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NASA Kennedy Space Center Launch Vehicles

Images of the Vehicle Assembly Building and mobile launchers at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, showcasing large structures and vehicles involved in space missions.

ML roll is half way to Pad 39B
ML roll is half way to Pad 39B
347 assets in this story
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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Shuttle Plaza area at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida, state and local dignitaries speak during the Ground Breaking Ceremony for the future home of space shuttle Atlantis. Delaware North Parks & Resorts, in partnership with NASAs Kennedy Space Center, broke ground for the 65,000 square-foot exhibit that will house Atlantis at the visitor complex.
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A helicopter thats part of the convoy to escort NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley to Launch Complex 39A flies over the agencys Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 27, 2020, ahead of NASAs SpaceX Demo-2 launch. The launch was scrubbed due to unfavorable weather conditions, and the next launch attempt will be Saturday, May 30. Liftoff of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft is scheduled for 3:22 p.m. EDT from historic Launch Complex 39A. 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. Part of NASAs Commercial Crew Program, this will be SpaceXs final flight test, paving the way for the agency to certify the crew transportation system for regular, crewed flights to the orbiting laboratory.
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Headquarters Space Operations Command (SpOC) was furnished with updated signage at Building 1, at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado.
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Data Center for Artificial Intelligence Computing in Rural Georg
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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA Fire Rescue Lt. David Tacy of Chenega Security & Support Solutions watches as an agency helicopter takes off as part of a training exercise.The activity taking place in Kennedy's Launch Complex 39 turn-basin parking lot was only one of several drills. It was part of a new training program that was developed by Kennedy's Fire Rescue department along with NASA Aircraft Operations to sharpen the skills needed to help rescue personnel learn how to collaborate with helicopter pilots in taking injured patients to hospitals as quickly as possible.
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NASAs Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen atop the mobile launcher at Launch Pad 39B, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, as the Artemis I launch teams load more than 700,000 gallons of cryogenic propellants including liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen as the launch countdown progresses at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASAs Artemis I flight test is the first integrated test of the agencys deep space exploration systems: the Orion spacecraft, SLS rocket, and supporting ground systems. Launch of the uncrewed flight test is targeted for no earlier than no earlier than 2:17 p.m. EDT.
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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Thoroughly wrapped for travel, NASA's Kepler spacecraft is moved to the Hazardous Processing Facility at Astrotech in Titusville, Fla., for fueling. Kepler is designed to survey more than 100,000 stars in our galaxy to determine the number of sun-like stars that have Earth-size and larger planets, including those that lie in a star's "habitable zone," a region where liquid water, and perhaps life, could exist. If these Earth-size worlds do exist around stars like our sun, Kepler is expected to be the first to find them and the first to measure how common they are. The liftoff of Kepler aboard a Delta II rocket is currently planned for 10:48 p.m. EST March 5 from Space Launch Complex 17 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Researchers utilize several types of watercraft to conduct underwater acoustic research in the Launch Complex 39 turn basin near Launch Pad 39A. Several government agencies, including NASA, NOAA, the Navy, the Coast Guard, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission are involved in the testing. The research involves demonstrations of passive and active sensor technologies, with applications in fields ranging from marine biological research to homeland security. The work is also serving as a pilot project to assess the cooperation between the agencies involved. Equipment under development includes a passive acoustic monitor developed by NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and mobile robotic sensors from the Navys Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit.
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NASAs Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen at sunrise atop a mobile launcher at Launch Complex 39B, Sunday, April 3, 2022, as the Artemis I launch team conducts the wet dress rehearsal test at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Ahead of NASAs Artemis I flight test, the wet dress rehearsal will run the Artemis I launch team through operations to load propellant, conduct a full launch countdown, demonstrate the ability to recycle the countdown clock, and drain the tanks to practice timelines and procedures for launch.
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Boeing, NASA, and U.S. Army personnel prepare for the Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft landing in White Sands, New Mexico, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019. The landing will complete an abbreviated Orbital Flight Test for the company that still meets several mission objectives for NASAs Commercial Crew program. The Starliner spacecraft launched on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket at 6:36 a.m. Friday, Dec. 20 from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Several remote cameras are positioned around the perimeter of Launch Pad 39B in preparation for the launch of mission STS-115 aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis. A lightning strike to the pad's lightning protection system on August 25, caused the mission management team to postpone the launch of mission STS-115 for 24 hours in order to review all electrical systems on the space shuttle and ground support equipment at the pad.
