Round trip with Endeavour

NASA's space shuttle Endeavour recently returned to the Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, after its successful mission to the International Space Station. The shuttle, being a reusable spacecraft, has a cycle of preparation, execution and recovery - Endeavour has been through this cycle 22 times now, since 1992. Here is a look at one full cycle for one space shuttle, starting with the landing of Endeavour from its previous mission (STS-123) on March 26th, and ending with its return to Florida 9 months (and 6.6 million miles) later, after mission STS-126. (31 photos total)

In the 16th night landing at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, space shuttle Endeavour approaches Runway 15 to end the STS-123 mission on March 26th, 2008 - a 16-day flight to the International Space Station. The mission completed nearly 6.6 million miles. The STS-123 mission had delivered the first segment of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory and the Canadian Space Agency's two-armed robotic system, known as Dextre. Endeavour will soon be transported to the Orbiter Processing Facility to ready it for its next mission, STS-126. (NASA/Tom Joseph)

In the Orbiter Processing Facility bay 2, technicians on the Hyster forklift maneuver main engine 1 for installation on space shuttle Endeavour on June 30th, 2008. (NASA/Jim Grossmann) #

Inside Orbiter Processing Facility 2 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, a United Space Alliance technician installs Boeing Replacement Insulation 18, or BRI-18, tile on space shuttle Endeavour during processing activities on July 19th, 2008. BRI-18 is the strongest material used for thermal insulation on the orbiters and, when coated to produce toughened unipiece fibrous insulation, provides a tile with extremely high-impact resistance. It is replacing other tiles on areas of the vehicle where impact risk is high, such as the landing gear doors, the wing leading edge and the external tank doors. (NASA/Jack Pfaller) #

In Orbiter Processing Facility 2 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, STS-126 Commander Chris Ferguson is seen in the mid-deck of space shuttle Endeavour during inspection of hardware on August 1st, 2008. Members of space shuttle Endeavour's STS-126 crew are at Kennedy to participate in a crew equipment interface test, or CEIT. The CEIT provides experience handling tools, equipment and hardware they will use on the mission. Endeavour will deliver a multi-purpose logistics module to the International Space Station on the STS-126 mission. Launch is targeted for Nov. 10.(NASA/Kim Shiflett) #

Workers accompany space shuttle Endeavour as it rolls toward the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center on September 11th, 2008. In the VAB, Endeavour will be attached to its external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39B. Endeavour was to serve as the backup shuttle, if needed for rescue, for space shuttle Atlantis' STS-125 mission to NASA's Hubble Space Telescope targeted for October (mission later postponed until 2009). (NASA/Troy Cryder) #

Space shuttle Endeavour is raised off the orbiter transporter by an overhead crane in the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center on September 11th, 2008. The shuttle will be lifted into high bay 1 for mating with its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39B. (NASA/Kim Shiflett) #

Seen in this view, looking up at space shuttle Endeavour is slowly lowered into high bay 1 of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, for mating with its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters. Photo taken September 11th, 2008. (NASA/Kim Shiflett) #

At NASA's Kennedy Space Center, a technician (lower left) monitors the progress of space shuttle Endeavour as it is lowered into high bay 1 of the Vehicle Assembly Building on September 11th, 2008, for mating with its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters, waiting below. (NASA/Kim Shiflett) #

Space shuttle Atlantis (foreground) sits on Launch Pad A and Endeavour on Launch Pad B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on September 20th, 2008. At the left of each shuttle are the open rotating service structures with the payload changeout rooms revealed. The rotating service structures provide protection for weather and access to the shuttle. For the first time since July 2001, two shuttles are on the launch pads at the same time at the center. Endeavour will stand by at pad B in the unlikely event that a rescue mission is necessary during space shuttle Atlantis' upcoming mission to repair NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, targeted to launch Oct. Read more... #

At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Endeavour rolls up the ramp toward Launch Pad 39A on October 23rd, 2008. The shuttle was moved to 39A from Launch Pad 39B, where it had been stationed for a possible rescue mission for the now-postponed Atlantis mission, STS-125. Endeavour was rolled over to Launch Pad 39A , and was targeted to launch Nov. 14 on the STS-126 mission, the 27th mission to the International Space Station, (NASA/Kim Shiflett) #

On Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the orbiter access arm and White Room are extended toward space shuttle Endeavour after rollback of the rotating service structure on November 14th, 2008. The rotating structure provides protected access to the shuttle for changeout and servicing of payloads at the pad. It is supported by a rotating bridge that pivots on a vertical axis on the west side of the pad's flame trench. (NASA/Kim Shiflett) #

In the White Room on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-126 Mission Specialist Shane Kimbrough is helped by suit technicians to get into his harness on November 14th, 2008. In the background is another crew member waiting to enter space shuttle Endeavour. STS-126 is the 124th space shuttle flight and the 27th flight to the International Space Station. (NASA/Sandra Joseph-Kevin O'Connell) #

Light-filled clouds of smoke and steam roll across Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center as space shuttle Endeavour hurtles into the night sky on the STS-126 mission on November 14th, 2008. Liftoff was on time at 7:55 p.m. EST.(NASA/Sandra Joseph-Kevin O'Connell) #

In this handout from NASA, the Space Shuttle Endeavour's approaches the International Space Station before docking with the International Space Station while in orbit November 16, 2008. The shuttle's 15-day mission to the space station will include delivering needed supplies and four spacewalks. (NASA via Getty Images) #

