Astronaut Training at NASA

Images of astronauts in blue flight suits participating in various training activities at NASA facilities, showcasing a professional and focused atmosphere.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Astronaut Richard Arnold, a mission specialist for space shuttle Discovery's STS-119 mission, arrives at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida to prepare for launch. STS-119 is the 125th space shuttle flight and the 28th flight to the International Space Station. Discovery and its crew will deliver the final set of large power-generating solar array wings and integrated truss structure, S6, to the space station. The mission includes four spacewalks. Launch is scheduled for March 11 at 9:20 p.m. EDT.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Mission Specialist Rex Walheim pauses for a photo during M113 armored personnel carrier training at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. An M113 is kept at the foot of the launch pad in case an emergency exit from the launch pad is needed and every shuttle crew is trained on driving the vehicle before launch. The STS-135 crew is at Kennedy to participate in a launch countdown dress rehearsal called the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) and related training. Atlantis and its crew are targeted to lift off July 8, taking with them the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module packed with supplies and spare parts to the International Space 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

STS-135 Crew Arrives on T-38's & Unsuited STA's

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, European Space Agency astronaut Roberto Vittori is photographed after his arrival. The STS-134 crew members landed at 12:52 p.m. EDT to get ready for space shuttle Endeavour's launch to the International Space Station scheduled for Friday, April 29 at 3:47 p.m. Endeavour and its crew will deliver the Express Logistics Carrier-3, Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS), a high-pressure gas tank and additional spare parts for the Dextre robotic helper to the station. This will be the final spaceflight for Endeavour.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Astronaut Steve Swanson, a mission specialist for space shuttle Discovery's STS-119 mission, arrives at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida to prepare for launch. STS-119 is the 125th space shuttle flight and the 28th flight to the International Space Station. Discovery and its crew will deliver the final set of large power-generating solar array wings and integrated truss structure, S6, to the space station. The mission includes four spacewalks. Launch is scheduled for March 11 at 9:20 p.m. EDT.

JSC2001-E-08819 (26 March 2001) --- Astronaut Scott J. Horowitz, STS-105 mission commander, prepares for a flight in a T-38 trainer jet at Ellington Field near Johnson Space Center (JSC).

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Astronaut Richard Arnold, a mission specialist for space shuttle Discovery's STS-119 mission, arrives at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida to prepare for launch. STS-119 is the 125th space shuttle flight and the 28th flight to the International Space Station. Discovery and its crew will deliver the final set of large power-generating solar array wings and integrated truss structure, S6, to the space station. The mission includes four spacewalks. Launch is scheduled for March 11 at 9:20 p.m. EDT.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At the Shuttle Landing Facility, STS-116 Pilot William Oefelein addresses media representatives on hand for his arrival at KSC aboard a T-38 jet aircraft for the launch of Space Shuttle Discovery on Dec. 7. On the mission, the STS-116 crew will deliver truss segment, P5, to the International Space Station and begin the intricate process of reconfiguring and redistributing the power generated by two pairs of U.S. solar arrays. The P5 will be mated to the P4 truss that was delivered and attached during the STS-115 mission in September.

STS-89 Mission Specialist Andrew Thomas, Ph.D., poses for photographers at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility after arriving to prepare for launch later this week. Thomas will replace David Wolf, M.D., on the Russian Space Station Mir. Launch is scheduled for January 22 at 9:48 p.m. EST

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - STS-126 Commander Chris Ferguson speaks to the media at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida after arriving for Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, or TCDT, activities. During TCDT, Endeavour's astronauts and launch teams will participate in a simulated countdown, practice emergency exit procedures at the launch pad and continue to familiarize themselves with the mission payload and hardware. On this 27th mission to the International Space Station, Endeavour will carry the Lightweight Multi-Purpose Experiment Support Structure Carrier and the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Leonardo that will hold supplies and equipment, including additional crew quarters, additional exercise equipment, spare hardware and equipment for the regenerative life support system. Endeavour is targeted to launch at 7:55 p.m. EST on Nov. 14.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Return to Flight STS-114 crew arrives at NASA Kennedy Space Center in T-38 training jets to get ready for a second launch attempt aboard Space Shuttle Discovery. Seen in the photo is Pilot James Kelly. Mission Commander Eileen Collins later told the media who waited nearby that since the scrub on July 13, the crew has focused on the on-orbit part of the mission and training for night landings using the Shuttle Training Aircraft. She praised the engineers and technicians who have been troubleshooting the elusive sensor problem and thanked them. STS-114 is scheduled to launch July 26 at 10 39 a.m. EDT from Launch Pad 39B.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-120 mission specialist Scott Parazynski is happy to back at NASA's Kennedy Space Center after the 15-day mission to the International Space Station. The Discovery crew completed mission STS-120 with an on-time landing at 1:01:16 p.m. Wheel stop was at 1:02:07 p.m. Mission elapsed time was 15 days, 2 hours, 24 minutes and 2 seconds. Mission STS-120 continued the construction of the station with the installation of the Harmony Node 2 module and the relocation of the P6 truss.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Endeavour's STS-127 mission crew members greet the media after arriving at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, or TCDT. Seen here is Pilot Doug Hurley. The astronauts will be taking part in Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities that include equipment familiarization and emergency egress training, and culminates in a simulated launch countdown aboard Endeavour. The STS-127 mission is the final of three flights dedicated to the assembly of the Japanese Kibo laboratory complex. Launch is targeted for June 13.

