PHOTO DATE: 12-22-08 LOCATION: Bldg 9NW, CCTII SUBJECT: STS-119 crew and Koichi Wakata training during the PRL IN/EG suited training. PHOTOGRAPHER: JAMES BLAIR

The grand opening of NASA’s new, world-class laboratory for research into future space transportation technologies located at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville, Alabama, took place in July 2004. The state-of-the-art Propulsion Research Laboratory (PRL) serves as a leading national resource for advanced space propulsion research. Its purpose is to conduct research that will lead to the creation and development of innovative propulsion technologies for space exploration. The facility is the epicenter of the effort to move the U.S. space program beyond the confines of conventional chemical propulsion into an era of greatly improved access to space and rapid transit throughout the solar system. The laboratory is designed to accommodate researchers from across the United States, including scientists and engineers from NASA, the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, universities, and industry. The facility, with 66,000 square feet of useable laboratory space, features a high degree of experimental capability. Its flexibility allows it to address a broad range of propulsion technologies and concepts, such as plasma, electromagnetic, thermodynamic, and propellant propulsion. An important area of emphasis is the development and utilization of advanced energy sources, including highly energetic chemical reactions, solar energy, and processes based on fission, fusion, and antimatter. The Propulsion Research Laboratory is vital for developing the advanced propulsion technologies needed to open up the space frontier, and sets the stage of research that could revolutionize space transportation for a broad range of applications.

The grand opening of NASA’s new, world-class laboratory for research into future space transportation technologies located at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville, Alabama, took place in July 2004. The state-of-the-art Propulsion Research Laboratory (PRL) serves as a leading national resource for advanced space propulsion research. Its purpose is to conduct research that will lead to the creation and development of innovative propulsion technologies for space exploration. The facility is the epicenter of the effort to move the U.S. space program beyond the confines of conventional chemical propulsion into an era of greatly improved access to space and rapid transit throughout the solar system. The laboratory is designed to accommodate researchers from across the United States, including scientists and engineers from NASA, the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, universities, and industry. The facility, with 66,000 square feet of useable laboratory space, features a high degree of experimental capability. Its flexibility allows it to address a broad range of propulsion technologies and concepts, such as plasma, electromagnetic, thermodynamic, and propellant propulsion. An important area of emphasis is the development and utilization of advanced energy sources, including highly energetic chemical reactions, solar energy, and processes based on fission, fusion, and antimatter. The Propulsion Research Laboratory is vital for developing the advanced propulsion technologies needed to open up the space frontier, and sets the stage of research that could revolutionize space transportation for a broad range of applications.

JSC2001-E-12448 (24 April 2001) --- Suited in training versions of the full-pressure launch and entry suit, astronauts Patrick G. Forrester and Daniel T. Barry, both STS-105 mission specialists; and Frank L. Culbertson, Expedition Three commander, await a training session in one of the trainer/mockups (out of frame) in the Systems Integration Facility at Johnson Space Center (JSC).

JSC2001-E-12456 (24 April 2001) --- Astronaut Frank L. Culbertson, Jr., Expedition Three mission commander, is photographed wearing a training version of the full-pressure launch and entry suit during a mission training session in the Systems Integration Facility at Johnson Space Center (JSC). The Expedition Three crew is scheduled to launch aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery this summer to begin a lengthy stay onboard the International Space Station (ISS).

JSC2001-E-12449 (24 April 2001) --- Suited in training versions of the full-pressure launch and entry suit, cosmonauts Vladimir N. Dezhurov (left) and Mikhail Tyurin, await a training session in one of the trainer/mockups (out of frame) in the Systems Integration Facility at Johnson Space Center (JSC). Dezhurov and Tyurin, who represent Rosaviakosmos, are both crew members for Expedition Three.

JSC2001-E-12454 (24 April 2001) --- Equipped with training versions of the full-pressure launch and entry suit, several members of the STS-105 crew await the start of a training session in one of the trainer/mockups (out of frame) in the Systems Integration Facility at Johnson Space Center (JSC).

