Space Shuttle on Yahoo! News Photos

Space Shuttle Atlantis lands in the Mojave Desert at the NASA ...

(AFP/Getty Images/File) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:31:02 GMT

(AFP/Getty Images/File) - Space Shuttle Atlantis lands in the Mojave Desert at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center on Edwards Air Force Base near Mojave, California, May 2009. NASA has given the green light for the space shuttle Atlantis mission to launch on November 16 carrying six astronauts to the International Space Station.(AFP/Getty Images/File/David Mcnew)

Interactive graphic on the test launch of Ares 1-X rocket, from ...

(afp-iactiv) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:02:32 GMT

(afp-iactiv) - Interactive graphic on the test launch of Ares 1-X rocket, from Florida's Kennedy Space Center, designed to replace the ageing space shuttle fleet and one day take astronauts to the Moon and Mars.(afp-iactiv)

NASA's Ares 1-X rocket flies through the atmosphere after ...

(AFP/Getty Images) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:02:32 GMT

(AFP/Getty Images) - NASA's Ares 1-X rocket flies through the atmosphere after lifting off from launch pad 39-b at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. NASA has designed the Ares to be the replacement to the aging space shuttle fleet.(AFP/Getty Images/Joe Raedle)

NASA's Ares 1-X rocket lifts off from launch pad 39-B at ...

(AFP/Getty Images) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:43:20 GMT

(AFP/Getty Images) - NASA's Ares 1-X rocket lifts off from launch pad 39-B at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. NASA has designed the Ares to be the replacement to the aging space shuttle fleet.(AFP/Getty Images/Joe Raedle)

The Ares 1-X test rocket lifts off on a six-minute suborbital ...

(Reuters) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:22:41 GMT

(Reuters) - The Ares 1-X test rocket lifts off on a six-minute suborbital flight as a cone of moisture forms from air compression at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, October 28, 2009. The test rocket is being evaluated as a vehicle to replace the space shuttle for U.S. manned spaceflight. REUTERS/Scott Andrews (UNITED STATES SCI TECH TRANSPORT IMAGES OF THE DAY)

The Ares 1-X test rocket lifts off on a six-minute suborbital ...

(Reuters) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:14:34 GMT

The Ares 1-X test rocket (R) lifts off on a six-minute suborbital ...

(Reuters) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:12:10 GMT

(Reuters) - The Ares 1-X test rocket (R) lifts off on a six-minute suborbital flight from launch pad 39B as the space shuttle Atlantis (L) sits on launch pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, October 28, 2009. The test rocket is being evaluated as a vehicle to replace the space shuttle for U.S. manned spaceflight. Atlantis is scheduled for launch on a mission to the International Space Station on November 16. REUTERS/Scott Audette (UNITED STATES SCI TECH TRANSPORT)

The Ares 1-X test rocket (R) lifts off on a six-minute suborbital ...

(Reuters) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:11:02 GMT

The Ares 1-X test rocket lifts off on a six-minute suborbital ...

(Reuters) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:45:06 GMT

(Reuters) - The Ares 1-X test rocket lifts off on a six-minute suborbital flight from launch pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, October 28, 2009. The test rocket is being evaluated as a vehicle to replace the space shuttle for U.S. manned spaceflight. REUTERS/Pierre Ducharme (UNITED STATES SCI TECH TRANSPORT)

The Ares 1-X test rocket lifts off on a six-minute suborbital ...

(Reuters) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:43:55 GMT

The Ares 1-X test rocket lifts off on a six-minute suborbital ...

(Reuters) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:42:50 GMT

The Ares 1-X test rocket lifts off on a six-minute suborbital ...

(Reuters) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:31:38 GMT

The Ares 1-X test rocket lifts off on a six-minute suborbital ...

(Reuters) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:25:00 GMT

The Ares 1-X test rocket lifts off on a six-minute suborbital ...

(Reuters) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:59:01 GMT

(Reuters) - The Ares 1-X test rocket lifts off on a six-minute suborbital flight from launch pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida October 28, 2009. The test rocket is being evaluated as a vehicle to replace the space shuttle for U.S. manned spaceflight. REUTERS/Scott Audette (UNITED STATES TRANSPORT SCI TECH)

The Ares 1-X test rocket lifts off on a six-minute suborbital ...

(Reuters) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:53:15 GMT

The Ares 1-X test rocket lifts off on a six-minute suborbital ...

(Reuters) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:48:35 GMT

The Ares 1-X test rocket lifts off on a six-minute suborbital ...

