Spacecraft Debris Reconstruction

Scenes from the Kennedy Space Center showing teams meticulously handling and documenting debris from the Space Shuttle Columbia for investigation.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Members of the Columbia Reconstruction Project Team handle pieces of Columbia debris already identified. The team is attempting to reconstruct the bottom of the orbiter on the floor of the RLV Hangar at KSC as part of the investigation into the accident that caused the destruction of Columbia and loss of its crew as it returned to Earth on mission STS-107. To date, more than 35,000 pieces have been shipped to KSC for examination and identification.
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Members of the Columbia Reconstruction Project Team handle pieces of Columbia debris already identified. The team is attempting to reconstruct the bottom of the orbiter on the floor of the RLV Hangar at KSC as part of the investigation into the accident that caused the destruction of Columbia and loss of its crew as it returned to Earth on mission STS-107. To date, more than 35,000 pieces have been shipped to KSC for examination and identification.
46 assets in this story
6145-44592604
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Members of the Columbia Reconstruction Project Team handle pieces of Columbia debris already identified. The team is attempting to reconstruct the bottom of the orbiter on the floor of the RLV Hangar at KSC as part of the investigation into the accident that caused the destruction of Columbia and loss of its crew as it returned to Earth on mission STS-107. To date, more than 35,000 pieces have been shipped to KSC for examination and identification.
6145-44590015
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - A closeup of the floor in the RLV Hangar shows the variety of Columbia debris gathered there. The Columbia Reconstruction Project Team is attempting to reconstruct the orbiter as part of the investigation into the accident that caused the destruction of Columbia and loss of its crew as it returned to Earth on mission STS-107.
6145-44592605
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - A member of the Columbia Reconstruction Project Team places another piece of Columbia debris on the floor of the RLV Hangar at KSC. The team is attempting to reconstruct the bottom of the orbiter as part of the investigation into the accident that caused the destruction of Columbia and loss of its crew as it returned to Earth on mission STS-107. To date, more than 35,000 pieces have been shipped to KSC for examination and identification.
6145-44590484
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - A closer look of the floor grid in the RLV Hangar shows the increase in the number of items recovered from Columbia to date. The Columbia Reconstruction Project Team is identifying pieces and placing them on the grid in a configuration of the orbiter. The team will attempt to reconstruct the orbiter as part of the investigation into the accident that caused the destruction of Columbia and loss of its crew as it returned to Earth on mission STS-107.
6145-44593164
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Workers continue to place pieces of Columbia debris on the floor of the KSC RLV Hangar. Shipped from Barksdale Air Force Base, Shreveport, La., more than 70,000 items, weighing 78,000 pounds, about 36 percent of the Shuttle by weight, have been delivered to KSC for use in the mishap investigation. Ground teams have completed 78 percent of their primary search area, and airborne crews finished 80 percent of their assigned area. Search teams have completed 98 percent of the underwater searches in Lake Nacogdoches and Toledo Bend Reservoir.
6145-44589721
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Columbia debris is spread across the grid in the RLV Hangar at KSC. Workers are attempting to reconstruct the orbiter inside the hangar as part of the ongoing investigation into the tragic accident that claimed Columbia and her crew of seven returning from mission STS-107. .
6145-44591802
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Columbia debris is filling the floor of the KSC RLV Hangar. The Columbia Reconstruction Project team is identifying pieces and placing them on a grid approximating the shape of the orbiter. About 25 percent of the orbiter has been delivered to the hangar.
6145-44589223
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The layout of the debris from the Space Shuttle Columbia is captured in this wide-angle view of a section of the RLV Hangar floor. The debris is being shipped to KSC from the collection point at Barksdale Air Force Base, Shreveport, La. As part of the ongoing investigation into the tragic accident that claimed Columbia and her crew of seven, workers will attempt to reconstruct the orbiter inside the hangar.
6145-44589460
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Columbia Reconstruction Project Team members examine newly arrived pieces of debris from the Space Shuttle Columbia in the RLV Hangar. The debris was shipped to KSC from the collection point at Barksdale Air Force Base, Shreveport, La. As part of the ongoing investigation into the tragic accident that claimed Columbia and her crew of seven, workers will attempt to reconstruct the orbiter inside the hangar.
