
STS-41 Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, with nose landing gear (NLG) and main landing gear (MLG) deployed, glides over concrete runway 22 at Edwards Air Force Base (EAFB), California, prior to touchdown.

STS-31 Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, rolls along concrete runway 22 at Edwards Air Force Base (EAFB), California, after nose landing gear (NLG) and main landing gear (MLG) touchdown. This view looks down OV-103's port side from the space shuttle main engines (SSMEs) to the nose section. The SSMEs are gimbaled to their descent position and the rudder/speedbrake is deployed on the vertical stabilizer. Wheel stop occurred at 6:51 am (Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)). In the distance EAFB facilities are visible.

STS-53 Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, is slowed by a red, white, and blue drag chute during its landing on concrete runway 22 at Edwards Air Force Base (EAFB), California. Main landing gear (MLG) touchdown occurred at 12:43:17 pm (Pacific Standard Time (PST)). This aft view of OV-103 shows the drag chute deployed from its compartment at the base of the vertical tail, the speedbrake/rudder flaps open, and the space shuttle main engines (SSMEs). Both MLG and nose landing gear (NLG) ride along the runway surface. Desert scrub brush appears in the foreground and mountains are seen in the background.

STS049-S-301 (16 May 1992) --- A three-quarter aft view of the Space Shuttle Endeavour making its first landing, following a successful nine-day mission in Earth orbit. Fully deployed here is the main chute in NASA's first exercise of its detailed test objective (DTO-521) on the drag chute system. Main gear touchdown occurred at 1:57:38 p.m. (PDT), May 16, 1992.

STS053-S-085 (9 Dec. 1992) --- The drag chute on the space shuttle Discovery is partially deployed during landing on Runway 22 at Edwards Air Force Base. The landing ended an eight-day space mission for the STS-53 crew. Main gear touchdown occurred at 12:43:17 p.m. (PST) on Dec. 9, 1992. Onboard were astronauts David M. Walker, Robert D. Cabana, Guion S. Bluford Jr., James S. Voss and Michael R.U. (Rich) Clifford.

Taking off on a flight from NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California, is NASA's Landing Systems Research Aircraft (LSRA), a modified Convair (CV) 990. A new landing gear test fixture representative of the shuttle's landing gear system had been installed in the lower fuselage of the CV-990 test aircraft between the aircraft's normal main landing gear. Following initial flights, static loads testing and calibration of the test gear were conducted at Dryden. Tests allowed engineers to assess the performance of the space shuttle's main and nose landing gear systems under varying conditions.

The drag chute for Space Shuttle Discovery is deployed on the Shuttle Landing Facility, marking the end to the eight-day STS-60 mission. Landing occurred at 2:19:22 p.m. (035); The main landing gear on the Space Shuttle Discovery touches down on the Shuttle Landing Facility (036); The main landing gear on the Space Shuttle Discovery is about to touch down on the Shuttle Landing Facility. Note the Shuttle Training Aircraft (STA) monitoring the landing phase of the mission (037).

The drag chute for Space Shuttle Discovery is deployed on the Shuttle Landing Facility, marking the end to the eight-day STS-60 mission. Landing occurred at 2:19:22 p.m. (035); The main landing gear on the Space Shuttle Discovery touches down on the Shuttle Landing Facility (036); The main landing gear on the Space Shuttle Discovery is about to touch down on the Shuttle Landing Facility. Note the Shuttle Training Aircraft (STA) monitoring the landing phase of the mission (037).

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - On Orbiter Atlantis in NASA’s Orbiter Processing Facility, bay 1, Scott Minnick, lead inspector for micro inspection team, inspects the area where the retract link assembly would be installed on the right-hand main landing gear. Last week a small crack was found on the right-hand assembly. To lower the main landing gear, a mechanical linkage released by each gear actuates the doors to the open position. The landing gear reach the full-down and extended position with 10 seconds and are locked in the down position by spring-loaded downlock bungees Atlantis is scheduled to launch in September 2005 on the second Return to Flight mission, STS-121.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Inside the wheel well behind Atlantis’ right-hand main landing gear, workers (left) install a new retract link (at right is a reflection). The link replaces one in which a small crack was recently found. To lower the main landing gear, a mechanical linkage released by each gear actuates the doors to the open position. The landing gear reach the full-down and extended position with 10 seconds and are locked in the down position by spring-loaded downlock bungees Atlantis is scheduled to launch in September 2005 on the second Return to Flight mission, STS-121.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Orbiter Processing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, this replacement retract link will be installed on orbiter Atlantis’ right-hand main landing gear. A small crack was found recently on the retract link assembly. To lower the main landing gear, a mechanical linkage released by each gear actuates the doors to the open position. The landing gear reach the full-down and extended position with 10 seconds and are locked in the down position by spring-loaded downlock bungees Atlantis is scheduled to launch in September 2005 on the second Return to Flight mission, STS-121.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Inside the wheel well behind Atlantis’ right-hand main landing gear, workers attaches one end of a retract link. It replaces one in which a small crack was recently found. To lower the main landing gear, a mechanical linkage released by each gear actuates the doors to the open position. The landing gear reach the full-down and extended position with 10 seconds and are locked in the down position by spring-loaded downlock bungees Atlantis is scheduled to launch in September 2005 on the second Return to Flight mission, STS-121.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Orbiter Processing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, workers prepare a replacement retract link for installation on orbiter Atlantis’ right-hand main landing gear. A small crack was found recently on the retract link assembly. To lower the main landing gear, a mechanical linkage released by each gear actuates the doors to the open position. The landing gear reach the full-down and extended position with 10 seconds and are locked in the down position by spring-loaded downlock bungees Atlantis is scheduled to launch in September 2005 on the second Return to Flight mission, STS-121.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Orbiter Processing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, workers prepare a replacement retract link for installation on orbiter Atlantis’ right-hand main landing gear. A small crack was found recently on the retract link assembly. To lower the main landing gear, a mechanical linkage released by each gear actuates the doors to the open position. The landing gear reach the full-down and extended position with 10 seconds and are locked in the down position by spring-loaded downlock bungees Atlantis is scheduled to launch in September 2005 on the second Return to Flight mission, STS-121.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Inside the wheel well behind Atlantis’ right-hand main landing gear shown here, a replacement retract link is being installed. A small crack was found recently on the retract link assembly. To lower the main landing gear, a mechanical linkage released by each gear actuates the doors to the open position. The landing gear reach the full-down and extended position with 10 seconds and are locked in the down position by spring-loaded downlock bungees Atlantis is scheduled to launch in September 2005 on the second Return to Flight mission, STS-121.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - On Orbiter Atlantis in NASA’s Orbiter Processing Facility, bay 1, a retract link assembly (upper and lower white rods) is on the left-hand main landing gear. Last week a small crack was found on the right-hand assembly. To lower the main landing gear, a mechanical linkage released by each gear actuates the doors to the open position. The landing gear reach the full-down and extended position with 10 seconds and are locked in the down position by spring-loaded downlock bungees Atlantis is scheduled to launch in September 2005 on the second Return to Flight mission, STS-121.

