
MOC 1000th Release!

LROC PDS Release Number 5

The Preliminary Research Aerodynamic Design to Land on Mars, or Prandtl-M, glider flies after a magnetic release mechanism on the Carbon-Z Cub was activated to air launch the aircraft. A team from NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, conducted the successful research flight.

A team from NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, prepares a Carbon-Z Cub to air launch the Preliminary Research Aerodynamic Design to Land on Mars, or Prandtl-M, glider from a magnetic release mechanism on the cub.

Justin Hall, left, attaches the Preliminary Research Aerodynamic Design to Land on Mars, or Prandtl-M, glider onto the Carbon-Z Cub, which Justin Link steadies. Hall and Link are part of a team from NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, that uses an experimental magnetic release mechanism to air launch the glider.

A Preliminary Research Aerodynamic Design to Land on Mars, or Prandtl-M, glider was air launched Sept. 7 using a magnetic release mechanism mounted on a Carbon-Z Cub. The team, based at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, includes, from left, Paul Bean, Justin Hall, Red Jensen, Justin Link, and Nathan Allaire.

The X-40A immediately after release from its harness suspended from a helicopter 15,000 feet above NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on March 14, 2001. The unpiloted X-40 is a risk-reduction vehicle for the X-37, which is intended to be a reusable space vehicle. NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala, manages the X-37 project. At Dryden, the X-40A will undergo a series of ground and air tests to reduce possible risks to the larger X-37, including drop tests from a helicopter to check guidance and navigation systems planned for use in the X-37. The X-37 is designed to demonstrate technologies in the orbital and reentry environments for next-generation reusable launch vehicles that will increase both safety and reliability, while reducing launch costs from $10,000 per pound to $1,000 per pound.

X-45A first GPS-guided weapon demonstration - weapon release

X-45A first GPS-guided weapon demonstration - weapon release

Moon/Mars Landing Commemorative Release: Gusev Crater and Maadim Vallis

The first of a series of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) over three days (Aug. 20-22), this bulbous CME certainly resembles a light bulb. It has the thin outer edge and a bright, glowing core at its center. CMEs are often bulbous, but it has been years since we have seen one with the elements (pun intended) of a light bulb. The frames were taken by SOHO's LASCO C3 instrument. Credit: NASA/GSFC/SOHO <b><a href="http://www.nasa.gov/audience/formedia/features/MP_Photo_Guidelines.html" rel="nofollow">NASA image use policy.</a></b> <b><a href="http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/home/index.html" rel="nofollow">NASA Goddard Space Flight Center</a></b> enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. <b>Follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/NASA_GoddardPix" rel="nofollow">Twitter</a></b> <b>Like us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Greenbelt-MD/NASA-Goddard/395013845897?ref=tsd" rel="nofollow">Facebook</a></b> <b>Find us on <a href="http://instagrid.me/nasagoddard/?vm=grid" rel="nofollow">Instagram</a></b>

An Atlas Centaur rocket (AC-S9) was launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station complex 36B carrying into orbit the Combined Release and Radiation Effects Satellite (CRRES) spacecraft. CRRES was a joint NASA/Air Force mission to study the effects of chemical release on the Earth’s atmosphere and magnetosphere.

inal Caption Released with Image: The colored regions of this map show the extent of digital elevation data recently released by the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM). This release includes data for most of Europe and Asia plus numerous islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. SRTM flew on board the Space Shuttle Endeavour in February 2000 and used an interferometric radar system to map the topography of Earth's landmass between latitudes 56 degrees south and 60 degrees north. The data were processed into geographic "tiles," each of which represents one by one degree of latitude and longitude. A degree of latitude measures 111 kilometers (69 miles) north-south, and a degree of longitude measures 111 kilometers or less east-west, decreasing away from the equator. The data are being released to the public on a continent-by-continent basis. This Eurasia segment includes 5,940 tiles, more than a third of the total data set. Previous releases covered North America and South America. Forthcoming releases will include Africa-Arabia and Australia plus an "Islands" release for those islands not included in the continental releases. Together these data releases constitute the world's first high-resolution, near-global elevation model. The resolution of the publicly released data is three arcseconds (1/1,200 of a degree of latitude and longitude), which is about 90 meters (295 feet). European coverage in the current data release stretches eastward from the British Isles and the Iberian Peninsula in the west, across the Alps and Carpathian Mountains, as well as the Northern European Plain, to the Ural and Caucasus Mountains bordering Asia. The Asian coverage includes a great diversity of landforms, including the Tibetan Plateau, Tarin Basin, Mongolian Plateau, and the mountains surrounding Lake Baikal, the world's deepest lake. Mt. Everest in the Himalayas, at 8,848 meters (29,029 feet) is the world's highest mountain. From India's Deccan Plateau, to Southeast Asia, coastal China, and Korea, various landforms place constraints upon land use planning for a great population. Volcanoes in the East Indies, the Philippines, Japan, and the Kamchatka Peninsula form the western part of the "Ring of Fire" around the Pacific Ocean. Many of these regions were previously very poorly mapped due to persistent cloud cover or the inaccessibility of the terrain. Digital elevation data, such as provided by SRTM, are particularly in high demand by scientists studying earthquakes, volcanism, and erosion patterns for use in mapping and modeling hazards to human habitation. But the shape of Earth's surface affects nearly every natural process and human endeavor that occurs there, so elevation data are used in a wide range of applications. In this index map color-coding is directly related to topographic height, with green at the lower elevations, rising through yellow and tan, to white at the highest elevations. The large, very dark green feature in western Asia is the Caspian Sea, which is below sea level. Blue areas on the map represent water within the mapped tiles, each of which includes shorelines or islands. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA03398

ISS040-E-094885 (15 Aug. 2014) --- The International Space Station’s Canadarm2 prepares to release the Orbital Sciences' Cygnus commercial cargo craft after a month visiting the orbital outpost. European Space Agency astronaut Alexander Gerst and NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, both Expedition 40 flight engineers, were at the controls of the robotics workstation in the Cupola removing Cygnus from the Harmony node then safely releasing at 6:40 a.m. (EDT) Aug. 15, 2014.

ISS040-E-093981 (15 Aug. 2014) --- Surrounded by the blackness of space, the International Space Station?s Canadarm2 prepares to release the Orbital Sciences' Cygnus commercial cargo craft after a month visiting the orbital outpost. European Space Agency astronaut Alexander Gerst and NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, both Expedition 40 flight engineers, were at the controls of the robotics workstation in the Cupola removing Cygnus from the Harmony node then safely releasing at 6:40 a.m. (EDT) Aug. 15, 2014.