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Groundbreaking for the new Central Campus will take place in the Industrial Area at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA banners and an artist rendering of the new facility have been set up for the ceremony. Kennedy is transforming into a multi-user, 21st century spaceport supporting both commercial and government users and operations. Central Campus Phase I includes construction of a new Headquarters Building as one of the major components of the strategy. The new Headquarters Building will be a seven-story, 200,000-square-foot facility that will house about 500 NASA civil service and contractor employees.
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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Following ribbon-cutting ceremony, workers and officials wait outside the west door to the Operations and Checkout Building for its reactivation as the entry into the crew exploration vehicle environment. During the rest of the decade, KSC will transition from launching space shuttles to launching new vehicles in NASAs Vision For Space Exploration.
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NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine made his first official visit to the agency's Kennedy Space Center on Monday, Aug. 6, 2018. His up-close look at the premier, multi-user spaceport began with a helicopter tour over the bustling Florida spaceport that included the center's Launch Complex 39B. This will be the site where NASA's Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft will liftoff on trips to the Moon, Mars and beyond.
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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space Exploration Technologies Corp., or SpaceX, displays a mock-up of its Dragon capsule during a media tour at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, or CCAFS, in Florida.In December 2010, SpaceX launched its Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft from CCAFS's Launch Complex 40. The Dragon capsule went through several maneuvers before it re-entered the atmosphere and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean about 500 miles west of the coast of Mexico. That was the first demonstration flight for NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program, which will provide cargo flights to the International Space Station in the future. The company is preparing for another launch in late 2011, in which the Dragon spacecraft and trunk will fly close to the space station so the stations robotic arm can grab the spacecraft and bring it in for a docking.
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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A Space Exploration Technologies, or SpaceX, Falcon 9 rocket pierces the dimpled cloud layer over Space Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, carrying a Dragon capsule filled with cargo to orbit. Launch was at 10 10 a.m. EST. The SpaceX Dragon capsule is making its third trip to the International Space Station, following a demonstration flight in May 2012 and the first resupply mission in October 2012. The mission is the second of 12 SpaceX flights contracted by NASA to resupply the orbiting laboratory.
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NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine made his first official visit to the agency's Kennedy Space Center on Monday, Aug. 6, 2018. His up-close look at the premier, multi-user spaceport began with a helicopter tour over the bustling Florida spaceport that included Space Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. NASA's Parker Solar Probe is being prepared for launch atop a United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket. The mission will perform the closest-ever observations of a star when it travels through the Sun's atmosphere, called the corona. The probe will rely on measurements and imaging to revolutionize our understanding of the corona and the Sun-Earth connection.
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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Media from around the globe gather on the grounds of the Press Site at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida to photograph and cover the prelaunch activities and lift off of space shuttle Atlantis on its STS-135 mission to the International Space Station. Seen towering above is the massive Vehicle Assembly Building.Atlantis began its final flight, with Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley and Mission Specialists Sandy Magnus and Rex Walheim on board, at 11:29 a.m. EDT July 8 to deliver the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module packed with supplies and spare parts to the station. Also in Atlantis' payload bay is 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 is the 33rd flight of Atlantis, t
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NASAs Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard atop the mobile launcher at Launch Pad 39B is seen from the press site, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASAs Artemis I flight test is the first integrated test of the agencys deep space exploration systems: the Orion spacecraft, SLS rocket, and supporting ground systems. The launch director waived off todays Artemis I launch attempt at approximately 11:17 a.m. EDT.
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Guests attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony to welcome the last United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket to the lineup of historic launch vehicles in the Rocket Garden at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida, on March 23, 2021. The Delta II rocket was a workhorse for NASA and civilian scientists, the U.S. military, and commercial clients throughout its almost 30 years of service. Since its first launch in 1989, the Delta II has launched 154 successful missions. NASAs Launch Services Program launched the ICESat-2 spacecraft on the final Delta II launch on Sept. 15, 2018, from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
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NASAs Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen atop a mobile launcher at Launch Complex 39B, right, as a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the company's Crew Dragon spacecraft onboard is seen on the launch pad at Launch Complex 39A, left, as preparations continue for the Crew-4 mission, Monday, April 25, 2022, at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASAs SpaceX Crew-4 mission is the fourth 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 Kjell Lindgren, Robert Hines, Jessica Watkins, and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti are scheduled to launch no earlier than April 27 from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center.