NASA astronaut Bob Hines speaks to members of the news media during crew arrival for NASAs SpaceX Crew-4 mission at the Launch and Landing Facility at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on April 18, 2022. Hines, along with NASA astronauts Kjell Lindgren and Jessica Watkins, and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti, will launch aboard SpaceXs Crew Dragon and Falcon 9 rocket on April 23, 2022. Launch is targeted for 5:26 a.m. EDT from Kennedys Launch Complex 39A.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Expedition 6 Commander Ken Bowersox pauses after his arrival at KSC to prepare for launch. The primary mission of STS-113 is bringing the Expedition 6 crew to the Station and returning the Expedition 5 crew to Earth. In addition, the major objective of the mission is delivery of the Port 1 (P1) Integrated Truss Assembly, which will be attached to the port side of the S0 truss. Three spacewalks are planned to install and activate the truss and its associated equipment. Launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour on mission STS-113 is scheduled for Nov. 11 between midnight and 4 a.m. EST.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-112 Commander Jeffrey S. Ashby poses in front of Launch Pad 39B during a tour of Kennedy Space Center prior to launch. Also on the tour were the other members of the crew including Pilot Pamela Ann Melroy and Mission Specialists David A. Wolf, Sandra H. Magnus, Piers J. Sellers, and Fyodor N. Yurchikhin of the Russian Space Agency. The launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis was postponed today to no earlier than Thursday, Oct. 3, while weather forecasters and the mission management team assess the possible effect Hurricane Lili may have on the Mission Control Center located at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-129 Commander Charles O. Hobaugh prepares to practice driving an M113 armored personnel carrier.The M113 is kept at the foot of the launch pad in case an emergency egress from the vicinity of the pad is needed. The crew members of space shuttle Atlantis' STS-129 mission are at Kennedy for training related to their launch dress rehearsal, the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test. Launch of Atlantis on its STS-129 mission to the International Space Station is targeted for Nov. 16.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - STS-126 Mission Specialist Donald Pettit arrives at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida for Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, or TCDT, activities. During TCDT, Endeavour's astronauts and launch teams will participate in a simulated countdown, practice emergency exit procedures at the launch pad and continue to familiarize themselves with the mission payload and hardware. On this 27th mission to the International Space Station, Endeavour will carry the Lightweight Multi-Purpose Experiment Support Structure Carrier and the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Leonardo that will hold supplies and equipment, including additional crew quarters, additional exercise equipment, spare hardware and equipment for the regenerative life support system. Endeavour is targeted to launch at 7:55 p.m. EST on Nov. 14.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-120 Mission Specialist Doug Wheelock is ready for the media conference at the slidewire basket landing on Launch Pad 39A. The crew is at NASA's Kennedy Space Center to take part in terminal countdown demonstration test activities that include emergency egress procedures and a simulated launch countdown. Mission STS-120, which will carry the Italian-built U.S. Node 2 to the International Space Station, is targeted for launch on Oct. 23. Tani will remain aboard the station and return with the STS-122 crew, targeted to launch Dec. 6.

As STS-87 Commander Kevin Kregel looks on, Payload Specialist Leonid Kadenyuk of the National Space Agency of Ukraine addresses members of the press and media at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility after arriving for the final prelaunch activities leading up to the scheduled Nov. 19 liftoff. Other STS-87 crew members not pictured are Pilot Steven Lindsey; and Mission Specialists Kalpana Chawla, Ph.D.; Takao Doi, Ph.D., of the National Space Development Agency of Japan; and Winston Scott. STS-87 will be the fourth flight of the United States Microgravity Payload and the Spartan-201 deployable satellite.

STS-100 Mission Specialist Chris A. Hadfield, who is with the Canadian Space Agency, waves to media after arriving at the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility for launch April 19. The 11-day mission to the International Space Station will deliver and integrate the Spacelab Logistics Pallet/Launch Deployment Assembly, which includes the Space Station Remote Manipulator system and the UHF Antenna, and the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello. Liftoff on mission STS-100 is scheduled at 2:41 p.m. EDT April 19

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility in Florida, STS-134 crew members, Pilot Greg H. Johnson and European Space Agency astronaut Roberto Vittori greet each other upon arrival. The STS-134 crew landed at 12:52 p.m. EDT to prepare for shuttle Endeavour's launch to the International Space Station scheduled for Friday April 29 at 3:47 p.m. Endeavour and its crew will deliver the Express Logistics Carrier-3, Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS), a high-pressure gas tank and additional spare parts for the Dextre robotic helper to the station. This will be the final spaceflight for Endeavour.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- STS-135 Commander Chris Ferguson expresses his gratitude to the thousands of workers who have processed, launched and landed the space shuttles for more than three decades during an employee appreciation event. Space shuttle Atlantis' final return from space at 5:57 a.m. EDT secured the space shuttle fleet's place in history and brought a close to the STS-135 mission and America's Space Shuttle Program. STS-135 delivered spare parts, equipment and supplies to the International Space Station. STS-135 was the 33rd and final flight for Atlantis, which has spent 307 days in space, orbited Earth 4,848 times and traveled 125,935,769 miles.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- STS-85 Payload Specialist Bjarni V. Tryggvason stands ready for questions at a news briefing at Launch Pad 39A during a break in Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) activities for that mission. The primary payload aboard the Space Shuttle orbiter Discovery is the Cryogenic Infrared Spectrometers and Telescopes for the Atmosphere-2 (CRISTA-SPAS-2). Other payloads on the 11-day mission include the Manipulator Flight Demonstration (MFD), and Technology Applications and Science-1 (TAS-1) and International Extreme Ultraviolet Hitchhiker-2 (IEH-2) experiments

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The crew members of mission STS-120 arrive at NASA's Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility aboard T-38 jet aircraft to take part in terminal countdown demonstration test activities. Commander Pam Melroy, who will be making her third shuttle flight, prepares to exit the plane. The terminal countdown demonstration test provides astronauts and ground crews an opportunity to participate in various simulated countdown activities, including equipment familiarization and emergency training. The STS-120 mission will deliver the U.S. Node 2 module, named Harmony, aboard space shuttle Discovery to the International Space Station. Launch of Discovery on mission STS-120 is targeted for Oct. 23 at 11:38 a.m. EDT on a 14-day mission to the International Space Station.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-129 Mission Specialist Mike Foreman prepares to practice driving an M113 armored personnel carrier.The M113 is kept at the foot of the launch pad in case an emergency egress from the vicinity of the pad is needed. The crew members of space shuttle Atlantis' STS-129 mission are at Kennedy for training related to their launch dress rehearsal, the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test. Launch of Atlantis on its STS-129 mission to the International Space Station is targeted for Nov. 16.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida , STS-132 Mission Specialist Michael Good inspects the thermal protection system tiles under space shuttle Atlantis following its successful landing. The six-member STS-132 crew carried the Russian-built Mini Research Module-1 to the space station. STS-132 is the 34th shuttle mission to the station, the 132nd shuttle mission overall and the last planned flight for Atlantis.

