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Launch Pad 39A and Space Shuttle Orbiter and Challenger
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STS-55 Columbia, Orbiter Veh
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| Title |
STS-55 Columbia, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 102, SSME abort at KSC LC Pad 39A |
| Description |
STS-55 Columbia, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 102, launch attempt from Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Launch Complex (LC) Pad 39A comes to an abrupt halt when space shuttle main engine (SSME) number 3 fails to fully ignite. The SSME failure initiated a main engine abort sequence by the orbiter onboard computers. Ignition of the SSMEs began at T-6.6 seconds and shutdown was completed at about T-3 seconds, resulting in an on-the-pad abort of STS-55. This was the first time in the post-Challenger era that an SSME shutdown has halted a Shuttle launch countdown, and only the third time in the history of the program. OV-102, atop the external tank (ET) and flanked by two solid rocket boosters (SRBs), had been scheduled to lift off from LC Pad 39A at 9:51 am (Eastern Standard Time (EST)). The fixed service structure (FSS) tower appears to the left of OV-102. View provided by KSC with alternate KSC number KSC-93PC-475. |
| Date Taken |
1993-04-05 |
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STS-55 Columbia, Orbiter Veh
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| Title |
STS-55 Columbia, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 102, SSME abort at KSC LC Pad 39A |
| Description |
STS-55 Columbia, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 102, launch attempt from Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Launch Complex (LC) Pad 39A comes to an abrupt halt when space shuttle main engine (SSME) number 3 fails to fully ignite. The SSMEs shutdown at T-3 seconds, resulting in an on-the-pad abort of STS-55. This was the first time in the post-Challenger era that an SSME shutdown has halted a Shuttle launch countdown, and only the third time in the history of the program. OV-102 had been scheduled to lift off from LC Pad 39A at 9:51 am (Eastern Standard Time (EST)). An exhaust cloud drifts away from the mobile launcher platform on which OV-102, the external tank, and solid rocket boosters (SRBs) are mounted. The fixed service structure (FSS) tower and the retracted rotating service structure (RSS) are visible to the left of OV-102. In the foreground are a waterway, trees, and birds. In the background and to the right at LC Pad 39B is Discovery, OV-103, undergoing preparations for lift off on Mission STS- |
| Date Taken |
1993-04-05 |
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Views of the STS-11 launch f
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| Title |
Views of the STS-11 launch from pad 39A on Feb. 3, 1984 |
| Description |
The space shuttle Challenger attached to two solid rocket boosters (SRB) and en external fuel tank (ET) blasts off from Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center (KSC). This view is a close-up of the orbiter as it begins to liftoff with only one SRB visible (26324), Wide angle view of Challenger beginning its liftoff from the pad shows the entire launch pad, smoke billowing to the right and left (26325), This view shows the Challenger clear of the launch pad, smoke clouds surrounding the launch pad and white light coming from the SRB's (26326-7). |
| Date Taken |
1984-02-05 |
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Views of the STS-11 launch f
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| Title |
Views of the STS-11 launch from pad 39A on Feb. 3, 1984 |
| Description |
The space shuttle Challenger attached to two solid rocket boosters (SRB) and en external fuel tank (ET) blasts off from Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center (KSC). This view is a close-up of the orbiter as it begins to liftoff with only one SRB visible (26324), Wide angle view of Challenger beginning its liftoff from the pad shows the entire launch pad, smoke billowing to the right and left (26325), This view shows the Challenger clear of the launch pad, smoke clouds surrounding the launch pad and white light coming from the SRB's (26326-7). |
| Date Taken |
1984-02-05 |
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Views of the STS-11 launch f
…
| Title |
Views of the STS-11 launch from pad 39A on Feb. 3, 1984 |
| Description |
The space shuttle Challenger attached to two solid rocket boosters (SRB) and en external fuel tank (ET) blasts off from Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center (KSC). This view is a close-up of the orbiter as it begins to liftoff with only one SRB visible (26324), Wide angle view of Challenger beginning its liftoff from the pad shows the entire launch pad, smoke billowing to the right and left (26325), This view shows the Challenger clear of the launch pad, smoke clouds surrounding the launch pad and white light coming from the SRB's (26326-7). |
| Date Taken |
1984-02-05 |
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Views of the STS-11 launch f
…
| Title |
Views of the STS-11 launch from pad 39A on Feb. 3, 1984 |
| Description |
The space shuttle Challenger attached to two solid rocket boosters (SRB) and en external fuel tank (ET) blasts off from Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center (KSC). This view is a close-up of the orbiter as it begins to liftoff with only one SRB visible (26324), Wide angle view of Challenger beginning its liftoff from the pad shows the entire launch pad, smoke billowing to the right and left (26325), This view shows the Challenger clear of the launch pad, smoke clouds surrounding the launch pad and white light coming from the SRB's (26326-7). |
| Date Taken |
1984-02-05 |
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