Stellary Starry Universe

On April 12, 1981, astronauts John Young and Bob Crippen launched into space on space shuttle Columbia on the STS-1 mission–NASA’s first mission aboard a reusable spacecraft. STS-1 was NASA’s first manned mission since the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975. In this image, the two solid rocket boosters are aglow after being jettisoned. Image Credit: NASA

STS-116 astronaut Bob Curbeam met the NASA logo up close on his Dec. 14, 2006, spacewalk, during which he performed tasks to complete the International Space Station. During space shuttle Discovery’s mission to the station, the STS-116 crew added the P5 spacer truss segment and rewired the station’s power system, preparing it to support the station’s final configuration and the arrival of additional science modules. A fourth and final spacewalk was added to allow the crew to retract solar arrays that had folded improperly. Curbeam was selected as an astronaut in 1994 and subsequently flew on three space shuttle missions. During the STS-116 mission, he became the first shuttle astronaut to conduct four spacewalks in a single mission. Curbeam also flew on STS-85 in August 1997 and STS-98 in February 2001. He accumulated 45 hours and 34 minutes of spacewalking time and more than 900 hours in space. Image Credit: NASA

On Oct. 11, 2011, NASA officially transferred title and ownership of space shuttle Endeavour to the California Science Center during a ceremony at the center in Los Angeles. The transfer is the first step towards the Center receiving Endeavour in 2012. The STS-135 crew, Endeavour’s last, attended the ceremony on Tuesday. From left to right are Mike Fincke, STS-134 Commander Mark Kelly, California Science Center President Jeff Rudolph, Drew Feustel and Greg Johnson. Image Credit: California Science Center/Leroy Hamilton (Used by permission)

The bright sun, a portion of the International Space Station and Earth’s horizon are featured in this image photographed during the STS-134 mission’s fourth spacewalk in May 2011. The image was taken using a fish-eye lens attached to an electronic still camera. Image Credit: NASA

The crew of STS-135, NASA’s final space shuttle mission, and Sesame Street’s Elmo welcomed visitors to “What’s Your Favorite Space?” in New York City. The free, public event was presented by NASA and Eventi on Wednesday, Aug. 17, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on the hotel’s “Big Screen Plaza.” The outdoor plaza was transformed into a miniature space outpost filled with displays including an inflatable Mars Rover, demonstrations, interactive exhibits, video segments, children’s activities and more. Pictured with Elmo is STS-135 Commander Chris Ferguson. Image Credit: NASA/Sean Smith