KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata (left) works with a tray extended from inside the Pressurized Module, or PM, part of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM). The PM provides a shirt-sleeve environment in which astronauts on the International Space Station can conduct microgravity experiments. There are a total of 23 racks, including 10 experiment racks, inside the PM providing a power supply, communications, air conditioning, hardware cooling, water control and experiment support functions.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-114 Mission Specialists Wendy Lawrence (left) and Stephen Robinson (right) look at the insert for Discovery’s nose cap that is being fitted with thermal protection system insulation blankets. The mission crew is spending time becoming familiar with Shuttle and mission equipment. The mission is Logistics Flight 1, which is scheduled to deliver supplies and equipment plus the external stowage platform to the International Space Station.

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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - A rudder speed brake actuator sits on an air-bearing pallet to undergo X-raying. Four actuators to be installed on the orbiter Discovery are being X-rayed at the Radiographic High-Energy X-ray Facility to determine if the gears were installed correctly. Discovery has been assigned to the first Return to Flight mission, STS-114, a logistics flight to the International Space Station.

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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Orbiter Processing Facility, KSC employee Chris Moore repairs tile on the forward area of the orbiter Discovery. The vehicle has undergone Orbiter Major Modifications in the past year, which includes tile check and repair. The tiles are part of the Orbiter Thermal Protection System, thermal shields to protect against temperatures as high as 3,000° Fahrenheit, which are produced during descent for landing. Discovery is scheduled to fly on mission STS-121 to the International Space Station.

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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-114 Mission Specialists Andrew Thomas and Soichi Noguchi look at the leading edge of Discovery’s wing with RCC panels removed. Noguchi is with the Japanese Aerospace and Exploration Agency. Crew members are at KSC becoming familiar with Shuttle and mission equipment. The mission is Logistics Flight 1, which is scheduled to deliver supplies and equipment plus the external stowage platform to the International Space Station.

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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Orbiter Processing Facility, KSC employee Nadine Phillips prepares an area on the orbiter Discovery for blanket installation. The blankets are part of the Orbiter Thermal Protection System, thermal shields to protect against temperatures as high as 3,000° Fahrenheit, which are produced during descent for landing. Discovery is scheduled to fly on mission STS-121 to the International Space Station.

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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Orbiter Processing Facility, KSC employee Joel Smith prepares an area on the orbiter Discovery for blanket installation. The blankets are part of the Orbiter Thermal Protection System, thermal shields to protect against temperatures as high as 3,000° Fahrenheit, which are produced during descent for landing. Discovery is scheduled to fly on mission STS-121 to the International Space Station.

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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata (right) works with a tray extended from inside the Pressurized Module, or PM, part of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM). The PM provides a shirt-sleeve environment in which astronauts on the International Space Station can conduct microgravity experiments. There are a total of 23 racks, including 10 experiment racks, inside the PM providing a power supply, communications, air conditioning, hardware cooling, water control and experiment support functions.

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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Members of the STS-114 crew spend time becoming familiar with Shuttle and mission equipment. Mission Specialists Soichi Noguchi (left) and Andrew Thomas (center) look at an engine eyelet, which serves as part of the thermal protection system on an orbiter. Noguchi is with the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The mission is Logistics Flight 1, which is scheduled to deliver supplies and equipment and the external stowage platform to the International Space Station.

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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-114 Commander Eileen Collins and Mission Specialists Charles Camarda and Soichi Noguchi sit outside the crew hatch on the orbiter Discovery. Noguchi is with the Japanese Aerospace and Exploration Agency. They and other crew members are at KSC becoming familiar with Shuttle and mission equipment. The mission is Logistics Flight 1, which is scheduled to deliver supplies and equipment plus the external stowage platform to the International Space Station.

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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Members of the STS-114 crew spend time in the Orbiter Processing Facility becoming familiar with Shuttle and mission equipment. Mission Specialists Stephen Robinson (left) and Wendy Lawrence (right) look at an engine eyelet, which serves as part of the thermal protection system on an orbiter. The STS-114 mission is Logistics Flight 1, which is scheduled to deliver supplies and equipment and the external stowage platform to the International Space Station.

