NASA Events and Space Launches

Images of NASA events highlighting spacecraft and launches, featuring directors, media interactions, and promotional displays.

21st Century Ground System Tour

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Vince Bilardo, project manager from Glenn Research Center, talks to the media about the arrival of the Ares I-X upper stage simulator components behind him in the Vehicle Assembly Building's high bay 4 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The upper stage simulators will be used in the test flight identified as Ares I-X in 2009. The segments will simulate the mass and the outer mold line and will be more than 100 feet of the total vehicle height of 327 feet. The simulator comprises 11 segments that are approximately 18 feet in diameter. Most of the segments will be approximately 10 feet high, ranging in weight from 18,000 to 60,000 pounds, for a total of approximately 450,000 pounds.

Mike Bolger, program manager of Exploration Ground Systems, speaks to workers and guests during an employee event for the mobile launcher move to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) on Sept. 7, 2018, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mobile launcher, atop crawler-transporter 2, began its trek from Launch Pad 39B along the crawlerway after undergoing a fit check and several days of systems testing with the pad. This is the first time that the modified mobile launcher made the trip to the pad. The 380-foot-tall mobile launcher is equipped with the crew access arm and several umbilicals that will provide power, environmental control, pneumatics, communication and electrical connections to the agency's Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft. The mobile launcher will spend seven months in the VAB undergoing testing. Exploration Ground Systems is preparing the ground systems necessary to launch SLS and Orion on Exploration Mission-1, missions to the Moon and on to Mars.

In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a ceremony is underway marking the agency's Spacecraft/Payload Integration and Evolution (SPIE) organization formally turning over processing of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket's Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (ICPS), to the center's Ground Systems Development and Operations (GSDO) Directorate. The ICPS is seen on the left in its shipping container and is the first integrated piece of flight hardware to arrive in preparation for the uncrewed Exploration Mission-1. With the Orion attached, the ICPS sits atop the SLS rocket and will provide the spacecraft with the additional thrust needed to travel tens of thousands of miles beyond the Moon.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver addresses the audience assembled in Kennedy Space Center's Operations and Checkout Building high bay for an event marking the arrival of NASA's first space-bound Orion capsule in Florida.Slated for Exploration Flight Test-1, an uncrewed mission planned for 2014, the capsule will travel farther into space than any human spacecraft has gone in more than 40 years. The capsule was shipped to Kennedy from NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans where the crew module pressure vessel was built. The Orion production team will prepare the module for flight at Kennedy by installing heat-shielding thermal protection systems, avionics and other subsystems.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida, CNN correspondent John Zarrella counts down for the ceremonial opening of the new "Space Shuttle Atlantis" facility. Ready to press buttons to mark the opening the new exhibit, from the left, are Charlie Bolden, NASA administrator, Bob Cabana, Kennedy director, Rick Abramson, Delaware North Parks and Resorts president, and Bill Moore, Delaware North Parks and Resorts chief operating officer. The new $100 million facility includes interactive exhibits that tell the story of the 30-year Space Shuttle Program and highlight the future of space exploration. The "Space Shuttle Atlantis" exhibit formally opened to the public on June 29, 2013.

U.S. Senator for Texas Ted Cruz visits Orion at the Johnson Space Center in Houston on Feb. 8, 2013. Orion Program Manager Mark Geyer and Johnson Space Center Director Dr. Ellen Ochoa discussed Orion progress with the Senator. Part of Batch image transfer

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Operations and Checkout Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, President Barack Obama addresses the participants of the Conference on the American Space Program for the 21st Century. Behind him, at left, is a mock-up of an Orion capsule. In his remarks, President Obama outlined the new course his administration is charting for NASA and the future of U.S. leadership in human spaceflight.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida, Bill Moore, Delaware North Parks and Resorts chief operating officer speaks to news media representatives during the opening of the 90,000-square-foot "Space Shuttle Atlantis" facility. The new $100 million facility includes interactive exhibits that tell the story of the 30-year Space Shuttle Program and highlight the future of space exploration. The "Space Shuttle Atlantis" exhibit formally opened to the public on June 29, 2013.

President Donald Trump speaks inside the Vehicle Assembly Building following the launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the company's Crew Dragon spacecraft on NASAs SpaceX Demo-2 mission with NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley onboard, Saturday, May 30, 2020, at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASAs SpaceX Demo-2 mission is the first launch with astronauts of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket to the International Space Station as part of the agencys Commercial Crew Program. The test flight serves as an end-to-end demonstration of SpaceXs crew transportation system. Behnken and Hurley launched at 3:22 p.m. EDT on Saturday, May 30, from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center. A new era of human spaceflight is set to begin as American astronauts once again launch on an American rocket from American soil to low-Earth orbit for the first time since the conclusion of the Space Shuttle Program in 2011.

NASA Orion AA-2 Crew Module Manager Dr. Jon Olansen, right, talks to NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine outside of the Orion test crew capsule that will be used for the Ascent Abort-2 (AA-2) test, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 at NASAs Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Center Director Bob Cabana addresses guests at a presentation during which XCOR Aerospace announced plans to open a manufacturing operation in Brevard. Space Florida President Frank DiBello is seated to the right.The company's suborbital Lynx Mark II spacecraft possibly will take off and land at Kennedy's shuttle landing facility. XCOR Aerospace is a small, privately held California corporation with focus on the research, development, project management and production of reusable launch vehicles, rocket engines and rocket propulsion systems. XCOR will focus on space tourism, experimental flights and launching satellites.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, XCOR Chief Operating Officer Andrew Nelson addresses guests at a presentation during which XCOR Aerospace announced plans to open a manufacturing operation in Brevard. Space Florida President Frank DiBello is seated to the right.The company's suborbital Lynx Mark II spacecraft possibly will take off and land at Kennedy's shuttle landing facility. XCOR Aerospace is a small, privately held California corporation with focus on the research, development, project management and production of reusable launch vehicles, rocket engines and rocket propulsion systems. XCOR will focus on space tourism, experimental flights and launching satellites.

NASA Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana gives remarks during a NASA event announcing the astronauts assigned to crew the first flight tests and missions of the Boeing CST-100 Starliner and SpaceX Crew Dragon, Friday, Aug. 3, 2018 at NASAs Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

TODD MAY,CHARLIE BOLDEN AND ASTRONAUT BUTCH WILMORE BRIEF NEWS MEDIA ON PROGRESS OF NEW TEST STAND CONSTRUCTION FOR SLS TESTING

Suni Williams, NASA astronaut, participates in a Boeing Orbital Flight Test media briefing near the countdown clock at the Florida spaceport on Dec. 19, 2019. Boeings CST-100 Starliner spacecraft will launch atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The uncrewed Orbital Flight Test will be the Starliners first flight to the International Space Station for NASAs Commercial Crew Program.