STS-132 LAUNCH L-2 SUITED STA'S WITH COMMANDER & PILOT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-134 Mission Specialist Greg Chamitoff, left, and Commander Mark Kelly take a break from training on the M113 armored personnel carrier at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. An M113 is kept at the foot of the launch pad in case an emergency exit from the pad is needed and every shuttle crew is trained on driving the vehicle before launch.Endeavour's six crew members are at Kennedy for the launch countdown dress rehearsal called the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) and related training. Targeted to launch April 19 at 7:48 p.m. EDT, they will deliver the Express Logistics Carrier-3, Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS), a high-pressure gas tank, additional spare parts for the Dextre robotic helper and micrometeoroid debris shields to the space station. This will be the final spaceflight for Endeavour.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-132 Mission Specialist Steve Bowen participates in a question-and-answer session with media representatives. The crew is at Kennedy for their Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, or TCDT, a dress rehearsal for launch. TCDT provides each shuttle crew and launch team the opportunity to participate in various simulated countdown activities, including equipment familiarization and emergency training. On the STS-132 mission, the six-member crew will deliver an Integrated Cargo Carrier, or ICC, and the Russian-built Mini-Research Module-1, or MRM-1, to the International Space Station aboard space shuttle Atlantis. The ICC is an unpressurized flat bed pallet and keel yoke assembly used to support the transfer of exterior cargo from the shuttle to the space station. The MRM-1, known as Rassvet, is the second in a series of new pressurized components for Russia and will be permanently attached to the Earth

STS-100 Commander Kent V. Rominger returns to KSC to complete Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities that were postponed earlier. The TCDT includes emergency escape training, payload bay walkdown, and a simulated launch countdown. The primary payload comprises the Canadian robotic arm, SSRMS, and Multi-Purpose Logistics Module, Raffaello. Launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour on mission STS-100 is targeted for April 19 at 2:41 p.m. EDT from Launch Pad 39A

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Expedition 6 crew member Nikolai Budarin stands ready for a practice drive in an M-113 armored personnel carrier during emergency egress training at the pad, one of the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities in preparation for launch. The TCDT also includes a simulated launch countdown. The Expedition 6 crew will travel on Space Shuttle Endeavour to the International Space Station to replace Expedition 5, returning to Earth after 4 months. The primary payloads on mission STS-113 are the first port truss segment, P1, and the Crew and Equipment Translation Aid (CETA) Cart B. Once delivered, the P1 truss will remain stowed until flight 12A.1 in 2003 when it will be attached to the central truss segment, S0, on the Space Station. Launch is scheduled for Nov. 10, 2002.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - After landing at NASA's Kennedy Space Center aboard a Grumman G2 aircraft, the STS-121 crew gathers at a microphone for the media. Seen here is Mission Specialist Thomas Reiter from Germany, who represents the European Space Agency. Other crew members are Commander Steven Lindsey, Pilot Mark Kelly, and Mission Specialists Michael Fossum, Lisa Nowak, Stephanie Wilson and Piers Sellers. The crew is at the space center to take part in a Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, or TCDT. Over several days, the crew will practice emergency egress from the pad and suit up in their orange flight suits for the simulated countdown to launch. Space Shuttle Discovery is designated to launch July 1 on mission STS-121. It will carry supplies to the International Space Station.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - STS-125 mission specialist Mike Massimino arrives at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida in a T-38 jet for Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, or TCDT, activities. During TCDT, space shuttle Atlantis STS-125 crew members will participate in a simulated launch countdown, practice emergency egress procedures at the launch pad and continue to familiarize themselves with the mission payload and hardware. STS-125 is the fifth and final shuttle Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission. Launch is targeted for Oct. 10.

JSC2001-E-08808 (26 March 2001) --- Astronauts Scott J. Horowitz (foreground), STS-105 mission commander, and Patrick G. Forrester, mission specialist, is photographed at the check out desk not far removed from the flight line of the T-38 trainer jets at Ellington Field near Johnson Space Center (JSC).

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Orbiter Processing Facility, STS-123 Mission Specialist Garrett Reisman practices with tools that will be used on the mission. He and other crew members are at NASA's Kennedy Space Center for a crew equipment interface test, a process of familiarization with payloads, hardware and the space shuttle. Reisman will join the Expedition 16 crew on the International Space Station, replacing flight engineer Leopold Eyharts. The STS-123 mission is targeted for launch on space shuttle Endeavour on Feb. 14. It will be the 25th assembly flight of the station.

NASAs SpaceX Crew-7 Crew Arrival at Kennedy Space Center. NASAs SpaceX Crew-7 crew member and Roscosmos cosmonaut Konstantin Borisov stands tall after arriving at the Launch and Landing Facility at Kennedy Space Center in Florida - along with the rest of his crewmates - on Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023. Crew-7 will launch to the International Space Station aboard SpaceXs Dragon spacecraft on the companys Falcon 9 rocket. Liftoff is targeted for 3:49 a.m. EDT Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, from Kennedys Launch Complex 39A.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-112 Commander Jeffrey Ashby arrives at the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility aboard a T-38 jet aircraft. He and the rest of the crew will be taking part in Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities in preparation for the mission aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis, which is scheduled to launch no earlier than Oct. 2, between 2 and 6 p.m. EDT. STS-112 is the 15th assembly mission to the International Space Station. Atlantis will be carrying the S1 Integrated Truss Structure, the first starboard truss segment. The S1 will be attached to the central truss segment, S0, during the 11-day mission.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-100 Commander Kent V. Rominger stands near Launch Pad 39A to greet family and friends. The crew is at KSC to complete final flight plan reviews in anticipation of launch. The 11-day mission to the International Space Station will deliver and integrate the Spacelab Logistics Pallet/Launch Deployment Assembly, which includes the Space Station Remote Manipulator system and the UHF Antenna, and the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello. The mission includes two planned spacewalks for installation of the SSRMS. The mission is also the inaugural flight of the MPLM Raffaello, carrying resupply stowage racks and resupply/return stowage platforms. Liftoff on mission STS-100 is scheduled at 2:41 p.m. EDT April 19

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - On Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-131 Mission Specialist Rick Mastracchio is instructed on emergency exit procedures. The crew members of space shuttle Discovery's STS-131 mission are at Kennedy for training related to their launch dress rehearsal, the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test. The seven-member crew will deliver the multi-purpose logistics module Leonardo, filled with resupply stowage platforms and racks, to the International Space Station aboard Discovery. Targeted for launch on April 5, STS-131 will be the 33rd shuttle mission to the station and the 131st shuttle mission overall.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-111 Mission Specialist Philippe Perrin, with the French Space Agency, poses for the camera before taking his turn at driving the M-113 armored personnel carrier during emergency egress training at the pad. Behind him are Commander Kenneth Cockrell (left) and Pilot Paul Lockhart (right). The training is part of Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities at KSC. The TCDT also includes a simulated launch countdown. Known as Utilization Flight -2, the mission includes attaching a Canadian-built mobile base system to the International Space Station that will enable the Canadarm2 robotic arm to move along a railway on the Station's truss to build and maintain the outpost. The crew will also replace a faulty wrist_roll joint on the Canadarm2 as well as unload almost three tons of experiments and supplies from the Italian-built Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Leonardo. Launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour on mission STS-111 is scheduled for May 30, 2002

