CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Workers at the Solid Rocket Booster Disassembly Facility at Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, accompany the left spent booster, used during space shuttle Discovery's final launch, into the building for processing. The shuttle's two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Solid Rocket Booster Disassembly Facility at Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, one of the solid rocket boosters used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch is moved for processing atop a tracked dolly. Following the launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24, the shuttle's two boosters fell into the Atlantic Ocean. There, the booster casings and associated flight hardware were recovered by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Crew members from Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, use skiffs to approach the right spent booster bobbing in the Atlantic Ocean after space shuttle Discovery's final launch. Divers are already in the water. The shuttle's two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, ushers a spent shuttle booster to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The booster was used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The left spent booster used during space shuttle Discovery's final launch hangs in a hoisting device at the Solid Rocket Booster Disassembly Facility at Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The shuttle's two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A technician inspects a spent shuttle solid rocket booster outside Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The booster was used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware were recovered in the Atlantic Ocean by retrieval ships Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A crew member on Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, uses a crane to haul the right booster nose cap out of the Atlantic Ocean that splashed down after Discovery's final launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Solid Rocket Booster Retrieval Ship Freedom Star, with a booster in tow, is docked in Port Canaveral in Florida before continuing on to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. A cruise ship is seen in the background. The booster was used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Solid Rocket Booster Disassembly Facility at Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, one of the solid rocket boosters used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch is moved to a tracked dolly for processing. Following the launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24, the shuttle's two boosters fell into the Atlantic Ocean. There, the booster casings and associated flight hardware were recovered by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Captain Bren Wade is steering Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships in the direction of the right spent booster that splashed down into the Atlantic Ocean after space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A crane and a skiff await Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, to reach the splash-down area where the right spent booster from Discovery's final launch has landed. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Workers at the Solid Rocket Booster Disassembly Facility at Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, inspect the left spent booster used during space shuttle Discovery's final launch, after it was lowered onto a tracked dolly for processing. The shuttle's two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A spent shuttle solid rocket booster awaits inspection and cleaning near Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The booster was used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware were recovered in the Atlantic Ocean by retrieval ships Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- As daylight breaks, Allan Gravina and Cody Gordon with United Space Alliance monitor a spent booster as it's towed by the Freedom Star retrieval ship through Port Canaveral in Florida on a journey to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The booster was used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Crew members in a skiff from Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, usher a spent shuttle booster to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The booster was used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The sun dawns over the Atlantic Ocean and Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, stationed in the Atlantic Ocean, to recover the right spent booster after it splashed down following space shuttle Discovery's final launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A spent shuttle solid rocket booster undergoes its first cleaning in Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The booster was used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware were recovered in the Atlantic Ocean by retrieval ships Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- One of the solid rocket boosters used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch is unloaded onto a hoisting slip at the Solid Rocket Booster Disassembly Facility at Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Following the launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24, the shuttle's two boosters fell into the Atlantic Ocean. There, the booster casings and associated flight hardware were recovered by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Solid Rocket Booster Retrieval Ship Freedom Star delivers a spent shuttle booster to workers at Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The booster was used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Crew members return to Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, in a skiff after the massive parachute from the right spent booster has been hauled on board from space shuttle Discovery's final launch. The shuttle's two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A technician inspects a spent shuttle solid rocket booster outside Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The booster was used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware were recovered in the Atlantic Ocean by retrieval ships Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Crew members in a skiff from Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, attach a tow rope to the parachute lines from the right spent booster bobbing in the Atlantic Ocean from space shuttle Discovery's final launch. The shuttle's two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Crew members of Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, hold on tightly to handle grips as the swells of the Atlantic Ocean cause the vessel to pitch and roll while heading toward the recovery area where the right spent booster splashed down after Discovery's final launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Workers at the hoisting slip at the Solid Rocket Booster Disassembly Facility at Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, monitor the lifting of the left spent booster, used during space shuttle Discovery's final launch. The shuttle's two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Dusk descends on the Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships stationed in the Atlantic Ocean, to recover the right spent booster after it splashed down following space shuttle Discovery's final launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A diver from Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, helps retrieve a spent shuttle booster in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida. The booster, which was used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24, will be transported to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Workers at the hoisting slip at the Solid Rocket Booster Disassembly Facility at Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, monitor the lifting of the left spent booster, used during space shuttle Discovery's final launch. The shuttle's two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A spent shuttle solid rocket booster is moved into Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, where it will be cleaned. The booster was used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware were recovered in the Atlantic Ocean by retrieval ships Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Solid Rocket Booster Disassembly Facility at Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, one of the solid rocket boosters used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch is moved to a tracked dolly for processing. Following the launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24, the shuttle's two boosters fell into the Atlantic Ocean. There, the booster casings and associated