STS-26 Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, with nose landing gear (NLG) and main landing gear (MLG) deployed glides above dry lakebed runway 17 at Edwards Air Force Base (EAFB), California. This profile view shows OV-103's port side just before MLG touchdown.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A technician watches the main landing gear on space shuttle Atlantis during a landing gear functional test in Orbiter Processing Facility-2, where the shuttle is undergoing transition and retirement processing. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

STS-41 Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, with nose landing gear (NLG) and main landing gear (MLG) deployed, glides over concrete runway 22 at Edwards Air Force Base (EAFB), California, prior to touchdown.

JSC technicians David Wyckoff and Tom Gordon carefully maneuver their equipment into place as they prepare to remove the Super Guppy's left main landing gear.

STS-34 Atlantis, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 104, main landing gear (MLG) touches down on Runway 23 dry lake bed at Edwards Air Force Base (EAFB), California. The nose landing gear rides above runway before touchdown as the MLG wheels produce a cloud of dust. OV-104's port side profile is captured as it glides by at a speed of approximately 195 knots (224 miles per hour). The tail section with deployed speedbrake/rudder and space shuttle main engines (SSMEs) are visible.

A NASA CV-990, modified as a Landing Systems Research Aircraft (LSRA), lands on the Edwards AFB main runway in test of the space shuttle landing gear system. In this case, the shuttle tire failed, bursting into flame during the rollout. The space shuttle landing gear test unit, operated by a high-pressure hydraulic system, allowed engineers to assess and document the performance of space shuttle main and nose landing gear systems, tires and wheel assemblies, plus braking and nose wheel steering performance. The series of 155 test missions for the space shuttle program provided extensive data about the life and endurance of the shuttle tire systems and helped raise the shuttle crosswind landing limits at Kennedy. The CV-990 used as the LSRA was built in 1962 by the Convair Division of General Dynamics Corp., Ft. Worth, Texas, served as a research aircraft at Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, before it came to Dryden.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - On Orbiter Atlantis in NASA’s Orbiter Processing Facility, bay 1, Charles Wassen, orbiter inspector, on steps in the open door of the main landing gear helps with boroscope inspection on the retract link assembly. At left in the chair, Dave Rumpf, materials and processing engineer, observes results on a monitor. At right are Jessie McEnulty (in hat), mechanisms engineer, and Tony Glass, orbiter inspector, a member of the micro inspection team. To lower the main landing gear, a mechanical linkage released by each gear actuates the doors to the open position. The landing gear reach the full-down and extended position with 10 seconds and are locked in the down position by spring-loaded downlock bungees Atlantis is scheduled to launch in September 2005 on the second Return to Flight mission, STS-121.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - On Orbiter Atlantis in NASA’s Orbiter Processing Facility, bay 1, the retract link assembly on the right-hand main landing gear has been removed and will be replaced. Performing boroscope inspection are Charles Wassen, orbiter inspector, and Scott Minnick, lead inspector for micro inspection team. Last week a small crack was found on the right-hand assembly. To lower the main landing gear, a mechanical linkage released by each gear actuates the doors to the open position. The landing gear reach the full-down and extended position with 10 seconds and are locked in the down position by spring-loaded downlock bungees Atlantis is scheduled to launch in September 2005 on the second Return to Flight mission, STS-121.

The Space Shuttle Challenger lands at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) at the end of the STS 41-G mission. The main landing gear has already touched down in this view, but the nose gear is still in the air (90232); Front view through tall grass of the Challenger making its landing at KSC (90233); Close-up side view of the Challenger making its landing at KSC (90234); Aerial view of the Challenger making its final approach to the runway to land at KSC (90235).

The Space Shuttle Challenger lands at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) at the end of the STS 41-G mission. The main landing gear has already touched down in this view, but the nose gear is still in the air (90232); Front view through tall grass of the Challenger making its landing at KSC (90233); Close-up side view of the Challenger making its landing at KSC (90234); Aerial view of the Challenger making its final approach to the runway to land at KSC (90235).

The Space Shuttle Challenger lands at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) at the end of the STS 41-G mission. The main landing gear has already touched down in this view, but the nose gear is still in the air (90232); Front view through tall grass of the Challenger making its landing at KSC (90233); Close-up side view of the Challenger making its landing at KSC (90234); Aerial view of the Challenger making its final approach to the runway to land at KSC (90235).

A NASA CV-990, modified as a Landing Systems Research Aircraft (LSRA), in flight over NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California, for a test of the space shuttle landing gear system. The space shuttle landing gear test unit, operated by a high-pressure hydraulic system, allowed engineers to assess and document the performance of space shuttle main and nose landing gear systems, tires and wheel assemblies, plus braking and nose wheel steering performance. The series of 155 test missions for the space shuttle program provided extensive data about the life and endurance of the shuttle tire systems and helped raise the shuttle crosswind landing limits at Kennedy.

A NASA CV-990, modified as a Landing Systems Research Aircraft (LSRA), is serviced on the ramp at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California, before a test of the space shuttle landing gear system. The space shuttle landing gear test unit, operated by a high-pressure hydraulic system, allowed engineers to assess and document the performance of space shuttle main and nose landing gear systems, tires and wheel assemblies, plus braking and nose wheel steering performance. The series of 155 test missions for the space shuttle program provided extensive data about the life and endurance of the shuttle tire systems and helped raise the shuttle crosswind landing limits at Kennedy.

A NASA CV-990, modified as a Landing Systems Research Aircraft (LSRA), in flight over NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California, for a test of the space shuttle landing gear system. The space shuttle landing gear test unit, operated by a high-pressure hydraulic system, allowed engineers to assess and document the performance of space shuttle main and nose landing gear systems, tires and wheel assemblies, plus braking and nose wheel steering performance. The series of 155 test missions for the space shuttle program provided extensive data about the life and endurance of the shuttle tire systems and helped raise the shuttle crosswind landing limits at Kennedy.

STS-50 Columbia's, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 102's, main landing gear touches down on runway 33 at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) producing a small cloud of dust. Landing occurred at 7:42 am (Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)). In this view of the OV-102's starboard side, the nose landing gear (NLG) continues to ride above the runway surface. Florida vegetation, a runway sign, and runway lights appear in the foreground.