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-122 Pilot Alan Poindexter takes time out from driving practice of the M-113 armored personnel carrier to pose for a photo. The practice near Launch Pad 39B is part of training on emergency egress procedures. An M-113 will be available to transport the crew to safety in the event of a contingency on the pad before their launch. The crew is participating in Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities, a standard part of launch preparations. The TCDT provides astronauts and ground crews with equipment familiarization, emergency egress training and a simulated launch countdown. On mission STS-122, Atlantis will deliver the European Space Agency's Columbus module to the International Space Station. Columbus is a multifunctional, pressurized laboratory that will be permanently attached to U.S. Node 2, called Harmony, and will expand the research facilities aboard the station. Launch is targeted for Dec. 6.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-121 Mission Specialist Michael Fossum takes his turn in an M-113, which is an armored personnel carrier. The STS-121 crew is taking turns driving the M-113 as part of Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities, which include emergency egress training from the pad and a simulated countdown. Mission STS-121 is designated for launch on July 1.

STS-130 TCDT - CREW ARRIVAL

STS-93 Michel Tognini of France arrives at KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility to participate in Terminal Countdown Demonstration Tests (TCDT) this week. TCDT activities familiarize the crew with the mission, provide training in emergency exit from the orbiter and launch pad, and include a launch-day dress rehearsal culminating with a simulated main engine cut-off. Joining Tognini are Commander Eileen M. Collins, Pilot Jeffrey S. Ashby, and Mission Specialists Catherine G. Coleman (Ph.D.) and Steven A. Hawley (Ph.D.). Tognini represents the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES). Collins is the first woman to serve as mission commander. The primary mission of STS-93 is the release of the Chandra X-ray Observatory, which will allow scientists from around the world to obtain unprecedented X-ray images of exotic environments in space to help understand the structure and evolution of the universe. Chandra is expected to provide unique and crucial information on the nature of objects ranging

STS-132 LAUNCH L-4 CREW ARRIVAL

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-79 Commander William F. Readdy arrives at KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility with five fellow astronauts, ready to participate in the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT). The TCDT is a dress rehearsal for launch for the flight crew and launch team. Over the next several days, the astronauts will take part in training exercises at the launch pad that will culminate in a simulated launch countdown. The Space Shuttle Atlantis is being prepared for liftoff on STS-79 around Sept. 12.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Expedition 6 Commander Ken Bowersox stands ready for a practice drive in an M-113 armored personnel carrier during emergency egress training at the pad, one of the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities in preparation for launch. The TCDT also includes a simulated launch countdown. The Expedition 6 crew will travel on Space Shuttle Endeavour to the International Space Station to replace Expedition 5, returning to Earth after 4 months. The primary payloads on mission STS-113 are the first port truss segment, P1, and the Crew and Equipment Translation Aid (CETA) Cart B. Once delivered, the P1 truss will remain stowed until flight 12A.1 in 2003 when it will be attached to the central truss segment, S0, on the Space Station. Launch is scheduled for Nov. 10, 2002.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-134 Commander Mark Kelly is photographed as he speaks to media. The STS-134 crew members landed at about 9 a.m. EDT for final preparations for Endeavour's liftoff to the International Space Station scheduled for Monday, May 16 at 8:56 a.m.Endeavour and its crew will deliver the Express Logistics Carrier-3, Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS), a high-pressure gas tank and additional spare parts for the Dextre robotic helper to the station. This will be the final spaceflight for Endeavour.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-135 Mission Specialist Rex Walheim pauses for a photo. The space shuttle Atlantis crew members arrived at Kennedy at about 5:30 p.m. EDT to participate in a launch countdown dress rehearsal called the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) and related training in preparation for the upcoming STS-135 mission. Atlantis and its crew is targeted to lift off July 8, taking with them the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module packed with supplies, logistics and spare parts to the International Space 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, and the 135th and final mission o

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - After landing at NASA's Kennedy Space Center aboard a Grumman G2 aircraft, the STS-121 crew gathers at a microphone for the media. Seen here is Mission Specialist Michael Fossum. Other crew members are Commander Steven Lindsey, Pilot Mark Kelly, and Mission Specialists Lisa Nowak, Stephanie Wilson, Piers Sellers and Thomas Reiter, who represents the European Space Agency. The crew is at the space center to take part in a Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, or TCDT. Over several days, the crew will practice emergency egress from the pad and suit up in their orange flight suits for the simulated countdown to launch. Space Shuttle Discovery is designated to launch July 1 on mission STS-121. It will carry supplies to the International Space Station.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-107 Payload Specialist Ilan Ramon (left) and Mission Specialist David Brown (right) are ready to head for crew quarters after arriving at KSC. The crew is taking part in Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities, which include a simulated launch countdown. Other crew members are Commander Rick Husband, Pilot William "Willie" McCool, Payload Commander Michael Anderson, and Mission Specialists Kalpana Chawla and Laurel Clark. STS-107 is a mission devoted to research and will include more than 80 experiments that will study Earth and space science, advanced technology development, and astronaut health and safety. Launch is scheduled for Jan. 16, 2003.