Ohio Senator John Glenn, center, enjoys a tour of the SPACEHAB Payload Processing Facility in Cape Canaveral. On his immediate left is Dale Steffey, SPACEHAB vice president, operations, and at the right of the photograph is Michael Lounge, SPACEHAB vice president, flight systems development. Senator Glenn arrived at KSC on Jan. 20 to tour KSC operational areas and to view the launch of STS-89 later this week. Glenn, who made history in 1962 as the first American to orbit the Earth, completing three orbits in a five-hour flight aboard Friendship 7, will fly his second space mission aboard Space Shuttle Discovery this October. Glenn is retiring from the Senate at the end of this year and will be a payload specialist aboard STS-95

MSFC Director Todd May comments on recent successful launch of the SpaceX Falcon Heavy Lift Rocket during All Hands Meeting

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Firing Room 4 of the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Kennedy Center Director Bob Cabana congratulates the launch control team members following the successful launch of space shuttle Atlantis on its STS-135 mission to the International Space Station.Atlantis with its crew of four; Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley, Mission Specialists Sandy Magnus and Rex Walheim, lifted off at 11:29 a.m. EDT on July 8, 2011 to deliver the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module packed with supplies and spare parts for the station. Atlantis also will fly the Robotic Refueling Mission experiment that will investigate the potential for robotically refueling existing satellites in orbit. In addition, Atlantis will return with a failed ammonia pump module to help NASA better understand the failure mechanism and improve pump designs for future systems. STS-135 will be the 33rd flight of Atlantis, the 37th shuttle mission to the space

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - U.S. Senator Bill Nelson checks out NASA's first space-bound Orion capsule at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Nelson and the spacecraft are in Kennedy's Operations and Checkout Building high bay for an event marking its arrival at Kennedy.Slated for Exploration Flight Test-1, an uncrewed mission planned for 2014, the capsule will travel farther into space than any human spacecraft has gone in more than 40 years. The capsule was shipped to Kennedy from NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans where the crew module pressure vessel was built. The Orion production team will prepare the module for flight at Kennedy by installing heat-shielding thermal protection systems, avionics and other subsystems.

NASA Deputy Administrator Jim Morhard speaks to members of the media during a press briefing Nov. 13, 2020, near the Press Site countdown clock at the agencys Kennedy Space Center in Florida ahead of NASAs SpaceX Crew-1 launch. Crew-1 is the first regular crew mission of a U.S. commercial spacecraft with astronauts to the International Space Station as part of NASAs Commercial Crew Program. The SpaceX Crew Dragon Resilience capsule will launch atop the companys Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A to the space station for a six-month science mission.

In the Space Station Processing Facility, NASA and Japanese Aerospace and Exploration Agency (JAXA) officials welcome the arrival of the Experiment Logistics Module Pressurized Section for the Japanese Experiment Module, or JEM, to the Kennedy Space Center. At the podium is Russ Romanella, director of International Space Station and Spacecraft Processing. Seated at right are Bill Parsons, director of Kennedy Space Center; Dr. Kichiro Imagawa, project manager of the JEM Development Project Team for JAXA; Melanie Saunders, associate manager of the International Space Station Program at Johnson Space Center; and Dominic Gorie, commander on mission STS-123 that will deliver the module to the space station. The new International Space Station component arrived at Kennedy March 12 to begin preparations for its future launch on mission STS-123. It will serve as an on-orbit storage area for materials, tools and supplies. It can hold up to eight experiment racks and will attach to the top of an

At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Launch Complex 37, NASA and industry leaders pose on Dec. 3, 2014 in front of the United Launch Alliance Delta IV heavy rocket poised to launch the Orion spacecraft on its first flight test, Exploration Flight Test-1 (EFT-1). Part of Batch image transfer from Flickr.

Jean-Yves Le Gall, president of the French space agency, National Centre for Space Studies (CNES), tries virtual reality viewers at the NASA exhibit during the 70th International Astronautical Congress, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington.

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine speaks to members of the media at the Launch and Landing Facility runway at the agencys Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 20, 2020, following Demo-2 crew members Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurleys arrival from Houston, Texas. Under the agencys Commercial Crew Program, Behnken and Hurley will be the first astronauts to launch to the International Space Station from U.S. soil since the end of the Space Shuttle Program in 2011. Liftoff of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft is scheduled for 4:33 p.m. on May 27 from Kennedys Launch Complex 39A.

During live television coverage of NASA SpaceXs Crew-1 launch on Nov. 15, 2020, Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana discusses the Crew-1 mission on the observation deck of the centers Operations Support Building II in Florida. Crew-1 is the first regular crew mission of a U.S. commercial spacecraft with astronauts to the International Space Station as part of NASAs Commercial Crew Program. The Crew Dragon Resilience capsule will launch atop a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A carrying NASA astronauts Michael Hopkins, Victor Glover, Shannon Walker and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Soichi Noguchi to the space station for a six-month science mission.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space Florida President Frank DiBello, NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden, and Boeing's Vice President and General Manager of Space Exploration John Elbon address the media inside Orbiter Processing Facility-3, or OPF-3, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Bolden took a few dozen media on a road show tour of the center and adjacent Cape Canaveral Air Force Station to show the progress being made for future government and commercial space endeavors that will begin from Florida's Space Coast. Boeing is leasing OPF-3 through an agreement with Space Florida for the manufacturing and assembly of its CST-100 spacecraft, which is under development in collaboration with NASA's Commercial Crew Program.During his tour, Bolden announced that Space Exploration Technologies, or SpaceX, has completed its Space Act Agreement with NASA for Commercial Orbital Transportation Services. SpaceX is scheduled to launch the first of its 12 contracted cargo flights to the space s

Thomas Zurbuchen, Associate Administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, left, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, and Tory Bruno, president and CEO of United Launch Alliance, are seen before the rollout of a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with NASAs Mars 2020 Perseverance to the launch pad at Space Launch Complex 41, Tuesday, July 28, 2020, at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The Perseverance rover is part of NASAs Mars Exploration Program, a long-term effort of robotic exploration of the Red Planet. Launch is scheduled for Thursday, July 30.