Back on Earth, NASA's Solid Rocket Booster Retrieval Ship Freedom Star tows along its side one of the spent booster rockets from the space shuttle Endeavour launch Nov. 14 on the STS-126 mission. The ship is returning the spent rocket to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The space shuttle's solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. The splashdown area is a square of about six by nine nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. (NASA/Kim Shiflett) #

Parachutes recovered from sea after the launch of space shuttle Endeavour on the STS-126 mission are seen suspended from a hanging monorail system at the Parachute Refurbishment Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The parachutes are used to slow the descent of the solid rocket boosters that were jettisoned during liftoff. The monorail will transport each parachute into a 30,000-gallon washer and a huge dryer heated with 140-degree air at 13,000 cubic feet per minute. One pilot, one drogue and three main canopies per booster slow the booster�s fall from about 360 mph to 50 mph. After the chutes are cleaned and repaired, they must be carefully re-packed into their bags so they will deploy correctly the next time they are used. (NASA/Jim Grossmann) #

Backdropped by a blue and white Earth and the blackness of space, the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module visible in Space Shuttle Endeavour's payload bay, vertical stabilizer and orbital maneuvering system (OMS) pods are featured in this image photographed by a STS-126 crewmember on November 16th, 2008. (NASA) #

Space shuttle Endeavour Mission Specialist Steve Bowen (center) is seen on November 18, 2008 as he works at the starboard truss of the International Space Station during the first of four planned spacewalks for the STS-126 mission. (NASA/AFP/Getty Images) #

A thirty second camera exposure reveals the path of the International Space Station and the docked space shuttle Endeavor as the spacecraft make their way over Watertown, Wisconsin on Friday, November 21st, 2008. The two brightest planets pictured in the lower center of the frame are Jupiter, above, and Venus, below. (AP Photo/Watertown Daily Times, John Hart) #

In this handout from NASA, the Space Shuttle Endeavour's payload bay doors are seen open before docking with the International Space Station while in orbit November 16, 2008. (NASA via Getty Images) #

The Space Shuttle Endeavour lands in the Mojave Desert at Edwards Air Force Base near Rosamond, California - instead of the Kennedy Space Center in Florida because of deteriorating weather conditions on November 30, 2008. The landing concludes mission STS-126 to the International Space Station November 14 to prepare the space station for long-duration missions. (David McNew/Getty Images) #

A parachute deploys as the space shuttle Endeavour touches down at Edwards Air Force Base, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008 in California. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) #

At Edwards Air Force Base in California, photographers and journalists circle STS-126 crew members before their departure for NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston on December 1st, 2008. The crew took time to talk to the media before they left. (NASA/Tony Landis, VAFB) #

Bathed under floodlights as the sun sets, Mike Mangione of United Space Alliance, puts star tracker covers in the nose of the space shuttle Endeavour, inside the Mate-Demate Device, as it is readied to be mounted aboard a NASA 747 for its return trip to Florida, at Edwards Air Force Base, California, Friday, Dec. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon) #

The space shuttle Endeavour, fresh from the STS-126 mission and mounted atop its modified Boeing 747 carrier aircraft, flies over California's Mojave Desert on a three-day trip back to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday Dec. 10, 2008. NASA officials said Wednesday Dec. 17, 2008 that it is looking for ideas on where and how best to display its space shuttles once they stop flying in a few years. Beware: NASA estimates it will cost about $42 million to get each shuttle ready and get it where it needs to go, and the final tab could end up much more. The estimate includes $6 million to ferry the spaceship atop a modified jumbo jet to the closest major airport. (AP Photo/NASA) #

People watch as the space shuttle Endeavour, on top of a modified 747 jet that carried it cross-country from California, prepares to touch down on the runway after returning to Kennedy Space Center December 12, 2008 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) #

The space shuttle Endeavour returns atop a NASA 747 aircraft to the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida December 12, 2008. (REUTERS/NASA/Handout) #

The shuttle carrier aircraft, or SCA, and its piggyback passenger space shuttle Endeavour are poised to enter the mate/demate device at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The device will lift the shuttle and put it back on the ground. (NASA/Kim Shiflett) #

After dark, at the Shuttle Landing Facility, or SLF, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Endeavour has been attached to the sling that will lift the shuttle away from the shuttle carrier aircraft, or SCA, underneath. After Endeavour is on the ground, it will be towed via the two-mile tow-way from the SLF by a diesel-powered tractor to the Orbiter Processing Facility where it will begin preparations for its next mission, STS-127, targeted for May 2009. (NASA/Jim Grossmann) #

Before dawn, at the Shuttle Landing Facility, or SLF, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Endeavour is suspended by a sling under the mate/demate device. The shuttle carrier aircraft, or SCA, seen below, has just rolled away. (NASA/Jim Grossmann) #

Space shuttle Endeavour is towed by a diesel-powered tractor into the Orbiter Processing Facility, or OPF, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on December 13th, 2008. In the OPF, Endeavour will begin preparations for its next mission, STS-127, targeted for May 2009. (NASA/Jack Pfaller) #

More links and information

STS-126 Mission Information - NASA

STS-126 Shuttle Mission Imagery - NASA

Space Shuttle program - Wikipedia Entry

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Shooting for the stars does not come cheap and if it was not for those great early explorers we would not be living in this wonderful country today. If we don't want to be stuck on earth for ever we better start exploring now.