6019:At the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 42/43 crewmember Terry Virts of NASA tries his hand at darts Nov. 18 as he prepares for launch Nov. 24, Kazakh time, on the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Virts and his crewmates, Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency will spend 5 ½ months on the International Space Station.NASA/Sergei Fyodorov

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Astronaut John Phillips, a mission specialist for space shuttle Discovery's STS-119 mission, arrives at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida to prepare for launch. STS-119 is the 125th space shuttle flight and the 28th flight to the International Space Station. Discovery and its crew will deliver the final set of large power-generating solar array wings and integrated truss structure, S6, to the space station. The mission includes four spacewalks. Launch is scheduled for March 11 at 9:20 p.m. EDT.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-112 crew members share a few words after their arrival at the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility to begin launch preparations. In the center are Commander Jeffrey Ashby (left) and Mission Specialist David Wolf (right). With their backs to the camera are Mission Specialists Piers Sellers (far left) and Sandra Magnus (far right). Not shown are Pilot Pamela Melroy and Mission Specialist Fyodor Yurchikhin, who is with the Russian Space Agency. STS-112, aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis, is the 15th assembly mission to the International Space Station. Atlantis will be carrying the S1 Integrated Truss Structure, the first starboard truss segment, to be attached to the central truss segment, S0, and the Crew and Equipment Translation Aid (CETA) Cart A. The CETA is the first of two human-powered carts that will ride along the ISS railway, providing mobile work platforms for future spacewalking astronauts. The 11-day mission includes three spacewalks. Launch is sc

STS-93 Pilot Jeffrey S. Ashby lands at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) aboard a T-38 jet aircraft. He and other crew members Commander Eileen Collins and Mission Specialists Steven A. Hawley (Ph.D.), Catherine G. "Cady" Coleman (Ph.D.) and Michel Tognini of France, with the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES), are arriving for pre-launch activities. STS-93 is Ashby's inaugural Shuttle flight. The primary mission of STS-93 is the release of the Chandra X-ray Observatory, which will allow scientists from around the world to study some of the most distant, powerful and dynamic objects in the universe. The new telescope is 20 to 50 times more sensitive than any previous X-ray telescope and is expected to unlock the secrets of supernovae, quasars and black holes

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-128 Mission Specialist Patrick Forrester has completed his turn at driving an M-113 armored personnel carrier. The crew is at Kennedy for a launch dress rehearsal called the terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT, which includes emergency exit training and equipment familiarization, as well as a simulated launch countdown. Launch of Discovery is targeted for late August.

NASA astronaut Mike Hopkins speaks to members of the media after arriving from Houston at the Launch and Landing Facility at NASAs Kennedy Space Center with fellow NASA astronauts Shannon Walker, left, Victor Glover, second from left, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Soichi Noguchi, second from right, ahead of SpaceXs Crew-1 mission, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Florida. NASAs SpaceX Crew-1 mission is the first operational 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 are scheduled to launch at 7:49 p.m. EST on Saturday, Nov. 14, from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- STS-124 Mission Specialist Greg Chamitoff listens to questions from reporters during a media event at the slidewire landing area of Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The rest of the crew present are Commander Mark Kelly, Pilot Ken Ham and Mission Specialists Karen Nyberg, Ron Garan, Mike Fossum and Akihiko Hoshide, who represents the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. The crew is at Kennedy for a dress launch rehearsal called the terminal countdown demonstration test. TCDT provides astronauts and ground crews with an opportunity to participate in various simulated countdown activities, including equipment familiarization and emergency training. On the STS-124 mission, the crew will deliver and install the Japanese Experiment Module - Pressurized Module and Japanese Remote Manipulator System. Discovery's launch is targeted for May 31.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space shuttle Atlantis STS-122 Mission Specialist Leland Melvin takes part in a press conference at the slidewire basket landing on Launch Pad 39A. The STS-122 crew is at NASA's Kennedy Space Center to take part in terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT, activities, a standard part of launch preparations. The TCDT provides astronauts and ground crews with equipment familiarization, emergency egress training and a simulated launch countdown. On mission STS-122, Atlantis will deliver the European Space Agency's Columbus module to the International Space Station. Columbus is a multifunctional, pressurized laboratory that will be permanently attached to U.S. Node 2, called Harmony, and will expand the research facilities aboard the station. Launch is targeted for Dec. 6.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At the Shuttle Landing Facility, STS-114 Mission Commander Eileen Collins talks to reporters before she and the rest of the crew depart Kennedy Space Center. The crew was at KSC to observe the newly redesigned External Tank and new 50-foot-long Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS). Among redesign changes on the ET is the forward bipod fitting to reduce the risk to the Shuttle from falling debris during ascent. A camera has also been added to capture separation of the ET from the Shuttle after launch. The OBSS attaches to the end of the Shuttles robotic arm and equips the orbiter with cameras and laser systems to inspect the Shuttles Thermal Protection System while in space. The launch window for Return to Flight mission STS-114 is May 12 to June 3, 2005. (Photo Michael R. Brown)

STS-92 Mission Specialist Bill McArthur gets ready to take his turn at driving the M-113, part of emergency egress training during Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) activities. Behind him (left) is Mission Specialist Jeff Wisoff, waiting his turn to drive along with other unidentified crew members.; The tracked vehicle could be used by the crew in the event of an emergency at the pad during which the crew must make a quick exit from the area. The TCDT also provides simulated countdown exercises and opportunities to inspect the mission payloads in the orbiters payload bay. STS-92 is scheduled to launch Oct. 5 at 9:30 p.m. EDT on the fifth flight to the International Space Station. It will carry two elements of the Space Station, the Integrated Truss Structure Z1 and the third Pressurized Mating Adapter. The mission is also the 100th flight in the Shuttle program

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The crew of mission STS-115 stop to talk to the media after arriving at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility to prepare for launch on Aug. 27 to the International Space Station. Seen here, left to right, are Mission Specialists Joseph Tanner, Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper and Steven MacLean (at the microphone), and Commander Brent Jett. The mission will deliver and install the 17-and-a-half-ton P3/P4 truss segment to the port side of the integrated truss system on the orbital outpost. The truss includes a new set of photovoltaic solar arrays. When unfurled to their full length of 240 feet, the arrays will provide additional power for the station in preparation for the delivery of international science modules over the next two years. STS-115 is expected to last 11 days and includes three scheduled spacewalks.