President Barack Obama delivers a speech at the Operations and Checkout Building at NASA Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. on Thursday, April 15, 2010. Obama visited Kennedy Space Center to deliver remarks on the bold new course the Administration is charting for NASA and the future of U.S. leadership in human space flight.

Members of the news media attend a press briefing April 21, 2021, near the Press Site countdown clock at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida ahead of the agencys SpaceX Crew-2 launch. Crew-2 is the second regular crew mission of a U.S. commercial spacecraft with astronauts to the International Space Station as part of NASAs Commercial Crew Program. The SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour capsule will launch atop the companys Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A to the space station for a six-month science mission. Liftoff is targeted for Friday, April 23, at 5:49 a.m. EDT.

Kathy Lueders, associate administrator for NASA's Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, left, NASA Deputy Administrator Jim Morhard, second from left, Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana, second from right, and Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS), right, are seen as they wait to see NASA astronauts Mike Hopkins, Victor Glover, Shannon Walker, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Soichi Noguchi, depart the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building for Launch Complex 39A to board the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft for the Crew-1 mission launch Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASAs SpaceX Crew-1 mission is the first crew rotation mission of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket to the International Space Station as part of the agencys Commercial Crew Program. Hopkins, Glover, Walker, and Noguchi launched at 7:27 p.m. EST on Sunday, Nov. 15, from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center.

United Launch Alliance (ULA) president and CEO Tory Bruno leads a tour for Vice President Mike Pence, his wife, Karen Pence, and NASA Acting Administrator Robert Lightfoot on Feb. 20, 2018. They are in the ULA Horizontal Integration Facility (HIF), at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The HIF is where the Delta IV Heavy boosters are being processed for NASAs upcoming Parker Solar Probe mission. During his visit, Pence will chair a meeting of the National Space Council on Feb. 21, 2018 in the high bay of NASA Kennedy Space Centers Space Station Processing Facility. The council's role is to advise the president regarding national space policy and strategy, and review the nation's long-range goals for space activities.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- After signing a framework agreement establishing the terms for future cooperation between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organization, Chairman G. Madhavan Nair (center) and other members are given a tour of the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The agreement establishes the terms for future cooperation between the two agencies in the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes. According to the framework agreement, the two agencies will identify areas of mutual interest and seek to develop cooperative programs or projects in Earth and space science, exploration, human space flight and other activities. In addition to a long history of cooperation in Earth science, NASA and the Indian Space Research Organization also are cooperating on India's first, mission to the moon, Chandrayaan-1, which will be launched later this year. NASA is providing two of the 11 instruments on the spacecraft: the moon mineralo

The Orion crew module pressure vessel for Exploration Flight Test-1 (EFT-1) is unveiled at a ceremony at the Operations and Checkout (O&C) Building at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida on July 2, 2012. Part of Batch image transfer from Flickr.

Vice President Mike Pence addresses NASA employees, in front of, from left to right, the SpaceX Dragon, NASA's Orion, and Boeing's Starliner, Thursday, July 6, 2017, at the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASAs Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The Vice President thanked employees for advancing American leadership in space, before going on a tour of the center that highlighted the public-private partnerships at KSC, as both NASA and commercial companies prepare to launch American astronauts from the multi-user spaceport.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Jerry Ross, chief of the Vehicle Integration Test Office and former NASA astronaut, Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach and James Branson with the Vehicle Integration Test Office await the arrival of the STS-135 crew members at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.The STS-135 astronauts arrived at Kennedy about 2:30 p.m. EDT on July 4 for final preparations for space shuttle Atlantis' STS-135 mission to the International Space Station. Atlantis is scheduled to lift off on July 8 to deliver the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module packed with supplies and spare parts to the station. The STS-135 mission also will fly a system to investigate the potential for robotically refueling existing satellites and return a failed ammonia pump module to help NASA better understand the failure mechanism and improve pump designs for future systems. STS-135 will be the 33rd flight of Atlantis, the 37th shuttle mission to the space station,

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA Administrator Charles Bolden addresses news media in the Operations and Checkout, or O& C, Building at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. In the O&C, the Orion EFT-1 spacecraft is being prepared for the program's first flight.Bolden took a few dozen members of the news media on a tour of the space agency's Kennedy Space Center and adjacent Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Aug. 23, 2012 to show the progress being made for future government and commercial space endeavors that will begin from Florida's Space Coast.

NASA astronauts Robert Behnken, left, and Douglas Hurley give a thumbs up with NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana, right, after the crew arrived at the Launch and Landing Facility at NASAs Kennedy Space Center ahead of SpaceXs Demo-2 mission, Wednesday, May 20, 2020, in Florida. NASAs SpaceX Demo-2 mission is the first launch with astronauts of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket to the International Space Station as part of the agencys Commercial Crew Program. The flight test will serve as an end-to-end demonstration of SpaceXs crew transportation system. Behnken and Hurley are scheduled to launch at 4:33 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, May 27, from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center. A new era of human spaceflight is set to begin as American astronauts once again launch on an American rocket from American soil to low-Earth orbit for the first time since the conclusion of the Space Shuttle Program in 2011.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Brian Behm, president, aerospace robotics, PaR Systems Inc., speaks during an Open House event at Hangar N at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, to celebrate the one-year anniversary of a partnership with NASA Kennedy Space Center. Under a 15-year lease, PaR Systems is utilizing Hangar N and its unique nondestructive testing equipment. Behind Behm is the robotic inspection cell that contains an automated X-ray system once used to scan the aft skirts of the solid rocket boosters for the space shuttle.The partnership agreement was established by Kennedy's Center Planning and Development Directorate. The agreement is just one example of the types of partnerships that Kennedy is seeking to create a multi-user spaceport.

On Dec. 19, 2018, NASA Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson speaks during a groundbreaking ceremony for a new liquid hydrogen tank for Launch Complex 39B at the agency's Kennedy Space Center. The storage facility will hold 1.25 million gallons of the propellant for NASA's Space Launch System rocket designed to boost the agency's Orion spacecraft, sending humans to distant destinations such as the Moon and Mars.