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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Members of the STS-114 crew spend time becoming familiar with Shuttle and mission equipment. From left are Mission Specialists Stephen Robinson, Charles Camarda and Andrew Thomas. On the work stand is the insert for Discovery’s nose cap, which is being fitted with themal protection system insulation blankets. The mission is Logistics Flight 1, which is scheduled to deliver supplies and equipment plus the external stowage platform to the International Space Station.

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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Orbiter Processing Facility, KSC employee Duane Williams prepares the blanket insulation to be installed on the body flap on orbiter Discovery. The blankets are part of the Orbiter Thermal Protection System, thermal shields to protect against temperatures as high as 3,000° Fahrenheit, which are produced during descent for landing. Discovery is scheduled to fly on mission STS-121 to the International Space Station.

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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- From the KSC television studio, KSC management and other employees applaud President George W. Bush, who addressed the public and an assembly of government officials at NASA Headquarters, outlining a new focus and vision for the space agency. Fourth from left is Mike Leinbach, Shuttle launch director; at right, front row, are Bill Pickavance vice president and associate program manager of Florida Operations, United Space Alliance (USA) and Howard DeCastro, USA vice president and Space Shuttle program manager. The President stated his goals for NASA’s new mission: Completing the International Space Station, retiring the Space Shuttle orbiters, developing a new crew exploration vehicle, and returning to the moon and beyond within the next two decades. Pres. Bush was welcomed by NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe and Expedition 8 Commander Michael Foale, who greeted him from the International Space Station. Members of the Washington, D.C., audience included astronauts Eileen Collins, Ed Lu and Michael Lopez-Alegria, and former astronaut Gene Cernan.

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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the KSC television studio, KSC management and other employees applaud President George W. Bush, who addressed the public and an assembly of government officials at NASA Headquarters as he outlined a new focus and vision for the space agency. Seated in the front row, left to right, are Bill Pickavance vice president and associate program manager of Florida Operations, United Space Alliance (USA) ; Howard DeCastro, vice president and Space Shuttle program manager, USA; Shannon Roberts, with External Affairs; Woodrow Whitlow, KSC deputy director; Bruce Buckingham, assistant to Dr. Whitlow; Lisa Malone, director of External Affairs; and Ken Aguilar, chief, Equal Opportunity office. The President stated his goals for NASA’s new mission: Completing the International Space Station, retiring the Space Shuttle orbiters, developing a new crew exploration vehicle, and returning to the moon and beyond within the next two decades. Pres. Bush was welcomed by NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe and Expedition 8 Commander Michael Foale, who greeted him from the International Space Station. Members of the Washington, D.C., audience included astronauts Eileen Collins, Ed Lu and Michael Lopez-Alegria, and former astronaut Gene Cernan.

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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the KSC television studio, KSC management and other employees applaud President George W. Bush, who addressed the public and an assembly of government officials at NASA Headquarters as he outlined a new focus and vision for the space agency. Seated in the front row, left to right, are Bill Pickavance vice president and associate program manager of Florida Operations, United Space Alliance (USA) ; Howard DeCastro, vice president and Space Shuttle program manager, USA; Shannon Roberts, with External Affairs; Woodrow Whitlow, KSC deputy director; Bruce Buckingham, assistant to Dr. Whitlow; Lisa Malone, director of External Affairs; Ken Aguilar, chief, Equal Opportunity office; and Cheryl Cox, External Affairs. The President stated his goals for NASA’s new mission: Completing the International Space Station, retiring the Space Shuttle orbiters, developing a new crew exploration vehicle, and returning to the moon and beyond within the next two decades. Pres. Bush was welcomed by NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe and Expedition 8 Commander Michael Foale, who greeted him from the International Space Station. Members of the Washington, D.C., audience included astronauts Eileen Collins, Ed Lu and Michael Lopez-Alegria, and former astronaut Gene Cernan.

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