STS-106 Commander Terrence W. Wilcutt waves to onlookers as he arrives at the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility. He and the rest of the crew will be making pre-launch preparations for the fourth flight to the International Space Station. STS-106 is scheduled to launch Sept. 8, 2000, at 8:45 a.m. EDT from Launch Pad 39B. On the 11-day mission, the seven-member crew will perform support tasks on orbit, transfer supplies and prepare the living quarters in the newly arrived Zvezda Service Module. The first long-duration crew, dubbed Expedition One,” is due to arrive at the Station in late fall

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At Kennedy Space Centers Shuttle Landing Facility, STS-114 Pilot James Kelly (left) is greeted by Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach. Kelly and other crew members are taking part in the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) over the next three days. The TCDT is held at KSC prior to each Space Shuttle flight. It provides the crew of each mission an opportunity to participate in simulated countdown activities. The test ends with a mock launch countdown culminating in a simulated main engine cutoff. The crew also spends time undergoing emergency egress training exercises at the launch pad. This is Kellys second space flight. STS-114 is the first Return to Flight mission to the International Space Station. The launch window extends July 13 through July 31.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-129 Mission Specialist Leland Melvin prepares to practice driving an M113 armored personnel carrier.The M113 is kept at the foot of the launch pad in case an emergency egress from the vicinity of the pad is needed. The crew members of space shuttle Atlantis' STS-129 mission are at Kennedy for training related to their launch dress rehearsal, the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test. Launch of Atlantis on its STS-129 mission to the International Space Station is targeted for Nov. 16.

STS-97 Mission Specialist Marc Garneau (right) answers a question from the media. At left is Mission Specialist Joe Tanner. They and the other crew members are meeting with the media before beginning emergency egress training at Launch Pad 39B. The training is part of Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities that include a simulated launch countdown. Mission STS-97 is the sixth construction flight to the International Space Station. Its payload includes the P6 Integrated Truss Structure and a photovoltaic (PV) module, with giant solar arrays that will provide power to the Station. The mission includes two spacewalks to complete the solar array connections. STS-97 is scheduled to launch Nov. 30 at 10:05 p.m. EST

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- STS-133 Commander Steve Lindsey, right, arrives on the Shuttle Landing Facility runway at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida to perform touch-and-go landings aboard a Shuttle Training Aircraft (STA). An STA is a Gulfstream II business jet that is modified to mimic the shuttle's handling during the final phase of landing. Lindsey and STS-133 Pilot Eric Boe will practice landings as part of standard training before space shuttle Discovery's launch to the International Space Station.Scheduled to lift off Feb. 24 at 4:50 p.m. EST, Discovery and its six-member crew will deliver the Permanent Multipurpose Module, packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2, the dexterous humanoid astronaut helper, to the orbiting outpost.

STS-86 Mission Specialist David A. Wolf waves to family members, friends and other well-wishers during a brief visit to Launch Pad 39A the day before the scheduled Sept. 25 launch aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis. STS-86 is slated to be the seventh docking of the Space Shuttle with the Russian Space Station Mir. Wolf will be making his second spaceflight. After the docking, Wolf is scheduled to become a member of the Mir 24 crew, replacing U.S. astronaut C. Michael Foale. Wolf would remain on the Mir for about four months. Foale, who has been on the Mir since the STS-84 mission in mid-May, will return to Earth with the remaining six members of the STS-86 crew at the end of the planned 10-day flight

STS-90 Pilot Scott Altman poses in the cockpit of his T-38 jet trainer aircraft after arriving at the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility along with other members of the crew from NASAs Johnson Space Center to begin Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) activities. The TCDT is held at KSC prior to each Space Shuttle flight to provide crews with the opportunity to participate in simulated countdown activities. Columbia is targeted for launch of STS-90 on April 16 at 2:19 p.m. EDT and will be the second mission of 1998. The mission is scheduled to last nearly 17 days

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - After a three-day series of Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) activities, the crew of mission STS-121 are leaving NASA's Kennedy Space Center to return to Houston. Walking to the plane at the Shuttle Landing Facility are Commander Steven Lindsey (left) and Mission Specialist Michael Fossum. The TCDT includes equipment familiarization, emergency egress training and a simulated launch countdown. Mission STS-121 is scheduled to launch July 1.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - STS-127 Mission Specialist Dave Wolf answers a question during a session with the media at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A. The crew is at Kennedy for a launch dress rehearsal called the terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT, which includes emergency egress training and equipment familiarization. Space shuttle Endeavour's STS-127 mission is the final of three flights dedicated to the assembly of the Japanese Kibo laboratory complex on the International Space Station. Endeavour's launch is targeted for June 13.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-120 Mission Specialist Scott Parazynski is ready for the media conference at the slidewire basket landing on Launch Pad 39A. The crew is at NASA's Kennedy Space Center to take part in terminal countdown demonstration test activities that include emergency egress procedures and a simulated launch countdown. Mission STS-120, which will carry the Italian-built U.S. Node 2 to the International Space Station, is targeted for launch on Oct. 23. Tani will remain aboard the station and return with the STS-122 crew, targeted to launch Dec. 6.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - During emergency egress training at the pad, STS-111 Mission Specialist Franklin Chang-Diaz (left, foreground) and Commander Kenneth Cockrell share a lighthearted moment. Behind Chang-Diaz is Expedition 5 Commander Valeri Korzun. The training is part of Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities, which also include a simulated launch countdown. Mission STS-111 is known as Utilization Flight 2, carrying supplies and equipment in the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Leonardo to the International Space Station. The payload also includes the Mobile Base System, which will be installed on the Mobile Transporter to complete the Canadian Mobile Servicing System, or MSS, and a replacement wrist/roll joint for Canadarm 2. The mechanical arm will then have the capability to "inchworm" from the U.S. Lab Destiny to the MSS and travel along the truss to work sites. Expedition 5 will travel to the Station on Endeavour as the replacement crew for Expedition 4, wh

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-100 Mission Specialist Umberto Guidoni stands near Launch Pad 39A to greet family and friends. Guidoni is with the European Space Agency. The crew is at KSC to complete final flight plan reviews in anticipation of launch. The 11-day mission to the International Space Station will deliver and integrate the Spacelab Logistics Pallet_Launch Deployment Assembly, which includes the Space Station Remote Manipulator system and the UHF Antenna, and the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello. The mission includes two planned spacewalks for installation of the SSRMS. The mission is also the inaugural flight of the MPLM Raffaello, carrying resupply stowage racks and resupply_return stowage platforms. Liftoff on mission STS-100 is scheduled at 2 41 p.m. EDT April 19

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. - STS-112 Mission Specialist Piers Sellers arrives at the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility aboard a T-38 jet aircraft. He and the rest of the crew will be taking part in Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities in preparation for the mission aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis, which is scheduled to launch no earlier than Oct. 2, between 2 and 6 p.m. EDT. STS-112 is the 15th assembly mission to the International Space Station. Atlantis will be carrying the S1 Integrated Truss Structure, the first starboard truss segment. The S1 will be attached to the central truss segment, S0, during the 11-day mission.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - During a question-and-answer session with the media at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A, STS-127 Mission Specialists Christopher Cassidy (left) and Dave Wolf banter about their shared experiences. The crew is at Kennedy for a launch dress rehearsal called the terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT, which includes emergency egress training and equipment familiarization. Space shuttle Endeavour's STS-127 mission is the final of three flights dedicated to the assembly of the Japanese Kibo laboratory complex on the International Space Station. Endeavour's launch is targeted for June 13.