NASA Deputy Administrator Jim Morhard speaks with Boeing astronaut Chris Ferguson at Space Launch Complex 41 ahead of Boeings Orbital Flight Test mission, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2019, at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The uncrewed Orbital Flight Test will be Starliners maiden mission to the International Space Station for NASA's Commercial Crew Program. The mission, currently targeted for a 6:36 a.m. EST launch on Dec. 20, will serve as an end-to-end test of the system's capabilities.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- STS-134 Payloads Mission Manager Joe Delai talks to media with space shuttle Endeavour and its primary payload in the background on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS) and Express Logistics Carrier-3 are scheduled to be installed into the shuttle's cargo bay March 25.Endeavour and its six-member STS-134 crew are targeted to lift off April 19 at 7:48 p.m. EDT to deliver the payload to the International Space Station. This is Endeavour's final scheduled mission.

Members of the news media attend a press conference at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, after the launch of the Orbital ATK Cygnus pressurized cargo module atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. It was Orbital ATK's seventh commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station. Liftoff was at 11:11 a.m. EDT. Speaking to the media are, from left, George Diller, NASA Kennedy Communications; Joel Montalbano, deputy manager, International Space Station Program, NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston; Frank Culbertson, president, Orbital ATK Space Systems Group; and Vern Thorp, program manager, commercial missions, United Launch Alliance.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Operations and Checkout Building at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, center, addresses news media in front of the Orion EFT-1 spacecraft. Also participating are Jules Schneider, senior manager of Project Engineering for the Lockheed Martin Orion Program at Kennedy, left, and Scott Wilson, NASA's manager of Production Operations for the Orion Program.Bolden took a few dozen members of the news media on a tour of the space agency's Kennedy Space Center and adjacent Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Aug. 23, 2012 to show the progress being made for future government and commercial space endeavors that will begin from Florida's Space Coast.

United Launch Alliance (ULA) president and CEO Tory Bruno, left, leads a tour for Vice President Mike Pence on Feb. 20, 2018. They are in the ULA Horizontal Integration Facility (HIF), at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The HIF is where the Delta IV Heavy boosters are being processed for NASAs upcoming Parker Solar Probe mission. During his visit, Pence will chair a meeting of the National Space Council on Feb. 21, 2018 in the high bay of NASA Kennedy Space Centers Space Station Processing Facility. The council's role is to advise the president regarding national space policy and strategy, and review the nation's long-range goals for space activities.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, media representatives ask questions of the STS-130 crew during a question-and-answer session. The astronauts are, from left, Commander George Zamka; Pilot Terry Virts; and Mission Specialists Kathryn Hire, Stephen Robinson, Nicholas Patrick and Robert Behnken.The crew members of space shuttle Endeavour's upcoming mission are at Kennedy for training related to their launch dress rehearsal, the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test. The primary payload on STS-130 is the International Space Station's Node 3, Tranquility, a pressurized module that will provide room for many of the station's life support systems. Attached to one end of Tranquility is a cupola, a unique work area with six windows on its sides and one on top. Endeavour's launch is targeted for Feb. 7.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Operations and Checkout Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, speaks at the opening of the Conference on the American Space Program for the 21st Century following President Barack Obama's remarks describing the new course his administration is charting for NASA and the future of U.S. leadership in human spaceflight. The four break-out conference sessions that will take place in the Operations and Checkout Building and in the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will include these topics Increasing Access to and Utilization of the International Space Station; Jumpstarting the New Technologies to Take Us Beyond; Expanding our Reach into the Solar System and Harnessing Space to Expand Economic Opportunity.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Jim Kennedy, director of NASA's Kennedy Space Center, addresses the audience attending a ceremony in the Space Station Processing Facility to welcome the European Space Agency's Columbus module. Columbus is the European Space Agency's research laboratory for the International Space Station. The module will be prepared in the SSPF for delivery to the space station on a future space shuttle mission. Columbus will expand the research facilities of the station and provide researchers with the ability to conduct numerous experiments in the life, physical and materials sciences.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA's Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach, left, and NASA Administrator Charles Bolden wait to welcome the STS-130 crew back to Earth following space shuttle Endeavour's successful landing on Runway 15 at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. After 14 days in space, Endeavour's 5.7-million-mile STS-130 mission was completed on orbit 217. Main gear touchdown was at 10 20 31 p.m. EST followed by nose gear touchdown at 10 20 39 p.m. and wheels stop at 10 22 10 p.m. It was the 23rd night landing in shuttle history and the 17th at Kennedy. During Endeavour's STS-130 mission, astronauts installed the Tranquility node, a module that provides additional room for crew members and many of the station's life support and environmental control systems. Attached to Tranquility is a cupola with seven windows that provide a panoramic view of Earth, celestial objects and visiting spacecraft. The module was built in Turin, Italy, by Thales Alen

NASAs SpaceX Crew-6 Preflight. Kennedy Space Center director Janet Petro speaks with NASA Social participants during a tour of the Vehicle Assembly Building ahead of the launch of NASAs SpaceX Crew-6 mission, Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASAs SpaceX Crew-6 mission is the sixth crew rotation mission of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket to the International Space Station as part of the agencys Commercial Crew Program. NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen and Warren "Woody" Hoburg, UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev are scheduled to launch at 1:45 a.m. EST on Feb. 27, from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Orbiter Processing Facility-3 (OPF-3) at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Florida Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll, chairwoman of Space Florida, speaks to the audience during the ceremony announcing the signing of an innovative agreement between NASA and Space Florida. Seated from left are Joyce Riquelme, manager of Kennedy's Center Planning and Development Office, Robert Cabana, Kennedy Space Center director, Lori Garver, NASAs deputy administrator, and Florida Gov. Rick Scott. NASA announced a partnership with Space Florida to occupy, use and modify Kennedy Space Center's Orbiter Processing Facility-3 (OPF-3), the Space Shuttle Main Engine Processing Facility and Processing Control Center. Space Florida has an agreement for use of the OPF-3 with the Boeing Company to manufacture and test the company's Crew Space Transportation (CST-100) spacecraft. The 15-year use permit deal is the latest step Kennedy is making as the center transitions from a historical

