch countdown. Mission STS-112 aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis is scheduled to launch no earlier than Oct. 2, between 2 and 6 p.m. EDT. STS-112 is the 15th assembly mission to the International Space Station. Atlantis will be carrying the S1 Integrated Truss Structure, the first starboard truss segment. The S1 will be attached to the central truss segment, S0, during the 11-day mission.

ISS009-E-21199 (2 September 2004) --- From 230 miles above, this is a nadir view of Hurricane Frances as it churned in the Atlantic Ocean almost 500 miles east-southeast of West Palm Beach, Fla., at about 8 a.m EDT Thursday, Sept. 2, 2004. At the time, Frances was a category 4 hurricane with winds of 145 mph. Astronaut Edward M. (Mike) Fincke took this photo through the window of the International Space Station. Expedition 9 Commander Gennady Padalka and Fincke, the NASA ISS Science Officer and Flight Engineer, are in the fifth month of a six-month stay on the orbiting research platform.

AS15-82-11082 (2 Aug. 1971) --- A close-up view of a portion of a "relatively fresh" crater, looking southeast, as photographed during the third Apollo 15 lunar surface extravehicular activity (EVA), on Aug. 2, 1971, at EVA Station No. 9, near Scarp Crater. The crater pictured is unnamed. The Apennine Front is in the background, and Hadley Delta Mountain is in the right background. While astronauts David R. Scott, commander, and James B. Irwin, lunar module pilot, descended in the Lunar Module (LM) "Falcon" to explore the moon, astronaut Alfred M. Worden, command module pilot, remained with the Command and Service Modules (CSM) in lunar orbit.

ISS009-E-21203 (2 September 2004) --- From 230 miles above, this is a view into the eye of Hurricane Frances as it churned in the Atlantic Ocean almost 500 miles east-southeast of West Palm Beach, Fla., at about 8 a.m EDT Thursday, Sept. 2, 2004. At the time, Frances was a category 4 hurricane with winds of 145 mph. Astronaut Edward M. (Mike) Fincke took this photo through the window of the International Space Station. Expedition 9 Commander Gennady Padalka and Fincke, the NASA ISS Science Officer and Flight Engineer, are in the fifth month of a six-month stay on the orbiting research platform.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. - STS-112 Pilot Pamela Melroy is ready for her practice run driving the M-113 armored personnel carrier. Melroy and the rest of the crew are at KSC for Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities, which also include a simulated launch countdown. Mission STS-112 aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis is scheduled to launch no earlier than Oct. 2, between 2 and 6 p.m. EDT. STS-112 is the 15th assembly mission to the International Space Station. Atlantis will be carrying the S1 Integrated Truss Structure, the first starboard truss segment. The S1 will be attached to the central truss segment, S0, during the 11-day mission.

STS053-S-054 (2 Dec 1992) --- The Space Shuttle Discovery, with a crew of five astronauts onboard, launches from Kennedy Space Center?s (KSC) Pad 39A at 8:24:00 a.m. (EST), December 2, 1992. The photograph was taken from the top of the giant Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). The all-military crew supporting the Department of Defense (DOD) flight included astronauts David M. Walker, Robert D. Cabana, Guion S. Bluford, Jr., James S. Voss and Michael R. U. (Rick) Clifford.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. - STS-112 Mission Specialist Piers Sellers is ready for his practice run driving the M-113 armored personnel carrier. Sellers and the rest of the crew are at KSC for Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities, which also include a simulated launch countdown. Mission STS-112 aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis is scheduled to launch no earlier than Oct. 2, between 2 and 6 p.m. EDT. STS-112 is the 15th assembly mission to the International Space Station. Atlantis will be carrying the S1 Integrated Truss Structure, the first starboard truss segment. The S1 will be attached to the central truss segment, S0, during the 11-day mission.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. - STS-112 Commander Jeffrey Ashby drives the M-113 armored personnel carrier during Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities. At the far left is Mission Specialist Sandra Magnus. The TCDT also includes a simulated launch countdown. The mission aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis is scheduled to launch no earlier than Oct. 2, between 2 and 6 p.m. EDT. STS-112 is the 15th assembly mission to the International Space Station. Atlantis will be carrying the S1 Integrated Truss Structure, the first starboard truss segment. The S1 will be attached to the central truss segment, S0, during the 11-day mission.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. - STS-112 Mission Specialist David Wolf is ready for his practice run driving the M-113 armored personnel carrier. Wolf and the rest of the crew are at KSC for Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities, which also include a simulated launch countdown. Mission STS-112 aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis is scheduled to launch no earlier than Oct. 2, between 2 and 6 p.m. EDT. STS-112 is the 15th assembly mission to the International Space Station. Atlantis will be carrying the S1 Integrated Truss Structure, the first starboard truss segment. The S1 will be attached to the central truss segment, S0, during the 11-day mission.

