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Pictures of Spacecraft
Curiosity sample acquisition process
A high-level overview of Curiosity's sample acquisition process and drop-off. The post-drop-off sampling hardware cleaning activity is not shown.
Filed under spacecraft, Curiosity (Mars Science Laboratory)
Test image from Curiosity MARDI containing Ken Edgett
This image was acquired in the Malin Space Science Systems cleanroom during MARDI calibration testing in June 2008. It shows the MARDI Deputy Principal Investigator, Ken Edgett, holding a six-foot metal ruler that was used as a depth of field test target.
Filed under pretty pictures, explaining technology, spacecraft, Curiosity (Mars Science Laboratory)
Space Launch System expanded view
The initial configuration of the Space Launch System, capable of lofting 70 metric tons into space.
Filed under pretty pictures, art, spacecraft, shuttle successor, future technology, rockets
Orion EFT-1 capsule ready for shipment
The Orion capsule prior to its shipment to Kennedy Space Center, sitting in NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Filed under pretty pictures, spacecraft, human spaceflight, shuttle successor
Filed under pretty pictures, spacecraft, shuttle successor
Phoenix spotted by HiRISE against Heimdall crater as it descends
This amazing image was captured as Phoenix came in for its Mars landing on May 25, 2008. The HiRISE camera on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter pointed at Phoenix, which is seen here against the background of a 10-kilometer-diameter crater called Heimdall.
Filed under best of, spacecraft, pics of spacecraft in space, Phoenix, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
In this scene, Curiosity has touched down onto the surface. The spacecraft has detected the touchdown, and pyrotechnic cutters have severed the connections between the rover and the spacecraft's descent stage.
Filed under art, spacecraft, Curiosity (Mars Science Laboratory)
In this artist's concept, Curiosity is in the final moments of its descent toward Mars, and is being lowered from the descent stage to the surface on three cables.
Filed under art, spacecraft, Curiosity (Mars Science Laboratory)
Curiosity landing: Powered descent phase
Artist's concept of Curiosity under its descent stage during the final minute before the rover touches down on the surface of Mars.
Filed under art, spacecraft, Curiosity (Mars Science Laboratory)
Hayabusa lights up the Australian sky
A view of Hayabusa burning up over Australia courtesy of the Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shumbun.
Filed under pretty pictures, pics of spacecraft in space, Hayabusa (MUSES-C)
COROT (Convection Rotation and planetary Transits) is an extrasolar planet-hunting telescope.
Filed under pretty pictures, art, spacecraft, astronomy and astrophysics spacecraft
Curiosity enters Mars' atmosphere
Curiosity fires thrusters during the guided entry phase of its arrival at Mars. With its heat shield nose tilted upward 20 degress with respect to its direction of motion, it actually flies in Mars' atmosphere, banking in S turns to aim it at a target position and velocity for parachute deployment.
Filed under pretty pictures, art, spacecraft, Curiosity (Mars Science Laboratory)
In this artist's concept, Curiosity is in the final moments of its descent toward Mars, and is being lowered from the descent stage to the surface on three cables.
Filed under pretty pictures, art, spacecraft, Curiosity (Mars Science Laboratory)
The crew of Shenzhou-9 trains in a capsule simulator. From left to right: Liu Wang, Jing Haipeng and Liu Yang.
Filed under pretty pictures, spacecraft, human spaceflight, astronaut, Chinese human spaceflight
Apollo 8 lifts off from Cape Canaveral on December 21, 1968.
Filed under pretty pictures, spacecraft, human spaceflight, rockets
Opportunity Deck Pan, December 2011 (sols 2811-2814)
Opportunity used its Pancam to take the images combined into this mosaic view of the rover. The downward-looking view omits the mast on which the camera is mounted. Heading into its fifth Martian winter, Opportunity's solar panels were dustier than ever, requiring the team to choose an area of high northward tilt to increase power.
Filed under Mars, Mars Exploration Rovers, Opportunity, spacecraft, pics of spacecraft in space
SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft sits safely on a recovery barge after splashing down in the Pacific Ocean on May 31, 2012. The Dragon completed a more-than nine-day trip in which it became the first private spacecraft to visit the International Space Station.
Filed under pretty pictures, spacecraft, private spaceflight
A fish-eye view of the Dragon spacecraft's interior, while docked to the International Space Station.
Filed under pretty pictures, spacecraft, International Space Station, private spaceflight
The Dragon spacecraft's parachutes are seen over the Pacific Ocean horizon at the moment of splashdown on May 31, 2012 at 11:42AM EDT (15:42 UTC).
Filed under pretty pictures, spacecraft, private spaceflight
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