Atlantis (Raumfähre)

Atlantis-Flagge
Aufstieg der Atlantis (STS-27)
Landung der Atlantis mithilfe eines Bremsschirms
Raumfähre Atlantis in der Ausstellung des Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Die Raumfähre Atlantis ist ein Space Shuttle der NASA. Benannt nach dem ersten amerikanischen ozeanografischen Forschungsschiff Atlantis, wurde sie im April 1984 fertiggestellt und hatte ihren Jungfernflug im Oktober 1985 (STS-51-J). Die interne Bezeichnung des Orbiters lautet OV-104. Ihre letzte Mission endete am 21. Juli 2011.

Geschichte

Von 1995 bis 1997 wurde die Atlantis ausschließlich für die Flüge zur russischen Raumstation Mir im Rahmen des Shuttle-Mir-Programms eingesetzt, wofür sie mit einem Kopplungsadapter russischer Bauart ausgestattet wurde.

Am 8. Juli 2011 startete sie zu ihrer 33. und letzten Mission, welche auch die letzte Mission des Space-Shuttle-Programms war. Sie transportierte Proviant, Material und Technik für Experimente zur ISS und brachte das Logistikmodul Raffaello zur Erde zurück.[1] Am 21. Juli 2011 pünktlich um 11.57 MESZ setzte sie sicher auf der Landebahn 15 des Kennedy Space Centers in Florida (USA) auf.[2] Ihre Landung beendete die Ära der Shuttleflüge. Das Programm kostete zuletzt etwa 775 Millionen Dollar pro Mission.[3]

Seit dem Ende des amerikanischen Shuttle-Programms wird die Raumfähre als Museumsstück im Besucherzentrum des Kennedy Space Centers in Florida ausgestellt.[4]

Insgesamt hat die Atlantis in ihren 25 Dienstjahren mehr als 193 Millionen Kilometer zurückgelegt.[5]

Konstruktion

Die Atlantis profitierte von den Erfahrungen, die man beim Bau und Testen der Enterprise, Columbia und Challenger gemacht hatte. Bei der Fertigstellung wog sie rund 3.200 Kilogramm weniger als die Columbia. Außerdem verringerten die gemachten Erfahrungen im Shuttle-Bau die Arbeitsstunden um 49,5 Prozent (im Vergleich zur Columbia). Das ist vor allem auf die Nutzung von Hitzeschild-Decken am oberen Teil des Orbiters anstatt von kleinen Kacheln zurückzuführen.

Während der Konstruktion der Discovery und der Atlantis entschied sich die NASA dazu, „strukturelle Ersatzteile“ anfertigen zu lassen, um die Reparatur im Falle eines Unfalls zu erleichtern. Der Vertrag hatte insgesamt einen Wert von 389 Millionen Dollar und bestand aus Ersatzteilen für den hinteren und den mittleren Rumpf, sowie vordere Rumpfhälften, vertikale Ruder, Flügel und Klappen. Diese Ersatzteile wurden später für die Endeavour benutzt.

Zwischen November 1997 und Juli 1999 wurden in Palmdale, Kalifornien, an der Atlantis zahlreiche Verbesserungen und Anpassungen vorgenommen. Unter anderem wurde der Orbiter mit einem Bremsschirm und einem gläsernen Cockpit ausgestattet, es wurden neue Rohre und Verkabelungen installiert und über 800 Hitzeschutzkacheln und -decken ersetzt.