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NASAs Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen at sunrise atop a mobile launcher at Launch Complex 39B, Monday, April 4, 2022, as the Artemis I launch team conducts the wet dress rehearsal test at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Ahead of NASAs Artemis I flight test, the wet dress rehearsal will run the Artemis I launch team through operations to load propellant, conduct a full launch countdown, demonstrate the ability to recycle the countdown clock, and drain the tanks to practice timelines and procedures for launch.
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NASA officials view space shuttle Endeavour (STS-134) as it launches skyward through the windows of Firing Room 4, Monday, May 16, 2011, at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. During the 16-day mission, Endeavour, with Commander Mark Kelly, Pilot Gregory H. Johnson, Mission Specialists Michael Fincke, Greg Chamitoff, Andrew Feustel and European Space Agency astronaut Robert Vittori will deliver the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) and spare parts including two S-band communications antennas, a high-pressure gas tank and additional spare parts for Dextre.
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NASAs SpaceX Crew-1 flag is raised beneath the American Flag near the countdown clock at the News Center at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Nov. 8, 2020.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 with NASA astronaut Michael Hopkins, spacecraft commander; NASA astronaut Victor Glover, pilot; NASA astronaut Shannon Walker, mission specialist; and JAXA astronaut Soichi Noguchi, mission specialist, to the space station for a six-month science mission.
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A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the company's Crew Dragon spacecraft onboard is seen at sunrise on the launch pad at Launch Complex 39A as preparations continue for the Crew-4 mission, Tuesday, April 26, 2022, at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASAs SpaceX Crew-4 mission is the fourth 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 Kjell Lindgren, Robert Hines, Jessica Watkins, and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti are scheduled to launch on no earlier than April 27, from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center.
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At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a shade is placed around the new countdown clock at the spaceport's Press Site. The modern, multimedia display is similar to the screens seen at sporting venues. The new screen is nearly 26 feet wide by 7 feet high, a foot taller than the original clock. The historic countdown clock was designed by Kennedy engineers and built by space center technicians before Apollo 12 in 1969. NASA has acquired the countdown clock from the agencys Artifact Working Group at the agency's Headquarters for display at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
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NASA management look on from Firing Room Four of the Launch Control Center (LCC) as space shuttle Atlantis launches from pad 39A on Friday, July 8, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. The launch of Atlantis, STS-135, is the final flight of the shuttle program, a 12-day mission to the International Space Station.
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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Kennedy Space Center Director Robert Cabana, at the podium, addresses the media assembled for a news conference on a new agency partnership at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Also participating in the news conference are, seated from left, Kennedy's Director of Public Affairs Lisa Malone, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, not in view, and Space Florida Chief Operating Officer Jim Kuzma.NASA has selected Space Florida, the aerospace economic development agency for the state of Florida, for negotiations toward a partnership agreement to maintain and operate the historic Shuttle Landing Facility, or SLF. NASA issued a request for information to industry in 2012 to identify new and innovative ways to use the facility for current and future commercial and government mission activities. Space Florida's proposal is aligned closely with Kennedy's vision for creating a multiuser spaceport. The SLF, specially designed for space shuttles returning t
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NASAs Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen at sunrise atop a mobile launcher at Launch Complex 39B, Sunday, April 3, 2022, as the Artemis I launch team conducts the wet dress rehearsal test at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Ahead of NASAs Artemis I flight test, the wet dress rehearsal will run the Artemis I launch team through operations to load propellant, conduct a full launch countdown, demonstrate the ability to recycle the countdown clock, and drain the tanks to practice timelines and procedures for launch.
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NASA Kennedy Space Center Security Officer, Jack "Supr Jac" Hilderbrand talks on the phone at the security gate to Pad 39a just a day shy of his 70th birthday and the planned launch of the space shuttle Endeavour with the STS-127 crew. Hilderbrand has been working for the space program since 1960.
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At the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, students monitor progress as their Swarmie robots as they search for "resources." The goal is for the robots to pick up cubes with AprilTags, which are similar to bar codes. The Swarmies then move the cubes to a white square in the center of the completion arena. The small, four-wheeled robots are designed to effectively and efficiently locate hidden resources while astronauts explore distant destinations such as the moon or Mars.
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NASA Administrator Bill Nelson poses for a picture with Snoopy at the Press Site countdown clock, Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022, at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASAs Artemis I flight test is the first integrated flight test of the agencys deep space exploration systems: the Orion spacecraft, Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, and ground systems. Launch of the uncrewed flight test is targeted for no earlier than Aug. 29 at 8:33 a.m. ET.
