NASA Shuttle Launches (70 images)

Space Shuttle Atlantis rolls from the Orbiter Processing Facility to the Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida on July 24, 2006. This move marks the orbiter's readiness for launch. Designated as STS 115, Atlantis is scheduled for launch on the afternoon of Agust 28, 2006. (UPI Photo-Joe Marino/Bill Cantrell)

NASA's Space Shuttle Discovery approaches Runway 33 at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida on Nov. 7, 2007. The space shuttle and her crew completed a fifteen day mission continuing construction and making repairs to the International Space Station. (UPI Photo/Joe Marino-Bill Cantrell)

Mission Specialist Daniel M. Tani (R), Mission Specialist Scott E. Parazynski (L) and Italian Mission Specialist Paolo A. Nespoli of the European Space Agency of NASA mission STS-120 make their way to Launch Complex 39A to board Space Shuttle Discovery in preparation for launch at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida on October 23, 2007. NASA is making final preparations to launch Discovery on Mission STS-120, a service mission to the International Space Station. (UPI Photo/Kevin Dietsch)

Astronaut Dominic Gorie, STS-123 commander, takes a moment for a photo on the aft flight deck of Space Shuttle Endeavour while docked with the International Space Station on March 18, 2008. Anchored to a Canadarm2 mobile foot restraint, astronaut Rick Linnehan (R), mission specialist, participates in the mission's third session of extravehicular activity (EVA) (UPI Photo/NASA)