NASA Kennedy Space Center photos from the 2000s

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-114 Mission Specialist Soichi Noguchi, who is with the Japanese space agency NASDA, poses on the deck of one of the SRB Retrieval Ships docked at Hangar AF on the Banana River. He and other crew members Commander Eileen Collins, Pilot James Kelly and Mission Speciali

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-114 Mission Specialist Soichi Noguchi checks the midbody of orbiter Atlantis. He and other crew members - Commander Eileen Collins, Pilot James Kelly and Mission Specialist Stephen Robinson - are at KSC for equipment familiarization. Noguchi is with the Japanese spac

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Sitting in the entry hatch to orbiter Atlantis is STS-114 Mission Specialist Soichi Noguchi, who is with the Japanese space agency NASDA. He and other crew members - Commander Eileen Collins, Pilot James Kelly and Mission Specialist Stephen Robinson - are at KSC for equi

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The STS-114 crew poses on deck with the captain of the Liberty Star, one of the SRB Retrieval Ships docked at Hangar AF on the Banana River. From left are Pilot James Kelly, Mission Specialist Soichi Noguchi, Capt. Bren Wade, Commander Eileen Collins and Mission Speciali

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the midbody of orbiter Atlantis, STS-114 crew members look over equipment under the eyes of a technician. At left are Pilot James Kelly and Mission Specialist Soichi Noguchi. They and Commander Eileen Collins and Mission Specialist Stephen Robinson are at KSC for equi

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - While touring the SRB Retrieval Ship Freedom Star, STS-114 Commander Eileen Collins and Mission Specialist Soichi Noguchi point at something on the Banana River. Noguchi is with the Japanese space agency NASDA. The ships routinely are docked at Hangar AF on the river. On

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Captain Bren Wade of the Liberty Star, one of two SRB Retrieval Ships, talks to STS-114 crew members about the engines. Seen at left are Pilot James Kelly and Mission Specialist Soichi Noguchi, who is with the Japanese space agency NASDA. On their mission, the crew - whi

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-114 Commander Eileen Collins sits in the entry hatch to orbiter Atlantis. She and other crew members - Pilot James Kelly and Mission Specialists Soichi Noguchi and Stephen Robinson - are at KSC for equipment familiarization. Noguchi is with the Japanese space agency

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-114 Pilot James Kelly talks with Bren Wade, captain of the Liberty Star, one of the SRB Retrieval Ships docked at Hangar AF on the Banana River. Kelly and other crew members Commander Eileen Collins and Mission Specialists Soichi Noguchi and Stephen Robinson toured t

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-114 Pilot James Kelly sits in the entry hatch to orbiter Atlantis. He and other crew members - Commander Eileen Collins and Mission Specialists Soichi Noguchi and Stephen Robinson - are at KSC for equipment familiarization. Noguchi is with the Japanese space agency N

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-114 Mission Specialists Soichi Noguchi and Stephen Robinson visit the engine room of the Liberty Star, one of two SRB Retrieval Ships. Noguchi is with the Japanese space agency NASDA. Other crew members on the tour are Commander Eileen Collins and Pilot James Kelly.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The STS-114 crew visit the bridge of the Liberty Star, one of two SRB Retrieval Ships. From left are Pilot James Kelly, Louise Kleba (with the Vehicle Integration Test Team (VITT) office), Commander Eileen Collins and Mission Specialists Soichi Noguchi and Stephen Robins

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Space Station Processing Facility, members of the STS-114 crew look at a Control Moment Gyroscope. From left are Mission Specialists Andrew Thomas, Soichi Noguchi and Stephen Robinson. Noguchi is with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA. Thomas is a new a

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Inside the hangar at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., workers wait for the Pegasus launch vehicle to be moved inside. The Pegasus will carry the SciSat-1 spacecraft in a 400-mile-high polar orbit to investigate processes that control the distribution of ozone in the up

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., the Pegasus launch vehicle is moved toward its hangar. The Pegasus will carry the SciSat-1 spacecraft in a 400-mile-high polar orbit to investigate processes that control the distribution of ozone in the upper atmosphere. The scienti

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Workers at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., prepare to move the SciSat-1 spacecraft. SciSat-1 weighs approximately 330 pounds and will be placed in a 400-mile-high polar orbit to investigate processes that control the distribution of ozone in the upper atmosphere. The

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The SciSat-1 spacecraft is revealed after being uncrated at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. SciSat-1 weighs approximately 330 pounds and will be placed in a 400-mile-high polar orbit to investigate processes that control the distribution of ozone in the upper atmospher

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Pegasus launch vehicle is moved back to its hangar at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The Pegasus will carry the SciSat-1 spacecraft in a 400-mile-high polar orbit to investigate processes that control the distribution of ozone in the upper atmosphere. The scientif

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In Hangar AF, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the STS-114 crew look at equipment used to disassemble and refurbish solid rocket boosters retrieved after a Shuttle launch. Starting second from left are Mission Specialist Soichi Noguchi, Mission Specialist Stephen Robins

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The STS-114 crew is welcomed to Hangar AF, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, by Joseph Chaput, with United Space Alliance. The crew, from left, are Mission Specialist Soichi Noguchi, Commander Eileen Collins, Mission Specialist Stephen Robinson and (partially hidden) Pil

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Italian-built module, U.S. Node 2, for the International Space Station is offloaded from a Beluga at the Shuttle Landing Facility. The second of three Station connecting modules, Node 2 attaches to the end of the U.S. Lab and provides attach locations for the Japanes

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Delta II rocket on Launch Complex 17-A, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, is having solid rocket boosters (SRBs) installed that will help launch Mars Exploration Rover 2 (MER-2) on June 5. In the center are three more solid rocket boosters that will be added to the D

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - A Beluga aircraft arrives at the Shuttle Landing Facility with its cargo of the Italian-built module, U.S. Node 2, for the International Space Station. The second of three Station connecting modules, Node 2 attaches to the end of the U.S. Lab and provides attach location

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - On Launch Complex 17-A, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, a solid rocket booster is raised off the transporter. When vertical, it will be lifted up the launch tower and mated to the Delta rocket (in the background) to launch Mars Exploration Rover 2. NASA’s twin Mars Exp

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - A third solid rocket booster (SRB) is lifted up the launch tower on Launch Complex 17-A, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. They are three of nine SRBs that will be mated to the Delta rocket to launch Mars Exploration Rover 2 (MER-2). NASA’s twin Mars Exploration Rovers a

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - While one solid rocket booster (SRB) is suspended in the launch tower on Launch Complex 17-A, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, another is raised from its transporter for a similar lift. They are two of nine SRBs that will be mated to the Delta rocket to launch Mars Expl

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Three solid rocket boosters (SRBs) are suspended in the launch tower on Launch Complex 17-A, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, prior to mating with the Delta II rocket for launch of Mars Exploration Rover 2 (MER-2). NASA’s twin Mars Exploration Rovers are designed to stu

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - A third solid rocket booster (SRB) is lifted up the launch tower on Launch Complex 17-A, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. They are three of nine SRBs that will be mated to the Delta rocket to launch Mars Exploration Rover 2. NASA’s twin Mars Exploration Rovers are desig

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - On Launch Complex 17-A, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, workers complete raising a solid rocket booster to a vertical position. It will be lifted up the launch tower and mated to the Delta rocket to launch Mars Exploration Rover 2. NASA’s twin Mars Exploration Rovers a

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - A second solid rocket booster (SRB) is ready to be lifted up the launch tower on Launch Complex 17-A, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. They are two of nine SRBs that will be mated to the Delta rocket to launch Mars Exploration Rover 2. NASA’s twin Mars Exploration Rover

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Italian-built module, U.S. Node 2, for the International Space Station is offloaded from a Beluga aircraft at the Shuttle Landing Facility. The second of three Station connecting modules, Node 2 attaches to the end of the U.S. Lab and provides attach locations for th

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - A third solid rocket booster (SRB) joins the first two in the launch tower on Launch Complex 17-A, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. They are three of nine SRBs that will be mated to the Delta rocket to launch Mars Exploration Rover 2. NASA’s twin Mars Exploration Rovers

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - On Launch Complex 17-A, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, a solid rocket booster is moved into position to raise to vertical and lift up the launch tower. It is one of nine that will be mated to the Delta rocket to launch Mars Exploration Rover 2. NASA’s twin Mars Explor

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - While two solid rocket boosters (SRBs) are suspended in the launch tower on Launch Complex 17-A, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, another is being raised from its transporter for a similar lift. They are three of nine SRBs that will be mated to the Delta rocket to launc

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - On Launch Complex 17-A, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, a solid rocket booster is prepared to raise it to vertical and lift up the launch tower. It is one of nine that will be mated to the Delta rocket (in the background) to launch Mars Exploration Rover 2. NASA’s twin

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - On the launch tower of Launch Complex 17-B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, solid rocket boosters are mated to the Delta II rocket for the Mars Exploration Rover 1 (MER-1) launch June 25. NASA’s twin Mars Exploration Rovers are designed to study the history of water on

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At right is the Delta II rocket on Launch Complex 17-A, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, that will launch Mars Exploration Rover 2 (MER-2) on June 5. In the center are three more solid rocket boosters that will be added to the Delta, which will carry nine in all. NASA’s

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the foreground, three solid rocket boosters (SRBs) suspended in the launch tower flank the Delta II rocket (in the background) that will launch Mars Exploration Rover 2 (MER-2). NASA’s twin Mars Exploration Rovers are designed to study the history of water on Mars. Th

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - A solid rocket booster arrives at Launch Complex 17-A, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. It is one of nine that will be mated to the Delta rocket to launch Mars Exploration Rover 2. NASA’s twin Mars Exploration Rovers are designed to study the history of water on Mars. T

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Another solid rocket booster is lifted up the launch tower on Launch Complex 17-B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. It will be mated to the Delta II rocket for the Mars Exploration Rover 1 (MER-1) launch June 25. NASA’s twin Mars Exploration Rovers are designed to study

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Three solid rocket boosters are suspended in the launch tower of Launch Complex 17-B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. They will be mated to the Delta II rocket for the Mars Exploration Rover 1 (MER-1) launch June 25. NASA’s twin Mars Exploration Rovers are designed to

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - On Launch Pad 17-A, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the Mars Exploration Rover 2 (MER-2), is maneuvered above the Delta II rocket in the launch tower. It will be mated to the rocket for launch. MER-2 is one of NASA's twin Mars Exploration Rovers designed to study the h

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - On Launch Complex 17-B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, a solid rocket booster if lifted up the launch tower. It will be mated to the Delta II rocket for the Mars Exploration Rover 1 (MER-1) launch June 25. NASA’s twin Mars Exploration Rovers are designed to study the

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Another solid rocket booster, in the foreground, is lifted off its transporter on Launch Complex 17-A, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, for mating with the Delta II rocket in the background. The SRB is one of nine that will help launch Mars Exploration Rover 2 (MER-2).

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At the Shuttle Landing Facility, the nose of the Beluga aircraft is open to offload the Italian-built module, U.S. Node 2, for the International Space Station. The second of three Station connecting modules, Node 2 attaches to the end of the U.S. Lab and provides attach

KKENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - A Beluga aircraft arrives at the Shuttle Landing Facility with its cargo of the Italian-built module, U.S. Node 2, for the International Space Station. The second of three Station connecting modules, Node 2 attaches to the end of the U.S. Lab and provides attach locatio

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -Crawler-transporter (CT) number 2, moves away from the Vehicle Assembly Building, with a Mobile Launcher Platform on top, on a test run to the launch pad. The CT recently underwent modifications to the cab. The CT moves Space Shuttle vehicles between the VAB and launch pa

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Inside the cab of crawler-transporter (CT) number 2, driver Sam Dove, with United Space Alliance, operates the vehicle on a test run to the launch pad. The CT recently underwent modifications to the cab. The CT is transporting a Mobile Launch Platform (MLP). The CT moves

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - A closeup of crawler-transportation (CT) number 2 shows the new muffler system on the vehicle. The CT also recently underwent modifications to the cab. The CT is transporting a Mobile Launch Platform (MLP). The CT moves Space Shuttle vehicles, situated on the MLP, betwee

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - A closeup of crawler-transporter (CT) number 2 shows the cab (left, above the tracks) that recently underwent modifications. The CT is transporting a Mobile Launch Platform (MLP) on a test run to the pad. The CT moves Space Shuttle vehicles, situated on the MLP, between

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Crawler-transporter (CT) number 2 nears the launch pad with a Mobile Launcher Platform (MLP) on top. After recent modifications to the cab and muffler system, the CT was taken on a test run. The CT moves Space Shuttle vehicles, situated on the MLP, between the VAB and la

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - A closeup of crawler-transporter (CT) number 2 shows the cab, at left, that recently underwent modifications. The CT is transporting a Mobile Launch Platform (MLP) on a test run to the pad. The CT moves Space Shuttle vehicles, situated on the MLP, between the VAB and lau

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Crawler-transporter (CT) number 2, moves away from the Vehicle Assembly Building with a Mobile Launcher Platform (MLP) on top on a test run to the launch pad. The CT recently underwent modifications to the cab. The CT moves Space Shuttle vehicles, situated on the MLP, be

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach (left) accompanies Executive Director of NASDA Koji Yamamoto (third from left) and others visiting the Columbia Debris Hangar. Mr. Yamamoto is at KSC for a welcome ceremony involving the arrival of the newest Space Station module, th

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - During their tour of KSC, members of the North American Treaty Organization (NATO) Parliamentary Assembly visit the Convoy Command Center, the prime vehicle to control critical communications between the orbiter, the crew and the Launch Control Center after a Shuttle lan

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Columbia Debris Hangar, Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach answers questions from the Stafford-Covey Return to Flight Task Group (SCTG). Chairing the task group are Richard O. Covey (fifth from left), former Space Shuttle commander, and Thomas P. Stafford, Apol

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Columbia Debris Hangar, Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach (left) talks to members of the Stafford-Covey Return to Flight Task Group (SCTG) about reconstruction efforts. Chairing the task group are Richard O. Covey (second from right), former Space Shuttle comm

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF), a United Space Alliance technician examines the attachment points for the spars on the exterior of a wing of Space Shuttle Atlantis. Reinforced Carbon Carbon (RCC) panels are mechanically attached to the wing with a series of flo

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF), United Space Alliance technicians replace the attachment points for the spars on the interior of a wing of Space Shuttle Atlantis. Reinforced Carbon Carbon (RCC) panels are mechanically attached to the wing with a series of float

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -In the Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF), a United Space Alliance technician examines the attachment points for the spars on the exterior of a wing of Space Shuttle Atlantis. Reinforced Carbon Carbon (RCC) panels are mechanically attached to the wing with a series of floa