jsc2020e042697_alt (Sept. 29, 2020) --- Portrait of NASA astronaut and SpaceX Crew-2 Commander Shane Kimbrough.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-111 Commander Kenneth Cockrell is happy to be returning to KSC to prepare for launch. Mission STS-111, known as Utilization Flight 2, is carrying supplies and equipment to the International Space Station. The payload includes the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Leonardo, the Mobile Base System, which will be installed on the Mobile Transporter to complete the Canadian Mobile Servicing System, or MSS, and a replacement wrist_roll joint for Canadarm 2. The mechanical arm will then have the capability to 'inchworm' from the U.S. Lab Destiny to the MSS and travel along the truss to work sites. Also on board will be Expedition 5, traveling to the Station on Space Shuttle Endeavour as the replacement crew for Expedition 4, who will return to Earth aboard the orbiter. Launch is scheduled for May 30, 2002

At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Naval Ordnance Test Unit basin in Florida, Commercial Crew Program astronaut Doug Hurley observes operation of the SpaceX recovery ship. During a recent visit to the Kennedy Space Center, the crew members were given an up-close look at preparations for the SpaceX Crew Dragon flight tests.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39, STS-123 Mission Specialist Robert L. Behnken takes time out from driving practice of the M-113 armored personnel carrier to pose for a photo. The crew members of space shuttle Endeavour's STS-123 mission will each practice driving the M-113 in turn as part of his training on emergency egress procedures. An M-113 will be available to transport the crew to safety in the event of a contingency on the pad before their launch. The STS-123 crew is at Kennedy for a full launch dress rehearsal, known as the terminal countdown demonstration test or TCDT. Endeavour's seven astronauts arrived at Kennedy's Shuttle Landing Facility in their T-38 training aircraft between 10:45 and 10:58 a.m. EST. The terminal countdown demonstration test provides astronauts and ground crews with an opportunity to participate in various simulated countdown activities, including equipment familiarization and emergency training. Endeav

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Return to Flight STS-114 crew arrives at NASA Kennedy Space Center in T-38 training jets to get ready for a second launch attempt aboard Space Shuttle Discovery. Seen in the photo is Mission Specialist Charles Camarda. Mission Commander Eileen Collins later told the media who waited nearby that since the scrub on July 13, the crew has focused on the on-orbit part of the mission and training for night landings using the Shuttle Training Aircraft. She praised the engineers and technicians who have been troubleshooting the elusive sensor problem and thanked them. STS-114 is scheduled to launch July 26 at 10 39 a.m. EDT from Launch Pad 39B.

STS-99 Mission Specialist Gerhard P.J. Thiele (Ph.D.), with the European Space Agency, arrives at KSC aboard a T-38 jet aircraft to prepare for launch of Endeavour Jan. 31 at 12:47 p.m. EST. Over the next few days, the crew will review mission procedures, conduct test flights in the Shuttle Training Aircraft and undergo routine preflight medical exams. STS-99 is the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission, which will chart a new course, using two antennae and a 200-foot-long section of space station-derived mast protruding from the payload bay to produce unrivaled 3-D images of the Earth's surface. The result of the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission could be close to 1 trillion measurements of the Earth's topography. Besides contributing to the production of better maps, these measurements could lead to improved water drainage modeling, more realistic flight simulators, better locations for cell phone towers, and enhanced navigation safety

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-120 Doug Wheelock is happy to back at NASA's Kennedy Space Center after the 15-day mission to the International Space Station aboard space shuttle Discovery. The Discovery crew completed mission STS-120 with an on-time landing at 1:01:16 p.m. Wheel stop was at 1:02:07 p.m. Mission elapsed time was 15 days, 2 hours, 24 minutes and 2 seconds. Mission STS-120 continued the construction of the station with the installation of the Harmony Node 2 module and the relocation of the P6 truss.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Discovery's STS-128 mission crew members arrive in T-38 training jets at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility. Seen here are Commander Rick Sturckow and Mission Specialist Patrick Forrester. The astronauts will be taking part in terminal countdown demonstration test activities that include equipment familiarization and emergency egress training, and will culminate in a simulated launch countdown aboard Discovery. The mission will deliver a new crew member and 33,000 pounds of equipment to the International Space Station. The equipment includes science and storage racks, a freezer to store research samples, a new sleeping compartment and the COLBERT treadmill. Launch of Discovery is targeted for late August.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-121 Mission Commander Steven Lindsey talks to the media from the launch pad. He is in the landing area of the slidewire baskets. The crew is at Kennedy for Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities. Over several days, the crew will practice emergency egress from the pad and suit up in their orange flight suits for the simulated countdown to launch. Space Shuttle Discovery is designated to launch July 1 on mission STS-121. It will carry supplies to the International Space Station.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- STS-118 Mission Specialist Rick Mastracchio gets ready to practice driving an M-113 armored personnel carrier as part of emergency exit training. Behind him, at right, is Mission Specialist Tracy Caldwell. They and other crew members are at Kennedy for the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT), a dress rehearsal for launch. TCDT activities include the M-113 training, payload familiarization, emergency egress training at the pad and a simulated launch countdown. The STS-118 payload aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour includes the S5 truss, a SPACEHAB module and external stowage platform 3. The mission is the 22nd flight to the International Space Station and is targeted for launch on Aug.7. NASA/George Shelton

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-134 Mission Specialist Greg Chamitoff prepares to drive an M113 armored personnel carrier. An M113 is kept at the foot of the launch pad in case an emergency exit from the pad is needed and every shuttle crew is trained on driving the vehicle before launch. Space shuttle Endeavour's six crew members are at Kennedy for the launch countdown dress rehearsal called the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) and related training. Targeted to launch April 19 at 7:48 p.m. EDT, they will deliver the Express Logistics Carrier-3, Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS), a high-pressure gas tank, additional spare parts for the Dextre robotic helper and micrometeoroid debris shields to the space station. This will be the final spaceflight for Endeavour.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-107 Pilot William "Willie" McCool pauses next to the T-38 jet aircraft in which he flew to KSC. He and the crew are at KSC to take part in Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities, which include a simulated launch countdown. Other crew members are Commander Rick Husband, Payload Commander Michael Anderson, Mission Specialists Kalpana Chawla, David Brown and Laurel Clark, and Payload Specialist Ilan Ramon, the first Israeli astronaut. STS-107 is a mission devoted to research and will include more than 80 experiments that will study Earth and space science, advanced technology development, and astronaut health and safety. Launch is scheduled for Jan. 16, 2003.

