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The last flight "Atlantis"
A few hours ago the space shuttle "Atlantis" went from launch pad at Kennedy Space Center in its last flight. First launched into space 25 years ago, in October 1985, NASA's space shuttle "Atlantis" took off on its 32th and final flight. During this flight - the first of the last three in the NASA program - the International Space Station will be delivered to all-cargo construction and assembled in the Russian Mini Research Module "Rassvet". Collected here are photos of the recent actions of the "Atlantis" - descent from orbit in November last year, landing and preparation to the last flight.
38 photo + letter
via The Boston Globe
1. At the end of last year, almost at the end of the previous mission, "Atlantis", a member of Expedition 23 on board the International Space Station photographed "Atlantis" soon after the shuttle undocked from the station and began to enter the atmosphere. (NASA)
2. Silhouette of space shuttle "Atlantis" is seen on the background of spotlights block assembly machines at Kennedy Space Center during his exit 39A onto the platform. (NASA / Amanda Diller)
3. "Atlantis" flies to runway 33 at Kennedy Space Center on November 27, 2009 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The shuttle completed an 11-day mission to the International Space Station. (AP Photo / Chris O'Meara)
4. The shuttle "Atlantis" with an open parachute sits on runway 33 at Kennedy Space Center after spending 11 days in space. In the background - a 160-meter high building assembly of aircraft and crane used for the construction of a new mobile launcher. (NASA / Tim Terry)
5. The commander of the mission «STS-129" Charles Hobah stretches toward the bow "Atlantis" after a successful landing. (AP Photo / Scott Audette, Pool)
6. Shortly after landing, "Atlantis" was transported to the assembly and the housing assembly at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. In the picture: one of the three main engines removed using special elevators «Hyster». Survey and installation of each motor is a standard procedure after the shuttle mission. (NASA / Glenn Benson)
7. In the first assembly and the housing assembly technology company «United Space Alliance» complete inspection bay windows eighth crew "Atlantis". (NASA / Jim Grossmann)
8. Technicians are preparing to install the system used to inspect the shuttle's heat shield, in the cargo bay of the shuttle, the first assembly and the assembly housing. Arrow collection removed from the shuttle at each processing stage. After five consecutive flights, all internal components are thoroughly tested in the laboratory of electronic remote manipulator. 15-meter system is attached to the end of the robot arm manipulator shuttle and supports cameras and laser systems used for inspection of the thermal protection system in space. (NASA / Jim Grossmann)
9. In the center of the main engine test SSMEPF shuttle removed from the stand and move onto the conveyor to transport in the assembly and the assembly housing 1, in which the space shuttle "Atlantis" is preparing for the upcoming mission «STS-132." The main engine is 4, 27 meters long, weighs about 3175 kg and is 2, 29 meters in diameter. (NASA / Troy Cryder)
10. In the first assembly and the housing assembly workers install the shuttle's main engine in place. (NASA / Troy Cryder)
11. Two of the three main engines of the space shuttle "Atlantis" are in place on the eve of the mission «STS-132." (NASA / Troy Cryder)
12. Chief Inspector Aviation Company «United Space Alliance» Ray Cox checks that the pipe the air conditioner did not get foreign objects and debris before installing it on the shuttle "Atlantis". The debris or dirt can cause damage to the system filters and valves, or change the flow of air into the system. Stabilizes the tube pressure during take-off and landing and prevents the formation of condensation on them. (NASA / Kim Shiflett)
13. Barge "Pegasus" to the external fuel tank 136 approaches to the pond at the Kennedy Space Center. Tank ET-136 will be used during the launch of the shuttle "Atlantis". (NASA / Rusty Backer)
14. The external fuel tank 136 comes out of the barge "Pegasus", moored to the shore near the housing assembly machines. (NASA / Troy Cryder)
15. Overhead crane lifts external fuel tank for the space shuttle "Atlantis" from the test shaft housing assembly machines. (NASA / Jack Pfaller)
16. Members of the crew of the ship "Atlantis" participate in training during the test interfaces crew before the mission. Photo: Commander Ken Ham familiar with the settings in the cockpit of the space shuttle. Checking the interface gives the crew an opportunity to get acquainted with the technical support of the shuttle. (NASA / Kim Shiflett)