Posted by Majid February 3, 09 12:58 AM

I never cease to be in awe of the whole space programme. I enjoy getting fantastic visual as these and wish everybody so much success and Godspeed in future programmes. I wonder what the next fifty years will bring ...
Thankyou.

Posted by Janemarie Sherman February 3, 09 02:26 AM

NASA has given us the proudest of human achievements. Let's not dissolve the agency just to divert money to societal leeches through more welfare, or paying California's already over-paid teachers to produce more drop-outs for the highest per-student cost in the country; or funding "junk science" like Gore-bull warming that is going to be proven the biggest hoax on humanity to date.

Keep the milestones coming NASA. You have made this a great time to be alive. Centuries from now, people will look back in awe at your accomplishments.

Posted by Edward T. February 3, 09 02:57 AM

Some day the information gathered on these flights will serve mankind. The cost is high, but so is everything and the money is being put to good use. So, it provides jobs, is that so bad? The need to have technology of any type is worth the cost. Think about it this way. Obama spent over a billion dollars to get elected and have a ball. That money was a total waste, while the money spent on these programs are going to serve us well in the future if the Lord tarries.

Posted by Raymond Wroten February 3, 09 05:59 AM

i believe this is awsome!

Posted by Anonymous February 3, 09 08:43 AM

What sky did this Roger clod fall from. (comments in 301). One can not be out done with such stupidity due to his stupidity.

Posted by Bill February 3, 09 11:58 AM

It is amazing! Most people only relate the space program to their personal lives, and possibly the changes it has made for them. I think very few understand the impact it has had on the world, in science and the technological advances given us.
Myself I am simply in awe with the overall impact it has had to us all.
Budget? Money? Yes, I think the government, fed and states, should eliminate all forms of welfare, THEN we may be able to balance the budget. But NASA is a drop in the bucket compared to what welfare is costing us.

Posted by R.L. Armey February 3, 09 02:00 PM

REGARDING COMMENT #395-ANOTHER BRAINWASHED (PERHAPS BRAIN DEAD) EXAMPLE OF OUR FAILED (FEEL GOOD) SCHOOL SYSTEM.
HIS MATH, SPELLING AND LOGIC CONFIRM THIS. STOP FIVE SHUTTLE LAUNCHES AND THE COUNTRY WILL COME OUT OF THIS TRILLION $ CRISIS. WE CAN THEN SAVE THE WORLD AND ITS PROBLEMS. AS A KOREAN (USMC) VET I COULDN'T BE PROUDER OF MY COUNTRY AND NASA. I TRY TO NEVER MISS THE LAUNCH ON TV AND STILL GET THAT TINGLE UP MY LEGS (NOT FROM SPEECHES) WITH EACH LIFTOFF. GO NASA AND GOD BLESS THIS COUNTRY.

Posted by RUD3SOP February 4, 09 12:14 AM

As a big fan of the Apollo-Project,i�m looking forward to see NASA finally going back to the Moon and beyond.
The People involved at NASA are made from a special breed in my opinion.
Just imagine yourself landing a jet on an aircraft carrier...and that was like a "must"-qualification for astronauts not only in the 60�s!!!Characters like Charles"Pete" Conrad CMDR of Apollo12...they got hit by lightning twice during launch...an he kept his head cool even when almost all the warning lights lit up...
I think 99% of the People which are sitting there and read these posts here cant even touch the skills of some of the lowest qualified Folks at NASA.

Posted by Tobias Hommerich February 5, 09 05:26 AM

"Family" says it all. We are a space-faring family with ancestors, our present generation, and our heirs. This is a family that must never surrounder to loss of mission or vision. Our home on this Big Blue Marble expands our belief that we are not alone, and this family must reach out to find other creatures of God in His galactic universe. Matter and time are our essence, Black Holes and Dark Matter and Quantum Physics hint at another essence. Hawkins has suggested parallel worlds. Where this all goes will be lead by our family. I thank God I was part of it.

Posted by Thomas R. Napton February 6, 09 10:17 AM

i think it is so cool to look at space shuttles it is so fun. It is so fun. i like i like i like i like space shutttle so

it is so cool to look at space shuttle. i wish i could be in one.

Posted by Andrew Blotter February 6, 09 01:34 PM

I love the amazing thing that they can do with those space shuttles. The pictures are extrordanary, me myself, I don't think I could ever learn to do that!

Posted by Madison Leatham February 6, 09 01:35 PM

I love learning about space and spaceshuttles. I think it would have been really cool to have been on that ship blasting off into space. I really like the picture when it shows the spaceshuttle when it is above the clouds and what it would look like to be above the spaceshuttle and the clouds.

Posted by Maura February 6, 09 01:35 PM

holy crap those pictures were awsome.

Posted by nate embrey February 6, 09 01:35 PM

space is cool

Posted by isabella February 6, 09 01:36 PM

I thought this was intersting to see all the pictures of the space pictures and all the things you would have to do if you were a Astrounant. My favorite picture was the picture the one were the spaceship was going up the Mountin and the one were it was in the clouds.

Posted by Emilee February 6, 09 01:37 PM

I thought the pictures were awsome. I ecpicialy liked the sky veiw ones Because you can see just about every part ove the shuttle.

