mothernaturenetwork:

Kennedy Space Center unveils shrink-wrapped shuttle Atlantis

The shuttle’s wrap was intended to shield it from dust and debris while its exhibit was constructed.

31262:

Shuttle Enterprise in launch configuration at Vandenberg AFB.

crookedindifference:

Space Shuttle Enterprise

jamesbedell:

(via Fluorescent Light Is Alive, Well And In Color : : Rosco Spectrum)

Fluorescent light isn’t going away and when designed properly it can create amazing effects light this one for the space shuttle Enterprise exhibit. 

‘space shuttle ops’

spaceplasma:

International Space Station Fly-Around

The STS-119 crew captured these dramatic images of the International Space Station on March 19, 2009 as Discovery flew around the orbiting complex after undocking.

blech:

STS-38 mission patch, from Wikipedia.

Trevor Paglen, in Invisible: Covert Operations and Classified Landscapes:

The mission was to insert a classified SDS communications spacecraft, code named QUASAR, into orbit. On the ‘public’ program patch, the white shuttle is on top, shadowed by a gray inverse image. According [to] NASA’s description of the patch, ‘the top orbiter…symbolizes the continuing dynamic nature of the Space Shuttle Program. The bottom orbiter, a black and white mirror image, acknowledges the thousands of unheralded individuals who work behind the scenes…this mirror image symbolizes the importance of their contributions’.
STS-38 actually deployed two spacecraft. One was the QUASAR SDS spacecraft, which was a highly classified payload. The QUASAR deployment, however, also served as a cover story for an even more secret spacecraft, called PROWLER. PROWLER was a small, stealthy spacecraft designed to maneuver through the geostationary belt and to intercept and inspect other satellites. According to journalist Robert Windrem, PROWLER could accurately maneuver within a foot of target spacecraft, collecting information about size, radar cross section, mass, and operational details. In tests, PROWLER is reported to have shut down U.S. communication spacecraft undetected, proving the viability of stealthy anti-satellite (ASAT) operations. 
As Dwayne Day first reported, just as STS-38 carried two payloads, there were in fact two patches for the mission itself. The ‘secret’ patch was an inversion of the public patch. On the secret patch, the shadow shuttle was on top, signifying the shuttle’s true mission.

nevver:

The last shuttle

jtotheizzoe:

Liftoff, like you’ve never seen it before.

(via One Big Photo)

propagandery:

The Space Shuttle Operators Manual (1982) via library book sale.

Both the Challenger and Columbia were later destroyed in flight. The book contains an incredible wealth of photos, illustrations and in-depth diagrams.

for-all-mankind:

Another one of my favourite space images - the ISS high above the Earth, as seen from a Soyuz on the final Space Shuttle Mission.