STS035-49-028 (2-10 Dec. 1990) --- This is one of 25 visuals used by the STS-35 crew at its Dec. 20, 1990 post-flight press conference. Columbia's flight of almost nine days duration (launched Dec. 2 from Kennedy Space Center and landed Dec. 10 at Edwards Air Force Base) carried the Astro-1 payload and was dedicated to astrophysics. The mission involved a seven-man crew. Crewmembers were astronauts Vance D. Brand, Guy S. Gardner, Jeffrey A. Hoffman, Robert A.R. Parker and John M. (Mike) Lounge; and Payload Specialists Samuel T. Durrance and Ronald A. Parise.

The STS-53 crew portrait included astronauts (front left to right): Guion S. Bluford, and James S. Voss, mission specialists. On the back row, left to right, are David M. Walker, commander; Robert D. Cabana, Pilot; and Michael R. (Rick) Clifford, mission specialist. The crew launched aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery on December 2, 1992 at 8:24:00 am (EST). This mission marked the final classified shuttle flight for the Department of Defense (DOD).

STS030-S-109 (4 May 1989) --- Moments after ignition, Space Shuttle Atlantis heads for a four-day mission in Earth-orbit with five astronaut crew members aboard. Onboard were astronauts David M. Walker, Ronald. J. Grabe, Norman E. Thagard, Mary L. Cleave and Mark C. Lee. Launch occurred at 2:46:58 p.m. (EDT), May 4, 1989.

JSC2002-02106 (27 November 2002) --- The members of the STS-113 Orbit 2 Team pose for a group portrait in the shuttle flight control room (WFCR) in Houston’s Mission Control Center (MCC). Flight Director John Curry stands to the left of the STS-113 mission logo and astronaut Lisa M. Nowak, spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM), stands to the left of Curry.

JSC2008-E-031808 (2 April 2008) --- Astronauts John M. Grunsfeld (right), Andrew J. Feustel, Michael T. Good and Michael J. Massimino (second left), all STS-125 mission specialists, participate in an extravehicular activity (EVA) hardware training session in the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Tomas Gonzalez-Torres (left) assisted the crewmembers.

Apollo 7 Commander Walter M. "Wally" Schirra and his wife, Josephine, were among the many special NASA STS-83 launch guests who witnessed the liftoff of the Space Shuttle Columbia April 4 at the Banana Creek VIP Viewing Site at KSC. Columbia took off from Launch Pad 39A at 2:20:32 p.m. EST to begin the 16-day Microgravity Science Laboratory-1 (MSL-1) mission

STS091-379-013 (2-12 June 1998) --- Cosmonauts Valery V. Ryumin (left)and Nikolai M. Budarin reunite moments after hatch opening, following docking of Mir and Discovery. Ryumin, mission specialist representing the Russian Aviation and Space Agency, came up to Mir along with five astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. Budarin is Mir-25 flight engineer. Since 1992, Ryumin has been the Director of the Russian portion of the Shuttle-Mir and NASA-Mir program.

The STS-30 mission launched aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis on May 4, 1989 at 2:46:59pm (EDT) carrying a crew of five. Aboard were Ronald J. Grabe, pilot; David M. Walker, commander; and mission specialists Norman E. Thagard, Mary L. Cleave, and Mark C. Lee. The primary payload for the mission was the Magellan/Venus Radar mapper spacecraft and attached Inertial Upper Stage (IUS).

STS053-13-021 (2-9 Dec 1992) --- The five astronauts flying aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery for the mission pose for the traditional in-flight crew portrait. Left to right are astronauts Guion S. Bluford, mission specialist; Michael R. U. (Rich) Clifford, mission specialist; David M. Walker, mission commander; James S. Voss, mission specialist; and Robert D. Cabana, pilot.

JSC2008-E-031816 (2 April 2008) --- Astronauts John M. Grunsfeld (right), Michael J. Massimino, Andrew J. Feustel and Michael T. Good, all STS-125 mission specialists, participate in an extravehicular activity (EVA) hardware training session in the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Tomas Gonzalez-Torres (left) assisted the crewmembers.

JSC2008-E-031815 (2 April 2008) --- Astronauts Michael J. Massimino (center), John M. Grunsfeld (right), Michael T. Good (right background) and Andrew J. Feustel, all STS-125 mission specialists, participate in an extravehicular activity (EVA) hardware training session in the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

ISS030-E-104844 (28 Feb. 2012) --- In the International Space Station?s Zvezda Service Module, Russian cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko (left) and Anton Shkaplerov, both Expedition 30 flight engineers, work with Russian Lower Body Negative Pressure (LBNP) or Chibis suits (PVK-1, PVK-2), converting them to the advanced version Chibis-M.