STS038-S-041 (20 Nov 1990) --- STS-38 Atlantis, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 104, lands on runway 33 at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF). The main landing gear (MLG) has just touched down on the runway surface as the nose landing gear (NLG) glides above it. The Department of Defense (DOD)-devoted mission came to an end (with complete wheel stop) at 4:43:37 pm (Eastern Standard Time (EST)).

STS-43 Atlantis, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 104, lands on runway 15 at the Kennedy Space Center's (KSC's) Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF). The main landing gear (MLG) touched down at 8:23:25 am (Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)). OV-104 glides toward wheel stop as the nose landing gear (NLG) rides above the runway.

STS-45 Atlantis, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 104, lands on concrete runway 33 at the Kennedy Space Center's (KSC's) Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF). The main landing gear (MLG) touched down at 6:23:06 am (Eastern Standard Time (EST)) in the early morning Florida fog as seen in these views. The deployed nose landing gear (NLG) rides above the runway before wheel stop.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- This photo looks inside space shuttle Discovery's right main-gear strut where a leaking seal has been found. United Space Alliance and B.F. Goodrich technicians will replace a leaking dynamic seal in Discovery's right main-gear strut. The struts act as shock absorbers during the shuttle's landing. Engineers determined the observed leak of hydraulic fluid in the main landing gear strut exceeded specification and could not be reduced to an acceptable rate. Removing the strut and replacing seals require disconnecting and replacing the brakes and tires, disconnecting and reconnecting instruments and other requirements to allow access to the strut. Discovery had been scheduled to roll over Sept. 19 from its processing hangar to the Vehicle Assembly Building. A new rollover date will be set after technicians determine how long replacing the seal will take. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton

S88-42092 (15 July 1988) --- STS-26 Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, rollover at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is closely monitored by engineers and technicians in the late stages of the move from the orbiter processing facility (OPF) to the vehicle assembly building (VAB) as preflight preparations continue. A large crowd of KSC employees and other spectators watches in the background as OV-103, supported by its landing gear, is pulled toward VAB (background). While in the VAB, OV-103 will be mated to two solid rocket boosters (SRBs) and an external fuel tank.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3, United Space Alliance and B.F. Goodrich technicians begin work on the starboard landing gear assembly of space shuttle Discovery. They will replace a leaking dynamic seal in Discovery's right main-gear strut. The struts act as shock absorbers during the shuttle's landing. Engineers determined the observed leak of hydraulic fluid in the main landing gear strut exceeded specification and could not be reduced to an acceptable rate. Removing the strut and replacing seals require disconnecting and replacing the brakes and tires, disconnecting and reconnecting instruments and other requirements to allow access to the strut. Discovery had been scheduled to roll over Sept. 19 from its processing hangar to the Vehicle Assembly Building. A new rollover date will be set after technicians determine how long replacing the seal will take. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton

STS112-S-038 (18 October 2002) --- An aft view shows the Space Shuttle Atlantis just prior to touchdown of its main landing gear at the Shuttle Landing Facility. The touchdown completed the 4.5-million-mile STS-112 journey to the International Space Station. Main gear touchdown occurred at 11:43:40 a.m. EDT nose gear touchdown at 11:43:48 a.m.; and wheel stop at 11:44:35 a.m. Mission elapsed time was 10:19:58:44. Mission STS-112 expanded the size of the Station with the addition of the S1 truss segment. The returning crew of Atlantis are Jeffrey S. Ashby, commander; Pamela A. Melroy, pilot; and David A. Wolf, Piers J. Sellers, Sandra H. Magnus and Rosaviakosmos' Fyodor N. Yurchikhin, all mission specialists. This landing is the 60th at KSC in the 21-year history of the Shuttle program.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The main landing gear of space shuttle Endeavour touches down on the pavement of Runway 15 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, to complete the 16-day, 6.5-million mile journey on the STS-127 mission to the International Space Station. Endeavour landed on orbit 248. Main gear touchdown was at 10:48:08 a.m. EDT. Nose gear touchdown was at 10:48:21 a.m. and wheels stop was at 10:49:13 a.m. Endeavour delivered the Japanese Experiment Module's Exposed Facility and the Experiment Logistics Module-Exposed Section to the International Space Station. The mission was the 29th flight to the station, the 23rd flight of Endeavour and the 127th in the Space Shuttle Program, as well as the 71st landing at Kennedy. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3, United Space Alliance and B.F. Goodrich technicians work on the starboard landing gear assembly of space shuttle Discovery. They will replace a leaking dynamic seal in Discovery's right main-gear strut. The struts act as shock absorbers during the shuttle's landing. Engineers determined the observed leak of hydraulic fluid in the main landing gear strut exceeded specification and could not be reduced to an acceptable rate. Removing the strut and replacing seals require disconnecting and replacing the brakes and tires, disconnecting and reconnecting instruments and other requirements to allow access to the strut. Discovery had been scheduled to roll over Sept. 19 from its processing hangar to the Vehicle Assembly Building. A new rollover date will be set after technicians determine how long replacing the seal will take. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3, United Space Alliance and B.F. Goodrich technicians begin work on the starboard landing gear assembly of space shuttle Discovery. They will replace a leaking dynamic seal in Discovery's right main-gear strut. The struts act as shock absorbers during the shuttle's landing. Engineers determined the observed leak of hydraulic fluid in the main landing gear strut exceeded specification and could not be reduced to an acceptable rate. Removing the strut and replacing seals require disconnecting and replacing the brakes and tires, disconnecting and reconnecting instruments and other requirements to allow access to the strut. Discovery had been scheduled to roll over Sept. 19 from its processing hangar to the Vehicle Assembly Building. A new rollover date will be set after technicians determine how long replacing the seal will take. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3, United Space Alliance and B.F. Goodrich technicians work on the starboard landing gear assembly of space shuttle Discovery. They will replace a leaking dynamic seal in Discovery's right main-gear strut. The struts act as shock absorbers during the shuttle's landing. Engineers determined the observed leak of hydraulic fluid in the main landing gear strut exceeded specification and could not be reduced to an acceptable rate. Removing the strut and replacing seals require disconnecting and replacing the brakes and tires, disconnecting and reconnecting instruments and other requirements to allow access to the strut. Discovery had been scheduled to roll over Sept. 19 from its processing hangar to the Vehicle Assembly Building. A new rollover date will be set after technicians determine how long replacing the seal will take. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton