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida, Andrea Farmer, Delaware North Parks and Resorts manager of Public Relations speaks to news media representatives during the opening of the 90,000-square-foot "Space Shuttle Atlantis" facility.The new $100 million facility includes interactive exhibits that tell the story of the 30-year Space Shuttle Program and highlight the future of space exploration. The "Space Shuttle Atlantis" exhibit formally opened to the public on June 29, 2013.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At ground-breaking ceremonies for SpaceX's new Falcon 9 rocket launch facilities at Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral, Brig. Gen. Susan J. Helms (left) talks about the opportunity for both SpaceX and the 45th Space Wing. As part of NASAs Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, or COTS, competition, SpaceX will launch a Falcon 9 with a cargo-carrying payload on a series of three demonstration missions from Cape Canaveral to the International Space Station, culminating with the delivery of supplies to the $100 billion dollar orbiting laboratory. SpaceX intends to demonstrate its launch, maneuvering, berthing and return abilities by 2009 - a year before NASA has scheduled the conclusion of Space Shuttle operations.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Kennedy Space Center Launch Pad 39A, NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden announces that NASA has just signed a lease agreement with Space Exploration Technologies SpaceX of Hawthorne, Calif., for use and operation of Launch Complex 39A.SpaceX will use Launch Complex 39A for rockets such as the Falcon Heavy, currently under development. Both launch pad 39A and 39B were originally built for the Apollo/Saturn V rockets that launched American astronauts on their historic journeys to the moon and later modified to support the 30-year shuttle program. Pad 39B is now being modified by NASA to support the Space Launch System SLS rocket boosting the Orion spacecraft part of the agencys plan to explore beyond low-Earth orbit.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Orbiter Processing Facility-3 (OPF-3) at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Florida Gov. Rick Scott speaks to the media after the ceremony which announced the signing of an innovative agreement between NASA and Space Florida. In the background is a full-scale mockup of The Boeing Companys CST-100 spacecraft. NASA announced a partnership with Space Florida to occupy, use and modify Kennedy Space Center's Orbiter Processing Facility-3 (OPF-3), the Space Shuttle Main Engine Processing Facility and Processing Control Center. Space Florida has an agreement for use of the OPF-3 with the Boeing Company to manufacture and test the company's Crew Space Transportation (CST-100) spacecraft. The 15-year use permit deal is the latest step Kennedy is making as the center transitions from a historically government-only launch complex to a multi-user spaceport.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Kennedy Space Centers Press Site auditorium, members of news media are briefed on preparations for the launch of the SpaceX CRS-4 mission to resupply the International Space Station. From left are Mike Curie of NASA Public Affairs, Hans Koenigsmann, vice president of Mission Assurance with SpaceX, and Kathy Winters, launch weather officer for the 45th Weather Squadron. Dan Hartman, deputy program manager of the International Space Station Program, participated by telephone.The mission is the fourth of 12 SpaceX flights NASA contracted with the company to resupply the space station. It will be the fifth trip by a Dragon spacecraft to the orbiting laboratory. The spacecrafts 2.5 tons of supplies, science experiments, and technology demonstrations include critical materials to support 255 science and research investigations that will occur during the station's Expeditions 41 and 42. Liftoff is targeted for an instantaneous window at 2:14 a.m. EDT.

STS-133 crew return ceremony to Ellington Field. Photo Date: March 10, 2011. Location: Ellington Field - Hangar 276.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At ground-breaking ceremonies for SpaceX's new Falcon 9 rocket launch facilities at Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral, Elon Musk, founder and CEO of Space Exploration Technologies, talks about opportunity for both SpaceX and the 45th Space Wing that the new facility will provide. As part of NASAs Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, or COTS, competition, SpaceX will launch a Falcon 9 with a cargo-carrying payload on a series of three demonstration missions from Cape Canaveral to the International Space Station, culminating with the delivery of supplies to the $100 billion dollar orbiting laboratory. SpaceX intends to demonstrate its launch, maneuvering, berthing and return abilities by 2009 - a year before NASA has scheduled the conclusion of Space Shuttle operations.

Vice President Mike Pence addresses NASA employees, Thursday, July 6, 2017, at the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASAs Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The Vice President thanked employees for advancing American leadership in space, before going on a tour of the center that highlighted the public-private partnerships at KSC, as both NASA and commercial companies prepare to launch American astronauts from the multi-user spaceport.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA Administrator Charles Bolden tours the Operations and Checkout, or O& C, Building at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. In the O&C, the Orion EFT-1 spacecraft is being prepared for the program's first flight.Bolden took a few dozen members of the news media on a tour of the space agency's Kennedy Space Center and adjacent Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Aug. 23, 2012 to show the progress being made for future government and commercial space endeavors that will begin from Florida's Space Coast.

NASA astronaut Doug Hurley answers a question from the media in front of the Crew Dragon that is being prepared for the Demo-2 mission, at SpaceX Headquarters, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 in Hawthorne, CA. Hurley and NASA astronaut Bob Behnken are assigned to fly onboard Crew Dragon for the Demo-2 mission.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida, from the left, Delaware North Parks and Resorts Chief Operating Officer Bill Moore, Mike Konzen of PGAV Destinations, Rick Abramson, Delaware North president and Kennedy director Bob Cabana participated in a news briefing prior to the opening of the 90,000-square-foot "Space Shuttle Atlantis" facility.The new $100 million facility includes interactive exhibits that tell the story of the 30-year Space Shuttle Program and highlight the future of space exploration. The "Space Shuttle Atlantis" exhibit formally opened to the public on June 29, 2013.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver addresses the audience assembled in Kennedy Space Center's Operations and Checkout Building high bay for an event marking the arrival of NASA's first space-bound Orion capsule in Florida.Slated for Exploration Flight Test-1, an uncrewed mission planned for 2014, the capsule will travel farther into space than any human spacecraft has gone in more than 40 years. The capsule was shipped to Kennedy from NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans where the crew module pressure vessel was built. The Orion production team will prepare the module for flight at Kennedy by installing heat-shielding thermal protection systems, avionics and other subsystems.

Legislators, invited guests and members of the media attend a ribbon cutting ceremony on Aug. 16, 2019, in High Bay 2 of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The VAB is getting its first commercial tenant. Northrop Grumman signed a Reimbursable Space Act Agreement with NASA for use of the facilities. The company will assemble and test its new OmegA rocket inside the massive facilitys High Bay 2. The company also will modify MLP-3 to serve as the launch vehicles assembly and launch platform. Northrop Grumman is developing the OmegA rocket, an intermediate/heavy-class launch vehicle, as part of a launch services agreement with the U.S. Air Force.

