Exploration Development Lab

Altair Lander simulator.

Exploration Development Lab

Orion interior view of window layout.

Exploration Development Lab

Orion Capsule mock-up in the EDL.

Exploration Development Lab

I also photographed a mock-up of the Orion capsule at Lockheed Martin's Exploration Development Lab.

Johnson Space Center

Another flight deck detail image.

Johnson Space Center

A detail shot of the flight deck.

Johnson Space Center

This is the flight deck of one of the Space Shuttle Trainers

Johnson Space Center

Here is an image from the Neutral Buoyancy Lab.

Johnson Space Center

Here are some images from my trip to Johnson Space Center.

Orion Capsule

The Orion Capsule will carry a crew of four atop the Ares-1 rocket. This is the first "proof of production" version of the capsule. Though it will never be launched, it will be built to flight standards. Odds are good that many aspects of the Orion will be modified during the engineering, production and testing phase of the program.

This is only a portion of the capsule's frame. There is a sleeve that will be attached below this section (visible directly behind the capsule), then the bulkhead on the bottom. There are two smaller cone shaped sections which will be attached above the section pictured here. Attached atop those is the tunnel and upper hatch.

Orion Capsule Bulkhead

This is the Bulkhead, or bottom of the Orion Capsule. The ablative heat shield will be attached to the bulkhead to protect the capsule during reentry through the Earth's atmosphere.

Orion Capsule Hatch

This is the main hatch opening on the Orion Capsule. The capsule will also have a tunnel hatch at the top to connect to the Altair lander.

Orion Capsule Window

This is one of four windows in the Orion Capsule. There will be one window for each astronaut on the crew.

External Tank Foam Spray and Test Cells

The external tanks and tank segments are tested and coated with foam in a series of "cells"in the VAB at MAF. This image depicts the hydrostatic test cell.

Test Cell "C" Wall

Test Cell "C" Detail

Test Cell "C"

External Tank Segments

Assembly of the Space Shuttle external tanks is nearly complete. These image depict left over segment which may be utilized if the space Shuttle program is extended by Congress.

External Tank Segments

Michoud Assembly Facility, New Orleans, LA

I spent the day photographing at NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility. MAF is where the Apollo Saturn I and V rockets were manufactured. Currently, it is where the Space Shuttle external tank is assembled. Future plans call for the Ares I and Ares V rockets to be assembled at MAF.