(Reuters) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:46:20 GMT

(Reuters) - The Ares 1-X test rocket lifts off on a six-minute suborbital flight from launch pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida October 28, 2009. The test rocket is being evaluated as a vehicle to replace the space shuttle for U.S manned spaceflight. REUTERS/Scott Audette (UNITED STATES TRANSPORT SCI TECH IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Interactive graphic on the test launch of Ares 1-X rocket, postponed ...

(afp-iactiv) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:08:51 GMT

(afp-iactiv) - Interactive graphic on the test launch of Ares 1-X rocket, postponed due to weather conditions, designed to replace the ageing space shuttle fleet and one day take astronauts to the Moon and Mars.(afp-iactiv)

The Ares 1-X test rocket is shown on launch pad 39B after mission ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:26:52 GMT

(Reuters) - The Ares 1-X test rocket is shown on launch pad 39B after mission managers scrubbed a launch attempt at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida October 27, 2009. Mission managers battled numerous difficulties before delaying the mission until October 28 because of weather. The test rocket is being evaluated as a vehicle to replace the space shuttle for U.S. manned spaceflight. REUTERS/Scott Audette (UNITED STATES SCI TECH)

NASA technicians (lower left) attempt to pull a lanyard and ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:16:42 GMT

(Reuters) - NASA technicians (lower left) attempt to pull a lanyard and cover off of a five-hole probe on the Ares 1-X test rocket before a launch attempt at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida October 27, 2009. Mission managers battled numberous difficulties before delaying the mission until October 28 because of weather. The test rocket is being evaluated as a vehicle to replace the space shuttle for U.S. manned spaceflight. REUTERS/Pierre Ducharme (UNITED STATES TRANSPORT SCI TECH)

NASA's Ares 1-X rocket is seen on launch pad 39-b at the ...

(AFP/Getty Images) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:41:13 GMT

(AFP/Getty Images) - NASA's Ares 1-X rocket is seen on launch pad 39-b at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. NASA delayed for a half hour the launch of the Ares I-X, the test rocket space officials hope will replace the aging space shuttle fleet.(AFP/Getty Images/Joe Raedle)

Former Apollo astronaut Al Worden (R) arrives at the VIP viewing ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:36:23 GMT

(Reuters) - Former Apollo astronaut Al Worden (R) arrives at the VIP viewing site for launch of the Ares I-X test rocket at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida October 27, 2009. The test rocket is being evaluated as a vehicle to replace the space shuttle for U.S manned spaceflight. REUTERS/Scott Audette (UNITED STATES TRANSPORT SCI TECH)

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden (R) arrives at the VIP viewing ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:11:17 GMT

(Reuters) - NASA Administrator Charles Bolden (R) arrives at the VIP viewing site for the Ares I-X test rocket launch on a six-minute suborbital flight from launch pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida October 27, 2009. The test rocket is being evaluated as a vehicle to replace the space shuttle for U.S manned spaceflight. REUTERS/Scott Audette (UNITED STATES TRANSPORT SCI TECH)

Photographers take pictures of NASA's Ares 1-X rocket as ...

(AFP/Getty Images) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:14:10 GMT

(AFP/Getty Images) - Photographers take pictures of NASA's Ares 1-X rocket as it is seen on launch pad 39-b at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The US space agency began the countdown for the test launch of a rocket designed to replace the aging space shuttle fleet and one day take astronauts to the Moon and Mars.(AFP/Getty Images/Joe Raedle)

NASA's Ares I-X rocket sits on launch pad 39-b at the Kennedy ...

(AFP/Getty Images) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:14:10 GMT

(AFP/Getty Images) - NASA's Ares I-X rocket sits on launch pad 39-b at the Kennedy Space Center October 26 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The US space agency began the countdown for the test launch of a rocket designed to replace the aging space shuttle fleet and one day take astronauts to the Moon and Mars.(AFP/Getty Images/Joe Raedle)

NASA's Ares 1-X rocket is seen on launch pad 39-b at the ...

(AFP/Getty Images) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:14:10 GMT

(AFP/Getty Images) - NASA's Ares 1-X rocket is seen on launch pad 39-b at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The US space agency began the countdown for the test launch of a rocket designed to replace the aging space shuttle fleet and one day take astronauts to the Moon and Mars.(AFP/Getty Images/Joe Raedle)

The Ares I-X test rocket (rear) sits on launch pad 39B during ...