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, NASA Deputy Administrator Jim Morhard, NASA astronaut Barry Wilmore, and Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana, pose for a picture with NASA Social participants in front of a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with Boeings CST-100 Starliner spacecraft onboard on the launch pad at Space Launch Complex 41 ahead of the Orbital Flight Test mission, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2019, at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The uncrewed Orbital Flight Test will be Starliners maiden mission to the International Space Station for NASA's Commercial Crew Program. The mission, currently targeted for a 6:36 a.m. EST launch on Dec. 20, will serve as an end-to-end test of the system's capabilities.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Orbiter Processing Facility-3 (OPF-3) at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Florida Gov. Rick Scott speaks to the media after the ceremony which announced the signing of an innovative agreement between NASA and Space Florida. In the background is a full-scale mockup of The Boeing Companys CST-100 spacecraft. NASA announced a partnership with Space Florida to occupy, use and modify Kennedy Space Center's Orbiter Processing Facility-3 (OPF-3), the Space Shuttle Main Engine Processing Facility and Processing Control Center. Space Florida has an agreement for use of the OPF-3 with the Boeing Company to manufacture and test the company's Crew Space Transportation (CST-100) spacecraft. The 15-year use permit deal is the latest step Kennedy is making as the center transitions from a historically government-only launch complex to a multi-user spaceport.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson D-Fla. addresses guests at a presentation during which XCOR Aerospace announced plans to open a manufacturing operation in Brevard.The company's suborbital Lynx Mark II spacecraft possibly will take off and land at Kennedy's shuttle landing facility. XCOR Aerospace is a small, privately held California corporation with focus on the research, development, project management and production of reusable launch vehicles, rocket engines and rocket propulsion systems. XCOR will focus on space tourism, experimental flights and launching satellites.

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden answers social media attendees questions from just outside the launch pad where the United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket with the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) satellite onboard sits ready to launch, Monday, June 30, 2014, Space Launch Complex 2 Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. OCO-2 will measure the global distribution of carbon dioxide, the leading human-produced greenhouse gas driving changes in Earths climate. OCO-2 is set for a July 1, 2014 launch.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Preparations are underway at the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for the move of the Orion spacecraft for Exploration Flight Test-1 out of the high bay doors. Inside the high bay from left, are Jules Schneider, Lockheed Martin senior manager, and Kennedy Center Director Bob Cabana. The spacecraft will be transported to the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility where it will be fueled ahead of its December flight test. Orion is the exploration spacecraft designed to carry astronauts to destinations not yet explored by humans, including an asteroid and Mars. It will have emergency abort capability, sustain the crew during space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep space return velocities. The first unpiloted test flight of the Orion is scheduled to launch atop a United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida to an altitude of 3,600 miles above the Earth

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, center, prepares to speak during a press briefing Nov. 13, 2020, near the Press Site countdown clock at the agencys Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Behind him, from left are Steve Dickson, administrator, Federal Aviation Administration, and NASA astronaut Sunita Williams. Crew-1 is the first regular crew mission of a U.S. commercial spacecraft with astronauts to the International Space Station as part of NASAs Commercial Crew Program. The SpaceX Crew Dragon Resilience capsule will launch atop the companys Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A to the space station for a six-month science mission.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The STS-117 crew members arrive at the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility aboard T-38 jet aircraft to prepare for launch on Space Shuttle Atlantis on June 8. Commander Frederick Sturckow is greeted by Janet Petro, deputy director of Kennedy. Astronaut Jerry Ross, chief of the Vehicle Integration Test Office at Johnson Space Center, looks on. During the 11-day mission and three spacewalks, the crew will work with flight controllers at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston to install a 17-ton segment on the station's girder-like truss and deploy a set of solar arrays, S3/S4. The mission will increase the space station's power capability in preparation for the arrival of new science modules from the European and Japanese space agencies.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Operations and Checkout Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, President Barack Obama addresses the participants of the Conference on the American Space Program for the 21st Century. In his remarks, he outlined the new course his administration is charting for NASA and the future of U.S. leadership in human spaceflight.

From left to right, NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana, Reid Wiseman, Chief of the Astronaut Office, Apollo Astronaut Tom Stafford, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, and NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy pose for a photo as the agencys Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard rolls out of High Bay 3 of the Vehicle Assembly Building for the first time, Thursday, March 17, 2022, at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Ahead of NASAs Artemis I flight test, the fully stacked and integrated SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft will undergo a wet dress rehearsal at Launch Complex 39B to verify systems and practice countdown procedures for the first launch.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - From left, Kennedy Space Center Director Robert Cabana, Orion Program Manager Mark Geyer, U.S. Senator Bill Nelson and NASA Deputy Director Lori Garver pose for a portrait in front of NASA's first space-bound Orion capsule in Kennedy's Operations and Checkout Building high bay following an event marking the spacecraft's arrival in Florida.Slated for Exploration Flight Test-1, an uncrewed mission planned for 2014, the capsule will travel farther into space than any human spacecraft has gone in more than 40 years. The capsule was shipped to Kennedy from NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans where the crew module pressure vessel was built. The Orion production team will prepare the module for flight at Kennedy by installing heat-shielding thermal protection systems, avionics and other subsystems.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On the top of the mound where the NASA News Center is located, NBC television news anchor Tom Brokaw gets ready to give a report on the tragic loss of Space Shuttle Columbia as it was returning to Earth on mission STS-107. Journalists from around the world covered the event.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA and aerospace industry representatives tour facilities along Floridas Space Coast prior to announcements made by Sierra Nevada Corporation, or SNC, Space Systems, to prepare for a November 2016 orbital flight of its Dream Chaser spacecraft. Posing for a photo in front of a United Launch Alliance, or ULA, Atlas V rocket are, from left, Bob Cabana, director of NASAs Kennedy Space Center Mark Sirangelo, corporate vice president and head of SNC Space Systems and Steve Lindsey, Dream Chaser program manager for SNC Space Systems. The announcements made during a news conference at Kennedy are considered substantial for SNC and important to plans by NASA and Space Florida for Kennedys transformation into a multi-user spaceport for both commercial and government customers. SNC announced it plans to work with ULA to launch the Dream Chaser spacecraft into orbit atop an Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station intends to land t

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- After a welcoming ceremony for the Experiment Logistics Module Pressurized Section of the Japanese Experiment Module, STS-123 Commander Dominic Gorie talks to the media. Earlier, NASA and Japanese Space Agency (JAXA) officials welcomed the arrival of the logistics module, which will be delivered to the space station on mission STS-123. The module will serve as an on-orbit storage area for materials, tools and supplies. It can hold up to eight experiment racks and will attach to the top of another larger pressurized module.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In NASA Kennedy Space Centers Assembly and Refurbishment Facility, STS-114 Mission Specialists Soichi Noguchi and Stephen Robinson speak to a crowd of employees. They and other crew members are visiting several sites during their return to Kennedy Space Center. They have returned to Florida especially for a celebration in the KSC Visitor Complex of the successful return to flight mission that launched July 26 of this year.

