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National Geographic's Snapshots

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  1. Space Shuttle Enterprise

    Space Shuttle Enterprise by National Geographic from the GigaPan Space Shuttle Discovery in Museum Hangar by National Geographic

    The space shuttle Enterprise never flew in space. A test vehicle used for landing tests, she will be transferred via the Boeing-747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) to the Intrepid Sea, Air, & Space Museum in New York City for display.

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  2. Shuttle Crew Module

    Shuttle Crew Module by National Geographic from the GigaPan Space Shuttle Discovery Atop Carrier Aircraft by National Geographic

    The crew module is not pressurized for the transportation flights. The drag and weight of the orbiter limits the range of the aircraft to 1,000 miles (1,850 km) requiring multiple refueling stops. It has an altitude limit of 15,000 feet.

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  3. Forward Connection Point

    Forward Connection Point by National Geographic from the GigaPan Space Shuttle Discovery Atop Carrier Aircraft by National Geographic

    The orbiter attaches to the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) in three points; one at the nose and one under each wing. These are the same attachment points that connected the space shuttle to the External Tank during a launch.

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  4. Discovery's "Beauty Mark"

    Discovery's "Beauty Mark" by National Geographic from the GigaPan Space Shuttle Discovery Atop Carrier Aircraft by National Geographic

    One unique feature of Discovery is her unusual "beauty mark" under the forward Window Number 5. According to those who have serviced the shuttle, the black tiles likely contained instrumentation for monitoring heat and were never replaced after no longer being needed. They do not exist in this location on any of the other orbiters.

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  5. American Flag

    American Flag by National Geographic from the GigaPan Space Shuttle Discovery Atop Carrier Aircraft by National Geographic

    By law, American flags must be displayed in the direction of travel, however the wind would be blowing them. This is why the flag appears backward on the side of the shuttle.

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  6. Orbiter Mount Text

    Orbiter Mount Text by National Geographic from the GigaPan Space Shuttle Discovery Atop Carrier Aircraft by National Geographic

    The humerous text on the rear orbiter mount reads:
    "Attach Orbiter Here. NOTE: Black Side Down."

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  7. Aircraft Windows

    Aircraft Windows by National Geographic from the GigaPan Space Shuttle Discovery Atop Carrier Aircraft by National Geographic

    The Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) is a Boeing-747 that served as a passenger aircraft for American Airlines in the early 1970s. The first class seats are the only passenger seating left on the interior.

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  8. Mission Silhouettes

    Mission Silhouettes by National Geographic from the GigaPan Space Shuttle Discovery Atop Carrier Aircraft by National Geographic

    These icons represent the number of transportation missions this 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft has flown since it was acquired by NASA in 1974. Not including this mission, it has transported the shuttle (including test flights of Enterprise) 212 times.

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  9. "Flush" Handle

    "Flush" Handle by National Geographic from the GigaPan Space Shuttle Discovery Toilet by National Geographic

    This handle doesn't really "flush" the space toilet but is the operating handle that initiates the solid waste disposal system and fans.

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  10. Foot Holders

    Foot Holders by National Geographic from the GigaPan Space Shuttle Discovery Toilet by National Geographic

    The foot holders help keep the astronaut in place while he or she is using the toilet facility. "NO STEP IN ONE G" means it is not intended to carry weight while on the ground.

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  11. Urine Hose

    Urine Hose by National Geographic from the GigaPan Space Shuttle Discovery Toilet by National Geographic

    The liquid waste vacuum tube is attached to the vacuum chamber and connected to a fan that provides suction. The end contains a detachable urine receptacle, uniquely designed for use by both men and women. Each member of the crew has his or her own, marked by the color of their crew position on the shuttle.

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  12. "No Step"

    "No Step" by National Geographic from the GigaPan Space Shuttle Discovery Toilet by National Geographic

    Why have a "NO STEP" sign on the back of the toilet? That sign and the "MAXIMUM WEIGHT" one above it are there for when the space shuttle is vertical on the launchpad before liftoff. While servicing crews are inside the upright shuttle, these signs guide them as they move around the orbiter.

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  13. Thigh Holders

    Thigh Holders by National Geographic from the GigaPan Space Shuttle Discovery Toilet by National Geographic

    These levers rotate and help to hold the astronaut's legs in place over their thighs while they are seated on the toilet.

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  14. Cardinal Directions

    Cardinal Directions by National Geographic from the GigaPan Space Shuttle Discovery Payload Bay by National Geographic

    Directional signs hang throughout the Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) to help orient workers in the massive building. NASA photographer Ken Thornsley watches over decommissioning work in the cargo bay.

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  15. Remote Manipulator System

    Remote Manipulator System by National Geographic from the GigaPan Space Shuttle Discovery Payload Bay by National Geographic

    The Shuttle Remote Manipulator System (SRMS), also known as Canadarm for its developer, was a mechanical arm used to maneuver payload and astronauts while in orbit. Astronauts attach to a plate on the end of the arm when being moved.

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  16. Flight Deck Windows

    Flight Deck Windows by National Geographic from the GigaPan Space Shuttle Discovery Payload Bay by National Geographic

    These two small windows are at the rear of the flight deck in the crew module. From here, astronauts control and watch the remote manipulator arm during orbit operations.

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  17. Ku-Band Antenna

    Ku-Band Antenna by National Geographic from the GigaPan Space Shuttle Discovery Payload Bay by National Geographic

    The Ku band antenna aboard the space shuttle orbiter is located in the payload bay and can be only used in orbit. It is deployed after the payload bays doors are opened once in space. It is used to transmit information to and from the ground and can also be used as a radar system for tracking objects in space.

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  18. Airlock

    Airlock by National Geographic from the GigaPan Space Shuttle Discovery Payload Bay by National Geographic

    The airlock sits in the payload bay and is attached to the mid-deck of the crew module. It provides access for the astronauts to the payload bay and International Space Station (ISS) when docked.

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  19. Tile Numbers

    Tile Numbers by National Geographic from the GigaPan Space Shuttle Discovery Underside by National Geographic

    All of the tiles in the space shuttle's thermal protection system are identified by unique numbers indicating position and batch (when created and applied). Using these codes, a computer can generate an exact replacement for that tile.

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  20. Wheel Manufactured Date

    Wheel Manufactured Date by National Geographic from the GigaPan Space Shuttle Discovery Underside by National Geographic

    This tiny date indicates the manufacturing date of the wheel rim as February 2005. This rim would have been manufactured and possibly installed before Discovery's Return to Flight mission in the summer of 2005.

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  21. Floor Stripes

    Floor Stripes by National Geographic from the GigaPan Space Shuttle Discovery Underside by National Geographic

    Similar to lines that guide aircraft to park at airport gates, these lines on the floor guide the space shuttle as it is towed into the Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) so that it is in the perfectly aligned position for operations.

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  22. Leveling Jacks

    Leveling Jacks by National Geographic from the GigaPan Space Shuttle Discovery Underside by National Geographic

    These massive jacks attach to the underside of the shuttle under the nose and wings and elevate the space shuttle to provide a completely level working surface above for orbiter processing.

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  23. Nose Gear

    Nose Gear by National Geographic from the GigaPan Space Shuttle Discovery Underside by National Geographic

    The nose gear of the space shuttle is elevated continuously during processing operations and is higher off the ground than the wing landing gear. The shuttle angles downward slightly toward the nose when on the ground, so the nose gear must be higher to level the cargo bay.

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  24. Gap Fillers

    Gap Fillers by National Geographic from the GigaPan Space Shuttle Discovery Windows by National Geographic

    Gap fillers are placed at doors and moving surfaces to minimize heating. The filler materials are made of alumnia fibers and are tucked between tiles during installation.

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  25. Debris Marks

    Debris Marks by National Geographic from the GigaPan Space Shuttle Discovery Windows by National Geographic

    The space shuttle Discovery carries many signs that she has flown in space 39 times. Small pockmarks mar her surface, from minor debris or micrometeorites striking her while in orbit.

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  26. Tile Numbers

    Tile Numbers by National Geographic from the GigaPan Space Shuttle Discovery Windows by National Geographic

    Every tile on the space shuttle carries a specific code identifying its place on the shuttle and the mission and date it was last replaced.

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  27. Pilot's Window

    Pilot's Window by National Geographic from the GigaPan Space Shuttle Discovery Windows by National Geographic

    The pilot's seat is on the starboard side of the flight deck. On the launchpad, pilots had a perfect view down the coast of Cape Canaveral, Florida.

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  28. Commander's Window

    Commander's Window by National Geographic from the GigaPan Space Shuttle Discovery Windows by National Geographic

    The commander's seat is on the port side of the flight deck and this window is just to the left of their head at launch. Through this window, the commander would give a thumb's up sign to the crew closing the hatch as the final sign they were ready for launch.

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  29. Wing Elevons

    Wing Elevons by National Geographic from the GigaPan Space Shuttle Discovery Tail Cone by National Geographic

    The space shuttle's wing elevons are divided into two segments to minimize hinge binding and interaction with the wing. The interior structure is made of aluminum.

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  30. Tail Blanket

    Tail Blanket by National Geographic from the GigaPan Space Shuttle Discovery Tail Cone by National Geographic

    Much of the exterior surface of the space shuttle that is not exposed to heat or debris is actually a soft, flexible insulating blanket, visible here on the rudder/speed brake portion of the tail. This blanket material generally requires less maintenance than tiles.

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  31. Landing Gear

    Landing Gear by National Geographic from the GigaPan Space Shuttle Discovery Tail Cone by National Geographic

    The starboard landing gear of the space shuttle is suspended above the ground. The shuttle is continuously elevated by leveling jacks while being processed.

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  32. Tail Cone Access

    Tail Cone Access by National Geographic from the GigaPan Space Shuttle Discovery Tail Cone by National Geographic

    This hatch provides workers access to the interior of the tail cone after installation.

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  33. Cardinal Directions

    Cardinal Directions by National Geographic from the GigaPan Space Shuttle Discovery Tail Cone by National Geographic

    Mounted on the ceiling of the Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF), the cardinal direction indicators help orient operations in the massive building.

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  34. Wall Tape

    Wall Tape by National Geographic from the GigaPan Space Shuttle Discovery Airlock by National Geographic

    When the airlock hatches were open on the ground, protective tape was placed over sensitive areas that could be damaged by people and cargo moving in and out. The tape is removed before flight and only stuck to the wall while waiting to be discarded.

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  35. Upside Down Text

    Upside Down Text by National Geographic from the GigaPan Space Shuttle Discovery Airlock by National Geographic

    Numbers and text in the airlock needed to be readable from multiple directions for astronauts floating between the International Space Station (ISS) and the shuttle and those entering from the cargo bay after a spacewalk.

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  36. Payload Bay Hatch

    Payload Bay Hatch by National Geographic from the GigaPan Space Shuttle Discovery Airlock by National Geographic

    This hatch leads out to the space shuttle's payload bay, where cargo activities and spacewalks occurred. Spacewalkers would be prepared in the airlock and depressurized before the door was opened allowing them to exit.

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  37. Space Station Access

    Space Station Access by National Geographic from the GigaPan Space Shuttle Discovery Airlock by National Geographic

    When open, this hatch provided access between the space shuttle and the International Space Station (ISS). After hatch opening the two crews would greet each other through these doors in a welcome ceremony.

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  38. Space Suit Hangers

    Space Suit Hangers by National Geographic from the GigaPan Space Shuttle Discovery Airlock by National Geographic

    These notches on the airlock wall are where connectors used to be for transportation and storage of space suits for extra-vehicular activities (EVA) also known as spacewalks.

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  39. Flight Deck Access

    Flight Deck Access by National Geographic from the GigaPan Space Shuttle Discovery Mid-Deck by National Geographic

    This access way is where the astronauts enter the flight deck of the space shuttle. One is located on each side of the mid-deck allowing the astronauts to move easily between decks.

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  40. Main Hatch

    Main Hatch by National Geographic from the GigaPan Space Shuttle Discovery Mid-Deck by National Geographic

    The main hatch is how astronauts enter and exit the space shuttle before and after landing. It is never open while the shuttle is in space, with all external access done through the airlock.

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