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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - This professional photographer is one of hundreds who are gathered at NASA Kennedy Space Center to capture the historic launch of Space Shuttle Discovery, seen on Launch Pad 39B on the horizon. Discovery is scheduled to lift off on the historic Return to Flight mission STS-114 at 10 39 a.m. EDT July 26 with a crew of seven. On the mission to the International Space Station the crew will perform inspections on orbit for the first time of all of the Reinforced Carbon-Carbon (RCC) panels on the leading edge of the wings and the Thermal Protection System tiles using the new Canadian-built Orbiter Boom Sensor System and the data from 176 impact and temperature sensors. Mission Specialists will also practice repair techniques on RCC and tile samples during a spacewalk in the payload bay. During two additional spacewalks, the crew will install the External Stowage Platform-2, equipped with spare part assemblies, and a replacement Control Moment Gyroscope contained
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An artist's rendering shows the $8-million Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) Support Complex planned for the Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) at Kennedy Space Center. The ground breaking took place today. To be located at the tow-way adjacent to the SLF, the complex will include a multi-purpose RLV hangar and adjacent facilities for related ground support equipment and administrative/technical support. It will be available to accommodate the Space Shuttle, the X-34 RLV technology demonstrator, the L-1011 carrier aircraft for Pegasus and X-34, and other RLV and X-vehicle programs. The complex is jointly funded by the Spaceport Florida Authority, NASA's Space Shuttle Program and KSC. The facility will be operational in early 2000
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New Electric Vehicle Charging Stations. Spencer Davis, a NASA Traffic Management specialist in the Spaceport Integration Directorate at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida, stands near a newly installed electric vehicle (EV) charging station near the Central Campus Headquarters Building at Kennedy on Sept. 14, 2022. Part of a partnership between Kennedy and Florida Power & Light (FPL) to bring 23 EV charging stations to the spaceport, the ChargePoint CT4000, Level 2 chargers are capable of charging electric vehicles at a rate of 15-30 miles of range per hour. This partnership was set up under FPLs EV program and provides a charging infrastructure that includes a simple way for businesses and employees to pay for usage.
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A colorful sunrise marks the dawn of a new era in human spaceflight ahead of NASAs SpaceX Demo-2 mission, as the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft stand ready for launch at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 29, 2020. The rocket and spacecraft lifted off from historic Launch Complex 39A at 3:22 p.m. EDT on May 30, carrying NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley to the International Space Station as part of the agencys Commercial Crew Program, returning human spaceflight capability to the U.S. after nearly a decade. Demo-2 is SpaceXs final flight test, paving the way for NASA to certify the crew transportation system for regular, crewed flights to the orbiting laboratory.
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FRA - POLITIQUE - CYBERDEFENSE - Florence Parly, ministre des Armées, à RennesFlorence Parly, ministre des Armées, se rend jeudi 3 octobre 2019 au quartier Stéphant à Saint-Jacques-de-la-Lande ( 35 ), où elle inaugurere le premier btiment du Commandement de la cyberdéfense ( COMCYBER ), spécifiquement conçu pour répondre aux besoins techniques et opérationnels du COMCYBER et accueillir ses différentes unités.FRA - POLITICS - CYBERDEFENSE - Florence Parly, Minister of the Armed Forces, in RennesFlorence Parly, Minister of the French Armed Forces, will visit the Stéphant district in Saint-Jacques-de-la-Lande ( 35) on Thursday, October 3, 2019, where she will inaugurate the first building of the Cyber Defence Command (COMCYBER), specifically designed to meet the technical and operational needs of the COMCYBER and accommodate its various units.
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Artemis Flag Removal at LC 39 Press Site. The Artemis flag is removed from NASA News Center property at the agencys Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Jan. 6, 2023, following the successful Artemis I mission. At left is former Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) Senior Technical Integration Manager Phil Weber, joined by former EGS Manager Mike Bolger. Both men served in their respective roles during Artemis I, retiring at the end of 2022. NASAs Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft lifted off from Kennedys Launch Complex 39B on Nov. 16, 2022. Orion splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on Dec. 11 and arrived back at Kennedy on Dec. 30. Artemis I sets the stage for the next mission of SLS and Orion to fly crew around the Moon on Artemis II.