flight hardware were recovered by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- One of the solid rocket boosters used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch is unloaded onto a hoisting slip at the Solid Rocket Booster Disassembly Facility at Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Following the launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24, the shuttle's two boosters fell into the Atlantic Ocean. There, the booster casings and associated flight hardware were recovered by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, ushers a spent shuttle booster to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The booster was used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- One of the solid rocket boosters used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch is unloaded onto a hoisting slip at the Solid Rocket Booster Disassembly Facility at Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Following the launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24, the shuttle's two boosters fell into the Atlantic Ocean. There, the booster casings and associated flight hardware were recovered by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Solid Rocket Booster Retrieval Ship Freedom Star, with a booster in tow, passes through Port Canaveral on its journey to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The booster was used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Crew members on board Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, haul in the massive parachute from the right spent booster from space shuttle Discovery's final launch. The shuttle's two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A spent shuttle solid rocket booster is moved into Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, where it will be cleaned. The booster was used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware were recovered in the Atlantic Ocean by retrieval ships Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, tows the right spent booster from space shuttle Discovery's final launch, to Port Canaveral in Florida. The shuttle's two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The solid rocket booster retrieval ship Freedom Star tows a left spent booster to the dock at Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The booster was used during space shuttle Discovery's final launch. The shuttle's two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Crew members in a skiff from Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, usher a spent shuttle booster through the shallow waters of the locks at Port Canaveral, Fla. The booster, which was used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24, is on its way to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The left spent booster used during space shuttle Discovery's final launch is guided into a hoisting slip at the Solid Rocket Booster Disassembly Facility at Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The shuttle's two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Crew members and divers in skiffs from Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, are prepared to retrieve the parachute lines from the right spent booster bobbing in the Atlantic Ocean from space shuttle Discovery's final launch. The shuttle's two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The right spent booster from shuttle Discovery's final launch is seen bobbing in the Atlantic Ocean. Crew members from Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, will recover the parachute and tow the booster back to Port Canaveral in Florida. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A skiff from Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, helped usher a spent shuttle booster through the shallow waters of the locks at Port Canaveral, Fla. The booster will be re-tied to the ship for the rest of the journey to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The booster was used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- An expanse of ocean is seen on the horizon as Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, set sail to be in position in the Atlantic Ocean to recover the right spent booster that splashed down after space shuttle Discovery's final launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Crew members on Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, use a crane to haul the parachute from the right spent booster onto the ship after it splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean after Discovery's final launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, tows the right spent booster from space shuttle Discovery's final launch, to Port Canaveral in Florida. The shuttle's two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Technicians inspect a spent shuttle solid rocket booster outside Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The booster was used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware were recovered in the Atlantic Ocean by retrieval ships Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Crew members on board Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, haul in the massive parachute from the right spent booster from space shuttle Discovery's final launch. The shuttle's two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A spent solid rocket booster from Discovery's STS-133 launch bobbed in the Atlantis Ocean off the coast of Florida, before toppling over in a retrievable position. The booster is pumped with air to help maintain its flotation and horizontal position. Next, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, Liberty Star or Freedom Star, will tie up to the booster and transport it to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered after every launch by the two ships. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A crew member on Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, uses a crane to haul the right booster nose cap out of the Atlantic Ocean that splashed down after Discovery's final launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Solid Rocket Booster Retrieval Ship Freedom Star delivers a spent shuttle booster to workers at Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The booster was used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Solid Rocket Booster Retrieval Ship Freedom Star, with a booster in tow, is docked in Port Canaveral in Florida before continuing on to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. A cruise ship is seen in the background. The booster was used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Crew members from Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, work on the parachute from the right spent booster nose cap that splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean after Discovery's final launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A spent shuttle booster will be ushered through the shallow waters of the locks at Port Canaveral, Fla., by a skiff from Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships. The booster, which was used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24, is on its way to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Solid Rocket Booster Retrieval Ship Freedom Star leaves the dock at Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and heads back to its home base at the Turn Basin at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The ship recently retrieved a booster that was used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch from Kennedy's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Workers monitor the progress of the solid rocket booster retrieval ship Freedom Star as it tows a left spent booster to the dock at Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The booster was used during space shuttle Discovery's final launch. The shuttle's two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A spent shuttle solid rocket booster is moved into Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, where it will be cleaned. The booster was used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware were recovered in the Atlantic Ocean by retrieval ships Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Crew members in a skiff from Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, will usher a spent shuttle booster through the shallow waters of the locks at Port Canaveral, Fla. The booster, which was used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24, is on its way to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Solid Rocket Booster Retrieval Ship Freedom Star tows a booster to the dock at Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The booster was used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- One of the solid rocket boosters used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch is unloaded onto a hoisting slip at the Solid Rocket Booster Disassembly