Posted by Christian February 6, 09 01:37 PM

Holy crap what da heck these pictures are amazing so cool.

Posted by Jake February 6, 09 01:37 PM

I think that those pictures are really cool and really interesting! I think its really cool that NASA invents really cool stuff.

Posted by Josh February 6, 09 01:39 PM

All the pictures are great but, my favorite one is the picture that looks like it has two space shuttles on top of each other. I like this picture because it looks like the top space shuttles will launch off of the other then the bottom space shuttles will launch off of the ground. I also like this picture becuase the top space shuttle looks like it is starting to face up.

Posted by Megan February 6, 09 01:39 PM

I belive that the space shuttles are probaly awsome. I would love to see one in person.

Posted by Jessica February 6, 09 01:42 PM

I love that pict. with the shooting star! Is that a space ship? Well, I like it! Have you ever thought about UFOs and wanting to go see if they are real? I have! Now it makes me want to go in space when I grow up! One time, me and my friend Mary thought we saw a UFO! But it was just a shooting star....BUT THATS OKAY! Right? I hope it is.... tee hee! I have lots of posters of space becuse I love space............. and dinosaurs............... and indians.......... and thats all. I want to explore the whole universe! But I bet I can't. BUT THATS OKAY! All I think about is aliens!

Posted by Kendra Supinger February 6, 09 01:43 PM

WOW! These pictures are amazing! I love the one were the ship is blasting off that one made my mind scramble! It's so interesting how NASA has created so many things!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by Raiven February 6, 09 01:43 PM

I stayed overnight in a motel in Daytona Flordia, a morning a lift off was planned. I was 30 miles from the site and could not beleive the noise from the lift off. Much louder than any train horn from 100 feet.

Posted by Russ Waterhouse February 6, 09 06:20 PM

I think that this is absolutely amazing and I'm going to save these pictures for my grandchildren and great grandchildren. Maybe someday they might be the one flying into space.

Posted by George Tavares February 7, 09 11:43 AM

cool this is the best pictures of this that i have seen

Posted by kelsey February 7, 09 03:06 PM

We Need NASA more than ever. It is a great program. My grandchildren have learned a lot from space camp and I believe we need to keep flying. I too have a lot of family that have worked for NASA and understand the whole program. God Bless the USA!!!

Posted by Nancy February 7, 09 05:32 PM

These wonderful pictures of Endeavour raise again the pride I have felt in having had a part in it's construction. May it fly many more times yet. While I am retired now, I still love to see NASA's accomplishments.

Posted by Armin A. Hagen February 7, 09 05:41 PM

PHOTOS OF THIS KIND REMIND ME WHEN I WORKED ON AIRCRAFT FOR 8 YEARS IN THE U.S. AIRFORCE. AMAZING WHAT WE CAN DO FOR THE FUTURE OF THIS GREAT CONTRY. GOD HELP & BLESS US ALL. THANK YOU .

Posted by BIG BOB BOGASKI IN SOUDERTON PA. February 7, 09 08:57 PM

We watch every shuttle launch from our condo on the WEST coast of Florida - it's spectacular! I had the good fortune to see an APOLLO moon launch in the early 70's using the Saturn V Rocket. We were 5 or 6 miles away across a lagoon using binoculars. When the the engines ingnited it took several seconds for the roar to reach us. The sound was so strong that everyone leaned-into the roar lest it knock us over! This 71-year citizen is so very anxious to see the next NASA program that has the USA returning to the moon; lets make it happen before I crock! I know I'll be chocking with pride!!!

Posted by Carl Gaites February 7, 09 11:45 PM

I agree with #403, A Korean Vet. USMC, WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE WHAT IT COST TO SEND OUR ENDEVER INTO SPACE? (I'M REFERRING TO
#395) The only thing it cost "US," the American tax payer, is the material that is used to get it up. Thats right, the rest is paid to the workers who put all this together, this money is just put back in the econimy so the illegal allins can still
get their living expences from us tax payers.
PS
I am,a KOREAN WAR VET.-------------U.S. ARMY

Posted by Charles Hicks February 8, 09 01:36 AM

This "thank god" and "god bless" and "meet creatures of god in other galaxies" crap is all very sweet but that is your fantasy. NASA is reality. Another reality is that organized religion fought aviation for generations as "arrogant" in seeking to trespass on "god's kingdom above" but actually out of fear, even today, that contact with extraterrestrials would debunk their self-serving marketing and propaganda. The most fundamental religions are inherently anti-science today more than ever. If the crystal cathedrals and endless real estate holdings of churches were taxed as the commercial property they are, we would already have stations on Mars.

Posted by Fritz Katz February 8, 09 12:40 PM

FABULOUS

Posted by SHANNON February 8, 09 08:30 PM

Absolutely amazing!! Posted by Joyce Craig February 8, 2009.

Posted by Joyce Craig February 8, 09 09:48 PM

These Space Shuttle photos tell an exciting 21st century story, but I am wondering when the first human voyage and landing to Mars will take place? Will the new American administration show the way with its space exploration outlook? It will probably be an international effort, so go for it! Work with your partners. We spend gazillions on war and hate, we should be focusing on actions that benefit all mankind even if some of them are longer term.