ISS009-E-28562 (2 August 2004) --- Cosmonaut Gennady I. Padalka (left), Expedition 9 commander representing Russia’s Federal Space Agency, and astronaut Edward M. (Mike) Fincke, NASA ISS science officer and flight engineer, pose with their Russian Orlan spacesuits in the Pirs Docking Compartment of the International Space Station (ISS).

Expedition Seven photographed the Soyez TMA-1 Capsule through a window of the International Space Station (ISS) as it departed for Earth. Aboard were Expedition Six crew members, astronauts Kerneth D. Bowersox and Donald R. Pettit, and cosmonaut Nikolai M. Budarin. Expedition Six served a 5 and 1/2 month stay aboard the ISS, the longest stay to date.

For the first time scientists have calculated the age of star dunes (or pyramid dunes). Some of the tallest – over 100 m high – are located in the Erg Chebbi sand sea in southeast Morocco. Using luminescence dating techniques, the dunes were found to have formed over 13,000 years ago. The perspective view has 5X vertical exaggeration. The image was acquired October 2, 2020, covers an area of 13.5 by 20.4 km, and is located at 31.2 degrees north, 4 degrees west. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA26287

S103-E-5197 (21 Dec. 1998) --- Astronaut John M. Grunsfeld, mission specialist, checks a cable connection on Discovery's mid deck during Flight Day 2 activity. Astronaut Steven L. Smith, payload commander, is partially visible in the electronic still camera's (ESC) frame, recorded at 11:10:22 GMT, Dec. 21, 1999.

AS15-88-11961 (2 Aug. 1971) --- A view of the Apollo 15 Command and Service Modules (CSM) in lunar orbit as photographed from the Lunar Module (LM) just after rendezvous. The lunar area below is the northeastern side of the Sea of Fertility. While astronauts David R. Scott, commander, and James B. Irwin, lunar module pilot, descended in the LM to explore the Hadley-Apennine area of the moon, astronaut Alfred M. Worden, command module pilot, remained with the CSM in lunar orbit.

STS060-S-035 (11 Feb 1994) --- The drag chute for Space Shuttle Discovery is deployed on the Shuttle Landing Facility, marking an end to the eight-day STS-60 mission. Landing occurred at 2:19:22 p.m. (EST). Onboard were astronauts Charles F. Bolden Jr., Kenneth S. Reightler Jr., Franklin R. Chang-Diaz, N. Jan Davis and Ronald M. Sega along with Russian cosmonaut Sergei K. Krikalev.

ISS009-E-17168 (2 August 2004) --- Cosmonaut Gennady I. Padalka (left), Expedition 9 commander representing Russia’s Federal Space Agency, and astronaut Edward M. (Mike) Fincke, NASA ISS science officer and flight engineer, pose with their Russian Orlan spacesuits in the Pirs Docking Compartment of the International Space Station (ISS).

The STS-30 mission launched aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis on May 4, 1989 at 2:46:59pm (EDT) carrying a crew of five. Aboard were Ronald J. Grabe, pilot; David M. Walker, commander; and mission specialists Norman E. Thagard, Mary L. Cleave, and Mark C. Lee. The primary payload for the mission was the Magellan/Venus Radar mapper spacecraft and attached Inertial Upper Stage (IUS).

STS035-15-035 (2-10 Dec 1990) --- STS-35 crewmembers perform a microgravity experiment using their drinking water while on the middeck of Columbia, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 102. Mission Specialist (MS) Jeffrey A. Hoffman (left) has released some water from a drinking container which he holds in his hand. MS John M. Lounge (wearing glasses, center) and Payload Specialist Samuel T. Durrance along with Hoffman study the changing shape and movement of the sphere of water.

AS15-82-11123 (2 Aug. 1971) --- A view of the "strewn rock" scene encountered by Apollo 15 astronauts David R. Scott, commander, and James B. Irwin, lunar module pilot, during their third extravehicular activity (EVA) of the mission. Irwin took this photograph with a handheld 70mm camera. While astronauts Scott and Irwin descended in the Lunar Module (LM) "Falcon" to explore the moon, astronaut Alfred M. Worden, command module pilot, remained with the Command and Service Modules (CSM) in lunar orbit.

STS035-S-016 (2 Dec 1990) --- Astronaut Vance D. Brand, right, leads the STS 35 crew toward a transfer van that will take them from the nearby operations and checkout (O&C) building to Launch Complex 39. Trailing the mission commander, left to right, are Robert A. R. Parker, Samuel T. Durrance, Ronald A. Parise, John M. (Mike) Lounge, Jeffrey A. Hoffman and Guy S. Gardner.