Missionen

Nr.StartBezeichnungEmblemBesatzung
13. Oktober 1985STS-51-JLogo von STS-51-JKarol Bobko, Ronald Grabe, David Hilmers, Robert Stewart, William Pailes
227. November 1985STS-61-BLogo von STS-61-BBrewster Shaw, Bryan O’Connor, Mary Cleave, Sherwood Spring, Jerry Ross, Rodolfo Neri Vela, Charles Walker
32. Dezember 1988STS-27Logo von STS-27Robert Gibson, Guy Gardner, Richard Mullane, Jerry Ross, William Shepherd
44. Mai 1989STS-30Logo von STS-30David Walker, Ronald Grabe, Norman Thagard, Mary Cleave, Mark Lee
518. Oktober 1989STS-34Logo von STS-34Donald Williams, Michael McCulley, Franklin Chang-Diaz, Shannon Lucid, Ellen Baker
628. Februar 1990STS-36Logo von STS-36John Creighton, John Casper, Richard Mullane, David Hilmers, Pierre Thuot
715. November 1990STS-38Logo von STS-38Richard Covey, Frank Culbertson, Robert Springer, Carl Meade, Charles Gemar
85. April 1991STS-37Logo von STS-37Steven Nagel, Kenneth Cameron, Jerry Ross, Jerome Apt, Linda Godwin
92. August 1991STS-43Logo von STS-43John Blaha, Michael Baker, Shannon Lucid, James Adamson, David Low
1024. November 1991STS-44Logo von STS-44Frederick Gregory, Terence Henricks, Story Musgrave, Mario Runco, James Voss, Thomas Hennen
1124. März 1992STS-45Logo von STS-45Charles Bolden, Brian Duffy, Kathryn Sullivan, David Leestma, Michael Foale, Byron Lichtenberg, Dirk Frimout
1231. Juli 1992STS-46Logo von STS-46Loren Shriver, Andrew Allen, Claude Nicollier, Jeffrey Hoffman, Franklin Chang-Diaz, Marsha Ivins, Franco Malerba
133. November 1994STS-66Logo von STS-66Donald McMonagle, Curtis Brown, Ellen Ochoa, Scott Parazynski, Joseph Tanner, Jean-François Clervoy
1427. Juni 1995STS-71Logo von STS-71Robert Gibson, Charles Precourt, Ellen Baker, Bonnie Dunbar, Gregory Harbaugh
1512. November 1995STS-74Logo von STS-74Kenneth Cameron, James Halsell, Jerry Ross, William S. McArthur, Chris Hadfield
1622. März 1996STS-76Logo von STS-76Kevin Chilton, Richard Searfoss, Ronald Sega, Michael Clifford, Linda Godwin
1716. September 1996STS-79Logo von STS-79William Readdy, Terrence Wilcutt, Thomas Akers, Jerome Apt, Carl Walz
1812. Januar 1997STS-81Logo von STS-81Michael Baker, Brent Jett, John Grunsfeld, Marsha Ivins, Peter Wisoff
1915. Mai 1997STS-84Logo von STS-84Charles Precourt, Eileen Collins, Carlos Noriega, Edward Lu, Jean-François Clervoy, Jelena Kondakowa
2026. September 1997STS-86Logo von STS-86James Wetherbee, Michael Bloomfield, Wladimir Titow, Scott Parazynski, Jean-Loup Chrétien, Wendy Lawrence
2119. Mai 2000STS-101Logo von STS-101James Halsell, Scott Horowitz, Jeffrey Williams, Susan Helms, James Voss, Mary Weber, Juri Ussatschow
228. September 2000STS-106Logo von STS-106Terence Wilcutt, Scott Altman, Daniel Burbank, Edward Lu, Juri Malentschenko, Richard Mastracchio, Boris Morukow
237. Februar 2001STS-98Logo von STS-98Kenneth Cockrell, Mark Polansky, Robert Curbeam, Marsha Ivins, Thomas Jones
2412. Juli 2001STS-104Logo von STS-104Steven Lindsey, Charles Hobaugh, Michael Gernhardt, James Reilly, Janet Kavandi
258. April 2002STS-110Logo von STS-110Michael Bloomfield, Stephen Frick, Jerry Ross, Steven Smith, Ellen Ochoa, Lee Morin, Rex Walheim
267. Oktober 2002STS-112Logo von STS-112Jeffrey Ashby, Pamela Melroy, Fjodor Jurtschichin, Sandra Magnus, Piers Sellers, David Wolf
279. September 2006STS-115Logo von STS-115Brent Jett, Christopher Ferguson, Steven MacLean, Daniel Burbank, Joseph Tanner, Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper
288. Juni 2007STS-117Logo von STS-117Frederick Sturckow, Lee Archambault, James Reilly, John Olivas, Patrick Forrester, Steven Swanson
297. Februar 2008STS-122Logo von STS-122Stephen Frick, Alan Poindexter, Stanley Love, Rex Walheim, Leland Melvin, Hans Schlegel
3011. Mai 2009STS-125Logo von STS-125Scott Altman, Gregory C. Johnson, John Grunsfeld, Michael Massimino, Andrew Feustel, Michael Good, Megan McArthur
3116. November 2009STS-129Logo von STS-129Charlie Hobaugh, Barry Wilmore, Robert Satcher, Michael Foreman, Randolph Bresnik, Leland Melvin
3214. Mai 2010STS-132Logo von STS-132Kenneth Ham, Tony Antonelli, Michael Good, Piers Sellers, Stephen Bowen, Garrett Reisman
338. Juli 2011STS-135Logo von STS-135Christopher Ferguson, Douglas Hurley, Sandra Magnus, Rex Walheim

Fiktion

  • Im Buch Space Camp (deutscher Titel: Ferien im Weltraum) und dem gleichnamigen Film von 1986 spielt die Atlantis eine zentrale Rolle.
  • In dem Film Deep Impact wird die Crew mit der Atlantis zum im Orbit geparkten Raumschiff Messiah gebracht.
  • In dem Film Armageddon – Das jüngste Gericht explodiert die Atlantis aufgrund eines Asteroiden, der auf den Asteroidengürtel prallt und daraufhin den Erdorbit mit Mini-Meteoriten bombardiert.
  • In dem Film Geostorm flog Gerard Butler vom Kennedy Space Center mit einem Shuttle neueren Typs mit der Bezeichnung OV-104 in den Orbit.

Siehe auch

Weblinks

Commons: Space Shuttle Atlantis – Sammlung von Bildern, Videos und Audiodateien

Einzelnachweise

  1. Space Shuttle Era Ends with Atlantis Landing. NASA, 21. Juli 2011, abgerufen am 22. Juli 2011 (englisch).
  2. Telepolis: Ein Stück Abschied von der staatlichen Raumfahrt 9. Juli 2011, abgerufen am 10. Juli 2011
  3. spiegel.de vom 8. Juli 2011
  4. New Homes for Space Shuttle Orbiters After Retirement. NASA, 12. April 2011, abgerufen am 13. April 2011 (englisch).
  5. Bilderbuchlandung nach letzter Reise ins All. Abgerufen am 27. Mai 2010.

