KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Orbiter Processing Facility at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the payload bay doors of the orbiter Atlantis are being closed. The Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS) is seen on the starboard side (right) of the payload bay. The 50-foot-long OBSS attaches to the Remote Manipulator System, or Shuttle arm, and is one of the new safety measures for Return to Flight. It equips the orbiter with cameras and laser systems to inspect the Shuttle’s Thermal Protection System while in space. At left of the OBSS is Atlantis’ airlock, which is sized to accommodate two ful
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Orbiter Processing Facility at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the payload bay doors of the orbiter Atlantis are being closed. The Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS) is seen on the starboard side (right) of the payload bay. The 50-foot-long OBSS attaches to the Remote Manipulator System, or Shuttle arm, and is one of the new safety measures for Return to Flight. It equips the orbiter with cameras and laser systems to inspect the Shuttle’s Thermal Protection System while in space. At left of the OBSS is Atlantis’ airlock, which is sized to accommodate two fully suited flight crew members simultaneously. Support functions include airlock depressurization and repressurization, extravehicular activity equipment recharge, liquid-cooled garment water cooling, EVA equipment checkout, and communications. Atlantis is scheduled to fly on the second Return to Flight mission, STS-121, targeted for launch in a window extending from Sept. 9 to Sept. 24.
Size: 3008px × 2000px
Photo credit: © NASA/piemags / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., opf, sts-121