Posted by Carl Hager February 9, 09 09:34 AM

I wholeheartedly concur with all the congratulatory comments praising the brilliant quality of the pictures depicting the exemplary achievements of our Space Program. I, too, worry about the future of our Space Program. Will our education system generate sufficient numbers of highly educated scientists and enginners to meet the demands of our future Space Exploration Program? The evident shows that Oriental Schools prepare more "Honor" students highy qualified in Math and sciences in one year than the United States produces in 10 years. Reason,? Students in the Orient waste little time on sports.

Posted by Richard A. Ortega February 9, 09 08:08 PM

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by IRMA BURKS February 9, 09 09:43 PM

waste of money and time when people are starving and out of work...

Posted by Rob February 9, 09 11:38 PM

What a thrilling exercise it is to look at these fabulous pictures. As a former P-38
pilot I am jealous beyond comprehension of all the talented souls working in any
capacity that makes them part of this continuing historical event. I pray that the
ultimate direction brings mankind to the ultimate goal of sharing space with others
in far off reaches.

Posted by BOB CHENAULT February 11, 09 01:17 AM

to number 335 the united states hasnt been paying for the united nations because their to cheap! and if we didnt have the united nations i think there would be nuclear apocolypse!

this has been me! a non american giving his non-biased opinion because we have the cbc! where i come from and we are not being given

Posted by brian Trafford February 11, 09 03:12 PM

space exploration is such a waste of taxpayers money. take care of the poor and needy this crap is absolutely a waste of time and money.

Posted by moritania February 12, 09 09:29 AM

Great photos!.......Lets hope we can continue with the Space program. With the new Bailout package that Pres.Obama got passed , we just may not be able to keep the program.

Posted by Robbie Roberts February 13, 09 10:55 PM

wnat challenger photos like these��

Posted by mario February 14, 09 01:37 PM

What a fantastic and amazing slide show - such beautiful pictures - I am filled with pride for our country and for all of mankind as I view them over and over again. How awesome it will be when we finally do move on to explore Mars and beyond. I am so grateful to have been alive and to have witnessed all of our first steps into space. I hope I will be privileged to see the first man or maybe the first woman step out onto Mars!!! Thank you for sharing this trip with the Endeavour!

Posted by Sylvia Evans February 14, 09 04:13 PM

How anyone who see's from outer space the magnificense of their Maker's handy work is beyond me. It is truly miraculous each time space travel comes upon mankind and the ramifications of what is learned for the future of this world is amazing. The courage of those who risk all to make these ventures and who bring back the experiments they conduct is one of the greatest works in our human experience.
May God continue to bless us with these ventures...they will pay off!

Posted by M. J. Boyer February 16, 09 10:13 AM

ABSOLUTELY MAGNIFICENT

Posted by JOE LAVINGER February 18, 09 08:59 AM

Wonderful pictures, thank you! I think NASA has failed in one point ... and that is regarding PR. Every American should be awestruck at the magnitude and magnificence of the Shuttle program, as well as be aware of the miniscule percentage (not total - remember you have to divide by 300 million to get cost/taxpayer) of the federal budget spent on it. It works out to a few $ per taxpayer per year. It should be $20 per taxpayer per year given all the advancements and empowerment the program provides.

That said, the naysayers have a point ... but it's not the point they intend to forward. That is that if we can significantly bring down the costs with a new design, and NASA says they have such a design, then we can afford to do much much more with the same amount of $. Imagine what we could do if we doubled the budget (would have a negligible effect on the average taxpayer) and also used a design that was 2 times more efficient cost-wise. Space exploration and advancements for bettering mankind would quadruple.

But it takes money to get the next generation of space shuttles even started ... money that needs to start flowing today regardless of the state of the economy. We do need to make a bunch of cuts in gov't spending, but we can't afford to do it here.

Posted by davea0511 February 18, 09 09:17 AM

great pics but i like also the ones from space right on nasa, when i visit florida i visit you too..

Posted by jennifer robinson February 18, 09 10:19 AM

WOW!!! WHAT PICTURES....A superior job well done, keep up the good work...

Posted by Vern Fuechtmann February 18, 09 04:48 PM

I always enjoy the "comments" from our oppressed welfare receipients #433,435,436. They all protest downtown until its time to pick up their government support checks. I say Good on ya Mate to NASA and the bunch.

Posted by William Walters February 18, 09 05:01 PM

My father (Joe Guzzardi) worked on the Space Shuttle project when he was with TRW (El Segundo) in the late 70's - early 80's. He passed away at the young age of 56 in 1981. He would have been 86 now. Did any of you with the project know him?

Posted by Joe Guzzardi Jr. February 18, 09 09:33 PM

wow.............................

Posted by church February 19, 09 08:55 AM

These pictures are so inspirational. I loved seeing "UNITED STATES' inscribed on the side of the Endeavor. Thank you NASA. Keep up the good work. I believe the space program will save us in the end.

Posted by JoAnn Gemmill February 20, 09 06:33 PM

It's time to shut it down. We've got the pictures and videos.
We have discovered, there is not another liveable planet for the humans except earth.
Space exploration is a waste of gas/money/ and time.

Posted by Mike February 22, 09 04:48 PM

Was at this marvelous night launch in November (expected to be the last night launch of this program) and w/the reality of seeing history in the making LIVE can make one appreciate more than ever being an AMERICAN. My sincere thanx to NASA and others related to this program making such another historic event.

