posted 08-04-2011 10:12 PM               

Shuttle Atlantis being prepared for public display

Work is now underway at NASA's Kennedy Space Center to prepare the space shuttle orbiter Atlantis, OV-104, for its retirement and public display.

In addition to "safing" the vehicle to remove materials that would be hazardous to museum visitors, shuttle technicians are also removing components for forensic study and to retain for possible use on the next generation of crewed spacecraft.

Work began soon after Atlantis landed for its last time on July 21, 2011. The orbiter is expected to be ready for transfer to its new home, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, in late 2012.

Below: In Orbiter Processing Facility-2 at the Kennedy Space Center, a special payload removal device is used to lift the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module high above Atlantis' cargo bay.

Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossman

posted 08-22-2011 10:55 PM               

In Orbiter Processing Facility-2 on Aug. 22, 2011, technicians used a Hyster forklift to remove Engine #1, the final engine to be removed from space shuttle Atlantis — and from any space shuttle orbiter.

The forklift was used to transport the engine to be serviced for future possible use with a next generation launch vehicle.

Photo credit: NASA/Frankie Martin

posted 11-09-2011 06:10 PM               

In Orbiter Processing Facility-2, technicians worked to remove space shuttle Atlantis' two orbital maneuvering system (OMS) pods. The left OMS pod was removed first on Oct. 21, 2011; the right pod followed on Nov. 4.

Both OMS pods will be sent to White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico where they will undergo a complete deservicing and cleaning and then be returned to Kennedy for reinstallation on Atlantis.

Credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

posted 12-14-2011 03:48 PM               

In Orbiter Processing Facility-2 (OPF-2), technicians secured space shuttle Atlantis' three fuel cells to special platforms on Dec. 13, 2011.

The fuel cells will be drained of all fluids. The hydrogen and oxygen dewars that fed reactants to the fuel cells remain in Atlantis' mid-body and will be purged with inert gases and vented down.

Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

posted 12-14-2011 03:52 PM               

On Dec. 14, 2011, a large crane was used to remove space shuttle Atlantis' remote manipulator system (RMS) and lower it onto a special carrier platform.

The Canadarm will be transported to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston for possible use on future spaceflights.

Credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

posted 12-19-2011 08:41 AM               

Rare, last look inside space shuttle Atlantis

Space shuttle Atlantis, which only five months ago flew the final mission of NASA's 30-year shuttle program, is now being prepared for its public display at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Its insides being pulled out to ensure it is safe for exhibit, as well as significantly lighten it for its planned steep-angled display, Atlantis is scheduled to be powered down this week for the final time.

collectSPACE had the rare opportunity recently to tour Atlantis to photograph its preparation and capture its glass cockpit powered and lit for one of its last times...

posted 12-23-2011 04:00 PM               

On Dec. 21, 2011, a crane was used to move the airlock from space shuttle Atlantis' payload bay to a waiting trailer in Orbiter Processing Facility-2.

In addition to supporting spacewalks, the airlock was the connecting point between the shuttle and International Space Station. It was removed as part of the ongoing work to prepare the shuttle for public display at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

The airlock is temporarily being held in the Space Station Processing Facility. It will not be reinstalled into Atlantis, but may eventually go on display beside the orbiter.

Credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

posted 12-23-2011 04:01 PM               

On Dec. 22, 2011, Atlantis was powered down for the final time.

Credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

posted 01-20-2012 01:40 PM               

On Jan. 20, 2012, Atlantis was was parked in the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), after being rolled over from Orbiter Processing Facility-2 (OPF-2).

Atlantis will remain in the VAB while shuttle Endeavour takes its place in OPF-2 for further display preparations.

Credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

posted 03-09-2012 05:34 PM               

On March 9, 2012, Atlantis was towed from the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) to Orbiter Processing Facility-1 (OPF-1), where it will continue to be prepared for public display.

On its way to the OPF, Atlantis passed by space shuttle Discovery, which was rolled into the VAB.

Credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

posted 05-07-2012 03:22 PM               

On March 13, 2012, Atlantis' payload bay is accessible and ready for processing activities following the opening of its doors.

Credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

posted 05-07-2012 03:23 PM               

On May 3, 2012, shuttle Atlantis' window no. 4 was reinstalled after being removed for inspection.

Credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

posted 05-10-2012 02:28 PM               

On May 8, 2012, technicians removed the fuel line that supplied liquid hydrogen propellant to Atlantis' main engine No. 2. The orbiter's liquid hydrogen lines are being placed in storage to preserve the option to reuse them on NASA's Space Launch System heavy-lift vehicle.

Credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

posted 06-12-2012 10:12 PM               

On May 29, 2012, Atlantis' forward reaction control system (FRCS) was reinstalled. The system helped the shuttle maneuver while it was in orbit.

Atlantis' FRCS was removed to be sent to White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico to be cleaned of its toxic propellants.

Credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

posted 06-12-2012 10:12 PM               

On June 5, 2012, a set of Atlantis middeck lockers, including its food pantry, were installed as the spacecraft is prepared for public display.

Credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

posted 06-12-2012 10:12 PM               

On June 5, 2012, space shuttle Atlantis' flight deck was configured with the installation of the crew seats.

Credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

posted 06-19-2012 12:25 PM               

On June 13, 2012, Atlantis' left orbital maneuvering system, or OMS, pod was installed.

Atlantis' OMS pods were removed and sent to White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico to be cleaned of residual toxic propellant.

Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

posted 06-20-2012 10:39 PM               

On June 19, 2012, Atlantis' right orbital maneuvering system (OMS) pod was moved into place for installation.

Atlantis' OMS pods were removed and sent to White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico to be cleaned of residual toxic propellant.

Credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

posted 06-26-2012 09:57 PM               

On June 26, 2012, technicians installed completed installing Atlantis' replica shuttle main engines for its public display.

Atlantis is scheduled to roll over to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in November in preparation for the exhibit's grand opening in July 2013.

Credit: NASA/Glenn Benson

posted 06-29-2012 07:27 PM               

On June 29, 2012, Atlantis was parked in High Bay 4 of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) after a short move from Orbiter Processing Facility-1 (OPF-1).

Atlantis is scheduled to remain in the VAB until Aug. 16, when it will be moved into OPF-2 to continue being readied for display.

Credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

posted 08-16-2012 12:23 PM               

Trading places, space shuttles meet nose-to-nose for a final time

Two space shuttles traded places at NASA's Kennedy Space Center on Thursday (Aug. 16) for what was planned to be the final multiple shuttle shuffle of the retired program.

Shuttles Atlantis and Endeavour paused briefly for nose-to-nose photos as they were moved between the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) and orbiter processing facility (OPF) at the Florida spaceport.

posted 09-30-2012 07:42 PM               

On September 5, 2012, a mock airlock was installed in space shuttle Atlantis' payload bay in preparation for the orbiter's display at NASA's Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

Credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

posted 09-30-2012 07:44 PM               

On Sept. 10, 2012, the insulation elements for the dome main engine heat shield were installed on the aft end of space shuttle Atlantis.

Credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

posted 09-30-2012 07:44 PM               

On September 10, 2012, the nose gear on space shuttle Atlantis was stowed during a landing gear functional test.

Credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

posted 09-30-2012 07:45 PM               

On Sept. 12, 2012, technicians installed replica orbital maneuvering system (OMS) engine nozzles on space shuttle Atlantis.

Credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

posted 09-30-2012 07:45 PM               

On Sept. 12, 2012, technicians removed the two external fuel tank doors from space shuttle Atlantis.

Credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

posted 09-30-2012 07:46 PM               

On Sept. 20, 2012, space shuttle Atlantis' payload bay doors were closed in preparation for the orbiter's transport to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex for display.

Credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

posted 09-30-2012 07:46 PM               

On Sept. 28, 2012, technicians closed space shuttle Atlantis' aft and midbody access doors for the final time.

Credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

posted 10-17-2012 10:10 AM               

On Oct. 11, 2012, space shuttle Atlantis' crew hatch was closed and sealed for the final time.

Credit: NASA/Frankie Martin

posted 10-17-2012 10:11 AM               

On Oct. 16, 2012, space shuttle Atlantis was loaded onto the orbiter transporter vehicle in Orbiter Processing Facility-2. Technicians then retracted and closed the doors to Atlantis' nose gear.

Credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

See here for discussion of these photos and preparing the orbiters for display.