The STS-121 patch depicts the Space Shuttle docked with the International Space Station (ISS) in the foreground, overlaying the astronaut symbol with three gold columns and a gold star. The ISS is shown in the configuration that it will be in during the STS-121 mission. The background shows the Earth at night with dawn breaking over the horizon. (Photo: NASA) |
Canadian Space Agency Chief Astronaut Julie Payette will be Lead Station CapCom, or Capsule Communicator, for mission STS-121. (Photo: NASA) |
The seven STS-121 astronauts take a break from training to pose for the crew portrait. From the left are astronauts Stephanie Wilson, Michael Fossum, both mission specialists; Steven Lindsey, commander; Piers Sellers, mission specialist; Mark Kelly, pilot; European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Reiter of Germany; and Lisa Nowak, both mission specialists. (Photo: NASA) |
Shortly after arrival in a NASA Gulfstream jet at Kennedy Space Centre, Space Shuttle Discovery Commander Steve Lindsey stepped to the podium and welcomed the media.
(Photo: NASA/Kim Shiflet) |
Space Shuttle Discovery on Launch Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Centre. (Photo: NASA/ Ken Thornsley) |
A closeup view of the Neptec laser scanner. The tissue paper covers the optical window through which an invisible laser will be scanned across the surfaces of the shuttle in order to catch even fine cracks that could be a hazard for the shuttle during re-entry. The scanner is covered in reflective silver tape to prevent it from overheating when exposed to harsh direct sunlight in orbit.
(Photo: NEPTEC) |
The new scanner, developed by Neptec, inspects hard-to-reach areas of the underside of the shuttle.
(Photo: NEPTEC) |
A computer-generated view shows the bottom of the Space Shuttle Discovery in flight with the new Remote Manipulator System (Canadarm) with the Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS) attached and deployed to survey the wings' leading edges for damage.
(Photo: NASA) |
A computer-generated profile view of Space Shuttle Discovery in Earth orbit with the Remote Manipulator System (Canadarm) and the attached Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS) surveying the leading edge of the wing.
(Photo: NASA) |
Artist's rendering of the new Inspection Boom and Neptec's Laser Camera System attached to the end of Canadarm extending its reach to inspect the Shuttle's thermal protection system.
(Photo: MDA) |
This 3-D rendering depicts Neptec's Laser Camera System, deployed on the OBSS, scanning the nose cone of Space ShuttleDiscovery for potential damage to the heat shield tiles. NASA is using Neptec's technology to detect possible tiny fractures. It is one of many safety measures.
(Photo: NEPTEC) |
The following images show various positions of the shuttle's robotic system. They are part of a test of the Canadian-built extension boom scheduled for the first spacewalk of the mission. The images are artist's renderings of the Space Shuttle Discovery docked to the Space Station.
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The position of the shuttle robotic system in which astronauts can attach themselves to the end of the Canadian-built inspection boom.
(Photo: NASA) |
A closer view of the system position in which astronauts can attach themselves to the end of the Canadian-built inspection boom.
(Photo: NASA) |
An intermediate position.
(Photo: NASA) |
An intermediate position.
(Photo: NASA) |
The "P1 push position"
in which the astronaut can reach the station's port 1 truss segment.
(Photo: NASA) |
The "P1 push position"
in which the astronaut can reach the station's port 1 truss segment.
(Photo: NASA) |
Position one.
(Photo: NASA) |
Position one.
(Photo: NASA) |
Position two.
(Photo: NASA) |
Position two.
(Photo: NASA) |
Position three.
(Photo: NASA) |
Position three.
(Photo: NASA) |
