KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - On Launch Complex 17-B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF) observatory is ready to be lowered to the ground and taken back to NASA Spacecraft Hangar AE. SIRTF will remain in the clean room at Hangar AE until it returns to the pad in early August.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Expedition 6 Commander Ken Bowersox poses for a photo with KSC employees after his presentation about his mission and residence on the International Space Station from November 25, 2002, to May 3, 2003.

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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Space Station Processing Facility, technicians begin pre-assembly measurements on the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM). Developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the JEM will enhance the unique research capabilities of the orbiting complex by providing an additional environment for astronauts to conduct science experiments.

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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Orbiter Processing Facility, while Greg Harlow, with United Space Alliance (USA), (above) threads a camera under the tiles of the orbiter Endeavour, NASA’s Richard Parker (below left) and Peggy Ritchie, with USA, (at right) watch the images on a monitor to inspect for corrosion.

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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Space Station Processing Facility, STS-114 Mission Specialist Wendy Lawrence manipulates part of a Multi-Purpose Logistics Module. Lawrence is a new addition to the mission crew. The STS-114 crew is at KSC to take part in crew equipment and orbiter familiarization.

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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Orbiter Processing Facility, while Greg Harlow, with United Space Alliance (USA) (above) threads a camera under the tiles of the orbiter Endeavour, Peggy Ritchie, USA, (behind the stand) and NASA’s Richard Parker (seated) watch the images on a monitor to inspect for corrosion.

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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At right, Mike Young and Les Hanks, with United Space Alliance, prepare a window on Atlantis for removal. The windows are being removed to inspect them for contaminants in the thermal seal. Atlantis has been undergoing routine maintenance in the Orbiter Processing Facility for Return to Flight, on mission STS-114.

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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Solid Rocket Booster Assembly and Refurbishment Facility (ARF), Troy Krout, with United Space Alliance, works on positioning the parachute camera after installation on the solid rocket booster forward skirt. Refurbishment and subassembly of Shuttle SRB hardware - primarily the forward and aft assemblies - is carried out in the ARF.

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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - On Launch Complex 17-B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF) observatory is lowered onto a transporter to be taken back to NASA Spacecraft Hangar AE. SIRTF will remain in the clean room at Hangar AE until it returns to the pad in early August.

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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - One of the featured displays at the KSC Visitor Complex is the genuine external tank (center) with twin solid rocket boosters, seen here at the lower end. The tank and boosters are paired with a full-size replica of a Space Shuttle Orbiter in the Shuttle Plaza.

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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Space Station Processing Facility, a technician takes readings for pre-assembly measurements on the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM). Developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the JEM will enhance the unique research capabilities of the orbiting complex by providing an additional environment for astronauts to conduct science experiments.

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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Workers in KSC's Vertical Processing Facility make final prelaunch prepartions to various payload elements that are part of the second Hubble Space Telescope (HST) servicing mission, STS-82. Liftoff is targeted Feb. 11 aboard Discovery with a crew of seven.

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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Space Station Processing Facility, workers (in protective clothing) brief STS-117 Mission Specialist James Reilly (center) and STS-115 Mission Specialist Joseph Tanner (right) about the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM). Equipment familiarization is a routine part of astronaut training and launch preparations.

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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Space Station Processing Facility, STS-115 Mission Specialist Joseph Tanner and STS-117 Mission Specialist James Reilly get a close look at the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM). Reilly and Tanner are at KSC for equipment familiarization, a routine part of astronaut training and launch preparations.

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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Seen from below and through a solid rocket booster segment mockup, Jeff Thon, an SRB mechanic with United Space Alliance, tests the feasibility of a vertical solid rocket booster propellant grain inspection technique. The inspection of segments is required as part of safety analysis.

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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Space Station Processing Facility, STS-117 Mission Specialist James Reilly (left) and STS-115 Mission Specialist Joseph Tanner (right) look over components in the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM). Equipment familiarization is a routine part of astronaut training and launch preparations.

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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Space Station Processing Facility, Executive Director of NASDA Koji Yamamoto (right) looks at the newly arrived Japanese Experiment Module (JEM)/pressurized module. Mr. Yamamoto is at KSC for a welcome ceremony involving the arrival of JEM.

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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - On Launch Complex 17-B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF) observatory is on a transporter to be taken back to NASA Spacecraft Hangar AE. SIRTF will remain in the clean room at Hangar AE until it returns to the pad in early August.

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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-83 Pilot Susan L. Still chats with White Room closeout crew member Rene Arriens as she prepares to enter the Space Shuttle Columbia at Launch Pad 39A with assistance from closeout crew worker Bob Saulnier (behind Still).

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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Solid Rocket Booster Assembly and Refurbishment Facility (ARF), Vernon Gibbs, with United Space Alliance, prepares the forward skirt of a solid rocket booster for installation of the parachute camera. Refurbishment and subassembly of Shuttle SRB hardware - primarily the forward and aft assemblies - is carried out in the ARF.

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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - An area of the Vehicle Assembly Building is being prepared to store the debris collected from Space Shuttle Columbia. About 83,000 pieces were shipped to KSC during search and recovery efforts in East Texas.

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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - This view shows the tiles below the windshield on the orbiter Atlantis. A gap test is being performed on the tiles as part of return-to-flight activities. Atlantis is scheduled for mission STS-114, a return-to-flight test mission to the International Space Station.

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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Space Station Processing Facility, STS-117 Mission Specialist James Reilly stands in front of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM). Reilly and STS-115 Mission Specialist Joseph Tanner are at KSC for equipment familiarization, a routine part of astronaut training and launch preparations.

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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - On Launch Complex 17-B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF) observatory is lowered to the ground and taken back to NASA Spacecraft Hangar AE. SIRTF will remain in the clean room at Hangar AE until it returns to the pad in early August.

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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Seen from below and through a solid rocket booster segment mockup, Jeff Thon, an SRB mechanic with United Space Alliance, tests the feasibility of a vertical solid rocket booster propellant grain inspection technique. The inspection of segments is required as part of safety analysis.

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