NASA's Ingenuity Mars Helicopter can be seen on the belly of the Perseverance rover on March 26, 2021, the 36th Martian day, or sol, of the mission. The helicopter's launch lock, which holds it in place on the rover, has been released. This image was taken by the WATSON (Wide Angle Topographic Sensor for Operations and eNgineering) camera on the SHERLOC (Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman and Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals) instrument, located at the end of the rover's long robotic arm. Animations available at https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA24441

In July 1990, the Marshall Space Flight Center, in a joint project with the Department of Defense/Air Force Space Test Program, launched the Combined Release and Radiation Effects Satellite (CRRES) using an Atlas I launch vehicle. The mission was designed to study the effects of artificial ion clouds produced by chemical releases on the Earth's ionosphere and magnetosphere, and to monitor the effects of space radiation environment on sophisticated electronics.

The International Space Stations Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) arm or Canadarm2 prepares to release the Orbital Sciences Cygnus commercial craft after three weeks at the space station.

ISS040-E-095125 (15 Aug. 2014) --- The International Space Station’s Canadarm2 prepares to release the Orbital Sciences' Cygnus commercial cargo craft after a month visiting the orbital outpost. European Space Agency astronaut Alexander Gerst and NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, both Expedition 40 flight engineers, were at the controls of the robotics workstation in the Cupola removing Cygnus from the Harmony node then safely releasing at 6:40 a.m. (EDT) Aug. 15, 2014. A blue and white part of Earth and the blackness of space provide the backdrop for the scene.

ISS037-E-018544 (22 Oct. 2013) --- The International Space Station’s Canadarm2 prepares to release the Orbital Sciences’ Cygnus commercial craft after three weeks at the space station. European Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano and NASA astronaut Karen Nyberg, both Expedition 37 flight engineers, were at the controls of the robotics workstation removing Cygnus from the Harmony node then safely releasing it at 7:31 a.m. (EDT) Oct. 22, 2013. On Oct. 23, the Cygnus will fire its engines for the last time at 1:41 p.m. and re-enter Earth’s atmosphere for destruction over the Pacific Ocean.

ISS040-E-095200 (15 Aug. 2014) --- The International Space Station's Canadarm2 prepares to release the Orbital Sciences Corporation's commercial cargo craft after a month visiting the orbital outpost. European Space Agency astronaut Alexander Gerst and NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, both Expedition 40 flight engineers, were at the controls of the robotics workstation in the Cupola removing Cygnus from the Harmony node then safely releasing it at 6:40 a.m. (EDT) Aug. 15, 2014. Much of South Africa provides the panoramic background for the scene, with the Cape of Good Hope being the most recognizable feature in the lower right portion of the frame.

ISS040-E-094335 (15 Aug. 2014) --- Surrounded by the blackness of space, the International Space Station?s Canadarm2 prepares to release the Orbital Sciences' Cygnus commercial cargo craft after a month visiting the orbital outpost. European Space Agency astronaut Alexander Gerst and NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, both Expedition 40 flight engineers, were at the controls of the robotics workstation in the Cupola removing Cygnus from the Harmony node then safely releasing at 6:40 a.m. (EDT) Aug. 15, 2014. The thin line of Earth?s atmosphere is visible at left.

ISS037-E-018500 (22 Oct. 2013) --- The International Space Station’s Canadarm2 prepares to release the Orbital Sciences’ Cygnus commercial craft after three weeks at the space station. European Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano and NASA astronaut Karen Nyberg, both Expedition 37 flight engineers, were at the controls of the robotics workstation removing Cygnus from the Harmony node then safely releasing it at 7:31 a.m. (EDT) Oct. 22, 2013. On Oct. 23, the Cygnus will fire its engines for the last time at 1:41 p.m. and re-enter Earth’s atmosphere for destruction over the Pacific Ocean. Earth’s horizon and the blackness of space provide the backdrop for the scene.

ISS040-E-095070 (15 Aug. 2014) --- The International Space Station’s Canadarm2 prepares to release the Orbital Sciences' Cygnus commercial cargo craft after a month visiting the orbital outpost. European Space Agency astronaut Alexander Gerst and NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, both Expedition 40 flight engineers, were at the controls of the robotics workstation in the Cupola removing Cygnus from the Harmony node then safely releasing at 6:40 a.m. (EDT) Aug. 15, 2014. A cloud-covered part of Earth and the blackness of space provide the backdrop for the scene.

ISS037-E-018501 (22 Oct. 2013) --- The International Space Station’s Canadarm2 prepares to release the Orbital Sciences’ Cygnus commercial craft after three weeks at the space station. European Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano and NASA astronaut Karen Nyberg, both Expedition 37 flight engineers, were at the controls of the robotics workstation removing Cygnus from the Harmony node then safely releasing it at 7:31 a.m. (EDT) Oct. 22, 2013. On Oct. 23, the Cygnus will fire its engines for the last time at 1:41 p.m. and re-enter Earth’s atmosphere for destruction over the Pacific Ocean. Earth’s horizon and the blackness of space provide the backdrop for the scene.

ISS037-E-018564 (22 Oct. 2013) --- The International Space Station?s Canadarm2 releases the Orbital Sciences? Cygnus commercial craft after three weeks at the space station. European Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano and NASA astronaut Karen Nyberg, both Expedition 37 flight engineers, were at the controls of the robotics workstation removing Cygnus from the Harmony node then safely releasing it at 7:31 a.m. (EDT) Oct. 22, 2013. On Oct. 23, the Cygnus will fire its engines for the last time at 1:41 p.m. and re-enter Earth?s atmosphere for destruction over the Pacific Ocean. A blue and white part of Earth provides the backdrop for the scene.

ISS040-E-095229 (15 Aug. 2014) --- The International Space Station's Canadarm2 prepares to release the Orbital Sciences Corporation's commercial cargo craft after a month visiting the orbital outpost. European Space Agency astronaut Alexander Gerst and NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, both Expedition 40 flight engineers, were at the controls of the robotics workstation in the Cupola removing Cygnus from the Harmony node then safely releasing it at 6:40 a.m. (EDT) Aug. 15, 2014. Much of lower the continent of Africa provides the panoramic background for the scene with Botswana's Okavango Delta being the most conspicuous feature at left center.

