KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. – The fiery launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis makes a perfect picture against the blue Florida sky as Atlantis heads for a rendezvous with the International Space Station on mission STS-115. After launch attempts were scrubbed Aug. 27 and 29 and Sept. 3 and 8 due to weather and technical concerns, […]

A technical issue with an engine cut-off (ECO) sensor inside space shuttle’s external tank forced NASA officials to scrub Friday’s STS-115 launch attempt. This system of sensors is one of several that protect the shuttle’s main engines by triggering their shut down if fuel runs unexpectedly low. ECO sensor #3, one of four inside the […]

Huge clouds roll over Launch Pad 39B where Space Shuttle Atlantis still sits after the scrub of its launch on mission STS-115. Atlantis was originally scheduled to launch at 12:29 p.m. EDT on September 6th, but a 24-hour scrub was called by mission managers due to a concern with fuel cell 1. Towering above […]

NASA is targeting a possible launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis on Friday, Sept. 8 because of a problem associated with one of the spacecraft’s electricity-producing fuel cells. Shuttle program managers at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center decided Wednesday afternoon additional time was needed to evaluate fuel cell flight history and potential causes of the malfunction.
Mission managers […]

After sunset, Space Shuttle Atlantis is bathed in light from the fixed service structure on Launch Pad 39B. Seen on either side of Atlantis’ engine nozzles are the tail masts, which provide several umbilical connections to the orbiter, including a liquid-oxygen line through one and a liquid-hydrogen line through another. Below the mobile launcher platform, […]