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Launch Pad 39A and Space Shuttle Orbiter of Florida
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STS-39 Discovery, Orbiter Ve
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| Title |
STS-39 Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, lifts off from KSC LC Pad 39A |
| Description |
STS-39 Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, lifts off from Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Launch Complex (LC) Pad 39A at 7:33:14 am (Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)). This side view shows OV-103, its external tank (ET), and one of its two solid rocket boosters (SRBs) as it rises into the early morning sky after clearing the fixed service structure (FSS) tower. Space shuttle main engine (SSME) firings are visible and produce small exhaust plumes. Silhouetted against the SRB/SSME glow in the foreground are trees and Florida's characteristic tropical foliage. An exhaust cloud forms in the launch pad area. |
| Date Taken |
1991-05-06 |
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STS-43 Atlantis, OV-104, lif
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| Title |
STS-43 Atlantis, OV-104, lifts off from KSC Launch Complex (LC) Pad 39A |
| Description |
STS-43 Atlantis, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 104, lifts off from Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Launch Complex (LC) Pad 39A at 11:02:00 am (Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)). Taken from the side, this view shows OV-104, the external tank (ET), and the left solid rocket booster (SRB). The firings of the SRBs and the space shuttle main engines (SSMEs) are clearly visible as OV-104 rises above the mobile launcher platform and clears the fixed service structure (FSS) tower. The retracted rotating service structure (RSS) is seen at the right. In the foreground, the SRB/SSME glow is reflected in a nearby waterway surrounded by brushes and scrubs. A single bird is silhouetted against the exhaust cloud which covers the launch pad area. |
| Date Taken |
1991-08-11 |
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STS-43 Atlantis, OV-104, lif
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| Title |
STS-43 Atlantis, OV-104, lifts off from KSC Launch Complex (LC) Pad 39A |
| Description |
STS-43 Atlantis, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 104, lifts off from Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Launch Complex (LC) Pad 39A at 11:02:00 am (Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)). Taken from the side, this view shows OV-104, the external tank (ET), and the right solid rocket booster (SRB). The firings of the SRBs and the space shuttle main engines (SSMEs) are clearly visible as OV-104 rises above the mobile launcher platform and is nearly clear of the fixed service structure (FSS) tower. The retracted rotating service structure (RSS) is seen at the left. In the foreground, the SRB/SSME glow is reflected in a nearby waterway surrounded by brushes and scrubs. A flock of birds flies in front of the huge exhaust cloud left covering the launch pad. |
| Date Taken |
1991-08-11 |
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STS-48 Discovery, Orbiter Ve
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| Title |
STS-48 Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, lifts off from KSC LC Pad 39A |
| Description |
STS-48 Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, rises above Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Launch Complex (LC) Pad 39A after liftoff at 7:11:04 pm (Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)). OV-103's starboard side, the external tank (ET), and the right solid rocket booster (SRB) are visible in this profile view. OV-103 is not yet clear of the fixed service structure (FSS) tower, partially visible in the background. The glow of the SRB and space shuttle main engine (SSME) firings lights up the launch complex and the retracted rotating service structure (RSS) against the early evening darkness. An exhaust cloud forms at the base of the LC pad. The dark landscape underlines the launch scene which is reflected in a nearby waterway. |
| Date Taken |
1991-09-18 |
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STS-48 Discovery, Orbiter Ve
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| Title |
STS-48 Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, lifts off from KSC LC Pad 39A |
| Description |
STS-48 Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, atop its external tank (ET) and flanked by solid rocket boosters (SRBs) has cleared the fixed service structure (FSS) tower after liftoff from Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Launch Complex (LC) Pad 39A at 7:11:04 pm (Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). OV-103 is moments away from its roll maneuver as it soars in the evening sky leaving behind a trail of exhaust and a cloud-covered launch pad. The retracted rotating service structure (RSS) nearly obscured by the exhaust is visible at the base of the launch pad. The glow of the SRB and space shuttle main engine (SSME) firings is reflected in a nearby waterway. |
| Date Taken |
1991-09-18 |
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STS-50 Columbia, Orbiter Veh
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| Title |
STS-50 Columbia, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 102, lifts off from KSC LC Pad 39A |
| Description |
STS-50 Columbia, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 102, lifts off from Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Launch Complex (LC) Pad 39A at 12:12:23:0534 pm (Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)). An exhaust cloud covers the launch pad area as OV-102, atop its external tank (ET) and flanked by two solid rocket boosters (SRBs), clears the launch tower and heads on its way toward a scheduled record 13-day mission in Earth orbit. OV-102 is NASA's first extended duration orbiter (EDO). The diamond shock effect is visible at OV-102's three space shuttle main engines (SSMEs). |
| Date Taken |
1992-07-09 |
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STS-50 Columbia, Orbiter Veh
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| Title |
STS-50 Columbia, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 102, lifts off from KSC LC Pad 39A |
| Description |
STS-50 Columbia, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 102, lifts off from Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Launch Complex (LC) Pad 39A at 12:12:23:0534 pm (Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)). In this distant view, a cactus (prickly pear), foliage, and a waterway are seen in the foreground as OV-102, in the distance, rockets toward the beginning of its scheduled record 13-day mission in Earth orbit. An exhaust cloud covers the launch pad area with only the sound supression water system tank visible (at right). OV-102, atop its external tank (ET) and flanked by two solid rocket boosters (SRBs), has cleared the launch tower and is moments away from its roll maneuver. OV-102 is NASA's first extended duration orbiter (EDO). The diamond shock effect is visible at OV-102's three space shuttle main engines (SSMEs). |
| Date Taken |
1992-07-09 |
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STS-53 Discovery, Orbiter Ve
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| Title |
STS-53 Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, lifts off from KSC LC Pad 39A |
| Description |
STS-53 Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, rises above Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Launch Complex (LC) Pad 39A after liftoff at 8:24:00 am (Eastern Standard Time (EST)). This distance view of the launch sequence was taken from the top of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) and looks across the Florida wetlands to the launch pad with the Atlantic Ocean in the background. The launch pad area is covered with an exhaust cloud. The glow of the solid rocket booster (SRB) and space shuttle main engine (SSME) firings lights up the fixed service structure (FSS) and the retracted rotating service structure (RSS) in the foreground and the sound supression water system tank in the background. |
| Date Taken |
1992-12-09 |
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Space Shuttle Columbia OV (1
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| Title |
Space Shuttle Columbia OV (101) launching from pad 39A begining STS-2 |
| Description |
View of the Space Shuttle Orbiter Columbia from across the water lifting off from Launch Pad 39A to begin STS-2 (39548), Framed by Florida vegtation, the Columbia lifts off from its launch pad (39549). |
| Date Taken |
1981-11-15 |
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Space Shuttle Columbia OV (1
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| Title |
Space Shuttle Columbia OV (101) launching from pad 39A begining STS-2 |
| Description |
View of the Space Shuttle Orbiter Columbia from across the water lifting off from Launch Pad 39A to begin STS-2 (39548), Framed by Florida vegtation, the Columbia lifts off from its launch pad (39549). |
| Date Taken |
1981-11-15 |
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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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Space shuttle Columbia arriv
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| Title |
Space shuttle Columbia arrives at Pad 39A after nozzle on booster replacement |
| Description |
The hazy light of dawn lights the Space shuttle Columbia as it arrives at Pad 39A following a six-hour move from the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). This is the second time the vehicle was rolled out from the VAB for STS-9, after replacement of a nozzle on the solid rocket booster aft segment forced Officials to delay the mission. |
| Date Taken |
1983-11-08 |
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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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STS-55 Columbia, Orbiter Veh
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| Title |
STS-55 Columbia, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 102, lifts off from KSC LC Pad 39A |
| Description |
STS-55 Columbia, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 102, lifts off from Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Launch Complex (LC) Pad 39A at 10:50 am (Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)). OV-102, atop its external tank (ET) and flanked by two solid rocket boosters (SRBs), has only moments earlier begun its ascent. Leaving the mobile launcher platform below in a cloud of exhaust smoke, OV-102 rises along side the fixed service structure (FSS) tower into the sky. An exhaust cloud fills the surrounding area. The glow of the SRB and space shuttle main engine (SSME) firings is reflected in a waterway in the foreground. |
| Date Taken |
1993-05-06 |
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STS-55 Columbia, Orbiter Veh
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| Title |
STS-55 Columbia, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 102, lifts off from KSC LC Pad 39A |
| Description |
STS-55 Columbia, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 102, lifts off from Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Launch Complex (LC) Pad 39A at 10:50 am (Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)). This wide shot of the launch pad and surrounding area shows OV-102, atop its external tank (ET) and flanked by two solid rocket boosters (SRBs), as it rises into the sky. The fixed service structure (FSS) tower and retracted rotating service structure (RSS) appear at the left. An exhaust cloud fills the launch pad area. The glow of the SRB and space shuttle main engine (SSME) firings is reflected in a waterway in the foreground. |
| Date Taken |
1993-05-06 |
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STS-55 Columbia, Orbiter Veh
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| Title |
STS-55 Columbia, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 102, lifts off from KSC LC Pad 39A |
| Description |
STS-55 Columbia, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 102, lifts off from Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Launch Complex (LC) Pad 39A at 10:50 am (Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)). Nearly clear of the fixed service structure (FSS) tower, OV-102, atop its external tank (ET) and flanked by two solid rocket boosters (SRBs), rises into the sky. The retracted rotating service structure (RSS) appears at the left. An exhaust cloud fills the launch pad area. The glow of the SRB and space shuttle main engine (SSME) firings is reflected in a waterway in the foreground. |
| Date Taken |
1993-05-06 |
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STS-65 Columbia, OV-102, lif
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| Title |
STS-65 Columbia, OV-102, lifts off from KSC LC Pad 39A |
| Description |
Columbia, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 102, begins its roll maneuver after clearing the fixed service structure (FSS) tower as it rises above Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Launch Complex (LC) Pad 39A. In the foreground of this horizontal scene is Florida brush and a waterway. Beyond the brush, the shuttle's exhaust cloud envelops the immediate launch pad area. Launch occurred at 12:43 pm Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). The glow of the space shuttle main engine (SSME) and solid rocket booster (SRB) firings is reflected in the nearby waterway. Once in Earth orbit, STS-65's six NASA astronauts and a Japanese Payload Specialist aboard OV-102 will begin two weeks of experimentation in support of the second International Microgravity Laboratory (IML-2). |
| Date Taken |
1994-07-23 |
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