17. To demonstrate assembled in Russia Mini Research Module in the assembly and the housing assembly was held a press conference with the participation of NASA and "Roskosmos". All the necessary parts and cargo have been installed on the module. The module has been put on display in front of the media Movements in the assembly and assembly shop Space Station at NASA. The crew of the space shuttle "Atlantis" of six people bring universal design and cargo module to the International Space Station. The module will be immediately attached to the control module "Zarya" going out into the earth. Module (having the name "Dawn") is used to store the goods and will also be an additional bay station. (NASA / Dimitri Gerondidaikis)
18. Sergey Kireevichev from the center of Gagarin Cosmonaut Training conducts training for crew members «STS-132" on the device and the work of the docking device for small research module during the test interface of the crew. Left (in blue suit) Mission Specialist Piers Sellers, commander Ken Hahn and mission specialists Michael Good and Garrett Reisman. (NASA / Troy Cryder)
19. The rear landing gear space shuttle "Atlantis". Changes in thermal protection system tiles affect the wings landing gear, so it is necessary to produce the chassis to open the door without hindrance. (NASA / Gianni Woods)
20. Astronauts Michael Good (front) and Garrett Reisman rehearse with the help of special equipment, some actions of the forthcoming mission to the International Space Station. During this training in "virtual reality" astronauts wear a helmet and gloves and look at the computer, displaying their movement against the background of the "drawn" station equipment with which they will be working. (NAS
21. Scientific Japanese company «Japan Manned Space Systems Corp.» prepares equipment for a flight to the International Space Station. Crew members station will check whether the changes microgravity ferulic acid in seeds of rice, thus reducing the mechanical strength of the cell walls. (NASA / Jack Pfaller)
22. mission specialist «STS-132" astronaut Mike Good work with the camera, designed to work behind during training spacewalks in neutral buoyancy laboratory, near the Johnson Space Center September 30, 2009. (NASA)
23. The space shuttle "Atlantis" is close to the body assembly machines, away from the assembly and the assembly building, where it is ready to fly. (NASA / Jack Pfaller)
24. The shuttle "Atlantis" lifted from the conveyor into the bay High Bay-1. In the compartment "Atlantis" connected to an external fuel tank and solid rocket booster. (NASA / Cory Huston)
25. "Atlantis" is lowered along the external fuel tank and solid rocket booster. (NASA / Jack Pfaller)
26. Commander Ken Ham sits in the cockpit of the space shuttle training to work with immediate landing takeoff. Aircraft for training to fly the shuttle serves the plane «Gulfstream II», customized for the control of the spacecraft. (NASA / Troy Cryder)
Pilot Tony Antonelli 27. took his instructor David Seymour (left) for a walk in an armored personnel carrier "M-113" during training driving. In the training session was also attended by a specialist Steve Bowen. Armored personnel carrier always "parked" at the launch platform for disaster out of the launch pad area. (NASA / Kim Shiflett)
28. NASA astronaut Tony Antonelli in a training version of the spacesuit starting and landing during a training exercise at the Johnson Space Center April 8, 2010. (NASA)
29. The water on the road for the crawler transporter at the 52-storey building assembly machines at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where the shuttle "Atlantis" is waiting for transport to the launch pad 39A. Because of the storm, which took over the center, the road is soaked and the carrier is not able to carry the shuttle to 5, 47 km. (NASA / Kim Shiflett)
30. The crawler transporter begins to roll out the shuttle "Atlantis" from the compartment High Bay 1, to take on the launch pad 39A, located 5 km away. (NASA / Amanda Diller)
31. tracked carrier weight 2, 7 million kg lucky shuttle "Atlantis" from the housing assembly to the starting platform 39A. (NASA / Amanda Diller)
32. Work to install the new arrival of the shuttle on the platform began. (NASA / Amanda Diller)
33. The sun rises over the Atlantic Ocean, close to the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center. Shuttle "Atlantis" was moved from the housing assembly to the launch pad for one night. (NASA / Jack Pfaller)
34. The astronauts of the space shuttle "Atlantis" fly over the landing site in the T-38 aircraft May 10, 2010 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The crew of the "Atlantis" was preparing to fly to the International Space Station, scheduled for 14 May. (Matt Stroshane / Getty Images)
35. Family sea hawks in the housing assembly machines Kennedy Space Center on May 13. (AP Photo / NASA, Bill Ingalls)