ISS037-E-018543 (22 Oct. 2013) --- The International Space Station’s Canadarm2 prepares to release the Orbital Sciences’ Cygnus commercial craft after three weeks at the space station. European Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano and NASA astronaut Karen Nyberg, both Expedition 37 flight engineers, were at the controls of the robotics workstation removing Cygnus from the Harmony node then safely releasing it at 7:31 a.m. (EDT) Oct. 22, 2013. On Oct. 23, the Cygnus will fire its engines for the last time at 1:41 p.m. and re-enter Earth’s atmosphere for destruction over the Pacific Ocean.

ISS031-E-080785 (31 May 2012) --- The SpaceX Dragon cargo craft is pictured just after being released by the International Space Station's Canadarm2 robotic arm (top center) on May 31 as it heads toward a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

The sun emitted a mid-level solar flare, peaking at 11:24 p.m. EST on Jan. 12, 2015. NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory, which watches the sun constantly, captured an image of the event. Solar flares are powerful bursts of radiation. Harmful radiation from a flare cannot pass through Earth's atmosphere to physically affect humans on the ground, however -- when intense enough -- they can disturb the atmosphere in the layer where GPS and communications signals travel. This flare is classified as an M5.6-class flare. M-class flares are a tenth the size of the most intense flares, the X-class flares. The number provides more information about its strength. An M2 is twice as intense as an M1, an M3 is three times as intense, etc. Credit: NASA/Goddard/SDO <b><a href="http://www.nasa.gov/audience/formedia/features/MP_Photo_Guidelines.html" rel="nofollow">NASA image use policy.</a></b> <b><a href="http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/home/index.html" rel="nofollow">NASA Goddard Space Flight Center</a></b> enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. <b>Follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/NASAGoddardPix" rel="nofollow">Twitter</a></b> <b>Like us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Greenbelt-MD/NASA-Goddard/395013845897?ref=tsd" rel="nofollow">Facebook</a></b> <b>Find us on <a href="http://instagram.com/nasagoddard?vm=grid" rel="nofollow">Instagram</a></b>

ISS021-E-016829 (30 Oct. 2009) --- Backdropped by Earth’s horizon and the blackness of space, the International Space Station's Canadarm2 unberths the unpiloted Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) in preparation for its release from the station. European Space Agency astronaut Frank De Winne, Expedition 21 commander; NASA astronaut Nicole Stott and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Robert Thirsk, both flight engineers, used the station’s robotic arm to grab the HTV cargo craft, filled with trash and unneeded items, and unberth it from the Harmony node’s nadir port. The HTV was successfully unberthed at 10:18 a.m. (CDT) on Oct. 30, 2009, and released from the station’s Canadarm2 at 12:32 p.m.

ISS021-E-016825 (30 Oct. 2009) --- Backdropped by the thin line of Earth’s atmosphere and the blackness of space, the International Space Station's Canadarm2 unberths the unpiloted Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) in preparation for its release from the station. European Space Agency astronaut Frank De Winne, Expedition 21 commander; NASA astronaut Nicole Stott and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Robert Thirsk, both flight engineers, used the station’s robotic arm to grab the HTV cargo craft, filled with trash and unneeded items, and unberth it from the Harmony node’s nadir port. The HTV was successfully unberthed at 10:18 a.m. (CDT) on Oct. 30, 2009, and released from the station’s Canadarm2 at 12:32 p.m.

ISS021-E-016803 (30 Oct. 2009) --- Backdropped by Earth’s horizon and the blackness of space, the International Space Station's Canadarm2 grapples the unpiloted Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) in preparation for its release from the station. European Space Agency astronaut Frank De Winne, Expedition 21 commander; NASA astronaut Nicole Stott and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Robert Thirsk, both flight engineers, used the station’s robotic arm to grab the HTV cargo craft, filled with trash and unneeded items, and unberth it from the Harmony node’s nadir port. The HTV was successfully unberthed at 10:18 a.m. (CDT) on Oct. 30, 2009, and released from the station’s Canadarm2 at 12:32 p.m.

ISS021-E-016836 (30 Oct. 2009) --- Backdropped by Earth’s horizon and the blackness of space, the International Space Station's Canadarm2 (mostly obscured) unberths the unpiloted Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) in preparation for its release from the station. European Space Agency astronaut Frank De Winne, Expedition 21 commander; NASA astronaut Nicole Stott and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Robert Thirsk, both flight engineers, used the station’s robotic arm to grab the HTV cargo craft, filled with trash and unneeded items, and unberth it from the Harmony node’s nadir port. The HTV was successfully unberthed at 10:18 a.m. (CDT) on Oct. 30, 2009, and released from the station’s Canadarm2 at 12:32 p.m. A Russian Soyuz spacecraft, docked to the station, is visible in the foreground.

ISS021-E-017065 (30 Oct. 2009) --- Backdropped by Earth’s horizon and the blackness of space, the International Space Station's Canadarm2 unberths the unpiloted Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) in preparation for its release from the station. European Space Agency astronaut Frank De Winne, Expedition 21 commander; NASA astronaut Nicole Stott and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Robert Thirsk, both flight engineers, used the station’s robotic arm to grab the HTV cargo craft, filled with trash and unneeded items, and unberth it from the Harmony node’s nadir port. The HTV was successfully unberthed at 10:18 a.m. (CDT) on Oct. 30, 2009, and released from the station’s Canadarm2 at 12:32 p.m.

ISS021-E-016801 (30 Oct. 2009) --- European Space Agency astronaut Frank De Winne, Expedition 21 commander; and NASA astronaut Nicole Stott, flight engineer, view computer monitors at the Canadarm2 workstation in the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station during the preparation for the release of the Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) from the station. De Winne, Stott and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Robert Thirsk (out of frame) used the station’s robotic arm to grab the HTV cargo craft, filled with trash and unneeded items, and unberth it from the Harmony node’s nadir port. The HTV was successfully unberthed at 10:18 a.m. (CDT) on Oct. 30, 2009, and released from the station’s Canadarm2 at 12:32 p.m.

ISS021-E-016804 (30 Oct. 2009) --- Backdropped by Earth’s horizon and the blackness of space, the International Space Station's Canadarm2 grapples the unpiloted Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) in preparation for its release from the station. European Space Agency astronaut Frank De Winne, Expedition 21 commander; NASA astronaut Nicole Stott and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Robert Thirsk, both flight engineers, used the station’s robotic arm to grab the HTV cargo craft, filled with trash and unneeded items, and unberth it from the Harmony node’s nadir port. The HTV was successfully unberthed at 10:18 a.m. (CDT) on Oct. 30, 2009, and released from the station’s Canadarm2 at 12:32 p.m.