During a ribbon cutting ceremony on Aug. 16, 2019, in High Bay 2 of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Kent Rominger, Northrop Grummans vice president and capture lead for the OmegA launch system, speaks to legislators and guests. Seated behind him, from left, are Kennedy Center Director Bob Cabana; Col. Thomas Ste. Marie, vice commander, U.S. Air Force, 45th Space Wing; and Tom Engler, director of Kennedys Center Planning and Development Office. The VAB is getting its first commercial tenant. Northrop Grumman signed a Reimbursable Space Act Agreement with NASA for use of the facilities. The company will assemble and test its new OmegA rocket inside the massive facilitys High Bay 2. The company also will modify mobile launcher platform-3 to serve as the launch vehicles assembly and launch platform. Northrop Grumman is developing the OmegA rocket, an intermediate/heavy-class launch vehicle, as part of a launch services agreement with the U

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Outside Orbiter Processing Facility-2, or OPF-2, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, media on hand to cover the move of space shuttle Discovery to the Vehicle Assembly Building, or VAB, are given the opportunity to interview Stephanie Stilson, Transition and Retirement orbiter flow director.Discovery will be stored inside the VAB for approximately one month while shuttle Atlantis undergoes processing in OPF-2 following its final mission, STS-135. Discovery flew its 39th and final mission, STS-133, in February and March 2011, and currently is being prepared for public display at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Space Florida President Frank DiBello addresses guests at a presentation during which XCOR Aerospace announced plans to open a manufacturing operation in Brevard County.The company's suborbital Lynx Mark II spacecraft possibly will take off and land at Kennedy's shuttle landing facility. XCOR Aerospace is a small, privately held California corporation with focus on the research, development, project management and production of reusable launch vehicles, rocket engines and rocket propulsion systems. XCOR will focus on space tourism, experimental flights and launching satellites.

Steve Jurczyk, acting NASA administrator, addresses members of the news media during a press briefing April 21, 2021, near the Press Site countdown clock at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida ahead of the agencys SpaceX Crew-2 launch. NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough and  Megan McArthur, JAXA astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, and ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet will fly on Crew-2, the second crew rotation mission to the International Space Station as part of NASAs Commercial Crew Program. They will launch aboard SpaceXs Crew Dragon spacecraft, named Endeavour, powered by the companys Falcon 9 rocket. Liftoff is set for Friday, April 23, at 5:49 a.m. EDT.

Vice President Mike Pence addresses NASA employees, Thursday, July 6, 2017, at the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASAs Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The Vice President thanked employees for advancing American leadership in space, before going on a tour of the center that highlighted the public-private partnerships at KSC, as both NASA and commercial companies prepare to launch American astronauts from the multi-user spaceport.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Media interview STS-1 Pilot and former Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Crippen after the announcement that revealed the four institutions receiving shuttle orbiters for permanent display.In a ceremony held in front of Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden announced the facilities where four shuttle orbiters will be displayed permanently at the conclusion of the Space Shuttle Program. Shuttle Enterprise, the first orbiter built, will move from the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia to the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York. The Udvar-Hazy Center will become the new home for shuttle Discovery, which retired after completing its 39th mission in March. Shuttle Endeavour, which is preparing for its final flight at the end of the month, will go to the California Science Center in Los Angeles. Atlantis, which will fly the last planned shu

In Kennedy Space Centers Press Site auditorium, agency and industry leaders speak to members of the media during a post launch news conference following the March 2, 2:49 a.m. EST launch of the SpaceX Demo-1 Commercial Crew Program (CCP) mission to the International Space Station. From left are: Steve Stich, NASA launch manager, Commercial Crew Program; Kirk Shireman, manager, International Space Station Program; Jim Bridenstine, NASA administrator; Elon Musk, CEO and lead designer, SpaceX; Bob Behnken, NASA astronaut and Doug Hurley, NASA astronaut. The Crew Dragons trip to the space station is designed to validate end-to-end systems and capabilities, leading to certification to fly crew. NASA has worked with SpaceX and Boeing in developing the CCP spacecraft to facilitate new human spaceflight systems launching from U.S. soil with the goal of safe, reliable and cost-effective access to low-Earth orbit destinations, such as the space station.

Vice President Mike Pence, center, signs a guest book during his tour of the Blue Origin Manufacturing Facility near NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, on Feb. 20, 2018. At left is the vice president's wife, Karen Pence. To his right is Blue Origin CEO Robert Smith. Behind them is acting NASA Administrator Robert Lightfoot. Vice President Pence viewed the flown New Shepard Booster and Crew Capsule. The booster was the first launch vehicle with a successful vertical takeoff and vertical landing to demonstrate reusability. During his visit, Pence will chair a meeting of the National Space Council on Feb. 21, 2018 in the high bay of NASA Kennedy Space Center's Space Station Processing Facility. The council's role is to advise the president regarding national space policy and strategy, and review the nation's long-range goals for space activities.

Inside the crew suit-up room in the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida, on Nov. 15, 2020, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, at far right, and Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX president and chief operating officer, visit with the Crew-1 astronauts. From left are NASA astronaut Shannon Walker, mission specialist; NASA astronaut Victor Glover, pilot; NASA astronaut Michael Hopkins, spacecraft commander; and JAXA astronaut Soichi Noguchi, mission specialist. They are wearing SpaceX spacesuits in preparation for NASA SpaceXs Crew-1 mission. Crew-1 is the first regular crew mission of a U.S. commercial spacecraft with astronauts to the International Space Station as part of NASAs Commercial Crew Program. The SpaceX Crew Dragon Resilience capsule will launch atop the companys Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A to the space station for a six-month science mission.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building high bay at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden delivers a state of the agency” address at NASA's televised fiscal year 2016 budget rollout event. Representatives from the Kennedy workforce, news media and social media were in attendance. NASA's Orion, SpaceX Dragon and Boeing CST-100 spacecraft, all destined to play a role in NASA’s overall exploration objectives, were on display.

