KSC-05pd-0534
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Orbiter Processing Facility bay 1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, a Hyster fork lift (left) holding the first Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) maneuvers into position number 1 (upper chamber) behind Atlantis for installation. Overall, an SSME weighs approximately 7,000 pounds. Three engines provide the thrust, along with the two Solid Rocket Boosters, for liftoff. After about 2 minutes, the two boosters are spent and are separated from the external tank. The SSMEs continue firing for about 8 minutes. They shut down just before the craft is inserted into orbit. The SSMEs are tested at Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. Atlantis is being processed for the second Return to Flight mission, STS-121, scheduled for launch in a window from July 12 through July 31.
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Details
NASA ID
05pd0534
Date Created
April 1, 2005
Center
KSC
Media Type
image
Photographer
NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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