STS112-S-040 (18 October 2002) --- The main landing gear of the Space Shuttle Atlantis is just about to touch down at the Shuttle Landing Facility, completing the 4.5-million-mile journey to the International Space Station. Main gear touchdown occurred at 11:43:40 a.m. (EDT); nose gear touchdown at 11:43:48 a.m.; and wheel stop at 11:44:35 a.m. Mission elapsed time was 10:19:58:44. Mission STS-112 expanded the size of the Station with the addition of the S1 truss segment. The returning crew of Atlantis are Jeffrey S. Ashby, commander; Pamela A. Melroy, pilot; and David A. Wolf, Piers J. Sellers, Sandra H. Magnus and Rosaviakosmos' Fyodor N. Yurchikhin, all mission specialists. This landing is the 60th at KSC in the 21-year history of the Shuttle program.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At Launch Complex 39B, a technician in Space Shuttle Discovery's payload bay performs a borescope inspection of the retract link assembly on the orbiter's main landing gear door. The inspection is a precautionary measure after a small crack was found in a retract link assembly on the right-hand main landing gear on orbiter Atlantis. An initial review of the closeout photos of the link assembly on Discovery did not reveal any cracks. Discovery is scheduled to return the Space Shuttle fleet to operational status on mission STS-114. This additional work does not impact the launch planning window of July 13-31.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At Launch Complex 39B, technicians construct a platform in Space Shuttle Discovery's payload bay to support an upcoming borescope inspection of the retract link assembly on the orbiter's main landing gear door. The inspection is a precautionary measure after a small crack was found in a retract link assembly on the right-hand main landing gear on orbiter Atlantis. An initial review of the closeout photos of the link assembly on Discovery did not reveal any cracks. Discovery is scheduled to return the Space Shuttle fleet to operational status on mission STS-114. This additional work does not impact the launch planning window of July 13-31.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At Launch Complex 39B, a technician in Space Shuttle Discovery's payload bay studies a photo of the retract link assembly on the orbiter's main landing gear door prior to conducting a borescope inspection. The inspection is a precautionary measure after a small crack was found in a retract link assembly on the right-hand main landing gear on orbiter Atlantis. An initial review of the closeout photos of the link assembly on Discovery did not reveal any cracks. Discovery is scheduled to return the Space Shuttle fleet to operational status on mission STS-114. This additional work does not impact the launch planning window of July 13-31.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At Launch Complex 39B, technicians in Space Shuttle Discovery's payload bay perform a borescope inspection of the retract link assembly on the orbiter's main landing gear door. The inspection is a precautionary measure after a small crack was found in a retract link assembly on the right-hand main landing gear on orbiter Atlantis. An initial review of the closeout photos of the link assembly on Discovery did not reveal any cracks. Discovery is scheduled to return the Space Shuttle fleet to operational status on mission STS-114. This additional work does not impact the launch planning window of July 13-31.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At Launch Complex 39B, a technician in Space Shuttle Discovery's payload bay prepares a borescope for an inspection of the retract link assembly on the orbiter's main landing gear door. The inspection is a precautionary measure after a small crack was found in a retract link assembly on the right-hand main landing gear on orbiter Atlantis. An initial review of the closeout photos of the link assembly on Discovery did not reveal any cracks. Discovery is scheduled to return the Space Shuttle fleet to operational status on mission STS-114. This additional work does not impact the launch planning window of July 13-31.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At Launch Complex 39B, technicians construct a platform in Space Shuttle Discovery's payload bay to support an upcoming borescope inspection of the retract link assembly on the orbiter's main landing gear door. The inspection is a precautionary measure after a small crack was found in a retract link assembly on the right-hand main landing gear on orbiter Atlantis. An initial review of the closeout photos of the link assembly on Discovery did not reveal any cracks. Discovery is scheduled to return the Space Shuttle fleet to operational status on mission STS-114. This additional work does not impact the launch planning window of July 13-31.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At Launch Complex 39B, technicians construct a platform in Space Shuttle Discovery's payload bay to support an upcoming borescope inspection of the retract link assembly on the orbiter's main landing gear door. The inspection is a precautionary measure after a small crack was found in a retract link assembly on the right-hand main landing gear on orbiter Atlantis. An initial review of the closeout photos of the link assembly on Discovery did not reveal any cracks. Discovery is scheduled to return the Space Shuttle fleet to operational status on mission STS-114. This additional work does not impact the launch planning window of July 13-31.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At Launch Complex 39B, technicians construct a platform in Space Shuttle Discovery's payload bay to support an upcoming borescope inspection of the retract link assembly on the orbiter's main landing gear door. The inspection is a precautionary measure after a small crack was found in a retract link assembly on the right-hand main landing gear on orbiter Atlantis. An initial review of the closeout photos of the link assembly on Discovery did not reveal any cracks. Discovery is scheduled to return the Space Shuttle fleet to operational status on mission STS-114. This additional work does not impact the launch planning window of July 13-31.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At Launch Complex 39B, technicians in Space Shuttle Discovery's payload bay monitor the images received during a borescope inspection of the retract link assembly on the orbiter's main landing gear door. The inspection is a precautionary measure after a small crack was found in a retract link assembly on the right-hand main landing gear on orbiter Atlantis. An initial review of the closeout photos of the link assembly on Discovery did not reveal any cracks. Discovery is scheduled to return the Space Shuttle fleet to operational status on mission STS-114. This additional work does not impact the launch planning window of July 13-31.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At Launch Complex 39B, technicians enter Space Shuttle Discovery's payload bay and prepare to conduct a borescope inspection of the retract link assembly on the orbiter's main landing gear door. The inspection is a precautionary measure after a small crack was found in a retract link assembly on the right-hand main landing gear on orbiter Atlantis. An initial review of the closeout photos of the link assembly on Discovery did not reveal any cracks. Discovery is scheduled to return the Space Shuttle fleet to operational status on mission STS-114. This additional work does not impact the launch planning window of July 13-31.

61C-S-050 (18 Jan 1986) --- This NASA photo records the night landing of space shuttle Columbia at Edwards Air Force Base and end of the STS 61-C mission. View is of the shuttle's main landing gear touching down, with streams of light trailing behind the orbiter. Photo credit: NASA

Landing of Orbiter Challenger at KSC at completion of 41G mission. View of the rear of the Orbiter as it approaches the runway with its landing gear extended. The main engines are clearly visible. The KSC Alternative Photo Number is 108-KSC-84PC-654 (43896). KSC, FL

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Orbiter Processing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, a replacement retract link (left) is being installed because a small crack was found recently on the retract link assembly. One end of the link is tethered until it is attached. At right is a blurred reflection on a plastic barrier. To lower the main landing gear, a mechanical linkage released by each gear actuates the doors to the open position. The landing gear reach the full-down and extended position with 10 seconds and are locked in the down position by spring-loaded downlock bungees Atlantis is scheduled to launch in September 2005 on the second Return to Flight mission, STS-121.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Main landing gear are in place for touchdown of space shuttle Discovery on Runway 15 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, completing the 13-day, 5.3-million mile journey on the STS-119 mission to the International Space Station. Main gear touchdown was at 3:13:17 p.m. EDT. Nose gear touchdown was at 3:13:40 p.m. and wheels stop was at 3:14:45 p.m. Discovery delivered the final pair of large power-generating solar array wings and the S6 truss segment. The mission was the 28th flight to the station, the 36th flight of Discovery and the 125th in the Space Shuttle Program, as well as the 70th landing at Kennedy. Photo credit: NASA/Rick Wetherington