6145-44591806
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - A new piece of Columbia debris is placed on the floor of the RLV Hangar. The Columbia Reconstruction Project team is identifying pieces and placing them on a grid approximating the shape of the orbiter. About 25 percent of the orbiter has been delivered to the hangar.
6145-44592882
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- A wide-angle view of the RLV Hangar at KSC shows a portion of the more than 75,000 pieces of Columbia debris that have been shipped to KSC. More than 2,000 pieces have been placed on the grid on the RLV Hangar floor. To date, about 35 percent of Columbia, by weight, has been delivered to the hangar. Approximately 40 percent is expected to be recovered.
6145-44595012
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Members of the Columbia Reconstruction Project Team are scattered around the RLV Hangar as they examine various pieces of debris. The final shipment of debris arrived on this date - recovery efforts have been concluded in East Texas. Prior to this final shipment, the total number of items at KSC is 82,567, weighing 84,800 pounds or 38 percent of the total dry weight of Columbia. Of those items, 78,760 have been identified, with 753 placed on the left wing grid in the RLV Hangar.
6145-44591095
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. - A member of the Columbia Reconstruction Project Team carries a piece of Columbia debris to a spot on the floor of the RLV Hangar at KSC. The team is attempting to reconstruct the bottom of the orbiter as part of the investigation into the accident that caused the destruction of Columbia and loss of its crew as it returned to Earth on mission STS-107. To date, more than 35,000 pieces have been shipped to KSC; 1,218 are identified.
6145-52147825
A wide angel view of aircraft parts, recovered from TWA Flight 800 inside the Grumman Reconstruction Facility at Calverton, New York. A wide angel view of aircraft parts, recovered from TWA Flight 800 inside the Grumman Reconstruction Facility at Calverton, New York.
6145-44589458
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- A Columbia Reconstruction Project Team member surveys pieces of debris from the Space Shuttle Columbia in the RLV Hangar. The debris arrived at KSC today from the collection point at Barksdale Air Force Base, Shreveport, La. As part of the ongoing investigation into the tragic accident that claimed Columbia and her crew of seven, workers will attempt to reconstruct the orbiter inside the hangar.
6145-44596869
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The media get a guided tour of the Columbia Debris Hangar. Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach discussed activities that have taken place since the Columbia accident on Feb. 1, 2003. STS-107 debris recovery and reconstruction operations are winding down. To date, nearly 84,000 pieces of debris have been recovered and sent to KSC. That represents about 38 percent of the dry weight of Columbia, equaling almost 85,000 pounds.
6145-44601668
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - During a media tour of the Columbia Debris Hangar, photographers focus on part of the cockpit collected from search and recovery efforts in East Texas. About 83,000 pieces of debris from Columbia were shipped to KSC, which represents about 38 percent of the dry weight of Columbia, equaling almost 85,000 pounds. The debris is being packaged for storage in an area of the Vehicle Assembly Building.
6145-44590016
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Another closeup of the floor in the RLV Hangar shows the variety of Columbia debris gathered there. The Columbia Reconstruction Project Team is attempting to reconstruct the orbiter as part of the investigation into the accident that caused the destruction of Columbia and loss of its crew as it returned to Earth on mission STS-107.
6145-44596069
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - An overview of the Columbia debris hangar shows the orbiter outline on the floor with some of the 78,760 pieces identified to date. More than 82,500 pieces of shuttle debris have been rcovered.
6145-44595003
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Part of the final shipment of Columbia debris is transferred into the RLV Hangar at KSC. The recovery efforts have been concluded in East Texas. Prior to this final shipment, the total number of items at KSC is 82,567, weighing 84,800 pounds or 38 percent of the total dry weight of Columbia. Of those items, 78,760 have been identified, with 753 placed on the left wing grid in the RLV Hangar.
6145-44621208
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Workers in the Orbiter Processing Facility cover up areas of Atlantis with plastic, preparing for the expected impact of Hurricane Frances on Saturday. Other preparations at KSC include powering down the Space Shuttle orbiters, closing the payload bay doors and stowing the landing gear. Workers are also taking precautions against flooding by moving spacecraft hardware off the ground and sandbagging facilities. The Orbiter Processing Facility is constructed of concrete and steel and was designed to withstand winds of 105 mph. The Vehicle Assembly Building is constructed of concrete and steel and was designed to withstand winds of 125 mph. Other payload and flight hardware support facilities can endure winds of 110 mph. Launch pads and the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility can withstand 125-mph winds.
6145-44589723
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - This view inside the RLV Hangar at KSC shows the grid on the floor and placement of some of the debris from Columbia. Workers are attempting to reconstruct the orbiter inside the hangar as part of the ongoing investigation into the tragic accident that claimed Columbia and her crew of seven returning from mission STS-107.
6145-44593389
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Members of the Columbia Reconstruction Project team work at identifying pieces of Columbia debris delivered to the RLV Hangar. Shipped from Barksdale Air Force Base, Shreveport, La., more than 70,000 items, weighing 78,000 pounds, about 36 percent of the Shuttle by weight, have been delivered to KSC for use in the mishap investigation. Ground teams have completed 78 percent of their primary search area, and airborne crews finished 80 percent of their assigned area. Search teams have completed 98 percent of the underwater searches in Lake Nacogdoches and Toledo Bend Reservoir.
6145-44589766
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Pieces of debris from Columbia lie across the grid on the floor of the RLV Hangar at KSC. Members of the Columbia Restoration Project Team are examining pieces and attempting to reconstruct the orbiter as part of the investigation into the accident that caused the destruction of Columbia on its return to Earth from mission STS-107. To date, four shipments have arrived from Barksdale AFB, Shreveport, La., the collection point for debris.
6145-44698007
The layout of the debris from the Space Shuttle Columbia is captured in this wide-angle view of a section of the RLV Hangar floor. The debris is being shipped to KSC from the collection point at Barksdale Air Force Base, Shreveport, La. As part of the ongoing investigation into the tragic accident that claimed Columbia and her crew of seven, workers will attempt to reconstruct the orbiter inside the hangar.
6145-44589727
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- -- Members of the Columbia Reconstruction Program Team pass a light over debris from Columbia. Workers are attempting to reconstruct the orbiter inside the hangar as part of the ongoing investigation into the tragic accident that claimed Columbia and her crew of seven returning from mission STS-107.
6145-52292388
License construction of the General Dynamics F-16 at the Breeder Factories Schiphol.
6145-52293549
License construction of the General Dynamics F-16 at the Breeder Factories Schiphol.
6145-44593954
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the RLV Hangar, members of the Columbia Reconstruction Project Team look at several pieces of debris from Columbia. More than 70,000 items have been delivered to KSC for use in the mishap investigation. A portion of them sit on the floor within the grid and outline of Columbia.
6145-44588975
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Members of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board examine a piece of Columbia debris in the RLV Hangar. The debris was shipped from the collection point at Barksdale Air Force Base, Shreveport, La. As part of the ongoing investigation into the tragic accident that claimed Columbia and her crew of seven, workers will attempt to reconstruct the orbiter inside the RLV.
6145-44591809
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach answers reporters' questions in the RLV Hangar. Leinbach is overseeing assessment of the debris, seen in the background, as it is delivered to KSC. The Columbia Reconstruction Project team is identifying pieces and placing them on a grid approximating the shape of the orbiter. About 25 percent of the orbiter has been delivered to the hangar.
6145-44592603
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Members of the Columbia Reconstruction Project Team discuss the pieces of Columbia debris in front of them. The team is attempting to reconstruct the bottom of the orbiter on the floor of the RLV Hangar at KSC as part of the investigation into the accident that caused the destruction of Columbia and loss of its crew as it returned to Earth on mission STS-107. To date, more than 35,000 pieces have been shipped to KSC for examination and identification.
6145-52287026
License construction of the General Dynamics F-16 at the Breeder Factories Schiphol.