(Reuters) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:41:03 GMT

(Reuters) - The Ares I-X test rocket (rear) sits on launch pad 39B during sunset at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, October 26, 2009. The first-ever launch of the vehicle on a suborbital flight is scheduled for October 27. The $445 million test flight is expected to last six minutes and is designed to validate the design of the rocket which is under development to replace the space shuttle for manned missions. REUTERS/Scott Audette (UNITED STATES SCI TECH)

The Ares I-X test rocket sits on launch pad 39B during sunset ...

(Reuters) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:31:38 GMT

(Reuters) - The Ares I-X test rocket sits on launch pad 39B during sunset at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, October 26, 2009. The first-ever launch of the vehicle on a suborbital flight is scheduled for October 27. The $445 million test flight is expected to last six minutes and is designed to validate the design of the rocket which is under development to replace the space shuttle for manned missions. REUTERS/Scott Audette (UNITED STATES SCI TECH)

The Ares I-X test rocket sits on launch pad 39B during sunset ...

(Reuters) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:30:27 GMT

The Ares I-X test rocket (L) sits on launch pad 39B during sunset ...

(Reuters) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:28:19 GMT

(Reuters) - The Ares I-X test rocket (L) sits on launch pad 39B during sunset at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, October 26, 2009. The first-ever launch of the vehicle on a suborbital flight is scheduled for October 27. The $445 million test flight is expected to last six minutes and is designed to validate the design of the rocket which is under development to replace the space shuttle for manned missions. REUTERS/Scott Audette (UNITED STATES SCI TECH IMAGES OF THE DAY)

The Ares I-X test rocket sits atop launch pad 39B during sunset ...

(Reuters) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:12:16 GMT

(Reuters) - The Ares I-X test rocket sits atop launch pad 39B during sunset at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, October 26, 2009. The first-ever launch of the vehicle on a suborbital flight is scheduled for October 27. The $445 million test flight is expected to last six minutes and is designed to validate the design of the rocket which is under development to replace the space shuttle for manned missions. REUTERS/Scott Audette (UNITED STATES SCI TECH)

The Ares I-X test rocket sits on launch pad 39B during sunset ...

(Reuters) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:09:11 GMT

The Ares I-X test rocket sits atop launch pad 39B during sunset ...

(Reuters) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:08:06 GMT

The Ares I-X rocket sits atop launch pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 23:22:52 GMT

(Reuters) - The Ares I-X rocket sits atop launch pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida October 20, 2009. NASA has spent nearly four years and $350 million on Ares 1-X. The 327-foot (99-metre) tall vehicle -- the tallest rocket made since the 1960s-era Saturn rocket -- was hauled out to a refurbished space shuttle launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center in preparation for an October 27 liftoff. REUTERS/NASA/Handout (UNITED STATES SCI TECH TRANSPORT IMAGES OF THE DAY) ) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS

The Ares I-X rocket sits atop launch pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:04:00 GMT

(Reuters) - The Ares I-X rocket sits atop launch pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida October 20, 2009. NASA has spent nearly four years and $350 million on Ares 1-X. The 327-foot (99-metre) tall vehicle -- the tallest rocket made since the 1960s-era Saturn rocket -- was hauled out to a refurbished space shuttle launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center in preparation for an October 27 liftoff. REUTERS/NASA/Handout (UNITED STATES SCI TECH TRANSPORT) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS

The towering 327-foot-tall Ares I-X rocket moves towards launch ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:24:09 GMT

(Reuters) - The towering 327-foot-tall Ares I-X rocket moves towards launch pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida October 20, 2009. The rocket is scheduled for an unmanned test flight on October 27. The vehicle is considered to be the next step in replacing the aging space shuttle fleet. REUTERS/NASA/Handout (UNITED STATES SCI TECH)

The towering 327-foot-tall Ares I-X rocket moves towards launch ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:20:57 GMT

(Reuters) - The towering 327-foot-tall Ares I-X rocket moves towards launch pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida October 20, 2009. The rocket, considered to be the next step in replacing the aging space shuttle fleet, is scheduled for an unmanned test flight on October 27. REUTERS/NASA/Handout (UNITED STATES SCI TECH TRANSPORT IMAGES OF THE DAY) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS

Mission specialist's Robert Satcher Jr., left, and Randy Bresnik, ...

(AP) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:05:33 GMT

(AP) - Mission specialist's Robert Satcher Jr., left, and Randy Bresnik, crew members on the space shuttle Atlantis, attend a news conference at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009. The space shuttle Atlantis is targeted for a Nov. 16 launch.(AP Photo/John Raoux)

The space shuttle Atlantis crew, from left, commander Charles ...