Elevation data at the highest possible resolution from NASA SRTM mission in February 2000 are being released for the first time for most of the African continent. This color shaded relief image shows the extent of SRTM digital elevation data for Africa.

This image graphs four gases released evolved when powdered rock from the target rock Cumberland was heated inside the Sample Analysis at Mars SAM instrument suite on NASA Curiosity Mars rover.

As the Sample Analysis at Mars SAM suite of instruments on NASA Curiosity Mars rover heats a sample, gases are released or evolved from the sample and can be identified using SAM quadrupole mass spectrometer.

STS-49, the first flight of the Space Shuttle Orbiter Endeavour, lifted off from launch pad 39B on May 7, 1992 at 6:40 pm CDT. The STS-49 mission was the first U.S. orbital flight to feature 4 extravehicular activities (EVAs), and the first flight to involve 3 crew members working simultaneously outside of the spacecraft. The primary objective was the capture and redeployment of the INTELSAT VI (F-3), a communication satellite for the International Telecommunication Satellite organization, which was stranded in an unusable orbit since its launch aboard the Titan rocket in March 1990. The 4.5 ton satellite was successfully snared by three astronauts on a third EVA. The three hand-grabbed the errant satellite, pulled it into the cargo bay, and attached a boost-given perigee stage before its release. In this photo, the satellite spins slowly out of cargo bay to begin its “new lift”.

ISS037-E-018572 (22 Oct. 2013) --- The Orbital Sciences’ Cygnus commercial craft begins its relative separation from the International Space Station after three weeks at the station. European Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano and NASA astronaut Karen Nyberg, both Expedition 37 flight engineers, were at the controls of the robotics workstation removing Cygnus from the Harmony node then safely releasing it at 7:31 a.m. (EDT) Oct. 22, 2013. On Oct. 23, the Cygnus will fire its engines for the last time at 1:41 p.m. and re-enter Earth’s atmosphere for destruction over the Pacific Ocean. A blue and white part of Earth and the blackness of space provide the backdrop for the scene.

NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) recently captured a unique view of Earth from the spacecraft's vantage point in orbit around the moon. "The image is simply stunning," said Noah Petro, Deputy Project Scientist for LRO at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. "The image of the Earth evokes the famous 'Blue Marble' image taken by Astronaut Harrison Schmitt during Apollo 17, 43 years ago, which also showed Africa prominently in the picture." In this composite image we see Earth appear to rise over the lunar horizon from the viewpoint of the spacecraft, with the center of the Earth just off the coast of Liberia (at 4.04 degrees North, 12.44 degrees West). The large tan area in the upper right is the Sahara Desert, and just beyond is Saudi Arabia. The Atlantic and Pacific coasts of South America are visible to the left. On the moon, we get a glimpse of the crater Compton, which is located just beyond the eastern limb of the moon, on the lunar farside. LRO was launched on June 18, 2009, and has collected a treasure trove of data with its seven powerful instruments, making an invaluable contribution to our knowledge about the moon. LRO experiences 12 earthrises every day; however the spacecraft is almost always busy imaging the lunar surface so only rarely does an opportunity arise such that its camera instrument can capture a view of Earth. Occasionally LRO points off into space to acquire observations of the extremely thin lunar atmosphere and perform instrument calibration measurements. During these movements sometimes Earth (and other planets) pass through the camera's field of view and dramatic images such as the one shown here are acquired. This image was composed from a series of images taken Oct. 12, when LRO was about 83 miles (134 kilometers) above the moon's farside crater Compton. Capturing an image of the Earth and moon with LRO's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC) instrument is a complicated task. First the spacecraft must be rolled to the side (in this case 67 degrees), then the spacecraft slews with the direction of travel to maximize the width of the lunar horizon in LROC's Narrow Angle Camera image. All this takes place while LRO is traveling faster than 3,580 miles per hour (over 1,600 meters per second) relative to the lunar surface below the spacecraft! The high-resolution Narrow Angle Camera (NAC) on LRO takes black-and-white images, while the lower resolution Wide Angle Camera (WAC) takes color images, so you might wonder how we got a high-resolution picture of the Earth in color. Since the spacecraft, Earth, and moon are all in motion, we had to do some special processing to create an image that represents the view of the Earth and moon at one particular time. The final Earth image contains both WAC and NAC information. WAC provides the color, and the NAC provides high-resolution detail. "From the Earth, the daily moonrise and moonset are always inspiring moments," said Mark Robinson of Arizona State University in Tempe, principal investigator for LROC. "However, lunar astronauts will see something very different: viewed from the lunar surface, the Earth never rises or sets. Since the moon is tidally locked, Earth is always in the same spot above the horizon, varying only a small amount with the slight wobble of the moon. The Earth may not move across the 'sky', but the view is not static. Future astronauts will see the continents rotate in and out of view and the ever-changing pattern of clouds will always catch one's eye, at least on the nearside. The Earth is never visible from the farside; imagine a sky with no Earth or moon - what will farside explorers think with no Earth overhead?" NASA's first Earthrise image was taken with the Lunar Orbiter 1 spacecraft in 1966. Perhaps NASA's most iconic Earthrise photo was taken by the crew of the Apollo 8 mission as the spacecraft entered lunar orbit on Christmas Eve Dec. 24, 1968. That evening, the astronauts -- Commander Frank Borman, Command Module Pilot Jim Lovell, and Lunar Module Pilot William Anders -- held a live broadcast from lunar orbit, in which they showed pictures of the Earth and moon as seen from their spacecraft. Said Lovell, "The vast loneliness is awe-inspiring and it makes you realize just what you have back there on Earth." Credit: NASA/Goddard/Arizona State University <b><a href="http://www.nasa.gov/audience/formedia/features/MP_Photo_Guidelines.html" rel="nofollow">NASA image use policy.</a></b> <b><a href="http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/home/index.html" rel="nofollow">NASA Goddard Space Flight Center</a></b> enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. <b>Follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/NASAGoddardPix" rel="nofollow">Twitter</a></b> <b>Like us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Greenbelt-MD/NASA-Goddard/395013845897?ref=tsd" rel="nofollow">Facebook</a></b> <b>Find us on <a href="http://instagrid.me/nasagoddard/?vm=grid" rel="nofollow">Instagram</a></b>