Timothy Hughes, senior vice president and general counsel for SpaceX speaks to members of the news media at Launch Complex 39A. Behind him, from left, are Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana and Gwynne Shotwell, president and chief operating officer of SpaceX. On Feb. 18, a Falcon 9 rocket with a Dragon spacecraft atop is scheduled to lift off from the launch pad for the SpaceX CRS-10 mission. The historic site is where American astronauts first launched to the moon and was last used in 2011 for the final mission of the Space Shuttle Program. In April 2014, NASA officials signed a 20-year property agreement with SpaceX for use and operation of the launch pad for their Falcon 9 and Falcon 9 Heavy rockets. The SpaceX CRS-10 liftoff is another milestone further establishing Kennedy as a premier, multi-user spaceport. The Dragon spacecraft will deliver 5,000 pounds of supplies and research materials to the space station.

At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Launch Complex 37, NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden speaks to members of the news media as the Orion spacecraft and its United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket are being prepared for launch.

The American flag can be seen hanging from the final work platform, A north, as the platform is lifted up by crane from the transfer aisle in the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The platform will be installed and secured on its rail beam high up on the north wall of High Bay 3. The installation of the final topmost level completes the 10 levels of work platforms, 20 platform halves altogether, that will surround NASA's Space Launch System rocket and the Orion spacecraft and allow access during processing for missions, including the first uncrewed flight test of Orion atop the SLS rocket in 2018. The A-level platforms will provide access to the Orion spacecraft's Launch Abort System for Orion lifting sling removal and installation of the closeout panels. The Ground Systems Development and Operations Program, with support from the center's Engineering Directorate, is overseeing upgrades and modifications to the VAB, including installation of the

Gwynne Shotwell, president and chief operating officer of SpaceX, speaks to members of the news media at Launch Complex 39A. At left is Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana. At right is Timothy Hughes, senior vice president and general counsel for SpaceX. On Feb. 18, a Falcon 9 rocket with a Dragon spacecraft atop is scheduled to lift off from the launch pad for the SpaceX CRS-10 mission. The historic site is where American astronauts first launched to the moon and was last used in 2011 for the final mission of the Space Shuttle Program. In April 2014, NASA officials signed a 20-year property agreement with SpaceX for use and operation of the launch pad for their Falcon 9 and Falcon 9 Heavy rockets. The SpaceX CRS-10 liftoff is another milestone further establishing Kennedy as a premier, multi-user spaceport. The Dragon spacecraft will deliver 5,000 pounds of supplies and research materials to the space station.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Dr. Nicky Fox, deputy RBSP project scientist for the Applied Physics Laboratory at Johns Hopkins University, addresses news media at Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. At the pad, a United Launch Alliance, or ULA, Atlas V rocket is being prepared for launch of the Radiation Belt Storm Probes, or RBSP, satellites. Speaking to members of the media are, from the left, Fox, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, James Sponnick, ULA vice president of Mission Operations and NASA Chief Scientist Waleed Abdalati.Bolden took a few dozen members of the news media on a tour of the space agency's Kennedy Space Center and adjacent Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Aug. 23, 2012 to show the progress being made for future government and commercial space endeavors that will begin from Florida's Space Coast.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Sierra Nevada Corporation, or SNC, Space Systems, announces the steps the company will take to prepare for a November 2016 orbital flight of its Dream Chaser spacecraft from Floridas Space Coast during a news conference at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Participants are, from left, Michael Curie, NASA spokesman, Bob Cabana, director of Kennedy, Michael Gass, president and CEO of United Launch Alliance, or ULA, Frank DiBello, president and CEO of Space Florida, Mark Sirangelo, corporate vice president and head of SNC Space Systems, Larry Price, Lockheed Martin Space Systems deputy program manager for NASA's Orion spacecraft, and Steve Lindsey, Dream Chaser program manager for SNC Space Systems. The steps are considered substantial for SNC and important to plans by NASA and Space Florida for Kennedys transformation into a multi-user spaceport for both commercial and government customers. SNC said it plans to work with ULA to launch the Dream Chaser space

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida, Rick Abramson, Delaware North Parks and Resorts president speaks to news media representatives during the opening of the 90,000-square-foot "Space Shuttle Atlantis" facility.The new $100 million facility includes interactive exhibits that tell the story of the 30-year Space Shuttle Program and highlight the future of space exploration. The "Space Shuttle Atlantis" exhibit formally opened to the public on June 29, 2013.

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana, and astronauts representing NASA and Boeing participate in a Boeing Orbital Flight Test media briefing near the countdown clock at the Florida spaceport on Dec. 19, 2019. From left to right are Cabana; NASA astronauts Josh Cassada, Suni Williams and Nicole Mann; Boeing astronaut Chris Ferguson; NASA astronaut Mike Finke; NASA Deputy Administrator Jim Morhard; and Bridenstine. Boeings CST-100 Starliner spacecraft will launch atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The uncrewed Orbital Flight Test will be the Starliners first flight to the International Space Station for NASAs Commercial Crew Program.

A mockup of the cargo logistics module for Sierra Nevada Corporations Dream Chaser, the companys reusable spaceplane, arrived at the Space Station Processing Facility (SSPF) at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida in August. On Sept. 20, 2019, senior leadership had the opportunity to view the cargo module in the SSPF high bay. Kennedy Center Director Bob Cabana, at right, speaks with Steve Lindsey, vice president, Space Exploration Systems, Sierra Nevada Corporation. The SSPF is providing support for current and future NASA and commercial provider programs, including Commercial Resupply Services, Artemis 1, sending the first woman and next man to the Moon, and deep space destinations including Mars.

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine gives remarks on the agencys Artemis program, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in front of the core stage for NASAs Space Launch System (SLS) rocket at NASAs Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. Through Artemis NASA will land the first woman and next man on the Moon by 2024.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Dr. Mason Peck, center, NASA's chief technologist, listens to details about the processing of the agency's first flight test Orion spacecraft by Lockheed Martin inside the Operations and Checkout Building's high bay at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

NASA Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana gives remarks during a NASA event announcing the astronauts assigned to crew the first flight tests and missions of the Boeing CST-100 Starliner and SpaceX Crew Dragon, Friday, Aug. 3, 2018 at NASAs Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

In the Space Station Processing Facility (SSPF), Charles J. Precourt, deputy manager of NASA's International Space Station Program, is interviewed by a reporter from a local television station. Representatives from the media were invited to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the launch of the first element of the Station with a tour of the facility and had the opportunity to see Space Station hardware that is being processed for deployment once the Space Shuttles return to flight. NASA and Boeing mission managers were on hand to talk about the various hardware elements currently being processed for flight.

of 3