NASA Gallery

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Lani McCool (back row, left), wife of STS-107 Pilot Willie McCool, accompanied by their children and other family members, visits a new residence hall at the Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) in Melbourne, Fla., named for her late husband. Family members of the STS-107 astronauts, other dignitaries, members of the university community and the public gathered for a dedication ceremony for the Columbia Village at FIT. Each of the seven new residence halls in the complex is named for one of the STS-107 astronauts who perished during the Columbia accident -- Rick Husband, Willie McCool, Laurel Clark, Michael Anderson, David Brown, Kalpana Chawla, and Ilan Ramon.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Lani McCool (back row, left), wife of STS-107 Pilot Willie McCool, accompanied by...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA worker Joy Huff (right) shows a leading edge subsystems (LESS) with tile bonded to it to members of the Stafford-Covey Return to Flight Task Group (SCTG). From left are Dr. Amy Donahue, David Lengyel, Dr. Kathryn Clark, Richard Covey, former Space Shuttle commander, and William Wegner. Covey is co-chair of the SCTG along with Thomas P. Stafford, Apollo commander. Chartered by NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe, the task group will perform an independent assessment of NASA’s implementation of the final recommendations by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA worker Joy Huff (right) shows a leading edge subsystems (LESS) with tile bonded to...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Dr. Jonathan Clark (right), husband of STS-107 Mission Specialist Laurel Clark, and their son (left) visit a new residence hall at the Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) in Melbourne, Fla., named for his late wife. Family members of the STS-107 astronauts, other dignitaries, members of the university community and the public gathered for a dedication ceremony for the Columbia Village at FIT. Each of the seven new residence halls in the complex is named for one of the STS-107 astronauts who perished during the Columbia accident -- Rick Husband, Willie McCool, Laurel Clark, Michael Anderson, David Brown, Kalpana Chawla, and Ilan Ramon.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Dr. Jonathan Clark (right), husband of STS-107 Mission Specialist Laurel Clark, and...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - A wreath and other floral arrangements rest beneath the Astronaut Memorial Mirror at the KSC Visitor Complex following a memorial service held for the crew of Columbia on the anniversary of the tragic accident that took their lives Feb. 1, 2003. The black granite mirror honors astronauts, whose names are carved in the surface, who have given their lives for space exploration.  The service included comments by Center Director Jim Kennedy, Deputy Director Woodrow Whitlow Jr., Executive Director of Florida Space Authority Winston Scott, and Dr. Stephen Feldman, president of the Astronaut Memorial Foundation, who placed the wreath at the mirror.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - A wreath and other floral arrangements rest beneath the Astronaut Memorial Mirror at...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Friends, co-workers and families gather at the Space Memorial Mirror for KSC’s special service remembering and honoring the crew of Columbia. Feb. 1 is the one-year anniversary of the loss of the crew and orbiter Columbia in a tragic accident as the ship returned to Earth following mission STS-107. The public was invited to the memorial service held at the KSC Visitor Complex. Participants included Center Director Jim Kennedy, Deputy Director Woodrow Whitlow Jr., Executive Director of Florida Space Authority Winston Scott, Dr. Stephen Feldman, president of the Astronaut Memorial Foundation, and dancers from the Shoshone-Bannock Native American community in Fort Hall, Idaho.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Friends, co-workers and families gather at the Space Memorial Mirror for KSC’s special...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Roses and other flowers ring the base of the Astronaut Memorial Mirror at the KSC Visitor Complex following a memorial service held for the crew of Columbia on the anniversary of the tragic accident that took their lives Feb. 1, 2003.  The public was invited to the service and encouraged to place the flowers on the fence.  The service included comments by Center Director Jim Kennedy, Deputy Director Woodrow Whitlow Jr., Executive Director of Florida Space Authority Winston Scott, and Dr. Stephen Feldman, president of the Astronaut Memorial Foundation.  The black granite mirror honors astronauts, whose names are carved in the surface, who have given their lives for space exploration.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Roses and other flowers ring the base of the Astronaut Memorial Mirror at the KSC...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - During a memorial service remembering and honoring the crew of Columbia, President of the Astronaut Memorial Foundation Dr. Stephen Feldman, Executive Director of Florida Space Authority Winston Scott, KSC Deputy Director Woodrow Whitlow Jr. and Center Director Jim Kennedy pause after placing a wreath in front of the Space Memorial Mirror. Feb. 1 is the one-year anniversary of the loss of the crew and orbiter Columbia in a tragic accident as the ship returned to Earth following mission STS-107. Scott is a former astronaut who flew on Columbia in 1997. The public was also invited to the memorial service.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - During a memorial service remembering and honoring the crew of Columbia, President of...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - On a tour of the Orbiter Processing Facility, members of the Stafford-Covey Return to Flight Task Group (RTFTG) look at a Reinforced Carbon-Carbon panels with a T-seal held by Tom Roberts, with United Space Alliance. From left are Richard O. Covey, former Space Shuttle commander, Dr. Kathryn Clark, James Adamson, Joe Engle, William Wegner and Dr. Amy Donahue. Chairing the task group are Covey and Thomas P. Stafford, Apollo commander. Chartered by NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe, the task group will perform an independent assessment of NASA’s implementation of the final recommendations by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - On a tour of the Orbiter Processing Facility, members of the Stafford-Covey Return to...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Following the memorial service for the crew of Columbia at the Space Memorial Mirror, visitors place roses in the wire mesh fence surrounding the mirror. Feb. 1 is the one-year anniversary of the loss of the crew and orbiter Columbia in a tragic accident as the ship returned to Earth following mission STS-107. Scott is a former astronaut who flew on Columbia in 1997. The public was invited to the memorial service, which included comments by Center Director Jim Kennedy and Executive Director of Florida Space Authority Winston Scott. Scott is a former astronaut who flew on Columbia in 1997.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Following the memorial service for the crew of Columbia at the Space Memorial Mirror,...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Family members of the STS-107 astronauts and other dignitaries attend a dedication ceremony at the Space Mirror Memorial at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. During this solemn event, the names of the STS-107 astronauts who lost their lives during the Columbia accident -- Rick Husband, Willie McCool, Laurel Clark, Michael Anderson, David Brown, Kalpana Chawla, and Ilan Ramon -- join the names of 17 other space heroes who gave their lives for the U.S. space program. The "Space Mirror," 42 1/2 feet high by 50 feet wide, illuminates the names of the fallen astronauts cut through the monument's black granite surface.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Family members of the STS-107 astronauts and other dignitaries attend a dedication...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Among the visitors placing flowers in the wire mesh fence surrounding the Space Memorial Mirror is one of the Indian dancers who performed a healing ceremony during a memorial service for the crew of Columbia. Feb. 1 is the one-year anniversary of the loss of the crew and orbiter Columbia in a tragic accident as the ship returned to Earth following mission STS-107. The public was invited to the memorial service, which included comments by Center Director Jim Kennedy and Executive Director of Florida Space Authority Winston Scott. Scott is a former astronaut who flew on Columbia in 1997.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Among the visitors placing flowers in the wire mesh fence surrounding the Space...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Members of the Stafford-Covey Return to Flight Task Group (SCTG) look over equipment in the Orbiter Processing Facility. At left (back to camera), Fernando Santos, with NASA, and Paul Ogletree (at monitor), with United Space Alliance, describe how flash thermography is used to inspect the structure of Reinforced Carbon Carbon panels and establish a baseline on panels before flight. Chairing the task group are Richard O. Covey (far right), former Space Shuttle commander, and Thomas P. Stafford, Apollo commander. Chartered by NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe, the task group will perform an independent assessment of NASA’s implementation of the final recommendations by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Friends, co-workers and families gather at the Space Memorial Mirror for KSC’s special service remembering and honoring the crew of Columbia. Feb. 1 is the one-year anniversary of the loss of the crew and orbiter Columbia in a tragic accident as the ship returned to Earth following mission STS-107. The public was invited to the memorial service held at the KSC Visitor Complex. Participants included Center Director Jim Kennedy, Deputy Director Woodrow Whitlow Jr., Executive Director of Florida Space Authority Winston Scott, Dr. Stephen Feldman, president of the Astronaut Memorial Foundation, and dancers from the Shoshone-Bannock Native American community in Fort Hall, Idaho.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Friends, co-workers and families gather at the Space Memorial Mirror for KSC’s special...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Rona Ramon, wife of STS-107 Payload Specialist Ilan Ramon, visits a new residence hall at the Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) in Melbourne, Fla., named for her late husband. Family members of the STS-107 astronauts, other dignitaries, members of the university community and the public gathered for a dedication ceremony for the Columbia Village at FIT. Each of the seven new residence halls in the complex is named for one of the STS-107 astronauts who perished during the Columbia accident -- Rick Husband, Willie McCool, Laurel Clark, Michael Anderson, David Brown, Kalpana Chawla, and Ilan Ramon.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Rona Ramon, wife of STS-107 Payload Specialist Ilan Ramon, visits a new residence hall...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Return To Flight Task Group (RTFTG) holds its first public meeting at the Debus Center, KSC Visitor Complex. The group is co-chaired by former Shuttle commander Richard O. Covey and retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Thomas P. Stafford, who was an Apollo commander. The RTFTG was at KSC to conduct organizational activities, tour Space Shuttle facilities and receive briefings on Shuttle-related topics. The task group was chartered by NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe to perform an independent assessment of NASA’s implementation of the final recommendations of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Return To Flight Task Group (RTFTG) holds its first public meeting at the Debus...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Following the memorial service for the crew of Columbia at the Space Memorial Mirror, visitors place roses in the wire mesh fence surrounding the mirror. Feb. 1 is the one-year anniversary of the loss of the crew and orbiter Columbia in a tragic accident as the ship returned to Earth following mission STS-107. The public was invited to the memorial service, held in the KSC Visitor Complex, which included comments by Center Director Jim Kennedy and Executive Director of Florida Space Authority Winston Scott. Scott is a former astronaut who flew on Columbia in 1997.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Following the memorial service for the crew of Columbia at the Space Memorial Mirror,...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Standing in front of the Space Memorial Mirror at the KSC Visitor Complex, KSC Deputy Director Woodrow Whitlow Jr., Center Director Jim Kennedy and Executive Director of Florida Space Authority Winston Scott bow their heads in prayer during a memorial service remembering and honoring the crew of Columbia. Feb. 1 is the one-year anniversary of the loss of the crew and orbiter Columbia in a tragic accident as the ship returned to Earth following mission STS-107. Scott is a former astronaut who flew on Columbia in 1997. The public was also invited to the memorial service.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Standing in front of the Space Memorial Mirror at the KSC Visitor Complex, KSC Deputy...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - A wreath and other floral arrangements rest beneath the Astronaut Memorial Mirror at the KSC Visitor Complex following a memorial service held for the crew of Columbia on the anniversary of the tragic accident that took their lives Feb. 1, 2003.  The service included comments by Center Director Jim Kennedy, Deputy Director Woodrow Whitlow Jr., Executive Director of Florida Space Authority Winston Scott, and Dr. Stephen Feldman, president of the Astronaut Memorial Foundation, who placed the wreath at the mirror.  The black granite mirror honors astronauts, whose names are carved in the surface, who have given their lives for space exploration.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - A wreath and other floral arrangements rest beneath the Astronaut Memorial Mirror at...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Center Director Jim Kennedy talks to employees during his first all-hands meeting. Making presentations were Dr. Woodrow Whitlow Jr., KSC deputy director;Tim Wilson, assistant chief engineer for Shuttle; and Bill Pickavance, vice president and deputy program manager, Florida operations, United Space Alliance.. Representatives from the Shuttle program and contractor team were on hand to discuss the Columbia Accident Investigation Board report and where KSC stands in its progress toward return to flight.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Center Director Jim Kennedy talks to employees during his first all-hands meeting....

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the RLV Hangar, Adm. Harold Gehman, chairman of the Columbia Investigation Accident Board, points to data on a chart. He and other board members are visiting as part of the ongoing investigation. Recovery efforts as of May 5 included 82,500 pieces of debris weighing 84,800 pounds, almost 40 percent of the total dry weight of the shuttle. About 25,000 personnel took part, utilizing almost 1.5 million total man-hours in the recovery effort and involving more than 130 federal, state and local agencies. The operation was also supported by more than 270 organizations that included businesses and volunteer groups.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the RLV Hangar, Adm. Harold Gehman, chairman of the Columbia Investigation Accident...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Center Director Jim Kennedy talks to employees during his first all-hands meeting. Making presentations were Dr. Woodrow Whitlow Jr., KSC deputy director; Tim Wilson, assistant chief engineer for Shuttle; and Bill Pickavance, vice president and deputy program manager, Florida operations, United Space Alliance. Representatives from the Shuttle program and contractor team were on hand to discuss the Columbia Accident Investigation Board report and where KSC stands in its progress toward return to flight.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Center Director Jim Kennedy talks to employees during his first all-hands meeting....

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Family members of the STS-107 astronauts and other dignitaries watch NASA T-38 jets fly over the Space Mirror Memorial at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in a Missing Man Formation. During this dedication ceremony, the names of the STS-107 astronauts who lost their lives during the Columbia accident -- Rick Husband, Willie McCool, Laurel Clark, Michael Anderson, David Brown, Kalpana Chawla, and Ilan Ramon -- join the names of 17 other space heroes who gave their lives for the U.S. space program.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Family members of the STS-107 astronauts and other dignitaries watch NASA T-38 jets...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - On a tour of the Orbiter Processing Facility, members of the Stafford-Covey Return to Flight Task Group (SCTG) look at one of the Reinforced Carbon-Carbon panels, being shown by Tom Roberts with United Space Alliance, from the orbiter Endeavour. Chairing the task group are Richard O. Covey, former Space Shuttle commander, and Thomas P. Stafford, Apollo commander. Chartered by NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe, the task group will perform an independent assessment of NASA’s implementation of the final recommendations by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - On a tour of the Orbiter Processing Facility, members of the Stafford-Covey Return to...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Tim Wilson, assistant chief engineer for Shuttle, speaks to employees during Center Director Jim Kennedy’s first all-hands meeting for employees. Also on the agenda was Dr. Woodrow Whitlow Jr., KSC deputy director, and Bill Pickavance, vice president and deputy program manager, Florida operations, United Space Alliance. Representatives from the Shuttle program and contractor team were on hand to discuss the Columbia Accident Investigation Board report and where KSC stands in its progress toward return to flight.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Tim Wilson, assistant chief engineer for Shuttle, speaks to employees during Center...