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Harold Morrow with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), left, Eric Reyier with Innovative Health Applications LLC and James Lyon with FWS help a green sea turtle move into deeper water at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. The female turtle, weighing about 350 pounds, became stuck on an impoundment in fresh water near NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A. Kennedy shares a boundary with the refuge, which is a habitat for more than 310 species of birds, 25 mammals, 117 fish and 65 amphibians and reptiles. Photo credit: NASA/Carl Winebarger

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Eric Reyier with Innovative Health Applications LLC, left, along with Harold Morrow and James Lyon with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) help a green sea turtle move into deeper water at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. The female turtle, weighing in at about 350 pounds, became stuck on an impoundment in fresh water near NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A. The refuge, located on Kennedy property, is a habitat for more than 310 species of birds, 25 mammals, 117 fish and 65 amphibians and reptiles. Photo credit: NASA/Carl Winebarger

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Eric Reyier with Innovative Health Applications LLC, left, and James Lyon with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) help a green sea turtle move into deeper water at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. The female turtle, weighing about 350 pounds, became stuck on an impoundment in fresh water near NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A. The refuge, located on Kennedy property, is a habitat for more than 310 species of birds, 25 mammals, 117 fish and 65 amphibians and reptiles. Photo credit: NASA/Carl Winebarger

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Harold Morrow with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), left, Eric Reyier with Innovative Health Applications LLC and James Lyon with FWS help a green sea turtle move into deeper water at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. The female turtle, weighing about 350 pounds, became stuck on an impoundment in fresh water near NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A. The refuge, located on Kennedy property, is a habitat for more than 310 species of birds, 25 mammals, 117 fish and 65 amphibians and reptiles. Photo credit: NASA/Carl Winebarger

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Eric Reyier with Innovative Health Applications LLC, left, and James Lyon with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) help a green sea turtle move into deeper water at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. The female turtle, weighing about 350 pounds, became stuck on an impoundment in fresh water near NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A. The refuge, located on Kennedy property, is a habitat for more than 310 species of birds, 25 mammals, 117 fish and 65 amphibians and reptiles. Photo credit: NASA/Carl Winebarger

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Workers from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and Innovative Health Applications LLC help a green sea turtle move into deeper water at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. The female turtle, weighing about 350 pounds, became stuck on an impoundment in fresh water near NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A. The refuge, located on Kennedy property, is a habitat for more than 310 species of birds, 25 mammals, 117 fish and 65 amphibians and reptiles. Photo credit: NASA/Carl Winebarger

ISS040-E-095260 (15 Aug. 2014) --- The Orbital Sciences' Cygnus commercial cargo craft begins its relative separation from the International Space Station after a month visiting the orbital outpost. European Space Agency astronaut Alexander Gerst and NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, both Expedition 40 flight engineers, were at the controls of the robotics workstation in the Cupola removing Cygnus from the Harmony node then safely releasing at 6:40 a.m. (EDT) Aug. 15, 2014.

ISS043E228727 (05/21/2015) --- The SpaceX Dragon craft is poised and ready to be released from the International Space Station on May 21, 2015. This was SpaceX’s sixth resupply mission to the space station and returned about 3,100 pounds of experiment samples and equipment back down to Earth.

iss055e057155 (May 5, 2018) --- The SpaceX Dragon cargo craft is pictured in the grips of the Canadarm2 robotic arm as the International Space Station was orbiting across the central coast of Namibia. Dragon was later released for its splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California on May 5, 2018 ending the SpaceX CRS-14 mission.

iss069e004822 (April 21, 2023) --- The Cygnus space freighter from Northrop Grumman is pictured moments after its release from the Canadarm2 robotic arm as the International Space Station orbited 262 miles above the Mediterranean Sea near the Spanish island of Mallorca.

ISS040-E-094430 (15 Aug. 2014) --- The International Space Station?s Canadarm2 unberths the Orbital Sciences' Cygnus commercial cargo craft after a month visiting the orbital outpost. European Space Agency astronaut Alexander Gerst and NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, both Expedition 40 flight engineers, were at the controls of the robotics workstation in the Cupola removing Cygnus from the Harmony node then safely releasing at 6:40 a.m. (EDT) Aug. 15, 2014. A blue and white part of Earth and the blackness of space provide the backdrop for the scene.

ISS021-E-017068 (30 Oct. 2009) --- European Space Agency astronaut Frank De Winne, Expedition 21 commander; and NASA astronaut Nicole Stott, flight engineer, work controls at the Canadarm2 workstation in the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station. De Winne and Stott used the station’s robotic arm to grab the HTV cargo craft, filled with trash and unneeded items, and to unberth it from the Harmony node’s nadir port. The HTV was successfully unberthed at 10:18 a.m. (CDT) on Oct. 30, 2009, and released from the station’s Canadarm2 at 12:32 p.m.

ISS037-E-018505 (22 Oct. 2013) --- The International Space Station’s Canadarm2 unberths the Orbital Sciences’ Cygnus commercial craft after three weeks at the space station. European Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano and NASA astronaut Karen Nyberg, both Expedition 37 flight engineers, were at the controls of the robotics workstation removing Cygnus from the Harmony node then safely releasing it at 7:31 a.m. (EDT) Oct. 22, 2013. On Oct. 23, the Cygnus will fire its engines for the last time at 1:41 p.m. and re-enter Earth’s atmosphere for destruction over the Pacific Ocean. Earth’s horizon and the blackness of space provide the backdrop for the scene.

ISS037-E-018502 (22 Oct. 2013) --- The International Space Station’s Canadarm2 unberths the Orbital Sciences’ Cygnus commercial craft after three weeks at the space station. European Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano and NASA astronaut Karen Nyberg, both Expedition 37 flight engineers, were at the controls of the robotics workstation removing Cygnus from the Harmony node then safely releasing it at 7:31 a.m. (EDT) Oct. 22, 2013. On Oct. 23, the Cygnus will fire its engines for the last time at 1:41 p.m. and re-enter Earth’s atmosphere for destruction over the Pacific Ocean. Earth’s horizon and the blackness of space provide the backdrop for the scene.

ISS021-E-016849 (30 Oct. 2009) --- Backdropped by a blue and white part of Earth, the unpiloted Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV), filled with trash and unneeded items, departs from the International Space Station. European Space Agency astronaut Frank De Winne, Expedition 21 commander; NASA astronaut Nicole Stott and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Robert Thirsk, both flight engineers, used the station’s Canadarm2 robotic arm to grab the HTV cargo craft and unberth it from the Harmony node’s nadir port. The HTV was successfully unberthed at 10:18 a.m. (CDT) on Oct. 30, 2009, and released from the station’s Canadarm2 at 12:32 p.m.