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The main landing gear of space shuttle Discovery nears contact with the pavement of Runway 15 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, to complete the 13-day, 5.3-million mile journey on the STS-119 mission to the International Space Station. Main gear touchdown was at 3:13:17 p.m. EDT. Nose gear touchdown was at 3:13:40 p.m. and wheels stop was at 3:14:45 p.m. Discovery delivered the final pair of large power-generating solar array wings and the S6 truss segment. The mission was the 28th flight to the station, the 36th flight of Discovery and the 125th in the Space Shuttle Program, as well as the 70th landing at Kennedy. Photo credit: NASA/Tony Gray, Tom Farrar

STS132-S-119 (26 May 2010) --- Space shuttle Atlantis' main gear touches down on Runway 33 at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Landing was at 8:48 a.m. (EDT) on May 26, 2010, completing the 12-day STS-132 mission to the International Space Station. Main gear touchdown was at 8:48:11 a.m., followed by nose gear touchdown at 8:48:21 a.m. and wheelstop at 8:49:18 a.m. Onboard are NASA astronauts Ken Ham, commander; Tony Antonelli, pilot; Garrett Reisman, Michael Good, Steve Bowen and Piers Sellers, all mission specialists. The six-member STS-132 crew carried the Russian-built Mini Research Module 1 (MRM1) to the orbital complex. STS-132 is the 34th shuttle mission to the station, the 132nd shuttle mission overall and the last planned flight for Atlantis.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Atlantis kicks up dust as its main gear touches down on runway 33 at KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility. The landing completes the 10-day, 19-hour, 4.5-million mile mission STS-110 to the International Space Station. The orbiter carries the returning crew Commander Michael Bloomfield, Pilot Stephen Frick and Mission Specialists Jerry Ross, Steven Smith, Ellen Ochoa, Lee Morin and Rex Walheim. Main gear touchdown was 12:26:57 p.m. EDT, nose gear touchdown was 12:27:09 p.m. and wheel stop was 12:28:07 p.m. The crew delivered and installed the S0 truss, which will support cooling and power systems essential for the addition of future international laboratories, on the Station

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The main landing gear of space shuttle Discovery contact the pavement on Runway 15 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, completing the 13-day, 5.3-million mile journey on the STS-119 mission to the International Space Station. Main gear touchdown was at 3:13:17 p.m. EDT. Nose gear touchdown was at 3:13:40 p.m. and wheels stop was at 3:14:45 p.m. Discovery delivered the final pair of large power-generating solar array wings and the S6 truss segment. The mission was the 28th flight to the station, the 36th flight of Discovery and the 125th in the Space Shuttle Program, as well as the 70th landing at Kennedy. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Cooper

STS132-S-120 (26 May 2010) --- Space shuttle Atlantis' main gear touches down on Runway 33 at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Landing was at 8:48 a.m. (EDT) on May 26, 2010, completing the 12-day STS-132 mission to the International Space Station. Main gear touchdown was at 8:48:11 a.m., followed by nose gear touchdown at 8:48:21 a.m. and wheelstop at 8:49:18 a.m. Onboard are NASA astronauts Ken Ham, commander; Tony Antonelli, pilot; Garrett Reisman, Michael Good, Steve Bowen and Piers Sellers, all mission specialists. The six-member STS-132 crew carried the Russian-built Mini Research Module 1 (MRM1) to the orbital complex. STS-132 is the 34th shuttle mission to the station, the 132nd shuttle mission overall and the last planned flight for Atlantis.

STS132-S-083 (26 May 2010) ---- Space shuttle Atlantis' main gear touches down on Runway 33 at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Landing was at 8:48 a.m. (EDT) on May 26, 2010, completing the 12-day STS-132 mission to the International Space Station. Main gear touchdown was at 8:48:11 a.m., followed by nose gear touchdown at 8:48:21 a.m. and wheelstop at 8:49:18 a.m. Onboard are NASA astronauts Ken Ham, commander; Tony Antonelli, pilot; Garrett Reisman, Michael Good, Steve Bowen and Piers Sellers, all mission specialists. The six-member STS-132 crew carried the Russian-built Mini Research Module 1 (MRM1) to the orbital complex. STS-132 is the 34th shuttle mission to the station, the 132nd shuttle mission overall and the last planned flight for Atlantis.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Discovery's main landing gear touches down on Runway 15 at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida after 13-days in space, completing the 5.3-million-mile STS-133 mission. Main gear touchdown was at 11:57:17 a.m., followed by nose gear touchdown at 11:57:28, and wheelstop at 11:58:14 a.m. On board are Commander Steve Lindsey, Pilot Eric Boe, and Mission Specialists Nicole Stott, Michael Barratt, Alvin Drew and Steve Bowen. Discovery and its six-member crew delivered the Permanent Multipurpose Module, packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2, the dexterous humanoid astronaut helper, to the orbiting outpost. STS-133 was Discovery's 39th and final mission. This was the 133rd Space Shuttle Program mission and the 35th shuttle voyage to the space station. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Cooper

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Atlantis' main gear touches down on Runway 33 at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Landing was at 8:48 a.m. EDT, completing the 12-day STS-132 mission to the International Space Station. Main gear touchdown was at 8:48:11 a.m. EDT, followed by nose gear touchdown at 8:48:21 a.m. and wheelstop at 8:49:18 a.m. On board are Commander Ken Ham, Pilot Tony Antonelli, Mission Specialists Garrett Reisman, Michael Good, Steve Bowen and Piers Sellers. The six-member STS-132 crew carried the Russian-built Mini Research Module-1 to the International Space Station. STS-132 is the 34th shuttle mission to the station, the 132nd shuttle mission overall and the last planned flight for Atlantis. For information on the STS-132 mission and crew, visit www.nasa.gov_mission_pages_shuttle_shuttlemissions_sts132_index.html. Photo credit: NASA_Ben Cooper

STS132-S-113 (26 May 2010) --- Space shuttle Atlantis' main gear touches down on Runway 33 at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Landing was at 8:48 a.m. (EDT) on May 26, 2010, completing the 12-day STS-132 mission to the International Space Station. Main gear touchdown was at 8:48:11 a.m., followed by nose gear touchdown at 8:48:21 a.m. and wheelstop at 8:49:18 a.m. Onboard are NASA astronauts Ken Ham, commander; Tony Antonelli, pilot; Garrett Reisman, Michael Good, Steve Bowen and Piers Sellers, all mission specialists. The six-member STS-132 crew carried the Russian-built Mini Research Module 1 (MRM1) to the orbital complex. STS-132 is the 34th shuttle mission to the station, the 132nd shuttle mission overall and the last planned flight for Atlantis.

