Editor: I've been collecting pictures of spaceships and the things they do for more than half a century. It was part of my job as one of the earliest space journalists, of course, but I admit that it's a private passion, too..job or no job. Anyway, I started rummaging through just the pictures of the shuttles and space station that are stored on this big old Macintosh and realized I was being selfish because I'd been doling them out only when I needed one or two for a story. So, mindful that the shuttle will soon retire (2010, they say), here are some of the best in this crop. Most of them are NASA photos, of course, taken by crew members or by remotely controlled cameras. Wish I'd taken them..but they wouldn't let me. Whatever, I promise I'll add more to this page as I run across them. Maybe as time goes by I'll delve into my files on earlier spaceflight..but for now, we'll stick to the shuttle and station.

There's a lot of history here; I'm certain there'll be more.

Enjoy.

Jim Slade

It all starts here. The VAB (Verticial Assembly or Vehicle Assembly Building) was built to house four fully assembled Apollo rockets and spacecraft at once. It was modified to prepare the shuttles.

Highbay view of fully stacked space vehicle in VAB prior to rollout.

In place and ready to go.

Overhead view of Discovery on pad.

On the way uphill. This shot was made by a camera looking down from the external fuel tank.

On orbit and the tank drops away.

Place of business..IN business. Now, that's a real "glass cockpit."

Measuring a hurricane from space.

Space Station Alpha.

Front door in sight.

Before each shuttle docking, the shuttle flies a "somersault"
so the station crew can inspect its belly for any damage that
might have occurred during liftoff. It's amazing to watch and
reminds everyone that the spaceship is very agile.

Looking goooood, thank goodness.

Head-on view of the shuttle.
This picture was taken while they were inspecting
for a piece of material hanging from the belly.
It was not a danger to the spacecraft.

This is the shuttle commander's view as he or she steers into final approach.

This is the commander's view of the target he or she must hit with the shuttle's docking probe.

The station began modestly..a Russian section docked to an American section..

..and it grew..

..and grew..

..and it always needed more power. It still does.

..but it is a great place to work and do interesting things.

It's a base for looking deeper and deeper into this place in which we find ourselves.

That's the galactic center.

But all good missions come to an end.
This was Endeavour, when bad east coast weather
forced a night landing at Edwards AFB, CA.

A west coast landing always produces good
pictures, though. Here's Endeavour piggybacking
its 747 over the Johnson Space Center, Houston.

From above. How does it get any prettier than that?

That will do for now, I'm sure.

-- Jim Slade February 2nd, 2009.

Comments or questions? Write to Jim Slade at: jsairlines1@aol.com