Facility at Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Following the launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24, the shuttle's two boosters fell into the Atlantic Ocean. There, the booster casings and associated flight hardware were recovered by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Solid Rocket Booster Retrieval Ship Freedom Star delivers a spent shuttle booster to workers at Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The booster was used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Crew members in a skiff from Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, attach flotation devices, or buoys, to the parachute lines from the right spent booster from space shuttle Discovery's final launch. The shuttle's two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- One of the solid rocket boosters used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch is unloaded onto a hoisting slip at the Solid Rocket Booster Disassembly Facility at Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Following the launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24, the shuttle's two boosters fell into the Atlantic Ocean. There, the booster casings and associated flight hardware were recovered by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Solid Rocket Booster Retrieval Ship Freedom Star, with a spent shuttle booster in tow, just passed through a drawbridge on its way to the dock at Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The booster was used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A crew member on Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, monitors the progress as the massive parachute from the right spent booster from space shuttle Discovery's final launch is hauled on board. The shuttle's two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Solid Rocket Booster Retrieval Ship Freedom Star towing a booster arrives to the dock at Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The booster was used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Crew members from Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, have recovered and secured the right spent booster nose cap to a pallet on the ship's deck that was recovered from the Atlantic Ocean after Discovery's final launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- As daylight breaks, Walt Adams, a space shuttle solid rocket booster retrieval and dive supervisor, monitors a spent booster as it's towed by the Freedom Star retrieval ship through Port Canaveral in Florida on a journey to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The booster was used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Technicians inspect a spent shuttle solid rocket booster outside Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The booster was used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware were recovered in the Atlantic Ocean by retrieval ships Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Solid Rocket Booster Retrieval Ship Freedom Star tows a booster to the dock at Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The booster was used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- An expanse of ocean is seen on the horizon as Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, set sail to be in position in the Atlantic Ocean to recover the right spent booster that splashed down after space shuttle Discovery's final launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Workers install hoisting ropes around the left spent booster used during space shuttle Discovery's final launch at the Solid Rocket Booster Disassembly Facility at Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The shuttle's two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Solid Rocket Booster Retrieval Ship Freedom Star, with a booster in tow, passes through Port Canaveral on its journey to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The booster was used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Two spent shuttle solid rocket boosters await inspection and cleaning near Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The boosters were used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24. The booster casings and associated flight hardware were recovered in the Atlantic Ocean by retrieval ships Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Crew members in a skiff and aboard Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, usher a spent shuttle booster to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The booster was used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Solid Rocket Booster Retrieval Ship Freedom Star is tied back up to a spent shuttle booster and ready to continue the journey to the dock at Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The booster was used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Workers in a small raft, guide the left spent booster used during space shuttle Discovery's final launch into position in a hoisting slip at the Solid Rocket Booster Disassembly Facility at Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The shuttle's two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The solid rocket booster retrieval ship Freedom Star tows a left spent booster to the dock at Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The booster was used during space shuttle Discovery's final launch. The shuttle's two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Solid Rocket Booster Disassembly Facility at Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the left spent booster, used during space shuttle Discovery's final launch, is lowered onto a tracked dolly for processing. The shuttle's two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- One of the solid rocket boosters used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch is unloaded onto a hoisting slip at the Solid Rocket Booster Disassembly Facility at Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Following the launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24, the shuttle's two boosters fell into the Atlantic Ocean. There, the booster casings and associated flight hardware were recovered by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, tows the right spent booster from space shuttle Discovery's final launch, to Port Canaveral in Florida. The shuttle's two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The left spent booster used during space shuttle Discovery's final launch is moved into a hoisting slip at the Solid Rocket Booster Disassembly Facility at Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The shuttle's two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A nose cap from the right spent booster can be seen bobbing in the Atlantic Ocean, waiting to be recovered by the crew members of Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A flotation device is secured to the railing of Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships. The ship has set sail to be in position in the Atlantic Ocean to recover the right spent booster that splashed down after space shuttle Discovery's final launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Solid Rocket Booster Retrieval Ship Freedom Star tows a booster to the dock at Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The booster was used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Solid Rocket Booster Disassembly Facility at Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, one of the solid rocket boosters used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch is moved to a tracked dolly for processing. Following the launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24, the shuttle's two boosters fell into the Atlantic Ocean. There, the booster casings and associated flight hardware were recovered by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Workers at the hoisting slip at the Solid Rocket Booster Disassembly Facility at Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, monitor the lifting of the left spent booster, used during space shuttle Discovery's final launch. The shuttle's two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Solid Rocket Booster Retrieval Ship Freedom Star tows a booster to the dock at Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The booster was used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The left spent booster used during space shuttle Discovery's final launch is guided into a hoisting slip at the Solid Rocket Booster Disassembly Facility at Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The shuttle's two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A spent shuttle solid rocket booster undergoes its first cleaning in Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The booster was used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware were recovered in the Atlantic Ocean by retrieval ships Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller