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Technicians hoist a five-panel solar array protected by a lid for NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft at the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024. The arrays are each 46.5 feet long (14.2 meters). With both solar arrays deployed, Europa Clipper will span more than 100 feet long, about the length of a basketball court. The solar arrays power the spacecraft so it can study Jupiter’s icy moon, Europa, which is more than five times as far from the Sun as the Earth. Launch on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket is no earlier than October 2024. Photo credit: NASA/Leejay Lockhart
NASA image use policy.
Payloader being used to gather newly unloaded paddy at a parboiling rice mill.
Part of the image collection of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).
In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility, workers oversee closeout operations of the Stardust Sample Return Capsule (SRC) and -X spacecraft panel with the spacecraft bus. Stardust will use a unique medium called aerogel to capture comet particles flying off the nucleus of comet Wild 2 in January 2004, plus collect interstellar dust for later analysis. The collected samples will return to Earth in the SRC to be jettisoned as it swings by Earth in January 2006. Stardust is scheduled to be launched aboard a Boeing Delta 7426 rocket from Complex 17, Cape Canaveral Air Station, on Feb. 6, 1999. Image from NASA, originally appeared on this site: science.ksc.nasa.gov/gallery/photos/ Reposted by San Diego Air and Space Museum
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Multi-Payload Processing Facility, a worker inspects the GALEX satellite after its rotation on a stand. The Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) is an orbiting space telescope that will observe galaxies in ultraviolet light across 10 billion years of cosmic history. Led by the California Institute of Technology, GALEX will conduct several first-of-a-kind sky surveys, including an extra-galactic (beyond our galaxy) ultraviolet all-sky survey. During its 29- month mission GALEX will produce the first comprehensive map of a Universe of galaxies under construction, bringing more understanding of how galaxies like the Milky Way were formed. GALEX is due to be launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station March 25 via a Pegasus rocket. Image from NASA, originally appeared on this site: science.ksc.nasa.gov/gallery/photos/ Reposted by San Diego Air and Space Museum
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility, an overhead crane (background) begins to lift the canister that will complete encapsulation of the Mars Exploration Rover 2 (MER-2) in the foreground. After encapsulation, MER-2 will be transferred to Launch Complex 17-A, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. MER-2 is one of NASA's twin Mars Exploration Rovers designed to study the history of water on Mars. These robotic geologists are equipped with a robotic arm, a drilling tool, three spectrometers, and four pairs of cameras that allow them to have a human-like, 3D view of the terrain. Each rover could travel as far as 100 meters in one day to act as Mars scientists' eyes and hands, exploring an environment where humans can't yet go. MER-2 is scheduled to launch no earlier than June 8 as MER-A aboard a Delta II rocket. Image from NASA, originally appeared on this site: science.ksc.nasa.gov/gallery/photos/ Reposted by San Diego Air and Space Museum
Following touchdown at 12:04 p.m. EST at the Shuttle Landing Facility, the mission STS-95 crew leave the Crew Transport Vehicle. Payload Specialist John H. Glenn Jr. (center), a senator from Ohio, shakes hands with NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin. At left is Center Director Roy Bridges. Other crew members shown are Pilot Steven W. Lindsey (far left) and, behind Glenn, Mission Specialists Scott E. Parazynski and Stephen K. Robinson, and Payload Specialist Chiaki Mukai, Ph.D., M.D., with the National Space Development Agency of Japan. Not seen are Mission Commander Curtis L. Brown Jr. and Mission Specialist Pedro Duque of Spain, with the European Space Agency (ESA). The STS-95 crew completed a successful mission, landing at the Shuttle Landing Facility at 12:04 p.m. EST, after 9 days in space, traveling 3.6 million miles. The mission included research payloads such as the Spartan solar-observing deployable spacecraft, the Hubble Space Telescope Orbital Systems Test Platform, the International Extreme Ultraviolet Hitchhiker, as well as the SPACEHAB single module with experiments on space flight and the aging process. Image from NASA, originally appeared on this site: science.ksc.nasa.gov/gallery/photos/ Reposted by San Diego Air and Space Museum
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. In the Payload Changeout Room on Launch Pad 39B, the payloads for Return to Flight mission STS-114 are being transferred to Discoverys payload bay. The payloads include a Control Moment Gyro, the Thermal Protection System Detailed Test Objective box, which is placed on the Lightweight Multi-Purpose Experiment Support Structure Carrier, the External Stowage Platform 2, and Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello. Already installed in the payload bay are the airlock, the Canadarm 2, or Shuttle arm, and the Orbiter Boom Sensor System. The launch window for mission STS-114 extends from July 13 to July 31. Image from NASA, originally appeared on this site: science.ksc.nasa.gov/gallery/photos/ Reposted by San Diego Air and Space Museum
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. Inside the Astrotech Payload Processing Facility on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) spacecraft is attached to a tilt dolly. When raised to a vertical position, CALIPSO will be moved to a workstand. It will undergo state-of-health checks, and electrical ground-support equipment testing. CALIPSO will fly in combination with the CloudSat satellite to provide never-before-seen 3-D perspectives of how clouds and aerosols form, evolve, and affect weather and climate. CALIPSO and CloudSat will join three other satellites in orbit to enhance understanding of climate systems. The launch date for CALIPSO/CloudSat is no earlier than Aug. 22. Image from NASA, originally appeared on this site: science.ksc.nasa.gov/gallery/photos/ Reposted by San Diego Air and Space Museum
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Multi-Payload Processing Facility, the GALEX satellite has been moved to a rotation stand. The Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) is an orbiting space telescope that will observe galaxies in ultraviolet light across 10 billion years of cosmic history. Led by the California Institute of Technology, GALEX will conduct several first-of-a- kind sky surveys, including an extra-galactic (beyond our galaxy) ultraviolet all-sky survey. During its 29-month mission GALEX will produce the first comprehensive map of a Universe of galaxies under construction, bringing more understanding of how galaxies like the Milky Way were formed. GALEX is due to be launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station March 25 via a Pegasus rocket. Image from NASA, originally appeared on this site: science.ksc.nasa.gov/gallery/photos/ Reposted by San Diego Air and Space Museum
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility, an overhead crane moves the canister that will complete encapsulation of the Mars Exploration Rover 2 (MER-2), at right. After encapsulation, MER-2 will be transferred to Launch Complex 17-A, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. MER-2 is one of NASA's twin Mars Exploration Rovers designed to study the history of water on Mars. These robotic geologists are equipped with a robotic arm, a drilling tool, three spectrometers, and four pairs of cameras that allow them to have a human-like, 3D view of the terrain. Each rover could travel as far as 100 meters in one day to act as Mars scientists' eyes and hands, exploring an environment where humans can't yet go. MER-2 is scheduled to launch no earlier than June 8 as MER-A aboard a Delta II rocket. Image from NASA, originally appeared on this site: science.ksc.nasa.gov/gallery/photos/ Reposted by San Diego Air and Space Museum
PictionID:44809374 - Catalog:14_014260 - Title:Atlas Payload Component - Filename:14_014260.TIF - - Image from the Convair/General Dynamics Astronautics Atlas Negative Collection. The processing, cataloging and digitization of these images has been made possible by a generous National Historical Publications and Records grant from the National Archives and Records Administration---Please Tag these images so that the information can be permanently stored with the digital file.---Repository: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Shuttle Radar Topography Mission Payload
In 2000, Space Shuttle Endeavour carried into orbit the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) payload, a novel system used to produce a highly detailed three-dimensional map of more than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface. The mast canister and outboard structure and antennas displayed here were crucial components of that payload.
SRTM featured a main antenna in the Shuttle payload bay, a folding mast 60 meters (197 feet) long, and another antenna at the end of the mast. This dual antenna system -- the largest rigid structure then flown in space -- produced 3-D mapping through interferometry, a technique for combining data obtained separately by the two antennas. SRTM was a joint undertaking of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the Defense Department’s National Imagery and mapping Agency. The military will use the highest resolution data for terrain navigation for airplanes and cruise missiles. Lower resolution data will be made available to civilian scientists and others.
Mast canister (undeployed)
Length:
2.9 m (9 ft 7 in)
Width:
1.4 m (4ft 5in)
Weight:
985 kg (2,170 lb)
Manufacturer:
AEC-Able Engineering Co.
Outboard support structure and antenna
Length:
8 m (26 ft 4 in)
Width:
2 m (6 ft 6 in)
Height:
.9 m (2 ft)
Weight:
360 kg (794 lb)
Manufacturer:
Ball Telecommunications Products Div. and Composite Optics, Inc.
In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility, the Stardust spacecraft is ready for the sample return capsule to be attached. Stardust will use a unique medium called aerogel to capture comet particles flying off the nucleus of comet Wild 2 in January 2004, plus collect interstellar dust for later analysis. The collected samples will return to Earth in the re-entry capsule to be jettisoned as it swings by Earth in January 2006. Stardust is scheduled to be launched aboard a Boeing Delta 7426 rocket from Complex 17, Cape Canaveral Air Station, on Feb. 6, 1999. Image from NASA, originally appeared on this site: science.ksc.nasa.gov/gallery/photos/ Reposted by San Diego Air and Space Museum
Ezsploit – Linux bash script automation for metasploit, which is use to create payload for multiple platform (Windows, Linux, Android, Mac). as well as we can start multiple listeners at a same time.
In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility, Randy Scott (left) and Pat Wedeman (right), with Lockheed Martin Astronautics, check the insulation on the Stardust< /a> spacecraft. Stardust will use a unique medium called aerogel to capture comet particles flying off the nucleus of comet Wild 2 in January 2004, plus collect interstellar dust for later analysis. The collected samples will return to Earth in the SRC to be jettisoned as it swings by Earth in January 2006. Stardust is scheduled to be launched aboard a Boeing Delta 7426 rocket from Complex 17, Cape Canaveral Air Station, on Feb. 6, 1999. Image from NASA, originally appeared on this site: science.ksc.nasa.gov/gallery/photos/ Reposted by San Diego Air and Space Museum
In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility, workers guide a protective canister as it is lowered over the Stardust spacecraft. Once it is enclosed, Stardust will be moved to Launch Pad 17-A, Cape Canaveral Air Station, for launch preparations. Stardust is targeted for liftoff on Feb. 6 aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket for a close encounter with the comet Wild 2 in January 2004. Using a silicon-based substance called aerogel, Stardust will capture comet particles flying off the nucleus of the comet. The spacecraft also will bring back samples of interstellar dust. These materials consist of ancient pre-solar interstellar grains and other remnants left over from the formation of the solar system. Scientists expect their analysis to provide important insights into the evolution of the sun and planets and possibly into the origin of life itself. The collected samples will return to Earth in a sample return capsule to be jettisoned as Stardust swings by Earth in January 2006. 17A, CCAS Image from NASA, originally appeared on this site: science.ksc.nasa.gov/gallery/photos/ Reposted by San Diego Air and Space Museum
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility, workers from Lockheed Martin deploy the newly installed solar array on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). After solar array testing, the MRO will be transported to the Vertical Installation Facility in late July. It will join the Atlas V for the final phase of launch preparations. The spacecraft is then scheduled to undergo a functional test, and a final week of integrated testing and closeouts. The MRO was built by Lockheed Martin for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. It is the next major step in Mars exploration and scheduled for launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in a window opening Aug. 10. The MRO is an important next step in fulfilling NASAs vision of space exploration and ultimately sending human explorers to Mars and beyond. Image from NASA, originally appeared on this site: science.ksc.nasa.gov/gallery/photos/ Reposted by San Diego Air and Space Museum
Students from 20 states display their rockets and payloads and talk about what they did to make them fly at the NASA Student Launch Rocket Fair on Friday, April 5. Over 800 students traveled to Huntsville, Alabama, to participate in a week of activities as part of NASA Student Launch.
Image credit: NASA/Fred Deaton
Student Launch awards news release
In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility clean room, the gyroscopes (left) and computer (right), part of the flight hardware for the Hubble Space Telescope Servicing mission, is on display for media representatives. This mission is designed to replace aging parts on the nine-year-old observatory and to upgrade some of its functioning systems. During the flight, the astronaut crew will replace all six of Hubble's gyroscopes, a fine guidance sensor, the observatory's main computer, and other equipment. The 10-day mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than Dec. 2 at 4:32 a.m. EST from Launch Complex 39. Image from NASA, originally appeared on this site: science.ksc.nasa.gov/gallery/photos/ Reposted by San Diego Air and Space Museum
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. At Launch Pad 39B, the payload canister that delivered payloads launching aboard Space Shuttle Discovery's Return to Flight mission STS-114 is lowered from the Payload Changeout Room. The payloads will be installed into Discovery, scheduled to arrive at the pad later today. Discoverys payloads include the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello, the Lightweight Multi-Purpose Experiment Support Structure Carrier (LMC), and the External Stowage Platform-2 (ESP-2). Raffaello will deliver supplies to the International Space Station including food, clothing and research equipment. The LMC will carry a replacement Control Moment Gyroscope and a tile repair sample box. The ESP-2 is outfitted with replacement parts. Discoverys launch window extends from July 13 through July 31. Image from NASA, originally appeared on this site: science.ksc.nasa.gov/gallery/photos/ Reposted by San Diego Air and Space Museum
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASAs Kennedy Space Center, workers from Lockheed Martin help raise the high-gain antenna vertically for installation on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). After solar array installation, the MRO will be transported to the Vertical Installation Facility in late July. It will join the Atlas V for the final phase of launch preparations. The spacecraft is then scheduled to undergo a functional test, and a final week of integrated testing and closeouts. The MRO was built by Lockheed Martin for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. It is the next major step in Mars exploration and scheduled for launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in a window opening Aug. 10. The MRO is an important next step in fulfilling NASAs vision of space exploration and ultimately sending human explorers to Mars and beyond. Image from NASA, originally appeared on this site: science.ksc.nasa.gov/gallery/photos/ Reposted by San Diego Air and Space Museum
The Saturn V's size and payload capacity dwarfed all other previous rockets successfully flown at that time. With the Apollo spacecraft on top, it stood 363 feet tall, and, ignoring the fins, was 33 feet (10 m) in diameter. Fully fueled, the Saturn V weighed 6.5 million pounds (2,900,000 kg) and had a low Earth orbit payload capacity originally estimated at 261,000 pounds (118,000 kg), but was designed to send at least 90,000 pounds (41,000 kg) to the Moon.
Later upgrades increased that capacity; during the final three Apollo lunar missions it deployed about 310,000 pounds (140,000 kg). The Saturn V was 58 feet (18 m) taller than the Statue of Liberty from the ground to the torch, and 48 feet (15 m) taller than the Big Ben clock tower.
The Saturn V was principally designed by the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, although numerous major systems, including propulsion, were designed by subcontractors.
The Saturn V was primarily constructed of aluminum. It was also made of titanium, polyurethane, cork and asbestos.
The Saturn V consisted of three stages—the S-IC first stage, S-II second stage, and the S-IVB third stage—and the instrument unit. All three stages used liquid oxygen (LOX) as the oxidizer.
Director: Stuart Willis, Australia
In the shadow of a space elevator, young Simon Carter must sacrifice everything to save what remains of his family.
In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility, workers remove one of the Stardust solar panels for testing. The spacecraft Stardust will be launched aboard a Boeing Delta 7426 rocket from Complex 17, Cape Canaveral Air Station, targeted for Feb. 6, 1999. Stardust will use a unique medium called aerogel to capture comet particles flying off the nucleus of comet Wild 2 in January 2004, plus collect interstellar dust for later analysis. The collected samples will return to Earth in a re-entry capsule (seen on top, next to the solar panel) to be jettisoned from Stardust as it swings by Earth in January 2006. Image from NASA, originally appeared on this site: science.ksc.nasa.gov/gallery/photos/ Reposted by San Diego Air and Space Museum
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility, the Mars Exploration Rover-1 (MER-B) awaits further preflight processing atop a spin table. The rover is scheduled to launch aboard a Delta II rocket on June 25. NASAs twin Mars Exploration Rovers are designed to study the history of water on Mars. These robotic geologists are equipped with a robotic arm, a drilling tool, three spectrometers, and four pairs of cameras that allow them to have a human-like, 3D view of the terrain. Each rover could travel as far as 100 meters in one day to act as Mars scientists' eyes and hands, exploring an environment where humans are not yet able to go. The launch of MER-2 (MER-A) is tentatively set for June 8. Image from NASA, originally appeared on this site: science.ksc.nasa.gov/gallery/photos/ Reposted by San Diego Air and Space Museum
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility, the lander petals and attached airbags of the Mars Exploration Rover 2 (MER-2) are closed around the spacecraft during testing prior to launch. The MER Mission consists of two identical rovers set to launch in Spring 2003. Landing at different regions of Mars, they are designed to cover roughly 110 yards each Martian day over various terrain. Each rover will carry five scientific instruments that will allow it to search for evidence of liquid water that may have been present in the planet's past. Image from NASA, originally appeared on this site: science.ksc.nasa.gov/gallery/photos/ Reposted by San Diego Air and Space Museum
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASAs Kennedy Space Center, workers from Lockheed Martin test the installation of the high-gain antenna on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). After solar array installation, the MRO will be transported to the Vertical Installation Facility in late July. It will join the Atlas V for the final phase of launch preparations. The spacecraft is then scheduled to undergo a functional test, and a final week of integrated testing and closeouts. The MRO was built by Lockheed Martin for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. It is the next major step in Mars exploration and scheduled for launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in a window opening Aug. 10. The MRO is an important next step in fulfilling NASAs vision of space exploration and ultimately sending human explorers to Mars and beyond. Image from NASA, originally appeared on this site: science.ksc.nasa.gov/gallery/photos/ Reposted by San Diego Air and Space Museum
In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility, workers work at removing the Stardust solar panels for testing. The spacecraft Stardust will use a unique medium called aerogel to capture comet particles flying off the nucleus of comet Wild 2 in January 2004, plus collect interstellar dust for later analysis. Stardust will be launched aboard a Boeing Delta 7426 rocket from Complex 17, Cape Canaveral Air Station, targeted for Feb. 6, 1999. The collected samples will return to Earth in a re-entry capsule to be jettisoned from Stardust as it swings by Earth in January 2006. Image from NASA, originally appeared on this site: science.ksc.nasa.gov/gallery/photos/ Reposted by San Diego Air and Space Museum
In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility, the spacecraft Stardust is on display for a media presentation. Stardust is targeted for launch on Feb. 6 aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket from Launch Pad 17-A, Cape Canaveral Air Station. The spacecraft is destined for a close encounter with the comet Wild 2 in January 2004. Using a silicon-based substance called aerogel, Stardust will capture comet particles flying off the nucleus of the comet. The spacecraft also will bring back samples of interstellar dust. These materials consist of ancient pre-solar interstellar grains and other remnants left over from the formation of the solar system. Scientists expect their analysis to provide important insights into the evolution of the sun and planets and possibly into the origin of life itself. The collected samples will return to Earth in a sample return capsule (the white-topped, blunt-nosed cone seen on the top of the spacecraft) to be jettisoned as Stardust swings by Earth in January 2006. the PHSF Image from NASA, originally appeared on this site: science.ksc.nasa.gov/gallery/photos/ Reposted by San Diego Air and Space Museum
Students from 20 states display their rockets and payloads and talk about what they did to make them fly at the NASA Student Launch Rocket Fair on Friday, April 5. Over 800 students traveled to Huntsville, Alabama, to participate in a week of activities as part of NASA Student Launch.
Image credit: NASA/Fred Deaton
Student Launch awards news release
Students from 20 states display their rockets and payloads and talk about what they did to make them fly at the NASA Student Launch Rocket Fair on Friday, April 5. Over 800 students traveled to Huntsville, Alabama, to participate in a week of activities as part of NASA Student Launch.
Image credit: NASA/Fred Deaton
Student Launch awards news release
PictionID:44807089 - Catalog:14_014073 - Title:Atlas Payload Component - Filename:14_014073.TIF - - - Image from the Convair/General Dynamics Astronautics Atlas Negative Collection. The processing, cataloging and digitization of these images has been made possible by a generous National Historical Publications and Records grant from the National Archives and Records Administration---Please Tag these images so that the information can be permanently stored with the digital file.---Repository: San Diego Air and Space Museum
In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility, the aerogel grid is fully deployed from the Stardust Sample Return Capsule (SRC) for final closeout. Stardust will use a unique medium called aerogel to capture comet particles flying off the nucleus of comet Wild 2 in January 2004, plus collect interstellar dust for later analysis. The collected samples will return to Earth in the SRC to be jettisoned as it swings by Earth in January 2006. Stardust is scheduled to be launched aboard a Boeing Delta 7426 rocket from Complex 17, Cape Canaveral Air Station, on Feb. 6, 1999. Image from NASA, originally appeared on this site: science.ksc.nasa.gov/gallery/photos/ Reposted by San Diego Air and Space Museum
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASAs Kennedy Space Center, workers from Lockheed Martin prepare the high-gain antenna for installation on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), in the background. After solar array installation, the MRO will be transported to the Vertical Installation Facility in late July. It will join the Atlas V for the final phase of launch preparations. The spacecraft is then scheduled to undergo a functional test, and a final week of integrated testing and closeouts. The MRO was built by Lockheed Martin for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. It is the next major step in Mars exploration and scheduled for launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in a window opening Aug. 10. The MRO is an important next step in fulfilling NASAs vision of space exploration and ultimately sending human explorers to Mars and beyond. Image from NASA, originally appeared on this site: science.ksc.nasa.gov/gallery/photos/ Reposted by San Diego Air and Space Museum
Hill Aerospace Museum
Minuteman II ERCS Aeroshell
ERCS flight equipment consisted of the communications payload atop the Minuteman II booster. ERCS payloads were stored and maintained at the local base weapon storage area (WSA) to support the appearance of identical actions with the Mark 11 reentry vehicle, which was also stored and maintained at the WSA. The payload was the same diameter as the Mark 11 to allow connection to the Minuteman booster. The overall shape of the payload was very similar to the Mark 11 but could be readily distinguished by a silver-colored metal point at the top of the aeroshell. The payload was approximately 8 feet high, 32.6 inches in diameter, and weighed 875 pounds.
EMERGENCY ROCKET COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM (ERCS)
The Emergency Rocket Communications System (ERCS) provided a backup communication system to U.S. forces in the event of a nuclear attack. In operation, the ERCS system utilized the Minuteman launch facilities and a Minuteman booster to place a Communications Package into sub-orbital flight. It could then transmit a pre-recorded message to all subscribers within line-of-sight of its trajectory.
Classified SECRET and located only at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, ERCS locations were carefully hidden so as not to be targeted by adversaries. When not installed at the Launch Facility, the ERCS payload was stored with Minuteman warheads to fully disguise their locations.
The U.S. Air Force terminated the ERCS mission in September 1991 with the removal of the Minuteman II missile from the nuclear mission.
In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility, workers remove the Stardust solar panels for testing. The spacecraft Stardust will use a unique medium called aerogel to capture comet particles flying off the nucleus of comet Wild 2 in January 2004, plus collect interstellar dust for later analysis. Stardust will be launched aboard a Boeing Delta 7426 rocket from Complex 17, Cape Canaveral Air Station, targeted for Feb. 6, 1999. The collected samples will return to Earth in a re-entry capsule (seen at the top of the spacecraft in this photo) to be jettisoned from Stardust as it swings by Earth in January 2006. Image from NASA, originally appeared on this site: science.ksc.nasa.gov/gallery/photos/ Reposted by San Diego Air and Space Museum
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -˝ Centered over the payload canister in the Space Station Processing Facility, the overhead crane begins lowering the Canadian robotic arm, SSRMS, on its pallet inside. The arm is 57.7 feet (17.6 meters) long when fully extended and has seven motorized joints. It is capable of handling large payloads and assisting with docking the Space Shuttle. The SSRMS is self-relocatable with a Latching End Effector, so it can be attached to complementary ports spread throughout the Station˝s exterior surfaces. The SSRMS is part of the payload on mission STS-100, scheduled to launch April 19 at 2:41 p.m. EDT from Launch Pad 39A, KSC. Image from NASA, originally appeared on this site: science.ksc.nasa.gov/gallery/photos/ Reposted by San Diego Air and Space Museum
International Space Station (ISS) Payload Operations center control room at German aerospace agency DLR in Cologne. 2 photos panorama created with Hugin.
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility, the cruise stage is mated to the Mars Exploration Rover 2 (MER-2) entry vehicle. The cruise stage includes fuel tanks, thruster clusters and avionics for steering and propulsion. NASA's twin Mars Exploration Rovers are designed to study the history of water on Mars. These robotic geologists are equipped with a robotic arm, a drilling tool, three spectrometers, and four pairs of cameras that allow them to have a human-like, 3D view of the terrain. Each rover could travel as far as 100 meters in one day to act as Mars scientists' eyes and hands, exploring an environment where humans can't yet go. MER-2 is scheduled to launch June 5 as MER-A aboard a Delta rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Image from NASA, originally appeared on this site: science.ksc.nasa.gov/gallery/photos/ Reposted by San Diego Air and Space Museum
This International Payloader front-end loader has been sitting in the exact same spot since my early childhood (20+ years). Doesn't look like it'll be moving any time soon either. The field is slowly overtaking it.
Students from 20 states display their rockets and payloads and talk about what they did to make them fly at the NASA Student Launch Rocket Fair on Friday, April 5. Over 800 students traveled to Huntsville, Alabama, to participate in a week of activities as part of NASA Student Launch.
Image credit: NASA/Fred Deaton
Student Launch awards news release
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility, workers from Lockheed Martin begin deploying the solar array on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). After solar array testing, the MRO will be transported to the Vertical Installation Facility in late July. It will join the Atlas V for the final phase of launch preparations. The spacecraft is then scheduled to undergo a functional test, and a final week of integrated testing and closeouts. The MRO was built by Lockheed Martin for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. It is the next major step in Mars exploration and scheduled for launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in a window opening Aug. 10. The MRO is an important next step in fulfilling NASAs vision of space exploration and ultimately sending human explorers to Mars and beyond. Image from NASA, originally appeared on this site: science.ksc.nasa.gov/gallery/photos/ Reposted by San Diego Air and Space Museum
Air Force Space and Missile Museum
Type: Satellite casing
Payload: Echo II communication satellite
Agency: U.S. Air Force
Contractor: Douglas Aircraft Company
Built by the Missile and Space Systems Division the Douglas Aircraft Company, shrouds like this one were used during the Big Shot-1 and Big Shot-2 suborbital inflation tests. Part of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) project Echo, each Big Shot payload consisted of a 535-pound, 135-foot diameter aluminized plastic balloon.
Following ejection from the shroud at an altitude of about 250 miles, the balloon was inflated and began to rise before making a slow fall back toward Earth. Big Shot tests were designed to validate inflation methods for the proposed Echo passive communications satellites, which were to reflect radio signals across large expanses of ocean.
The Big Shot payload, enclosed within the shroud, was launched atop a Thor missile. Big Shot-1 was launched from Launch Complex 17 on 15 January 1962. Although all test objectives were met, the balloon was torn apart due to rapid inflation. The launch of Big Shot-2, also from Launch Complex 17, took place on 18 July 1962 and was visible for about 10 minutes as it inflated and rose to an altitude of more than 900 miles. At the time, Big Shot-2 was the largest manmade object ever placed in space. Big Shot test paved the way for the successful deployment of the Echo II satellite on 25 January 1964.
This exhibit was provided to the museum by the Redistribution and Marketing Branch at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida in March 1968.
In the Multi-Payload Processing Facility, the Technology Experiments Advancing Missions in Space (TEAMS) payload scheduled to fly on Space Shuttle Mission STS-77 is being installed in the payload canister transporter. Two other payloads flying on STS- 77, the SPACEHAB-4 module and Spartan 207/Inflatable Antenna Experiment (Spartan 207/IAE) also are being installed in the transporter before it heads for Launch Pad 39B; there the three payloads will be installed in the cargo bay of the Space Shuttle Endeavour. The fourth Shuttle flight of 1996 currently is slated for liftoff on May 16.
Image from NASA, originally appeared on this site: science.ksc.nasa.gov/gallery/photos/
Reposted by San Diego Air and Space Museum
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. Workers in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility guide the backshell being lowered over the Mars Exploration Rover 1 (MER-1). The backshell is a protective cover for the rover. NASA's twin Mars Exploration Rovers are designed to study the history of water on Mars. These robotic geologists are equipped with a robotic arm, a drilling tool, three spectrometers, and four pairs of cameras that allow them to have a human-like, 3D view of the terrain. Each rover could travel as far as 100 meters in one day to act as Mars scientists' eyes and hands, exploring an environment where humans can't yet go. MER-1 is scheduled to launch June 25 as MER-B aboard a Delta II rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Image from NASA, originally appeared on this site: science.ksc.nasa.gov/gallery/photos/ Reposted by San Diego Air and Space Museum
STS-87 Payload Specialist Leonid Kadenyuk of the National Space Agency of Ukraine (NSAU), at left, chats with NASA Administrator Daniel Goldin shortly after the landing of Columbia at Kennedy Space Center. Looking on is back-up Payload Specialist Yaroslav Pustovyi, also of NSAU. STS-87 concluded its mission with a main gear touchdown at 7:20:04 a.m. EST Dec. 5, at KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility Runway 33, drawing the 15-day, 16-hour and 34- minute-long mission of 6.5 million miles to a close. Also onboard the orbiter were Commander Kevin Kregel; Pilot Steven Lindsey; and Mission Specialists Winston Scott, Kalpana Chawla, Ph.D., and Takao Doi, Ph.D., of the National Space Development Agency of Japan. During the 88th Space Shuttle mission, the crew performed experiments on the United States Microgravity Payload-4 and pollinated plants as part of the Collaborative Ukrainian Experiment. This was the 12th landing for Columbia at KSC and the 41st KSC landing in the history of the Space Shuttle program. Administrator Daniel Goldin shortly after landing Image from NASA, originally appeared on this site: science.ksc.nasa.gov/gallery/photos/ Reposted by San Diego Air and Space Museum