(AP) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:05:09 GMT

(AP) - The space shuttle Atlantis crew, from left, commander Charles Hobaugh, mission specialist's Mike Foreman and Leland Melvin, pilot Butch Willmore, and mission specialist's Robert Satcher Jr. and Randy Bresnik attend a news conference at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009. The Atlantis crew are targeted for a Nov. 16 launch.(AP Photo/John Raoux)

Space shuttle Atlantis commander Charles Hobaugh, left, answers ...

(AP) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:57:35 GMT

(AP) - Space shuttle Atlantis commander Charles Hobaugh, left, answers a question as mission specialist Mike Foreman listens during a news conference at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009. The space shuttle Atlantis is targeted for a Nov. 16 launch. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

The space shuttle Atlantis crew, from left, commander Charles ...

(AP) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:53:30 GMT

The space shuttle Atlantis crew, from left, commander Charles ...

(AP) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:53:20 GMT

The towering 327-foot-tall Ares I-X rocket (R) moves away from ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:48:19 GMT

(Reuters) - The towering 327-foot-tall Ares I-X rocket (R) moves away from the Vehicle Assembly Building for launch pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida October 20, 2009. The rocket is scheduled for an unmanned test flight on October 27. The vehicle is considered to be the next step in replacing the aging space shuttle fleet. REUTERS/NASA/Handout (UNITED STATES SCI TECH IMAGES OF THE DAY TRANSPORT) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS

The towering 327-foot-tall Ares I-X rocket is reflected in a ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:07:26 GMT

(Reuters) - The towering 327-foot-tall Ares I-X rocket is reflected in a lagoon as it moves towards launch pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida October 20, 2009. The rocket is scheduled for an unmanned test flight on October 27. The vehicle is considered to be the next step in replacing the aging space shuttle fleet. REUTERS/NASA/Handout (UNITED STATES SCI TECH TRANSPORT IMAGES OF THE DAY) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS

The towering 327-foot-tall Ares I-X rocket moves away from the ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:49:54 GMT

(Reuters) - The towering 327-foot-tall Ares I-X rocket moves away from the Vehicle Assembly Building for launch pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida October 20, 2009. The rocket is scheduled for an unmanned test flight on October 27. The vehicle is considered to be the next step in replacing the aging space shuttle fleet. REUTERS/NASA/Handout (UNITED STATES SCI TECH TRANSPORT) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS

The towering 327-foot-tall Ares I-X rocket moves away from the ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:27:34 GMT

(Reuters) - The towering 327-foot-tall Ares I-X rocket moves away from the Vehicle Assembly Building for launch pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida October 20, 2009. The rocket is scheduled for an unmanned test flight on October 27. The vehicle is considered to be the next step in replacing the aging space shuttle fleet. REUTERS/NASA/Handout (UNITED STATES SCI TECH) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS

Space Shuttle Atlantis is seen sitting on launch pad 39-A at ...

(AFP/Getty Images/File) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:26:39 GMT

(AFP/Getty Images/File) - Space Shuttle Atlantis is seen sitting on launch pad 39-A at the Kennedy Space Center, on October 14, in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Atlantis is being prepared for its launch next month to the International Space Station.(AFP/Getty Images/File/Matt Stroshane)

Space shuttle Atlantis mission specialist Robert Satcher is ...

(AP) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:07:29 GMT

(AP) - Space shuttle Atlantis mission specialist Robert Satcher is greeted upon his arrival for a launch dress rehearsal at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Monday, Oct. 19, 2009. Atlantis is targeted for a Nov. 12 launch. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Space shuttle Atlantis pilot Barry Wilmore arrives at the Kennedy ...

(AP) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:59:10 GMT

(AP) - Space shuttle Atlantis pilot Barry Wilmore arrives at the Kennedy Space Center for a launch dress rehearsal for in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Monday, Oct. 19, 2009. Atlantis is targeted for a Nov. 12 launch.(AP Photo/John Raoux)

Space shuttle Atlantis commander Charlie Hobaugh, right, talks ...

(AP) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:59:08 GMT

(AP) - Space shuttle Atlantis commander Charlie Hobaugh, right, talks with space shuttle Launch Director, Mike Leinbach after arriving with members of the crew for their launch dress rehearsal at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Monday, Oct. 19, 2009. Atlantis is targeted for a Nov. 12 launch.(AP Photo/John Raoux)