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Ares 1-X VAB Stacking Photo Collection

Part of the Constellation Program, the Ares I-X is the test vehicle for the Ares I, which is the essential core of a space transportation system that eventually will carry crewed missions back to the moon, on to Mars and out into the solar system. The Ares I-X flight test is targeted no earlier than Aug. 30, 2009 from Launch Pad 39B.

Ares I-X is the first new launch vehicle to be stacked in in NASA’s Vehicle Assembly Building in over 30 years. When stacking in finished the Ares I-X test rocket will tower over the launch pad at height of 327 feet.

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(Above) The Ares I-X aft assembly nears the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It is being moved to the VAB for stacking to complete the Ares I-X test vehicle. The aft assembly will be the first segment to be stacked on the mobile launch platform in the VAB.

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(Above) The Ares I-X aft assembly moves toward the door of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

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(Above) In the Vehicle Assembly Building at KSC, the Ares I-X aft booster segment with the aft skirt is lifted from its stand. The stack will be hoisted into the upper regions of the VAB and lowered onto the mobile launch platform in High Bay 1. This is the start of the buildup of the Ares I-X launch vehicle for the flight test targeted for no earlier than Aug. 30.

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(Above) In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Ares I-X aft booster segment with the aft skirt is lifted across the VAB transfer aisle.

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(Above) In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Ares I-X aft booster segment with the aft skirt is lowered toward the mobile launch platform in High Bay 1.

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(Above) Segments of the Ares I-X first stage are fitted with a crane to lift it to the fifth segment simulator for mating, completing Super Stack 1. The super stack comprises the forward skirt, forward skirt extension, interstages 1 and 2 and the fifth segment simulator.

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(Above) In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the segments of the Ares I-X first stage are fitted with a crane to lift it to the fifth segment simulator for mating, completing Super Stack 1.

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(Above) In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, segments of the Ares I-X first stage are lifted from the stand. The segments are being moved for stacking and mating to the fifth segment simulator, completing Super Stack 1.

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(Above) Segments of the Ares I-X first stage are moved across the bay. They will be stacked and mated to the fifth segment simulator, completing Super Stack 1.

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(Above) Segments of the Ares I-X first stage move past other stacks toward the fifth simulator segment stack at right. The two stacks will be mated, completing Super Stack 1.

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(Above) Segments of the Ares I-X first stage are lowered toward the fifth simulator segment for mating, to complete Super Stack 1. The super stack comprises the forward skirt, forward skirt extension, interstages 1 and 2 and the fifth segment simulator.

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(Above) In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, segments of the Ares I-X first stage are mated to the fifth simulator segment, completing Super Stack 1. The super stack comprises the forward skirt, forward skirt extension, interstages 1 and 2 and the fifth segment simulator.

Posted
July 9th, 2009

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Building Constellation’s New Mobile Launch Platform – Photo Collection

At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, construction is under way on a new mobile launcher for the Constellation Program. The new mobile launcher will be the base for the Ares rockets to launch the Orion crew exploration vehicle and the cargo vehicle.

The base is being made lighter than space shuttle mobile launcher platforms so the crawler-transporter can pick up the added load of the 345-foot tower and taller rocket. When the structural portion of the new launcher is complete, umbilical lines, access arms, communications equipment and command/control equipment will be installed.

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Posted
July 6th, 2009

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Apollo 11 Mobile Quarantine Facility Photo Collection

ASTRONAUTS LEAVING PICKUP HELICOPTER

(Above) The three Apollo 11 astronauts (L-R) Aldrin, Armstrong, and Collins are shown leaving the recovery helicopter aboard the U.S.S. Hornet after their splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. The astronauts are wearing biological isolation garments which were donned before leaving the spacecraft. The three are pictured heading directly to the Mobile Quarantine Facility (MQF) on the aircraft carrier. The MQF served as their home for 21 days following the mission.

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(Above) The Apollo 11 crewmen, wearing biological isolation garments, arrive aboard the U.S.S. Hornet during recovery operations in the central Pacific. They are walking toward the Mobile Quarantine Facility, in which they were confined until arrival at the Manned Spacecraft Center’s Lunar Receiving Laboratory.

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(Above) President Richard M. Nixon welcomes the Apollo 11 astronauts aboard the U.S.S. Hornet. Already confined to the Mobile Quarantine Facility are (left to right) Neil A. Armstrong, commander; Michael Collins, command module pilot; and Edwin E. Aldrin Jr., lunar module pilot.

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(Above) The Apollo 11 Spacecraft Command Module (foreground) and the Mobile Quarantine Facility (MQF) (background) are photographed aboard the U.S.S. Hornet, prime recovery ship for the historic lunar landing mission. The three crewmen are already in the MQF.

