The space shuttle is an extremely complex structure. What does it take to put the space shuttle in orbit? Find out on the following pages.
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A view of the rocket engines that will help lift the space shuttle into the sky. For an amazing shot of the cockpit check out the next page.
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The cockpit of the space shuttle Atlantis. To see another picture of the cockpit check out the next page.
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The crew of Atlantis inside the cockpit of the space shuttle. Getting the shuttle into the air takes months of preparations. See those preparations next.
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Crews work to prepare Endeavour for the next mission. See more pictures of the preflight preparations next.
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The Space Shuttle Endeavour is prepared for its next mission. From here the shuttle must be moved to the launch pad. See this process next.
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The space shuttle being moved into position for launch. The shuttle sits on top of a massive crawler that moves the shuttle into position. Check it out on the next page.
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Space Shuttle Discovery on its way to the launch pad. The crawler moves at about 1 mile per hour. You can see the shuttle in the ready position on the next page.
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The space shuttle takes many months of preparation before it ever leaves the ground! Check out more images of the space shuttle at the launch pad on the following page.
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Discovery awaits its mission to the International Space Station. On the following pages you can see some of the wildlife that calls the launch pad home.
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White Ibis perch on a fence as the Space Shuttle Endeavour sits on the launch pad. What other types of animals live near the Kennedy Space Center? Find out next.
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Two fish jump out of the water in front of the space shuttle Endeavour. It's almost time for launch. Check out the crew as they prepare for their mission next.
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The crew of the space shuttle Endeavour. You can see the shuttle as it prepares for launch on the following page.
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Next stop, the sky! The ignition sequence is pictured on the next page.
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Ignition. Check out the shuttle as it takes to the sky on the next page.
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Liftoff is an incredibly intense moment. On the next page you can see an amazing picture of this moment at night.
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Light from the rocket engines can be seen from miles away. More pictures of the launch can be found on the following pages.
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The Space Shuttle Endeavour lifts off on March 11, 2008. Check out Endeavour as it heads to the space station on the next page.
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Endeavour is headed to the International Space Station for a 16-day mission. Another picture of this incredible moment can be found on the next page.
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Endeavour on its way to the International Space Station. Check out the next page for an image of the exhaust trail the rockets leave behind.
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Atlantis takes to the skies. What is it that causes this trail of smoke? Find out on the next page.
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The fuel tank and the twin solid rocket boosters are visible. The shuttle has almost reached space. Check out the next page to see the shuttle leave the Earth.
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Endeavour disappears into the clouds. What happens to the rocket boosters once they run out of fuel? Find out on the next page.
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Two solid rocket boosters separate from the space shuttle. So what does the space shuttle look like once it reaches orbit? Find out next.
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The Atlantis payload bay is backdropped by the Earth. After completing its mission, the shuttle glides back to Earth.
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The space shuttle Atlantis on final approach. Check out more pictures of the shuttle's flight back to Earth on the following pages.
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Atlantis returns from a 13-day mission to the International Space Station. An amazing image of the shuttle right before touchdown can be found on the next page.
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The Space Shuttle Endeavour about to land at the Kennedy Space Center. To see the space shuttle at the moment of touchdown check out the next page.
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Endeavour touches down at the Kennedy Space Center after a sixteen day mission to the International Space Station. So how does the shuttle stop? Find out next.
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The main parachute deploys on the Space Shuttle Endeavour. To see the space shuttle finally at rest after its long journey check out the next page.
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Space Shuttle Atlantis shortly after returning from space.
Now that you're familiar with space shuttles, take a look at 10 of the Space Shuttle's Most Inspiring Moments!
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