6145-44589455
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The layout of the debris from the Space Shuttle Columbia received at KSC to date is captured in this aerial view of the RLV Hangar floor. Several shipments of the debris have been delivered to KSC from the collection point at Barksdale Air Force Base, Shreveport, La. As part of the ongoing investigation into the tragic accident that claimed Columbia and her crew of seven, workers will attempt to reconstruct the orbiter inside the hangar.
6145-44589215
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Columbia Reconstruction Project Team members catalog debris from the Space Shuttle Columbia positioned in the RLV Hangar. The debris is being shipped to KSC from the collection point at Barksdale Air Force Base, Shreveport, La. As part of the ongoing investigation into the tragic accident that claimed Columbia and her crew of seven, workers will attempt to reconstruct the orbiter inside the hangar.
6145-44601661
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Columbia Debris Hangar, Scott Thurston, NASA vehicle flow manager, addresses the media about efforts to pack the debris stored in the Columbia Debris Hangar. More than 83,000 pieces of debris were shipped to KSC during search and recovery efforts in East Texas. That represents about 38 percent of the dry weight of Columbia, equaling almost 85,000 pounds. An area of the Vehicle Assembly Building is being prepared to store the debris permanently.
6145-44638534
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Inside the RLV Hangar at NASA Kennedy Space Center, employees prepare a blanket sewing machine to be transferred back to the Thermal Protection System (TPS) facility. The upper floor of the facility, where soft material was processed, was damaged during the 2004 hurricanes. While the TPS facility was being repaired, normal work activity was done in the hangar.
6145-30313892
A section of the floor at Monaco RV manufacturing in Wakarusa, Ind. is set up for workers to sit and listen to President Barack Obama remarks on the economy later in the morning August 5, 2009.
4186-4405
1960S Airplane Repair Construction In Hanger
6145-44594199
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the RLV Hangar, NASA Associate Administrator William F. (Bill) Readdy, Office of Space Flight, examines a piece of debris from Space Shuttle Columbia. To date, more than 70,000 items have been delivered to KSC for use in the ongoing mishap investigation.
6145-51993378
Hurricane Ike, Houston, TX, September 12, 2008 Staging operations at the Reliance Center for rescue operations in preparation of Hurricane Ike . Houston, TX, USA, September 12, 2008 -- Staging operations at the Reliance Center for rescue operations in preparation of Hurricane Ike. Photographs Relating to Disasters and Emergency Management Programs, Activities, and Officials
6145-44592090
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the RLV Hangar at KSC, Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach (left) shows some of the debris from Space Shuttle Columbia to former payload specialist Dr. Roger Crouch (center) and NASA Chief of Staff and White House liaison Courtney Stadd. The search of more than 500,000 acres of primary recovery area for Columbia material has passed the halfway mark. To date about 28 percent of Columbia, by weight, has been delivered to the hangar.
6145-54318427
Hurricane Ike, Houston, TX, September 12, 2008 Staging operations at the Reliance Center for rescue operations in preparation of Hurricane Ike. Houston, TX, USA, September 12, 2008 -- Staging operations at the Reliance Center for rescue operations in preparation of Hurricane Ike. Photographs Relating to Disasters and Emergency Management Programs, Activities, and Officials
7003-69604949
Asia, Japan, Tokyo, Tsukiji Morning Wholesale Fish Market, Tuna auction NR
6145-51994002
Dam/Levee Break Extreme Temperatures Flooding Winter Storm - Fargo, N. D. , March 29, 2009 Volunteers from the Red River Valley and beyond work to fill sandbags in the Fargodome in preparation of upcoming storm. Over 300,000 sandbags were stockpiled on this day. Andrea Booher/FEMA. North Dakota Severe Storms and Flooding. Photographs Relating to Disasters and Emergency Management Programs, Activities, and Officials
6145-54312396
West, Texas, May 7, 2013 Ben Harris (left), of the Huckabee architectural firm in Dallas, assists a joint state-federal preliminary damage assessment team evaluate the West High School gymnasium damaged by the April 17 fertilizer plant explosion. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is providing assistance to help the community recover from the disaster. Norman Lenburg/FEMA. Norman Lenburg/FEMA. Photographs Relating to Disasters and Emergency Management Programs, Activities, and Officials