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NASA's Orion spacecraft that flew Exploration Flight Test-1 on Dec. 5, 2014 is seen on the South Lawn of the White House, Sunday, July 22, 2018 in Washington, DC. Lockheed Martin, NASAs prime contractor for Orion, began manufacturing the Orion crew module in 2011 and delivered it in July 2012 to NASA's Kennedy Space Center where final assembly, integration and testing was completed. More than 1,000 companies across the country manufactured or contributed elements to the spacecraft.
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NASA's Orion spacecraft that flew Exploration Flight Test-1 on Dec. 5, 2014 is seen as it arrives at the White House complex, Saturday, July 21, 2018 in Washington, DC. Lockheed Martin, NASAs prime contractor for Orion, began manufacturing the Orion crew module in 2011 and delivered it in July 2012 to NASA's Kennedy Space Center where final assembly, integration and testing was completed. More than 1,000 companies across the country manufactured or contributed elements to the spacecraft.
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SpaceX Crew-5 Flag Raising. NASA Commercial Crew Program (CCP) employees are photographed in front of Kennedy Space Centers iconic countdown clock at the Press Site after the Crew-5 flag was raised on Oct. 3, 2022, in Florida. NASAs SpaceX Crew-5 mission will carry NASA astronauts Josh Cassada and Nicole Aunapu Mann, Roscosmos cosmonaut Anna Kikina, and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) to the International Space Station for a science expedition mission as part of the agencys CCP. SpaceXs Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon Endurance spacecraft are scheduled to lift off from Kennedys Launch Complex 39A at noon EDT on Oct. 5, 2022.
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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Workers show their support as the orbiter Discovery slowly rolls out of the Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3 to begin its transfer to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). First motion was at 1 29 a.m. EST. Inside the VAB, Discovery will be mated to the External Tank_Solid Rocket Booster assembly for Return to Flight mission STS-114. After all umbilicals have been connected, workers will perform an electrical and mechanical verification of the mated interfaces to verify all critical vehicle connections. A Space Shuttle interface test is performed to verify vehicle interfaces and vehicle-to-ground interfaces. The launch processing system is used to control and monitor orbiter systems as required. Space Shuttle Discovery will roll out to Launch Pad 39B approximately one week after the rollover to the VAB. The launch window for mission STS-114 is May 15 to June 3.
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JWST Full-Scale Model on Display.A full-scale model of the James Webb Space Telescope was built by the prime contractor, Northrop Grumman, to provide a better understanding of the size, scale and complexity of this satellite. The model is constructed mainly of aluminum and steel, weighs 12,000 lb., and is approximately 80 feet long, 40 feet wide and 40 feet tall. The model requires 2 trucks to ship it and assembly takes a crew of 12 approximately four days. This model has travelled to a few sites since 2005. The photographs below were taken at some of its destinations. The model was on display at The International Society for Optical Engineering's (SPIE) week-long Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentations conference,May 25 - 30, 2006.
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Crowds of people are seen watching the rollout of the space shuttle Atlantis in this image made atop of the Mobile Launcher Platform (MLP) that is carrying Atlantis from High Bay 3 in the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39a for its final flight, Tuesday evening, May 31, 2011, at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. The 3.4-mile trek, known as "rollout," will take about seven hours to complete. Atlantis will carry the Raffaello multipurpose logistics module to deliver supplies, logistics and spare parts to the International Space Station. The launch of STS-135 is targeted for July 8.
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VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - A banner is displayed on a building at Space Launch Complex 2 on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California where NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 mission, or OCO-2, is being prepared for launch in July aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket.The observatory will collect precise global measurements of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere and provide scientists with a better idea of the chemical compound's impacts on climate change. Scientists will analyze this data to improve our understanding of the natural processes and human activities that regulate the abundance and distribution of this important atmospheric gas.
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A display at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex describes the purpose of Swarmies. Computer scientists are developing these robots focusing not so much on the hardware, but the software. In the spaceport's annual Swarmathon, students from 12 colleges and universities across the nation were invited to develop software code to operate Swarmies to help find resources when astronauts explore distant planets, such as Mars.
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In the Swarmathon competition at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, students were asked to develop computer code for the small robots, programming them to look for "resources" in the form of AprilTag cubes, similar to barcodes. To add to the challenge, obstacles in the form of simulated rocks were placed in the completion arena. Teams developed search algorithms for the Swarmies to operate autonomously, communicating and interacting as a collective swarm similar to ants foraging for food. In the spaceport's third annual Swarmathon, 23 teams represented 24 minority serving universities and community colleges were invited to develop software code to operate these innovative robots known as "Swarmies" to help find resources when astronauts explore distant locations, such as the Moon or Mars.