ISS021-E-017073 (30 Oct. 2009) --- Backdropped by Earth’s horizon and the blackness of space, the unpiloted Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV), filled with trash and unneeded items, departs from the International Space Station. European Space Agency astronaut Frank De Winne, Expedition 21 commander; NASA astronaut Nicole Stott and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Robert Thirsk, both flight engineers, used the station’s Canadarm2 robotic arm to grab the HTV cargo craft and unberth it from the Harmony node’s nadir port. The HTV was successfully unberthed at 10:18 a.m. (CDT) on Oct. 30, 2009, and released from the station’s Canadarm2 at 12:32 p.m.

ISS021-E-017623 (30 Oct. 2009) --- Backdropped by a cloud-covered part of Earth, the unpiloted Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV), filled with trash and unneeded items, departs from the International Space Station. European Space Agency astronaut Frank De Winne, Expedition 21 commander; NASA astronaut Nicole Stott and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Robert Thirsk, both flight engineers, used the station’s Canadarm2 robotic arm to grab the HTV cargo craft and unberth it from the Harmony node’s nadir port. The HTV was successfully unberthed at 10:18 a.m. (CDT) on Oct. 30, 2009, and released from the station’s Canadarm2 at 12:32 p.m.

ISS021-E-017084 (30 Oct. 2009) --- Backdropped by a blue and white part of Earth, the unpiloted Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV), filled with trash and unneeded items, departs from the International Space Station. European Space Agency astronaut Frank De Winne, Expedition 21 commander; NASA astronaut Nicole Stott and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Robert Thirsk, both flight engineers, used the station’s Canadarm2 robotic arm to grab the HTV cargo craft and unberth it from the Harmony node’s nadir port. The HTV was successfully unberthed at 10:18 a.m. (CDT) on Oct. 30, 2009, and released from the station’s Canadarm2 at 12:32 p.m.

ISS040-E-094422 (15 Aug. 2014) --- The International Space Station?s Canadarm2 unberths the Orbital Sciences' Cygnus commercial cargo craft after a month visiting the orbital outpost. European Space Agency astronaut Alexander Gerst and NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, both Expedition 40 flight engineers, were at the controls of the robotics workstation in the Cupola removing Cygnus from the Harmony node then safely releasing at 6:40 a.m. (EDT) Aug. 15, 2014. A cloud-covered part of Earth and the blackness of space provide the backdrop for the scene.

ISS021-E-016842 (30 Oct. 2009) --- Backdropped by a blue and white part of Earth, the unpiloted Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV), filled with trash and unneeded items, departs from the International Space Station. European Space Agency astronaut Frank De Winne, Expedition 21 commander; NASA astronaut Nicole Stott and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Robert Thirsk, both flight engineers, used the station’s Canadarm2 robotic arm to grab the HTV cargo craft and unberth it from the Harmony node’s nadir port. The HTV was successfully unberthed at 10:18 a.m. (CDT) on Oct. 30, 2009, and released from the station’s Canadarm2 at 12:32 p.m.

ISS021-E-016940 (30 Oct. 2009) --- European Space Agency astronaut Frank De Winne, Expedition 21 commander; and NASA astronaut Nicole Stott, flight engineer, work controls at the Canadarm2 workstation in the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station. NASA astronaut Jeffrey Williams, flight engineer, holds a camera at left. De Winne and Stott used the station’s robotic arm to grab the HTV cargo craft, filled with trash and unneeded items, and to unberth it from the Harmony node’s nadir port. The HTV was successfully unberthed at 10:18 a.m. (CDT) on Oct. 30, 2009, and released from the station’s Canadarm2 at 12:32 p.m.

ISS021-E-016847 (30 Oct. 2009) --- Backdropped by a blue and white part of Earth, the unpiloted Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV), filled with trash and unneeded items, departs from the International Space Station. European Space Agency astronaut Frank De Winne, Expedition 21 commander; NASA astronaut Nicole Stott and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Robert Thirsk, both flight engineers, used the station’s Canadarm2 robotic arm to grab the HTV cargo craft and unberth it from the Harmony node’s nadir port. The HTV was successfully unberthed at 10:18 a.m. (CDT) on Oct. 30, 2009, and released from the station’s Canadarm2 at 12:32 p.m.

ISS021-E-016853 (30 Oct. 2009) --- Backdropped by a blue and white part of Earth, the unpiloted Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV), filled with trash and unneeded items, departs from the International Space Station. European Space Agency astronaut Frank De Winne, Expedition 21 commander; NASA astronaut Nicole Stott and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Robert Thirsk, both flight engineers, used the station’s Canadarm2 robotic arm to grab the HTV cargo craft and unberth it from the Harmony node’s nadir port. The HTV was successfully unberthed at 10:18 a.m. (CDT) on Oct. 30, 2009, and released from the station’s Canadarm2 at 12:32 p.m.

Photographed on: 12 16 58. -- L58-1083a caption: Sequenced pictures showing events from release of boilerplate Mercury capsule from C-130 airplane to opening of recovery parachute, December 1958. Photograph published in A New Dimension Wallops Island Flight Test Range: The First Fifteen Years by Joseph Shortal. A NASA publication, page 644.

Astronaut Shannon Walker prepares to release a weather balloon from the deck of the USS Portland alongside members of the U.S. Space Force 45th Weather Squadron ahead of the splashdown of the Orion spacecraft on Dec. 11. NASA's Landing and Recovery team works alongside the DoD to safely recover Orion after Artemis missions to the Moon.

Astronaut Shannon Walker prepares to release a weather balloon from the deck of the USS Portland alongside members of the U.S. Space Force 45th Weather Squadron ahead of the splashdown of the Orion spacecraft on Dec. 11. NASA's Landing and Recovery team works alongside the DoD to safely recover Orion after Artemis missions to the Moon.

NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of a mid-level solar flare – as seen in the bright flash in the middle –on Dec. 16, 2014 shortly before midnight EST. Read more: <a href="http://1.usa.gov/1BYLxsE" rel="nofollow">1.usa.gov/1BYLxsE</a> Image Credit: NASA/Goddard/SDO <b><a href="http://www.nasa.gov/audience/formedia/features/MP_Photo_Guidelines.html" rel="nofollow">NASA image use policy.</a></b> <b><a href="http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/home/index.html" rel="nofollow">NASA Goddard Space Flight Center</a></b> enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. <b>Follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/NASAGoddardPix" rel="nofollow">Twitter</a></b> <b>Like us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Greenbelt-MD/NASA-Goddard/395013845897?ref=tsd" rel="nofollow">Facebook</a></b> <b>Find us on <a href="http://instagram.com/nasagoddard?vm=grid" rel="nofollow">Instagram</a></b>

NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of a mid-level solar flare – as seen in the bright flash in the middle –on Dec. 16, 2014 shortly before midnight EST. Read more: <a href="http://1.usa.gov/1BYLxsE" rel="nofollow">1.usa.gov/1BYLxsE</a> Image Credit: NASA/Goddard/SDO <b><a href="http://www.nasa.gov/audience/formedia/features/MP_Photo_Guidelines.html" rel="nofollow">NASA image use policy.</a></b> <b><a href="http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/home/index.html" rel="nofollow">NASA Goddard Space Flight Center</a></b> enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. <b>Follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/NASAGoddardPix" rel="nofollow">Twitter</a></b> <b>Like us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Greenbelt-MD/NASA-Goddard/395013845897?ref=tsd" rel="nofollow">Facebook</a></b> <b>Find us on <a href="http://instagram.com/nasagoddard?vm=grid" rel="nofollow">Instagram</a></b>

Closeup of QF-106 release hook for Eclipse program

ISS027-E-008802 (28 March 2011) --- Backdropped by a blue and white part of Earth, the unpiloted Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency?s Kounotori2 H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV2), filled with trash and unneeded items, departs from the International Space Station. NASA astronaut Cady Coleman and European Space Agency astronaut Paolo Nespoli, both Expedition 27 flight engineers, used the station?s robot arm to grapple the HTV2 and unberth it from the Earth-facing port of the Harmony node. The cargo craft was released at 11:46 a.m. (EDT) on March 28, 2011.

STS051-71-054 (12 Sept 1993) --- The Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) with its Transfer Orbit Stage (TOS) is backdropped over the blue ocean following its release from the Earth-orbiting Space Shuttle Discovery. ACTS/TOS deploy was the first major task performed on the almost ten-day mission. The frame was exposed with a 70mm handheld Hasselblad camera from Discovery's flight deck.

A site in the Crater Highlands of Tanzania reveals the difference between NASA Shuttle Radar Topography Mission SRTM digital elevation model data as originally released in 2004 left and as now released at full resolution in 2014 right.

S125-E-011764 (19 May 2009) --- The Space Shuttle Atlantis? remote manipulator system arm lifts the Hubble Space Telescope from the cargo bay and is moments away from releasing the orbital observatory to start it on its way back home to observe the universe.

S125-E-011763 (19 May 2009) --- The Space Shuttle Atlantis? remote manipulator system arm lifts the Hubble Space Telescope from the cargo bay and is moments away from releasing the orbital observatory to start it on its way back home to observe the universe.

S125-E-011766 (19 May 2009) --- The Space Shuttle Atlantis? remote manipulator system arm lifts the Hubble Space Telescope from the cargo bay and is moments away from releasing the orbital observatory to start it on its way back home to observe the universe.

S125-E-011774 (19 May 2009) --- The Space Shuttle Atlantis? remote manipulator system arm lifts the Hubble Space Telescope from the cargo bay and is moments away from releasing the orbital observatory to start it on its way back home to observe the universe.

S125-E-011780 (19 May 2009) --- The Space Shuttle Atlantis? remote manipulator system arm lifts the Hubble Space Telescope from the cargo bay and is moments away from releasing the orbital observatory to start it on its way back home to observe the universe.

S125-E-011768 (19 May 2009) --- The Space Shuttle Atlantis? remote manipulator system arm lifts the Hubble Space Telescope from the cargo bay and is moments away from releasing the orbital observatory to start it on its way back home to observe the universe.

S125-E-011767 (19 May 2009) --- The Space Shuttle Atlantis? remote manipulator system arm lifts the Hubble Space Telescope from the cargo bay and is moments away from releasing the orbital observatory to start it on its way back home to observe the universe.

S125-E-011615 (19 May 2009) --- The Space Shuttle Atlantis' remote manipulator system robotic arm lifts the Hubble Space Telescope from the cargo bay and is moments away from releasing the orbital observatory to start it on its way back home to observe the universe.

iss073e0920711 (Oct. 21, 2025) --- The Canadarm2 robotic arm releases Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus XL cargo craft after it was installed on the Earth-facing port of the Unity module. The International Space Station was soaring into an orbital sunrise 269 miles above the Atlantic Ocean southwest of Cape Town, South Africa, at the time of this photgraph.

S69-41359 (10 Aug. 1969) --- Astronauts Michael Collins (left) and Edwin E. Aldrin Jr., are greeted by Dr. Robert R. Gilruth, director, Manned Spacecraft Center (MSC), and others upon their release from quarantine. The Apollo 11 crew left the Crew Reception Area (CRA) of the Lunar Receiving Laboratory (LRL) at 9 p.m., Aug. 10, 1969. While astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, commander, and Aldrin, lunar module pilot, descended in the Lunar Module (LM) "Eagle" to explore the Sea of Tranquility region of the moon, astronaut Collins, command module pilot, remained with the Command and Service Modules (CSM) "Columbia" in lunar orbit.

PAO news release material for the 5th and final FF of the ALT series. Precise moment of separation captured by camera from a T-38 chase plane.

A biologist with Herndon Solutions Group, the center’s environmental services contractor, prepares to release Kemp’s ridley sea turtles into the Atlantic Ocean at the Canaveral National Seashore near Kennedy Space Center on Feb. 26, 2021. The rescued and rehabilitated turtles were flown from aquatic centers in Massachusetts and New York to the Launch and Landing Facility, managed by Space Florida. NASA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA Fisheries, Space Florida, and Herndon Solutions Group provided support. The Turtles Fly Too organization provided the flight to Kennedy. All marine turtle footage/images was obtained with the approval of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) under conditions not harmful to marine turtles. Footage was acquired while conducting authorized conservation activities pursuant to: FWC 2021 Consent Permit, MTP-21-005 and MTP-21-114.