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(Above) Offloading of the Mobile Quarantine Facility from the prime recovery
vessel, the U.S.S. Hornet, to be sent to Hickam AFB, Hawaii. The crew of Apollo 11 is inside the Mobile Quarantine Facility.

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(Above ) The Mobile Quarantine Facility, with the three Apollo 11 crewmen inside, is unloaded from a U.S. Air Force C141 transport at Ellington Air Force Base early Sunday after a flight from Hawaii.

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(Above ) A wide shot of the Mobile Quarantine Facility, with the three Apollo 11 crewmen inside. The MQF is being unloaded from a U.S. Air Force C141 transport at Ellington Air Force Base early Sunday after a flight from Hawaii. A large crowd was present to welcome Astronauts Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Edwin Aldrin Jr. back to Houston following their historic lunar landing mission.

Posted
July 4th, 2009

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STS-5 Columbia Sunset Landing

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(Above) Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-5) makes its approach for landing as the sunsets on Edwards Air Force Base. In front of the orbiter is a T-38 chase plane.

FAST FACTS: STS-5 was the first operational Space Shuttle mission. It also carried the largest crew at the time—four astronauts—and the first two commercial communications satellites to be flown on the Shuttle.

Posted
June 30th, 2009

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Apollo 11 Lunar Surface Simulation Training Photo Collection

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(Above) Two members of the Apollo 11 lunar landing mission participate in a simulation of deploying and using lunar tools on the surface of the moon during a training exercise in bldg 9 on April 22, 1969. Astronaut Edwin E. Aldrin Jr. (on left), lunar module pilot, uses scoop and tongs to pick up sample. Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong, Apollo 11 commander, holds bag to receive sample. In the background is a Lunar Module mockup. Both men are wearing Extravehicular Mobility Units (EMU).

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(Above) Astronaut Edwin E. Aldrin Jr. (on left), lunar module pilot, uses a scoop and tongs to pick up a simulated lunar sample.

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(Above) Aldrin and Armstrong during lunar surface training exercise. Aldrin (on left) uses a scoop to pick up a sample. Armstrong holds bag to receive sample. In the background is a Lunar Module mock-up. Both men are wearing the EMU.

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(Above) Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong, wearing an Extravehicular Mobility Unit, deploys a lunar surface television camera during lunar surface simulation training in building 9, Manned Spacecraft Center. Armstrong is the prime crew commander of the Apollo 11 lunar landing mission.

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(Above) Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong, wearing an EMU, participates in a simulation of deploying and using lunar tools on the surface of the moon during a training exercise in building 9. Armstrong is the commander of the Apollo 11 lunar landing mission. His is using a scoop to place the sample into a bag. On the right is a Lunar Module mock-up.

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(Above) Suited Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong, wearing an Extravehicular Mobility Unit, participates in lunar surface simulation training on April 18, 1969, in bldg 9, Manned Spacecraft Center (MSC). Armstrong is the prime crew commander of the Apollo 11 lunar landing mission. Here, he simulates scooping up a lunar surface sample.

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(Above) Armstrong is standing beside Lunar Module mock-up, holding sample bags during training exercise in building 9 at the Manned Spacecraft Center.

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(Above) Astronaut Edwin Aldrin, Apollo 11 lunar module pilot, simulates deplying the Passive Seismic Experiment Package during a training exercise in building 9. A Lunar Module mock-up is in the background.

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(Above) Astronaut Neil Armstrong, wearing an Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU), opens a lunar sample Earth return container. At the right is the Modular Equipment Stowage Assembly (MESA) and the Lunar Module Mockup.

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(Above) Astronaut Neil Armstrong, wearing an Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU), gets ready to step off the Lunar Module mockup foot pad and make one giant (practice) leap for mankind.

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(Above) Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong, wearing an Extravehicular Mobility Unit, participates in a simulation of deploying and using lunar tools on the surface of the moon during a training exercise in building 9 on April 22, 1969. Armstrong is the commander of the Apollo 11 lunar landing mission. In the background is a Lunar Module mockup.

Posted
June 29th, 2009

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Apollo 1 Heat Shield Installation Photo Collection

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(Above) This is a high angle view of the Apollo 1 (Spacecraft 012) Command Module , looking toward -Z axis, during preparation for installation of the crew compartment heat shield, with mechanics working on the aft bay.

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(Above) Apollo 1 (Spacecraft 012) looking toward -Y axis during installation of heat shield. Note the uprighting system compressor in aft bay, at right, and Reaction Control System (RCS) valve module panel, center of photo.

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