JSC2010-E-017714 (29 Jan. 2010) --- NASA astronauts Rick Mastracchio (foreground), STS-131 mission specialist; and James P. Dutton Jr., pilot, don training versions of their shuttle launch and entry suits in preparation for an ingress/egress training session in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. United Space Alliance suit technician Jim Cheatham assisted the crew members.

JSC2001-E-12451 (24 April 2001) --- Astronaut Frank L. Culbertson, Expedition Three commander, assisted by suit technicians (out of frame), dons a training version of the full-pressure launch and entry suit prior to a training session in one of the trainer/mockups (out of frame) in the Systems Integration Facility at Johnson Space Center (JSC).

JSC2010-E-166827 (24 Sept. 2010) --- Attired in training versions of their shuttle launch and entry suits, NASA astronauts Eric Boe (left), STS-133 pilot; Alvin Drew and Tim Kopra, both mission specialists, await the start of a training session in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2010-E-166825 (24 Sept. 2010) --- NASA astronaut Michael Barratt, STS-133 mission specialist, dons a training version of his shuttle launch and entry suit in preparation for a training session in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2010-E-166818 (24 Sept. 2010) --- STS-133 crew members are pictured in a classroom setting during a training session in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Pictured counter-clockwise (from the right) are NASA astronauts Steve Lindsey, commander; Michael Barratt, Tim Kopra, both mission specialists; Eric Boe, pilot; Nicole Stott and Alvin Drew, both mission specialists. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2010-E-166833 (24 Sept. 2010) --- Attired in training versions of their shuttle launch and entry suits, NASA astronauts Nicole Stott and Michael Barratt, both STS-133 mission specialists, participate in a training session on the middeck of the crew compartment trainer (CCT-2) in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2002-01743 (17 September 2002) --- Astronaut Paul S. Lockhart, STS-113 pilot, awaits the start of a training session in the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at the Johnson Space Center (JSC). Lockhart is wearing a training version of the shuttle launch and entry suit.

JSC2002-01737 (17 September 2002) --- Astronaut Paul S. Lockhart, STS-113 pilot, dons a training version of the full-pressure launch and entry suit prior to the start of a training session in the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at the Johnson Space Center (JSC).

JSC2010-E-166824 (24 Sept. 2010) --- NASA astronaut Steve Lindsey, STS-133 commander, dons a training version of his shuttle launch and entry suit in preparation for a training session in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2010-E-166822 (24 Sept. 2010) --- NASA astronauts Steve Lindsey (left), STS-133 commander; and Eric Boe, pilot, don training versions of their shuttle launch and entry suits in preparation for a training session in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2010-E-166820 (24 Sept. 2010) --- NASA astronaut Eric Boe, STS-133 pilot, dons a training version of his shuttle launch and entry suit in preparation for a training session in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. United Space Alliance suit technician Steve Sholtz assisted Boe. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2010-E-166831 (24 Sept. 2010) --- NASA astronaut Tim Kopra, STS-133 mission specialist, attired in a training version of his shuttle launch and entry suit, participates in a training session in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2002-01738 (17 September 2002) --- Astronaut John B. Herrington, STS-113 mission specialist, uses a still camera prior to the start of a training session in the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at the Johnson Space Center (JSC). Herrington is wearing a training version of the shuttle launch and entry suit.

JSC2002-01734 (17 Sept. 2002) --- Astronaut John B. Herrington, STS-113 mission specialist, dons a training version of the full-pressure launch and entry suit prior to the start of a training session in the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at the Johnson Space Center (JSC). United Space Alliance (USA) suit technician Raymond Cuevas assisted Herrington.