STS112-S-028 (18 October 2002) --- The main landing gear of the Space Shuttle Atlantis is seconds away from touchdown at the Shuttle Landing Facility, completing the 4.5-million-mile journey that included a week of work with the International Space Station. Main gear touchdown occurred at 11:43:40 a.m. (EDT), October 18, 2002; nose gear touchdown at 11:43:48 a.m.; and wheel stop at 11:44:35 a.m. Mission elapsed time was 10:19:58:44. Mission STS-112 expanded the size of the Station with the addition of the S1 truss segment. The STS-112 crew members of Atlantis are Jeffrey S. Ashby, commander; Pamela A. Melroy, pilot; and David A. Wolf, Piers J. Sellers, Sandra H. Magnus and Rosaviakosmos' Fyodor N. Yurchikhin, all mission specialists.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Discovery’s main landing gear are extended for touchdown on Runway 15 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, completing the 13-day, 5.3-million mile journey on the STS-119 mission to the International Space Station. Main gear touchdown was at 3:13:17 p.m. EDT. Nose gear touchdown was at 3:13:40 p.m. and wheels stop was at 3:14:45 p.m. Discovery delivered the final pair of large power-generating solar array wings and the S6 truss segment. The mission was the 28th flight to the station, the 36th flight of Discovery and the 125th in the Space Shuttle Program, as well as the 70th landing at Kennedy. Photo credit: NASA/Kenny Allen

STS132-S-118 (26 May 2010) --- Space shuttle Atlantis' main gear touches down on Runway 33 at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Landing was at 8:48 a.m. (EDT) on May 26, 2010, completing the 12-day STS-132 mission to the International Space Station. Main gear touchdown was at 8:48:11 a.m., followed by nose gear touchdown at 8:48:21 a.m. and wheelstop at 8:49:18 a.m. Onboard are NASA astronauts Ken Ham, commander; Tony Antonelli, pilot; Garrett Reisman, Michael Good, Steve Bowen and Piers Sellers, all mission specialists. The six-member STS-132 crew carried the Russian-built Mini Research Module 1 (MRM1) to the orbital complex. STS-132 is the 34th shuttle mission to the station, the 132nd shuttle mission overall and the last planned flight for Atlantis.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Atlantis' main gear touches down on Runway 33 at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Landing was at 8:48 a.m. EDT, completing the 12-day STS-132 mission to the International Space Station. Main gear touchdown was at 8:48:11 a.m. EDT, followed by nose gear touchdown at 8:48:21 a.m. and wheelstop at 8:49:18 a.m. On board are Commander Ken Ham, Pilot Tony Antonelli, Mission Specialists Garrett Reisman, Michael Good, Steve Bowen and Piers Sellers. The six-member STS-132 crew carried the Russian-built Mini Research Module-1 to the International Space Station. STS-132 is the 34th shuttle mission to the station, the 132nd shuttle mission overall and the last planned flight for Atlantis. For information on the STS-132 mission and crew, visit www.nasa.gov_mission_pages_shuttle_shuttlemissions_sts132_index.html. Photo credit: NASA_Carl Winebarger

STS132-S-137 (26 May 2010) --- Space shuttle Atlantis' main gear touches down on Runway 33 at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Landing was at 8:48 a.m. (EDT) on May 26, 2010, completing the 12-day STS-132 mission to the International Space Station. Main gear touchdown was at 8:48:11 a.m., followed by nose gear touchdown at 8:48:21 a.m. and wheelstop at 8:49:18 a.m. Onboard are NASA astronauts Ken Ham, commander; Tony Antonelli, pilot; Garrett Reisman, Michael Good, Steve Bowen and Piers Sellers, all mission specialists. The six-member STS-132 crew carried the Russian-built Mini Research Module 1 (MRM1) to the orbital complex. STS-132 is the 34th shuttle mission to the station, the 132nd shuttle mission overall and the last planned flight for Atlantis.

STS132-S-125 (26 May 2010) --- Space shuttle Atlantis' main gear touches down on Runway 33 at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Landing was at 8:48 a.m. (EDT) on May 26, 2010, completing the 12-day STS-132 mission to the International Space Station. Main gear touchdown was at 8:48:11 a.m., followed by nose gear touchdown at 8:48:21 a.m. and wheelstop at 8:49:18 a.m. Onboard are NASA astronauts Ken Ham, commander; Tony Antonelli, pilot; Garrett Reisman, Michael Good, Steve Bowen and Piers Sellers, all mission specialists. The six-member STS-132 crew carried the Russian-built Mini Research Module 1 (MRM1) to the orbital complex. STS-132 is the 34th shuttle mission to the station, the 132nd shuttle mission overall and the last planned flight for Atlantis.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Atlantis kicks up dust as its main gear touches down on runway 33 at KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility. The landing completes the 10-day, 19-hour, 4.5-million mile mission STS-110 to the International Space Station. The orbiter carries the returning crew Commander Michael Bloomfield, Pilot Stephen Frick and Mission Specialists Jerry Ross, Steven Smith, Ellen Ochoa, Lee Morin and Rex Walheim. Main gear touchdown was 12:26:57 p.m. EDT, nose gear touchdown was 12:27:09 p.m. and wheel stop was 12:28:07 p.m. The crew delivered and installed the S0 truss, which will support cooling and power systems essential for the addition of future international laboratories, on the Station

STS132-S-085 (26 May 2010) ---- Space shuttle Atlantis' main gear touches down on Runway 33 at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Landing was at 8:48 a.m. (EDT) on May 26, 2010, completing the 12-day STS-132 mission to the International Space Station. Main gear touchdown was at 8:48:11 a.m., followed by nose gear touchdown at 8:48:21 a.m. and wheelstop at 8:49:18 a.m. Onboard are NASA astronauts Ken Ham, commander; Tony Antonelli, pilot; Garrett Reisman, Michael Good, Steve Bowen and Piers Sellers, all mission specialists. The six-member STS-132 crew carried the Russian-built Mini Research Module 1 (MRM1) to the orbital complex. STS-132 is the 34th shuttle mission to the station, the 132nd shuttle mission overall and the last planned flight for Atlantis.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Atlantis kicks up dust as its main gear touches down on runway 33 at KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility. The landing completes the 10-day, 19-hour, 4.5-million mile mission STS-110 to the International Space Station. The orbiter carries the returning crew Commander Michael Bloomfield, Pilot Stephen Frick and Mission Specialists Jerry Ross, Steven Smith, Ellen Ochoa, Lee Morin and Rex Walheim. Main gear touchdown was 12:26:57 p.m. EDT, nose gear touchdown was 12:27:09 p.m. and wheel stop was 12:28:07 p.m. The crew delivered and installed the S0 truss, which will support cooling and power systems essential for the addition of future international laboratories, on the Station