Posted by Bonny in Florida February 23, 09 01:27 PM

What fabulous photos! in '65 to '68 I was the Head of the Science Dept. at Fremont Jr. High School where we hosted astronauts,Grissom, Chaffe and White. There they were on stage answering questions from the assembled students about space travel. These photos are a tribute to their and others sacrifice.

Posted by bill conrod February 24, 09 11:12 AM

We reward bad loan givers and takers, we throw money away on usless endevours of trying to "buy down" povery.....all stupid ideas......just liberal stupid ideas.
We should be the first nation to have factories in space, a space elevator (nano tube technology) and the baddest REV 2 shuttle - one that takes off horizontally and lands that way. No we are going back to vertical / vertical and calling that progress. I do't buy that and shame on all AMericans for wanting to be second class and technology third world. Fortunately this will all be fruit harvested after Iam dead and gone...otherwise it would really make me mad....

Posted by tom diegelman February 24, 09 09:29 PM

please note i was told a ufo was spotted on this mission and its in the november 14, 2008 batch of pictures, can you help me find that picture.

Posted by donnell eugene bak February 25, 09 12:27 PM

I love these pictures! It's amazing! i wish I could see touch and experience to ride on them. thanks for providing these. THANKS NASA! AND TO ALL CONCERN...

Posted by SUSAN February 27, 09 12:43 AM

awsome

Posted by cheryl kaley February 27, 09 12:21 PM

All these pictures are so great, always loved space.

If you have any othrs, I know I would be interested, please let me know.

Posted by Gordon February 27, 09 04:32 PM

The pictures and accompanying text are truly inspiring and a pleasure to look at and to read. I believe that Mankind is quite capable of returning to the Moon and then continuing on to Mars. However, while this will undoubtably be done, "Going to the Stars" is incredibly more difficult. According to Stephen Hawking, our current ships would need 10,000 years to get to Proxima Centauri, which excluding Sol,is the nearest star to Earth. Moreover, there are no planets there. Even traveling at close to "C" the distances remain unfathomable. Increbible advances will have to be made. Even still, we shall never visit all of the stars in our own galaxy, as estimates run from 1 to 4 billion just in the Milky Way! M31 the next nearest full sized galaxy to us is a mind numbing 2 1/4 million light years away! How can we ever go there? I am not a pessimist nor am I short-sighted, but perhaps, just perhaps the huge amounts of money for space exploration (at least the part about going to the stars) could be better spent here on Mother Earth.

Posted by Bill Sievers February 27, 09 07:35 PM

As a Lockheed employee. I was part of the Shuttle Processing operation from 1982 to 1985. As an engineer, I found the launch of the Shtte to be an awsome experiernce. As a pilot, the landings ALWAYS brought tears to my eyes. Having lived through all the ground based events noted in the pictures, I would add "Thanks for the memories!". My time at the Cape remains the highpoint in my aeospace career.

Posted by Homer Brem February 27, 09 11:50 PM

No question, most NASA operations are excellent. However, the 5.7 billion spent on MANNED flights is strictly public relations. Nothing is learned on manned flights that can't be learned on unmanned flights, and for a heck of a lot less money.

Posted by Bill February 28, 09 04:12 PM

In comment #457 I should have said that the estimated number of stars in the Milky Galaxy is 1 hundred billion to 4 hundred billion, and not the smaller amount that I mistakenly wrote.

Posted by Bill Sievers March 1, 09 02:54 AM

WOW!!! Those pictures are great. thanks

Posted by Anonymous March 2, 09 05:10 PM

Fantastic...I am 70 yoa and spent 10 of those years in the early space program..The last mercury, Gemini, appolo, and ended up on the space shuttle...my time at the KSC was memorable. Would take nothing for those years.all the familar places like Pad 39A and 39B. the VAB, the huge tractor that took the space craft to the pad...and the buildings, MSOB, KSC Hqts, VAB..These pictures have brought back all those memories for me...God has created such a beautiful world and allowed us to explore just a little of it...Way to go NASA..

Posted by Charles W. Williams March 3, 09 10:54 PM

An Engineering highlight like no other!!
With all the fantastic pictures the entire operation borders on the ultimate perfection.
All the participants should tap themselfs on the back for a marvelous job done.
Be sooooooooooo proud.

Thanks for sharing this super show!

ArmkA

Posted by Armin E. Meier March 5, 09 10:38 PM

The pictures of the Shuttle, it's builders and the astronauts were great. The best I have ever seen.. A true visual contribution to society and to those interested in the progress of Man.. However, the plethora of blogs from the religious right, the anti- religious left, the penurious cry-babies and the " angry with everything and everyone groupies" is even more astounding. I would suggest that NASA solicit those contributors and offer them a free ride in the cargo bay of the next shuttle to be launched. On nearing the space station, the crew could then open the bay and let those contributors and others of similar ilke, step out into space. Good Ridence!

Posted by Frank Schmehr March 8, 09 06:14 PM

AWESOME!

Posted by Anonymous March 10, 09 08:50 AM

Great pictures,it was a wonderfull thing to view.I am hoping the space program keeps rolling along.I have also read the comments aganist the program because of the cost,but seeing what God created before we were,it is awsome.My daughter
is a at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University to become a future astronaut,it has been a dream of her's since she was 7 yearsold.I am all for the program.NASA keep the pictures coming.God bless.