Staff with NASA, the National Park Service, Herndon Solutions Group, the center’s environmental services contractor, and others, prepare to release Kemp’s ridley sea turtles into the Atlantic Ocean at the Canaveral National Seashore near Kennedy Space Center on Feb. 26, 2021. The rescued and rehabilitated turtles were flown from aquatic centers in Massachusetts and New York to the Launch and Landing Facility, managed by Space Florida. NASA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA Fisheries, Space Florida, and Herndon Solutions Group provided support. The Turtles Fly Too organization provided the flight to Kennedy. All marine turtle footage/images was obtained with the approval of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) under conditions not harmful to marine turtles. Footage was acquired while conducting authorized conservation activities pursuant to: FWC 2021 Consent Permit, MTP-21-005 and MTP-21-114.

A National Park Service staff member releases a Kemp’s ridley sea turtle into the Atlantic Ocean at the Canaveral National Seashore near Kennedy Space Center on Feb. 26, 2021. The rescued and rehabilitated turtles were flown from aquatic centers in Massachusetts and New York to the Launch and Landing Facility, managed by Space Florida. NASA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA Fisheries, Space Florida, and Herndon Solutions Group provided support. The Turtles Fly Too organization provided the flight to Kennedy. All marine turtle footage/images was obtained with the approval of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) under conditions not harmful to marine turtles. Footage was acquired while conducting authorized conservation activities pursuant to: FWC 2021 Consent Permit, MTP-21-005 and MTP-21-114.

A biologist with Herndon Solutions Group, the center’s environmental services contractor, releases a Kemp’s ridley sea turtle into the Atlantic Ocean at the Canaveral National Seashore near Kennedy Space Center on Feb. 26, 2021. The rescued and rehabilitated turtles were flown from aquatic centers in Massachusetts and New York to the Launch and Landing Facility, managed by Space Florida. NASA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA Fisheries, Space Florida, and Herndon Solutions Group provided support. The Turtles Fly Too organization provided the flight to Kennedy. All marine turtle footage/images was obtained with the approval of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) under conditions not harmful to marine turtles. Footage was acquired while conducting authorized conservation activities pursuant to: FWC 2021 Consent Permit, MTP-21-005 and MTP-21-114.

A National Park Service staff member prepares to release a Kemp’s ridley sea turtle into the Atlantic Ocean at the Canaveral National Seashore near Kennedy Space Center on Feb. 26, 2021. The rescued and rehabilitated turtles were flown from aquatic centers in Massachusetts and New York to the Launch and Landing Facility, managed by Space Florida. NASA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA Fisheries, Space Florida, and Herndon Solutions Group provided support. The Turtles Fly Too organization provided the flight to Kennedy. All marine turtle footage/images was obtained with the approval of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) under conditions not harmful to marine turtles. Footage was acquired while conducting authorized conservation activities pursuant to: FWC 2021 Consent Permit, MTP-21-005 and MTP-21-114.

Staff with NASA, the National Park Service, Herndon Solutions Group, the center’s environmental services contractor, and others, prepare to release Kemp’s ridley sea turtles into the Atlantic Ocean at the Canaveral National Seashore near Kennedy Space Center on Feb. 26, 2021. The rescued and rehabilitated turtles were flown from aquatic centers in Massachusetts and New York to the Launch and Landing Facility, managed by Space Florida. NASA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA Fisheries, Space Florida, and Herndon Solutions Group provided support. The Turtles Fly Too organization provided the flight to Kennedy. All marine turtle footage/images was obtained with the approval of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) under conditions not harmful to marine turtles. Footage was acquired while conducting authorized conservation activities pursuant to: FWC 2021 Consent Permit, MTP-21-005 and MTP-21-114.

Staff with NASA, the National Park Service, Herndon Solutions Group, the center’s environmental services contractor, and others, prepare to release Kemp’s ridley sea turtles into the Atlantic Ocean at the Canaveral National Seashore near Kennedy Space Center on Feb. 26, 2021. The rescued and rehabilitated turtles were flown from aquatic centers in Massachusetts and New York to the Launch and Landing Facility, managed by Space Florida. NASA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA Fisheries, Space Florida, and Herndon Solutions Group provided support. The Turtles Fly Too organization provided the flight to Kennedy. All marine turtle footage/images was obtained with the approval of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) under conditions not harmful to marine turtles. Footage was acquired while conducting authorized conservation activities pursuant to: FWC 2021 Consent Permit, MTP-21-005 and MTP-21-114.

Staff with NASA, the National Park Service, Herndon Solutions Group, the center’s environmental services contractor, and others, prepare to release Kemp’s ridley sea turtles into the Atlantic Ocean at the Canaveral National Seashore near Kennedy Space Center on Feb. 26, 2021. The rescued and rehabilitated turtles were flown from aquatic centers in Massachusetts and New York to the Launch and Landing Facility, managed by Space Florida. NASA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA Fisheries, Space Florida, and Herndon Solutions Group provided support. The Turtles Fly Too organization provided the flight to Kennedy. All marine turtle footage/images was obtained with the approval of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) under conditions not harmful to marine turtles. Footage was acquired while conducting authorized conservation activities pursuant to: FWC 2021 Consent Permit, MTP-21-005 and MTP-21-114.

A Kemp’s ridley sea turtle swims in the surf after it is released into the Atlantic Ocean at the Canaveral National Seashore near Kennedy Space Center on Feb. 26, 2021. The rescued and rehabilitated turtles were flown from aquatic centers in Massachusetts and New York to the Launch and Landing Facility, managed by Space Florida. NASA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA Fisheries, Space Florida, and Herndon Solutions Group provided support. The Turtles Fly Too organization provided the flight to Kennedy. All marine turtle footage/images was obtained with the approval of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) under conditions not harmful to marine turtles. Footage was acquired while conducting authorized conservation activities pursuant to: FWC 2021 Consent Permit, MTP-21-005 and MTP-21-114.

S116-E-07828 (21 Dec. 2006) --- As seen through windows on the aft flight deck of Space Shuttle Discovery, a Department of Defense pico-satellite known as Atmospheric Neutral Density Experiment (ANDE) is released from the shuttle's payload bay by STS-116 crewmembers. ANDE consists of two micro-satellites which will measure the density and composition of the low Earth orbit (LEO) atmosphere while being tracked from the ground. The data will be used to better predict the movement of objects in orbit.

The famous Horsehead nebula takes on a ghostly appearance in this image from NASA Spitzer Space Telescope, released on December 18, 2014.

This image is an unannotated version of NASA Photojournal Home Page graphic released in October 2007.

This pair of images shows the area affected by the impactor released by NASA Deep Impact spacecraft in July 2005.

This imagery is being released in association with NASA Mars Science Laboratory mission. This is a temporary caption to be replaced as soon as more information is available.