JSC2010-E-166832 (24 Sept. 2010) --- NASA astronaut Tim Kopra, STS-133 mission specialist, attired in a training version of his shuttle launch and entry suit, participates in a training session in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. United Space Alliance suit technician George Brittingham assisted Kopra. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2002-01739 (17 Sept. 2002) --- Astronaut James D. Wetherbee, STS-113 mission commander, dons a training version of the full-pressure launch and entry suit prior to the start of a training session in the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at the Johnson Space Center (JSC). United Space Alliance (USA) suit technician Raymond Cuevas assisted Herrington.

JSC2002-01742 (17 September 2002) --- Astronaut Michael E. Lopez-Alegria, STS-113 mission specialist, awaits the start of a training session in the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at the Johnson Space Center (JSC). Lopez-Alegria is wearing a training version of the shuttle launch and entry suit.

JSC2010-E-166830 (24 Sept. 2010) --- NASA astronaut Nicole Stott, STS-133 mission specialist, attired in a training version of her shuttle launch and entry suit, participates in a training session in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. United Space Alliance suit technician John Hazelhurst assisted Stott. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2011-E-050003 (24 May 2011) --- NASA astronaut Doug Hurley, STS-135 pilot, attired in a training version of the shuttle launch and entry suit, prepares for an ingress/egress training session in a shuttle mock-up (out of frame) in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA

JSC2011-E-050066 (24 May 2011) --- NASA astronauts Sandy Magnus and Rex Walheim, both STS-135 mission specialists, attired in training versions of the shuttle launch and entry suit, participate in an ingress/egress training session in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA

JSC2011-E-050012 (24 May 2011) --- NASA astronaut Chris Ferguson, STS-135 commander, attired in a training version of the shuttle launch and entry suit, participates in an ingress/egress training session in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Drew Billingsley assisted Ferguson. Photo credit: NASA

JSC2011-E-050063 (24 May 2011) --- NASA astronauts Sandy Magnus and Rex Walheim, both STS-135 mission specialists, attired in training versions of the shuttle launch and entry suit, participate in an ingress/egress training session in a shuttle mock-up in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA

JSC2011-E-050013 (24 May 2011) --- NASA astronaut Chris Ferguson, STS-135 commander, attired in a training version of the shuttle launch and entry suit, participates in an ingress/egress training session in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Drew Billingsley assisted Ferguson. Photo credit: NASA

JSC2011-E-050068 (24 May 2011) --- STS-135 crew members get help with the donning of training versions of their shuttle launch and entry suits in preparation for an ingress/egress training session in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Crew members pictured from the left are NASA astronauts Chris Ferguson, commander; Doug Hurley, pilot; Sandy Magnus and Rex Walheim, both mission specialists. Suit technicians assisted the crew members. Photo credit: NASA

JSC2011-E-050072 (24 May 2011) --- NASA astronaut Chris Ferguson, STS-135 commander, attired in a training version of the shuttle launch and entry suit, is pictured during an ingress/egress training session in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA

JSC2011-E-050015 (24 May 2011) --- NASA astronaut Doug Hurley, STS-135 pilot, attired in a training version of the shuttle launch and entry suit, is pictured during an ingress/egress training session in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA

JSC2011-E-050061 (24 May 2011) --- NASA astronauts Sandy Magnus and Rex Walheim, both STS-135 mission specialists, attired in training versions of the shuttle launch and entry suit, participate in an ingress/egress training session in a shuttle mock-up in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA

JSC2011-E-050041 (24 May 2011) --- NASA astronaut Rex Walheim, STS-135 mission specialist, attired in a training version of the shuttle launch and entry suit, is pictured during an ingress/egress training session in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA

JSC2011-E-050025 (24 May 2011) --- NASA astronaut Sandy Magnus, STS-135 mission specialist, attired in a training version of the shuttle launch and entry suit, is pictured during an ingress/egress training session in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA

JSC2011-E-050002 (24 May 2011) --- NASA astronaut Chris Ferguson, STS-135 commander, attired in a training version of the shuttle launch and entry suit, prepares for an ingress/egress training session in a shuttle mock-up (out of frame) in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA