Space ShuttlesSpace shuttle Discovery and its modified 747 carrier aircraft lift off from Edwards Air Force Base early in the morning...NASA's modified 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft with the shuttle Discovery securely mounted on top soars into the morning sky after...EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – (ED09-0253-114) NASA’s modified Boeing 747 carrying the space shuttle Discovery taxis toward the runway...Space shuttle Discovery was carefully placed atop the Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft during mating operations in preparation for its...Discovery was being prepared for its ferry flight back to the Kennedy Space Center in the Mate-Demate Device at NASA's...Space shuttle Discovery and the 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft lift off from Edwards Air Force Base early in the morning...EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – (ED09-0253-84) The tail cone that improves the aerodynamics of the space shuttle for its...EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – ((ED09-0253-83) The tail cone that improves the aerodynamics of the space shuttle for its...EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – (ED09-0253-81) Space Shuttle Discovery is surrounded by the Mate-DeMate Device gantry and ground support...EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – (ED09-0253-75) Space shuttle Discovery, mounted on leveling jacks, is surrounded by work platforms while...EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – (ED09-0253-73) The nose of Space Shuttle Discovery peers out from work platforms while undergoing...Mission specialist Jose Hernandez waves as Space Shuttle Discovery's crew board a Gulfstream II Shuttle Training Aircraft for the trip...Members of the STS-128 mission crew line up behind Space Shuttle Discovery in front of the Mate DeMate Device at...EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- (ED09-0253-16) This unusual overhead view shows Space Shuttle Discovery enclosed by the Mate-Demate Device...EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- (ED09-0253-15) The Space Shuttle Discovery is parked within the Mate-Demate Device gantry at NASA’s...EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- (ED09-0253-25) Technicians clad in protective suits check for any hazardous gases emanating from space...Disney's space ranger Buzz Lightyear returned from space on Sept. 11 aboard Space Shuttle Discovery's STS-128 mission after 15 months...Disney's space ranger Buzz Lightyear returned from space on Sept. 11 aboard Space Shuttle Discovery's STS-128 mission after 15 months...Space Shuttle Discovery reflects the colorful clouds illuminated by the setting sun over California's high desert following its landing at...The setting sun provides a beautiful backdrop to Space Shuttle Discovery and the Crew Transport Vehicle after Discovery's landing at...Members of the STS-128 mission crew are greeted by Air Force and NASA officials as they exit the Crew Transfer...Trailing its drag chute, Space Shuttle Discovery slows to a stop after landing at Edwards Air Force Base to conclude...Its nose still high in the air, Space Shuttle Discovery rolls down Runway 22L at Edwards Air Force Base shortly...EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- (ED09-0253-02) Space Shuttle Discovery rolls out on Runway 22L after landing at Edwards Air...EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- (ED09-0253-01) Streams of smoke trail from the main landing gear tires as Space Shuttle...Space Shuttle Endeavour's drag chute streams behind as it rolls down on Runway 04-L at Edwards AFB to conclude mission...Space Shuttle Endeavour's drag chute deploys as it rolls down Runway 04-L at Edwards AFB moments after landing on Nov....Smoke swirls as Space Shuttle Endeavour's tires strike the runway at Edwards Air Force Base Nov. 30 to conclude mission...Space Shuttle Endeavour rolls out after landing on runway 04-L at Edwards Air Force Base, ending mission STS-126 to the...NASA's modified Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft with the Space Shuttle Atlantis on top lifts off from Edwards Air Force...Technicians attach the tail cone, which helps reduce aerodynamic drag and turbulence during its ferry flight, to the Space Shuttle...Technicians attach the tail cone, which helps reduce aerodynamic drag and turbulence during its ferry flight, to the Space Shuttle...Lit by sunlight filtered through the smoke of a distant forest fire, the Space Shuttle Atlantis receives post-flight servicing in...The Space Shuttle Atlantis receives post-flight servicing in the Mate-Demate Device (MDD), following its landing at NASA's Dryden Flight Research...The Space Shuttle Atlantis touches down at Edwards AFB on June 22, 2007, to conclude International Space Station construction and...The crew of Space Shuttle mission STS-117 gathered in front of the shuttle Atlantis following landing at Edwards Air Force...Space Shuttle Atlantis descended to a smooth landing at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., concluding a successful assembly mission to...Space Shuttle Atlantis starts to deploy its braking parachute following touchdown at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on June 22,...The Space Shuttle Atlantis touches down at Edwards AFB on June 22, 2007, to conclude International Space Station construction and...The Space Shuttle Atlantis' drag chute deploys as it rolls out on Runway 22 at Edwards AFB at the conclusion...