36. Work is the cord from the top of the repair site. (AP Photo / Terry Renna)
37. The shuttle "Atlantis" is preparing to launch May 14, 2010. (Matt Stroshane / Getty Images)
38. Astronauts "Atlantis" pose for a photo in front of the van who brought them to the Kennedy Space Center on May 14. (DON EMMERT / AFP / Getty Images)
Source:
38 photo + letter
via The Boston Globe
1. At the end of last year, almost at the end of the previous mission, "Atlantis", a member of Expedition 23 on board the International Space Station photographed "Atlantis" soon after the shuttle undocked from the station and began to enter the atmosphere. (NASA)
2. Silhouette of space shuttle "Atlantis" is seen on the background of spotlights block assembly machines at Kennedy Space Center during his exit 39A onto the platform. (NASA / Amanda Diller)
3. "Atlantis" flies to runway 33 at Kennedy Space Center on November 27, 2009 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The shuttle completed an 11-day mission to the International Space Station. (AP Photo / Chris O'Meara)
4. The shuttle "Atlantis" with an open parachute sits on runway 33 at Kennedy Space Center after spending 11 days in space. In the background - a 160-meter high building assembly of aircraft and crane used for the construction of a new mobile launcher. (NASA / Tim Terry)
5. The commander of the mission «STS-129" Charles Hobah stretches toward the bow "Atlantis" after a successful landing. (AP Photo / Scott Audette, Pool)
6. Shortly after landing, "Atlantis" was transported to the assembly and the housing assembly at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. In the picture: one of the three main engines removed using special elevators «Hyster». Survey and installation of each motor is a standard procedure after the shuttle mission. (NASA / Glenn Benson)
7. In the first assembly and the housing assembly technology company «United Space Alliance» complete inspection bay windows eighth crew "Atlantis". (NASA / Jim Grossmann)
8. Technicians are preparing to install the system used to inspect the shuttle's heat shield, in the cargo bay of the shuttle, the first assembly and the assembly housing. Arrow collection removed from the shuttle at each processing stage. After five consecutive flights, all internal components are thoroughly tested in the laboratory of electronic remote manipulator. 15-meter system is attached to the end of the robot arm manipulator shuttle and supports cameras and laser systems used for inspection of the thermal protection system in space. (NASA / Jim Grossmann)
9. In the center of the main engine test SSMEPF shuttle removed from the stand and move onto the conveyor to transport in the assembly and the assembly housing 1, in which the space shuttle "Atlantis" is preparing for the upcoming mission «STS-132." The main engine is 4, 27 meters long, weighs about 3175 kg and is 2, 29 meters in diameter. (NASA / Troy Cryder)
10. In the first assembly and the housing assembly workers install the shuttle's main engine in place. (NASA / Troy Cryder)
11. Two of the three main engines of the space shuttle "Atlantis" are in place on the eve of the mission «STS-132." (NASA / Troy Cryder)
12. Chief Inspector Aviation Company «United Space Alliance» Ray Cox checks that the pipe the air conditioner did not get foreign objects and debris before installing it on the shuttle "Atlantis". The debris or dirt can cause damage to the system filters and valves, or change the flow of air into the system. Stabilizes the tube pressure during take-off and landing and prevents the formation of condensation on them. (NASA / Kim Shiflett)
13. Barge "Pegasus" to the external fuel tank 136 approaches to the pond at the Kennedy Space Center. Tank ET-136 will be used during the launch of the shuttle "Atlantis". (NASA / Rusty Backer)
14. The external fuel tank 136 comes out of the barge "Pegasus", moored to the shore near the housing assembly machines. (NASA / Troy Cryder)
15. Overhead crane lifts external fuel tank for the space shuttle "Atlantis" from the test shaft housing assembly machines. (NASA / Jack Pfaller)
16. Members of the crew of the ship "Atlantis" participate in training during the test interfaces crew before the mission. Photo: Commander Ken Ham familiar with the settings in the cockpit of the space shuttle. Checking the interface gives the crew an opportunity to get acquainted with the technical support of the shuttle. (NASA / Kim Shiflett)
17. To demonstrate assembled in Russia Mini Research Module in the assembly and the housing assembly was held a press conference with the participation of NASA and "Roskosmos". All the necessary parts and cargo have been installed on the module. The module has been put on display in front of the media Movements in the assembly and assembly shop Space Station at NASA. The crew of the space shuttle "Atlantis" of six people bring universal design and cargo module to the International Space Station. The module will be immediately attached to the control module "Zarya" going out into the earth. Module (having the name "Dawn") is used to store the goods and will also be an additional bay station. (NASA / Dimitri Gerondidaikis)
18. Sergey Kireevichev from the center of Gagarin Cosmonaut Training conducts training for crew members «STS-132" on the device and the work of the docking device for small research module during the test interface of the crew. Left (in blue suit) Mission Specialist Piers Sellers, commander Ken Hahn and mission specialists Michael Good and Garrett Reisman. (NASA / Troy Cryder)
19. The rear landing gear space shuttle "Atlantis". Changes in thermal protection system tiles affect the wings landing gear, so it is necessary to produce the chassis to open the door without hindrance. (NASA / Gianni Woods)
20. Astronauts Michael Good (front) and Garrett Reisman rehearse with the help of special equipment, some actions of the forthcoming mission to the International Space Station. During this training in "virtual reality" astronauts wear a helmet and gloves and look at the computer, displaying their movement against the background of the "drawn" station equipment with which they will be working. (NAS
21. Scientific Japanese company «Japan Manned Space Systems Corp.» prepares equipment for a flight to the International Space Station. Crew members station will check whether the changes microgravity ferulic acid in seeds of rice, thus reducing the mechanical strength of the cell walls. (NASA / Jack Pfaller)
22. mission specialist «STS-132" astronaut Mike Good work with the camera, designed to work behind during training spacewalks in neutral buoyancy laboratory, near the Johnson Space Center September 30, 2009. (NASA)
23. The space shuttle "Atlantis" is close to the body assembly machines, away from the assembly and the assembly building, where it is ready to fly. (NASA / Jack Pfaller)
24. The shuttle "Atlantis" lifted from the conveyor into the bay High Bay-1. In the compartment "Atlantis" connected to an external fuel tank and solid rocket booster. (NASA / Cory Huston)
25. "Atlantis" is lowered along the external fuel tank and solid rocket booster. (NASA / Jack Pfaller)
26. Commander Ken Ham sits in the cockpit of the space shuttle training to work with immediate landing takeoff. Aircraft for training to fly the shuttle serves the plane «Gulfstream II», customized for the control of the spacecraft. (NASA / Troy Cryder)
Pilot Tony Antonelli 27. took his instructor David Seymour (left) for a walk in an armored personnel carrier "M-113" during training driving. In the training session was also attended by a specialist Steve Bowen. Armored personnel carrier always "parked" at the launch platform for disaster out of the launch pad area. (NASA / Kim Shiflett)
28. NASA astronaut Tony Antonelli in a training version of the spacesuit starting and landing during a training exercise at the Johnson Space Center April 8, 2010. (NASA)
29. The water on the road for the crawler transporter at the 52-storey building assembly machines at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where the shuttle "Atlantis" is waiting for transport to the launch pad 39A. Because of the storm, which took over the center, the road is soaked and the carrier is not able to carry the shuttle to 5, 47 km. (NASA / Kim Shiflett)
30. The crawler transporter begins to roll out the shuttle "Atlantis" from the compartment High Bay 1, to take on the launch pad 39A, located 5 km away. (NASA / Amanda Diller)
31. tracked carrier weight 2, 7 million kg lucky shuttle "Atlantis" from the housing assembly to the starting platform 39A. (NASA / Amanda Diller)
32. Work to install the new arrival of the shuttle on the platform began. (NASA / Amanda Diller)
33. The sun rises over the Atlantic Ocean, close to the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center. Shuttle "Atlantis" was moved from the housing assembly to the launch pad for one night. (NASA / Jack Pfaller)
34. The astronauts of the space shuttle "Atlantis" fly over the landing site in the T-38 aircraft May 10, 2010 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The crew of the "Atlantis" was preparing to fly to the International Space Station, scheduled for 14 May. (Matt Stroshane / Getty Images)
35. Family sea hawks in the housing assembly machines Kennedy Space Center on May 13. (AP Photo / NASA, Bill Ingalls)
36. Work is the cord from the top of the repair site. (AP Photo / Terry Renna)
37. The shuttle "Atlantis" is preparing to launch May 14, 2010. (Matt Stroshane / Getty Images)
38. Astronauts "Atlantis" pose for a photo in front of the van who brought them to the Kennedy Space Center on May 14. (DON EMMERT / AFP / Getty Images)
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