STS132-S-106 (26 May 2010) --- Space shuttle Atlantis' main gear touches down on Runway 33 at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Landing was at 8:48 a.m. (EDT) on May 26, 2010, completing the 12-day STS-132 mission to the International Space Station. Main gear touchdown was at 8:48:11 a.m., followed by nose gear touchdown at 8:48:21 a.m. and wheelstop at 8:49:18 a.m. Onboard are NASA astronauts Ken Ham, commander; Tony Antonelli, pilot; Garrett Reisman, Michael Good, Steve Bowen and Piers Sellers, all mission specialists. The six-member STS-132 crew carried the Russian-built Mini Research Module 1 (MRM1) to the orbital complex. STS-132 is the 34th shuttle mission to the station, the 132nd shuttle mission overall and the last planned flight for Atlantis.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In bay 3 of the Orbiter Processing Facility, United Space Alliance technicians make final adjustments on space shuttle Discovery's starboard landing gear. The components were removed in order to replace a hydraulic seal in the right main-gear strut. Engineers determined an observed leak of hydraulic fluid in the main landing gear strut exceeded specification and could not be reduced to an acceptable rate. Thus, the leaky seal and three other seals were replaced. Prior to discovery of the leak, the vehicle had been scheduled to roll over Sept. 19 from the OPF to the Vehicle Assembly Building. A new rollover date will be set for Discovery, which is targeted for launch on Oct. 23. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Discovery's main landing gear touches down on Runway 15 at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida after 13-days in space, completing the 5.3-million-mile STS-133 mission. Main gear touchdown was at 11:57:17 a.m., followed by nose gear touchdown at 11:57:28, and wheelstop at 11:58:14 a.m. On board are Commander Steve Lindsey, Pilot Eric Boe, and Mission Specialists Nicole Stott, Michael Barratt, Alvin Drew and Steve Bowen. Discovery and its six-member crew delivered the Permanent Multipurpose Module, packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2, the dexterous humanoid astronaut helper, to the orbiting outpost. STS-133 was Discovery's 39th and final mission. This was the 133rd Space Shuttle Program mission and the 35th shuttle voyage to the space station. Photo credit: NASA/Linda Perry

STS132-S-109 (26 May 2010) --- Space shuttle Atlantis' main gear touches down on Runway 33 at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Landing was at 8:48 a.m. (EDT) on May 26, 2010, completing the 12-day STS-132 mission to the International Space Station. Main gear touchdown was at 8:48:11 a.m., followed by nose gear touchdown at 8:48:21 a.m. and wheelstop at 8:49:18 a.m. Onboard are NASA astronauts Ken Ham, commander; Tony Antonelli, pilot; Garrett Reisman, Michael Good, Steve Bowen and Piers Sellers, all mission specialists. The six-member STS-132 crew carried the Russian-built Mini Research Module 1 (MRM1) to the orbital complex. STS-132 is the 34th shuttle mission to the station, the 132nd shuttle mission overall and the last planned flight for Atlantis.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A cloud rises from Runway 15 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida as the main gear of space shuttle Discovery contact the pavement. Landing of Discovery March 28, 2009, completed the 13-day, 5.3-million mile journey on the STS-119 mission to the International Space Station. Main gear touchdown was at 3:13:17 p.m. EDT. Nose gear touchdown was at 3:13:40 p.m. and wheels stop was at 3:14:45 p.m. Discovery delivered the final pair of large power-generating solar array wings and the S6 truss segment. The mission was the 28th flight to the station, the 36th flight of Discovery and the 125th in the Space Shuttle Program, as well as the 70th landing at Kennedy. Photo credit: NASA/Kevin O'Connell

STS054-S-100 (19 Jan 1993) --- The drag chute is fully deployed as the Space Shuttle Endeavour rolls toward wheelstop at KSC's Shuttle landing facility. Landing occurred at 8:38 a.m. (EST), Jan. 19, 1993. Onboard for the six-day mission were astronauts John H. Casper, mission commander, Donald R. McMonagle, pilot, Gregory J. Harbaugh, Mario Runco Jr. and Susan J. Helms, mission specialists.

STS054-S-101 (19 Jan 1993) --- The drag chute is just about to be released as the Space Shuttle Endeavour rolls toward wheelstop at KSC's Shuttle landing facility. Landing occurred at 8:38 a.m. (EST), Jan. 19, 1993. Onboard for the six-day mission were astronauts John H. Casper, mission commander, Donald R. McMonagle, pilot, Gregory J. Harbaugh, Mario Runco Jr. and Susan J. Helms, mission specialists.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the 69th landing at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, space shuttle Discovery approaches landing on Runway 15 to end the STS-124 mission, a 14-day flight to the International Space Station. The main landing gear touched down at 11:15:19 a.m. EDT. The nose landing gear touched down at 11:15:30 a.m. and wheel stop was at 11:16:19 a.m. The mission completed 5.7 million miles. The STS-124 mission delivered the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system to the space station. Photo credit: NASA/Chris Lynch

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A drag chute slows space shuttle Discovery's landing on Runway 15 to end the STS-124 mission, a 14-day flight to the International Space Station. This landing was the 69th at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The main landing gear touched down at 11:15:19 a.m. EDT. The nose landing gear touched down at 11:15:30 a.m. and wheel stop was at 11:16:19 a.m. The mission completed 5.7 million miles. The STS-124 mission delivered the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system to the space station. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the 69th landing at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, a drag chute slows space shuttle Discovery's landing on Runway 15 to end the STS-124 mission, a 14-day flight to the International Space Station. The main landing gear touched down at 11:15:19 a.m. EDT. The nose landing gear touched down at 11:15:30 a.m. and wheel stop was at 11:16:19 a.m. The mission completed 5.7 million miles. The STS-124 mission delivered the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system to the space station. Photo credit: NASA/Chris Lynch

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Under blue skies, space shuttle Discovery approaches landing on Runway 15 to end the STS-124 mission, a 14-day flight to the International Space Station. This landing was the 69th at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The main landing gear touched down at 11:15:19 a.m. EDT. The nose landing gear touched down at 11:15:30 a.m. and wheel stop was at 11:16:19 a.m. The mission completed 5.7 million miles. The STS-124 mission delivered the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system to the space station. Photo credit: NASA/Mike Gayle

