This week in 1992, the United States Microgravity Payload-1 was launched aboard the space shuttle Columbia, mission STS-52, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. The USMP program was a series of missions developed by NASA to provide scientists with the opportunity to conduct research in the unique microgravity environment of the space shuttle’s payload bay. The USMP-1 payload carried three investigations. Two were basic fluid and metallurgical processes in microgravity. The third characterized the microgravity environment onboard the shuttle. The USMP program was managed by NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. Here, USMP-1 is seen in the cargo bay of Columbia. The NASA History Program is responsible for generating, disseminating and preserving NASA’s remarkable history and providing a comprehensive understanding of the institutional, cultural, social, political, economic, technological and scientific aspects of NASA’s activities in aeronautics and space. For more pictures like this one and to connect to NASA’s history, visit the Marshall History Program’s webpage.
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Tags: NASA Marshall Space Flight Center MSFC rocket space history STS-52 Space Shuttle Columbia USMP microgravity
This week in 2002, the space shuttle Atlantis, mission STS-112, lifted off from Pad 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center to the International Space Station. STS-112 carried two primary payloads: the S1 integrated truss segment and the Crew and Equipment Translation Aid Cart A, the first of two human-powered carts that would ride along the space station railway, providing mobile work platforms for future spacewalking astronauts. Here, mission specialist David Wolf participates in the mission’s first extravehicular activity. Wolf is carrying the S1 outboard nadir external camera, which was installed on the end of the S1 Truss on the station. Today, the Payload Operations Integration Center at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center serves as “science central” for the International Space Station, working 24/7, 365 days a year in support of the orbiting laboratory’s science experiments. The NASA History Program is responsible for generating, disseminating and preserving NASA’s remarkable history and providing a comprehensive understanding of the institutional, cultural, social, political, economic, technological and scientific aspects of NASA’s activities in aeronautics and space. For more pictures like this one and to connect to NASA’s history, visit the Marshall History Program’s webpage.
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Tags: NASA Marshall Space Flight Center MSFC rocket space history STS-112 International Space Station Space Shuttle Atlantis Atlantis ISS WOLF DAVID SSRMS SPACE STATION REMOTE MANIPULATOR SYSTEM CANADARM2
This week in 1985, space shuttle Atlantis, mission STS-51J, launched on its maiden voyage from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. This was the second shuttle mission dedicated to the Department of Defense. The five-member crew safely landed at Edwards Air Force Base following their four-day mission. The NASA History Program is responsible for generating, disseminating and preserving NASA’s remarkable history and providing a comprehensive understanding of the institutional, cultural, social, political, economic, technological and scientific aspects of NASA’s activities in aeronautics and space. For more pictures like this one and to connect to NASA’s history, visit the Marshall History Program’s webpage.
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This week in 1961, the first Saturn I rocket, SA-1, arrived at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. The SA-1 mission was used to demonstrate the validity of the clustered engine concept as well as test the aerodynamic and structural design of the Saturn I booster. The dummy second stage was ballasted with 11,000 gallons of water and a dummy third stage was ballasted with 12,000 additional gallons of water. Here, the booster stage of the SA-1 is erected on the pad for its Oct. 27, 1961, launch. NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center designed, developed and managed the production of the Saturn family of rockets that took astronauts to the Moon. Today, Marshall is developing NASA's Space Launch System, the most powerful rocket ever built, capable of sending astronauts to the Moon, Mars and deeper into space than ever before. The NASA History Program is responsible for generating, disseminating and preserving NASA’s remarkable history and providing a comprehensive understanding of the institutional, cultural, social, political, economic, technological and scientific aspects of NASA’s activities in aeronautics and space. For more pictures like this one and to connect to NASA’s history, visit the Marshall History Program’s webpage.
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This week in 1971, Apollo 15 became the first mission to use the Lunar Roving Vehicle. The LRV was a lightweight, electric vehicle designed to operate in the low-gravity vacuum of the Moon. It was capable of traversing the lunar surface, allowing Apollo astronauts to extend the range of their extravehicular activities. Here, the LRV is photographed alone against the desolate lunar background following the third Apollo 15 EVA. For more pictures, and to connect to NASA’s remarkable history, visit the Marshall History Program’s webpage.
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