Posted by Connie Rosser March 13, 09 07:37 AM

Wow! There are a lot of comment about eliminating the sapce program. Everyone needs to remember that this is all done systematically. We cannot just turn it on and off like a faucet! I am, however, shocked by some of the price tags involved. That is something that should be looked at. I'm sure there are plenty of ways to reduce costs and keep the program going.
I also saw a few comments about getting rid of welfare. I've never taken any type of assistance and I'm happily employed full time. Some people aren't as lucky. Just as there are abuses in costs at NASA there are also people who do not really need or deserve welfare. We need to stop blaming the programs. They solve more problems than they create, but they need to be regulated better!!!

Posted by David Clark March 13, 09 06:50 PM

I�m shure I never will, but if I could do a wish I�d wish to fly with the Space Shuttle for some days. Yeah man! Greatings from northern germany. Martin

Posted by Martin Mohr March 16, 09 12:41 PM

It was very educational...when all you see is what little a newspaper will print...Thank you

Posted by KRH March 16, 09 01:56 PM

It is truly amazing what our nation has produced over the past years in an effort to learn more of what lies untold miles from us in outer space, and what is being planned today to add to our accumulated knowledge so far.............Jim George, retired educator living in Tucson, AZ

Posted by Jim George March 16, 09 06:22 PM

Absolutely incredible, thanks for sharing....

Posted by Debbie C March 17, 09 03:19 AM

To Dave Whitmore [February 2, 09:06:45 PM]: The space program is a wonderful gift to humankind, but unfortunately it doesn't teach good spelling and punctuation habits. Otherwise, I'd recommend you for it. Evidence is in your note, as follows:
"The photos are great, the cost is greater, the benifits are very few compered to cost If it cost a billion dollars to launch 1 shuttle and USA are in such a finacial crisis stop the launch of the next 5 shuttles and the USA is on its way out of debt. Lets put all these very inteligent people at NASA to work paying them the same wages to improve the problems on the earth, Pulution, education, medical reserch, food production, ending wars. What a day dream."

Posted by Dave Whitmore February 2, 09 06:45 PM
Posted by Dave Whitmore February 2, 09 06:45 PM

Posted by Bill S. March 18, 09 10:42 AM

this is a very interesting pictures
I�M GLAD TO HAVE THISE CAIN OF PICTURES I NEVER SOW BEFORE
THANKYOU TO MY FREND MICHAEL

Posted by JORGE March 21, 09 01:23 AM

These are amaZing!

Posted by Pawan Joshi March 23, 09 11:05 AM

These are awesome pictures. My husband and I were fortune to spend a few winters in Cape Canaveral and see a few launches. They were all awe inspirting and the night launches were spectacular. We also saw the booster rockets being returned by ship to the Cape. Our grandchildren had the oppoturnity to see a blast off and also see the space ship returned piggy back to the Cape. Of course, we took them to visit the Space Center--a special visit everyone should make. Actually seeing the blast offs and the safe return of the space ships in person has been a high point experience.

Posted by Marilyn B. Benson March 25, 09 11:42 AM

��These are beautiful!!! these picture are great. I'm a pilot and I wish some day
fly to the space, I'am glad to have a son working at NASA.
Thanks for share. [Chito Avil�s]

Posted by Chito Avil�s March 25, 09 07:55 PM

The money invested in high-science endeavors and subsequent programs is an expensive investment, only to be undertaken by the greatest and strongest nations on Earth. A look back in history tells you that, when high-science was in the realm of war machines, weaponry, and armor or in the realm of exploration and armadas. They were meant to have a return on investment and they secured that program and that nation's place in history. If a nation has the natural resources, the human intellect and will, and the basis of captial, then the return on this investment results in massive economic and scientific ramifications that trickles to the shipbuilders, the farmers, the shopkeepers, the artists and scientists, the educators, the craftsmen and technicians, the families of those who seek gainful employment, and to the industrial machines that employ these people . . . no matter what century. Yes, the capitalists and the politicians will benefit, too, but if they didn't, there would be no starting point. The short-sightedness to end this kind of investment in order to "take care of the poor and the hungry" is simply a folly and will ultimately beset the entire society in a downward spiral. Look at Greeks, Rome, look at Carthage, look at the Persians, look at Spain, and now look at England . . . once great, now depleted. That is your future if you ignore the need for a great nation to remain great, to invest in the brightest and the best, to spend it's natural resources, wealth, and human spirit in a venture of high-science. That is what creates a return on investment and all the inventions, technology, and advances that come with it. And that's what continues to feed the "poor and the hungry: . . . otherwise, we're all distined to become poor and hungry.

To the greater good, to high-science, and the continued advancement of mankind - lest we still belong in caves.

Posted by Lance March 30, 09 09:57 PM

A retired science teacher and Christian pastor. I see tracks everywhere of a great big God and very intelligent men and women working diligently to make our lives much more exciting than we ever thought they could be.

Thanx to NASA and the other national space agencies for fabulous pics.

Rev. Dee R. Jones, Phoenix, AZ

Posted by Dee R. Jones March 31, 09 06:01 PM

GREAT PICTURES!!!!!!!!! MY FAVORITE WAS THE ONE WITH THE SHUTTLE ON THE 747 FLYING OVER THE DESERT. (TAKEN FROM ABOVE)

Posted by BILL FOUTCH April 1, 09 09:41 AM

Awesome pictures. Get some more, please.