NASA astronaut Victor Glover, who has been assigned to the first operational mission of SpaceX's Crew Dragon, answer a question during a press conference ahead of the SpaceX Demo-1 mission, Friday, March 1, 2019 at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Demo-1 mission will be the first launch of a commercially built and operated American spacecraft and space system designed for humans as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program. The mission, currently targeted for a 2:49am launch on March 2, will serve as an end-to-end test of the system's capabilities.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility in Florida, European Space Agency astronaut Roberto Vittori climbs out of a T-38 jet. The STS-134 crew members arrived at Kennedy 12:52 p.m. EDT to prepare for shuttle Endeavour's launch to the International Space Station scheduled for Friday, April 29 at 3:47 p.m. Endeavour and its crew will deliver the Express Logistics Carrier-3, Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS), a high-pressure gas tank and additional spare parts for the Dextre robotic helper to the station. This will be the final spaceflight for Endeavour.

STS-94 Commander James D. Halsell, Jr., arrives at the Shuttle Landing Facility aboard a T-38 jet in preparation for the reflight of the Microgravity Science Laboratory-1 mission. Launch is scheduled for July 1, 1997, at 2:37 p.m. EDT. The laboratory was scheduled to fly again with the full complement of STS-83 experiments after that mission was cut short due to a faulty fuel cell. During the scheduled 16-day STS-94 mission, the experiments will be used to test some of the hardware, facilities and procedures that are planned for use on the International Space Station while the flight crew conducts combustion, protein crystal growth and materials processing experiments

In preparation for Space Shuttle Mission STS-87, the crew arrives at the Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility to participate in the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) for their mission. The TCDT is a dress rehearsal for launch. STS-87 will be the fourth flight of the United States Microgravity Payload and the Spartan-201 deployable satellite. Launch is targeted for Nov. 19.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The day before the expected launch of STS-99, Pilot Dominic Gorie enjoys a reunion with his wife, Wendy, near Launch Pad 39A where family and friends have gathered to greet the crew. STS-99, known as the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM), is scheduled to lift off 12:47 p.m. EST from Launch Pad 39A. The SRTM will chart a new course to produce unrivaled 3-D images of the Earth's surface, using two antennae and a 200-foot-long section of space station-derived mast protruding from the payload bay. The result of the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission could be close to 1 trillion measurements of the Earth's topography. Besides contributing to the production of better maps, these measurements could lead to improved water drainage modeling, more realistic flight simulators, better locations for cell phone towers, and enhanced navigation safety. The mission is expected to last about 11days, with Endeavour landing at KSC Friday, Feb. 11, at 4:55 p.m

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-113 Pilot Paul Lockhart arrives at the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility to get ready for launch. STS-113 is the 16th American assembly flight to the International Space Station. The primary mission is bringing the Expedition 6 crew to the Station and returning the Expedition 5 crew to Earth. The major objective of the mission is delivery of the Port 1 (P1) Integrated Truss Assembly, which will be attached to the port side of the S0 truss. Three spacewalks are planned to install and activate the truss and its associated equipment. Launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour on mission STS-113 is scheduled for Nov. 11 between midnight and 4 a.m. EST.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-133 Pilot Eric Boe prepares to practice driving an M-113 armored personnel carrier. Behind him is Commander Steve Lindsey. An M-113 is kept at the foot of the launch pad in case an emergency egress from the vicinity of the pad is needed, and training on the vehicle is part of the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT). TCDT provides each shuttle crew and launch team an opportunity to participate in various simulated activities, including equipment familiarization and a launch countdown.Space shuttle Discovery and its STS-133 crew will deliver the Permanent Multipurpose Module, packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2, the dexterous humanoid astronaut helper, to the International Space Station. Launch is targeted for Nov. 1 at 4:40 p.m.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-114 Mission Specialist Stephen Robinson arrives at KSC aboard a T-38 jet aircraft. He and other crew members are at the Center for familiarization activities with equipment. The mission is Logistics Flight 1, scheduled to deliver the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module carrying supplies and equipment to the Space Station and the external stowage platform.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- After arrival at the Shuttle Landing Facility, STS-116 Mission Specialist Joan Higginbotham poses for the media. The crew has returned to KSC for the terminal countdown demonstration test, which are prelaunch preparations that include a simulated launch countdown. Other crew members are Commander Mark Polansky, Pilot William Oefelein and Mission Specialists Sunita Williams, Nicholas Patrick, Christer Fuglesang and Robert Curbeam. Fuglesang, who is from Sweden, represents the European Space Agency. The mission is No. 20 to the International Space Station and construction flight 12A.1. The mission payload is the SPACEHAB module, the P5 integrated truss structure and other key components. Launch is scheduled for no earlier than Dec. 7.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - During training on an M-113 armored personnel carrier, members of the STS-109 crew pause for this photo. From left are pictured Mission Specialist Michael Massimino, Pilot Duane Carey and Commander Scott Altman. The M-113 is part of emergency egress training at the launch pad. Crew members are taking part in Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities, which also include a simulated launch countdown. STS-109 is a Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission, with goals to replace Solar Array 2 with Solar Array 3, replace the Power Control Unit, remove the Faint Object Camera and install the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS), install the Near Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer (NICMOS) Cooling System, and install New Outer Blanket Layer insulation. The 11-day mission will require grasping the satellite with a robotic arm in order for the crew to perform the tasks during five spacewalks. Launch of STS-109 aboard Space Shuttle Columbia is s

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-135 Mission Specialist Sandy Magnus has arrived aboard a T-38 jet. The crew arrived at Kennedy at about 5:30 p.m. EDT to participate in a launch countdown dress rehearsal called the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) and related training in preparation for the upcoming STS-135 mission. Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley and Mission Specialists Sandy Magnus and Rex Walheim are targeted to lift off July 8, taking with them the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module packed with supplies and spare parts to the International Space 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

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