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --- In the 16th night landing at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, space shuttle Endeavour approaches Runway 15 to end the STS-123 mission, a 16-day flight to the International Space Station. The main landing gear touched down at 8:39:08 p.m. EDT. The nose landing gear touched down at 8:39:17 p.m. and wheel stop was at 8:40:41 p.m. The mission completed nearly 6.6 million miles. The landing was the second opportunity after the first was waved off due to unstable weather in the Kennedy Space Center area. Photo credit: NASA/Tony Gray, Kevin O'Connell, Scott Haun

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the 69th landing at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, space shuttle Discovery approaches landing on Runway 15 to end the STS-124 mission, a 14-day flight to the International Space Station. The main landing gear touched down at 11:15:19 a.m. EDT. The nose landing gear touched down at 11:15:30 a.m. and wheel stop was at 11:16:19 a.m. The mission completed 5.7 million miles. The STS-124 mission delivered the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system to the space station. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Atlantis goes through a routine landing gear test in Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Technicians are checking to make sure the shuttle's wheels, brakes, elevons and body flap function properly. Seen here, the nose landing gear is deployed. During a shuttle landing, the nose gear comes down after the main gear and helps the shuttle coast to a stop. Atlantis is being prepared for the STS-135 mission, which will deliver the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module packed with supplies, logistics and spare parts to the International Space Station. STS-135 is targeted to launch June 28, and will be the last spaceflight for the Space Shuttle Program. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Atlantis goes through a routine landing gear test in Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Technicians are checking to make sure the shuttle's wheels, brakes, elevons and body flap function properly. Seen here, the nose landing gear is deployed. During a shuttle landing, the nose gear comes down after the main gear and helps the shuttle coast to a stop. Atlantis is being prepared for the STS-135 mission, which will deliver the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module packed with supplies, logistics and spare parts to the International Space Station. STS-135 is targeted to launch June 28, and will be the last spaceflight for the Space Shuttle Program. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Atlantis goes through a routine landing gear test in Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Technicians are checking to make sure the shuttle's wheels, brakes, elevons and body flap function properly. Seen here, the nose landing gear is deployed. During a shuttle landing, the nose gear comes down after the main gear and helps the shuttle coast to a stop. Atlantis is being prepared for the STS-135 mission, which will deliver the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module packed with supplies, logistics and spare parts to the International Space Station. STS-135 is targeted to launch June 28, and will be the last spaceflight for the Space Shuttle Program. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Atlantis goes through a routine landing gear test in Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Technicians are checking to make sure the shuttle's wheels, brakes, elevons and body flap function properly. Seen here, the nose landing gear is deployed. During a shuttle landing, the nose gear comes down after the main gear and helps the shuttle coast to a stop. Atlantis is being prepared for the STS-135 mission, which will deliver the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module packed with supplies, logistics and spare parts to the International Space Station. STS-135 is targeted to launch June 28, and will be the last spaceflight for the Space Shuttle Program. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Atlantis goes through a routine landing gear test in Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Technicians are checking to make sure the shuttle's wheels, brakes, elevons and body flap function properly. Seen here, the nose landing gear is deployed. During a shuttle landing, the nose gear comes down after the main gear and helps the shuttle coast to a stop. Atlantis is being prepared for the STS-135 mission, which will deliver the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module packed with supplies, logistics and spare parts to the International Space Station. STS-135 is targeted to launch June 28, and will be the last spaceflight for the Space Shuttle Program. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In bay 3 of the Orbiter Processing Facility, a technician replaces a hydraulic seal in space shuttle Discovery's right main-gear strut. Engineers determined an observed leak of hydraulic fluid in the main landing gear strut exceeded specification and could not be reduced to an acceptable rate. Thus, the leaky seal and three other seals were replaced. Prior to discovery of the leak, the vehicle had been scheduled to roll over Sept. 19 from the OPF to the Vehicle Assembly Building. A new rollover date will be set for Discovery, which is targeted for launch on Oct. 23. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In bay 3 of the Orbiter Processing Facility, B.F. Goodrich technician David Cobb checks the hydraulic seal he replaced in space shuttle Discovery's right main-gear strut. Engineers determined an observed leak of hydraulic fluid in the main landing gear strut exceeded specification and could not be reduced to an acceptable rate. Thus, the leaky seal and three other seals were replaced. Prior to discovery of the leak, the vehicle had been scheduled to roll over Sept. 19 from the OPF to the Vehicle Assembly Building. A new rollover date will be set for Discovery, which is targeted for launch on Oct. 23. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the 69th landing at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, space shuttle Discovery comes to a stop on Runway15 with the aid of a drag chute to end the STS-124 mission, a 14-day flight to the International Space Station. The main landing gear touched down at 11:15:19 a.m. EDT. The nose landing gear touched down at 11:15:30 a.m. and wheel stop was at 11:16:19 a.m. The mission completed 5.7 million miles. The STS-124 mission delivered the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system to the space station. Photo credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the 69th landing at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, space shuttle Discovery kicks up dust as it touches down on Runway 15 to end the STS-124 mission, a 14-day flight to the International Space Station. The main landing gear touched down at 11:15:19 a.m. EDT. The nose landing gear touched down at 11:15:30 a.m. and wheel stop was at 11:16:19 a.m. The mission completed 5.7 million miles. The STS-124 mission delivered the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system to the space station. Photo credit: NASA/Chris Lynch

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the 69th landing at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, space shuttle Discovery touches down on Runway 15 to end the STS-124 mission, a 14-day flight to the International Space Station. The main landing gear touched down at 11:15:19 a.m. EDT. The nose landing gear touched down at 11:15:30 a.m. and wheel stop was at 11:16:19 a.m. The mission completed 5.7 million miles. The STS-124 mission delivered the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system to the space station. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Discovery touches down on Runway 15 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center to end the STS-124 mission, a 14-day flight to the International Space Station. This landing was the 69th at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The main landing gear touched down at 11:15:19 a.m. EDT. The nose landing gear touched down at 11:15:30 a.m. and wheel stop was at 11:16:19 a.m. The mission completed 5.7 million miles. The STS-124 mission delivered the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system to the space station. Photo credit: NASA/Mike Kerley

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Discovery touches down on Runway 15 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center to end the STS-124 mission, a 14-day flight to the International Space Station. This landing was the 69th at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The main landing gear touched down at 11:15:19 a.m. EDT. The nose landing gear touched down at 11:15:30 a.m. and wheel stop was at 11:16:19 a.m. The mission completed 5.7 million miles. The STS-124 mission delivered the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system to the space station. Photo courtesy of Scott Andrews