Posted by Bill Rumpf April 1, 09 01:57 PM

Yes, we've gotten alot of new technology out of NASA., However , remember that NASA has gotten the benefit of getting the best and brighest scientists since the mercury program. Don't you think that if these brilliant scientists were working in
ther private sector they would not have come up with many of these inventions and processes. The private sector would have done as well gfiven the same resources !!!

Posted by Roland R. Fortier April 2, 09 05:56 PM

From someone working at KSC for the last 30 years, it has been an adventure. You can thank us for GPS, and so many new cutting edge technological advances. We pay taxes, lots of them, so it is all a good investment. USA is leader because of it's space program. Never forget that.

Posted by Alix T. Peck April 5, 09 06:03 PM

Fantastic photos. I didn't realize the shuttle is so large. Great going
NASA........keep up the great work. As a ex Navy Man I realize many
people may feel it is all a waste of money. I can listen to the news every day and see a greater waste of money. Keep up the great work. God bless you.....

Posted by arthur largent April 11, 09 03:10 PM

AWESOME>>>>>

Posted by LAWRENCE GRIMES April 14, 09 10:51 AM

Well if you stop and think about it, The way the world is going today some day we MIGHT have to live on the Moon or even Mars so this is a vital program just in case some JERK Nation decides to pull the plug and throw us in to cahos, So we just might need some place to live that is not comtamied with Radioactivate waste and these piutures were fantastic like I said some day we will be thankful for our space program , If it was not for my age I would go in a heart beat

Posted by Jim Whittlesey April 20, 09 10:24 AM

WOW! Those pictures were soooooooooooooooooooo cool!

Posted by Allie Grijalva April 21, 09 06:11 PM

The Nasa program makes me feel very proud to be an American. I have been fortunate enough to have been able to experience the space program from the days of the XRs taking off from the wings of the B-52s. This is money well spent! I salute everyone that has had anything to do with America's space program to date! These photos are truly awe inspiring, thank you for sharing.

Posted by Gary Hepner April 22, 09 10:33 PM

As a guy who was blessed to work the launch and landing shown in these photos, I cannot tell you how blessed I feel/am. The thing that interests me about the nay-sayers in this dialogue is their "scarcity mentality." They cannot see the benefits of the kind of outlay of time, money and effort to do what we do. If I was a doubting Thomas and felt neglected and left out of the world I might see why it was a waste. If I had no hope for a happy future in which me or my children would be safe, then I could understand it. But for those with an "abundance mindset' that understands the only way to progress is to invest. To invest blood, sweat, tears, money, spirits and lives. But what they don�t understand is that there are brave souls willing to give their all to explore and move society forward. The rest of us never know the explorer�s joy; we just get to sit back and enjoy what the explorers sacrifice so dearly to share with us. Most of us understand and show our appreciation for their dedication, but a rare few leeches eat the fruits of the explorer�s labor without ever giving them a thank you. They in fact have an aire of disdain and judgement in their tone. Forget them. They fill their minds with bitters and lard and they cannot see or think clearly anymore. To the rest of you, I am so very grateful you understand and appreciate what our Astronauts, and our Launch Teams, do to make launch and land �vehicles,� or shuttles, safely. Thank you!!! Most sincerely, One Lucky Engineer.

Posted by One Lucky Engineer May 5, 09 06:44 PM

NASA is the best! We are very proud of their work and the safety they have for the public.

Posted by Caballero Family May 5, 09 07:55 PM

As an old Navy pilot (Korean War vintage) I certainly appreciate all the skill and effort that has been put into these shuttles, to say nothing about the priceless lives that have been lost . As a science fiction fan, I'd love to see us get acquainted with Venusians, Martians, etc., but unfortunately there aren't any such creatures there. After reading "Where is Everybody" by Stephen Webb, I'm convinced that there's no intelligent life elsewhere in our Solar System, and to go elsewhere in our galaxy, not even a speed-of-light drive would get us there on any practical basis. We're developing good military technology, but that's about it.

Posted by Earl K. Dille May 8, 09 11:43 AM

It's amazing what we can do when we put our minds to it!

Posted by Jim Pino May 9, 09 09:49 PM

yo! i love these pictures!

Posted by madz May 12, 09 09:24 AM

Dear NASA Gang
It's not just the main engines or boosters that put the shuttle in orbit.
It's love.
It's love.
All the way through countdown, when the shuttle awakens, it's love all the way uphill,
it's love on orbit, and it's love during re-entry and landing, and all the way to
wheels stop and APU shutdown, when the shuttle goes gently back to sleep
like a cherished pet who has worked hard and played joyously.

Love can't be broken.
Love can't malfunction.
We can bust a wing, or fry a hole in an SRB, but love doesn't quit.
Ever.

Posted by Julian May 19, 09 03:36 AM

Dear Sir/ Madam
Hello
Thank you so much for the pictuers.
I think It is cheaper ,if you use the 747aircraft to send shuttle (crews and some things) to space (ISS) instead of useing the rockets.
Regards,
Mohammad Pishyar

Posted by Mohammad Pishyar May 31, 09 08:13 PM

Outstanding photos..all of them!
My favorite is the view over the Mojave dessert.............unbelievable!
Keep them coming!

Posted by Ron D'Agostino June 2, 09 09:26 PM