Auf dieser Seite verwendete Medien

STS-66 Atlantis Landing and Chute Deployment at Edwards - GPN-2000-001941.jpg
The Space Shuttle Atlantis lands with its drag chute deployed on runway 22 at Edwards, California, to complete the STS-66 mission dedicated to the third flight of the Atmospheric Laboratory for Applications and Science-3 (ATLAS-3), part of NASA's Mission to Planet Earth program. The astronauts also deployed and retrieved a free-flying satellite designed to study the middle and lower thermospheres and perform a series of experiments covering life sciences research and microgravity processing. The landing was at 7:34 a.m. (PST) November 14, 1994, after being waved off from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, due to adverse weather.
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STS-27 Mission Insignia

The patch depicts the Space Shuttle lifting off against the multi-colored backdrop of a rainbow, symbolizing the triumphal return to flight of our nation's manned space program. The design also commemorates the memory of the crew of Challenger mission STS-51-L, represented by the seven stars. The names of the flight crewmembers of STS-27 are located along the border of the patch.
Sts-34-patch.png

STS-34 Mission Insignia

Description: The triangular shape of the STS-34 crew patch represents forward motion and the entering into new frontiers of science, engineering and technology. The Galileo spacecraft overlaying the orbiter symbolizes the joining together of both manned and unmanned space programs in order to maximize the capabilities of each. The crewmembers, who designed the patch, use a sunrise stretching across Earth's horizon to depict expansion of our knowledge of the solar system and other worlds, leading to a better understanding of our own planet. In the distance, Jupiter, a unique world with many unknowns, awaits the arrival of Galileo to help unlock its secrets. Meanwhile, the Space Shuttle remains in Earth- orbit, continuing to explore the near-Earth environment.
STS-110 patch.svg
Emblem of Nasa's STS-110 mission.
  • The STS-110 mission begins the third and final phase of construction for the International Space Station (ISS) by delivering and installing the SØ truss segment that will be carried into orbit in the payload bay of the Space Shuttle Atlantis. The Station’s robotic arm will remove the SØ segment from the Shuttle’s payload bay and place it on top of the United States Laboratory. During several space walks, SØ will be mechanically attached to ISS, and then multiple cables will be connected allowing electrical power and communications to flow between SØ and ISS. The STS-110 crew patch is patterned after the cross section of the SØ truss, and encases the launch of the Shuttle Atlantis and a silhouette of the ISS as it will look following mission completion. The successfully installed SØ segment is highlighted in gold. The SØ truss will serve as the cornerstone for the remaining ISS truss segments which together will span a distance greater than the length of a football field. This truss holds the Station’s massive solar arrays, providing electrical power for the modules of all the International Partners, and enables ISS to reach its full potential as a world-class research facility.
STS-135 Patch.svg
Das STS-135 Emblem repräsentiert das Space Shuttle Atlantis, welches gerade seine Mission zur Wiederauffüllung der Internationalen Raumstation beginnt. Die Atlantis ist in der Mitte über Elementen des NASA-Emblems angeordnet, schildernd wie das Space Shuttle das Herz der NASA in den letzten 30 Jahren wurde. Es erweist auch der gesamten NASA und den Industriepartnern die Ehre, die all die unglaublichen Leistungen des Space Shuttles möglich machten. Omega, der letzte Buchstabe im griechischen Alphabet, identifiziert diese Mission als den letzten Flug des Space-Shuttle-Programms.
Sts-101-patch.png
The STS-101 mission patch commemorates the third Space Shuttle flight supporting the assembly of the International Space Station (ISS). This flight's primary tasks are to outfit the ISS and extend its lifetime, and to conduct a spacewalk to install external components in preparation for the docking of the Russian Service Module, Zvezda, and the arrival of the first ISS crew. The Space Shuttle is depicted in an orbit configuration prior to docking with the ISS. The ISS is depicted in the stage of assembly completed for the STS-101 mission, which consists of the United States-built Unity module and the Russian-built Zarya module. The three large stars represent the third ISS mission in the assembly sequence. The elements and colors of the border reflect the flags of the nations represented by the STS-101 crew members, the United States and Russia. The NASA insignia design for Shuttle flights is reserved for use by the astronauts and for other official use as the NASA Administrator may authorize. Public availability has been approved only in the form of illustrations by the various news media. When and if there is any change in this policy, which is not anticipated, it will be publicly announced.
STS-125 patch.svg
Emblem of Nasa's STS-125 mission.
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STS-45 Mission Insignia

Designed by the crewmembers, the STS-45 patch depicts the Space Shuttle launching from the Kennedy Space Center into a high inclination orbit. From this vantage point, the Atmospheric Laboratory for Applications and Science (ATLAS) payload can view Earth, the sun, and their dynamic interactions against the background of space. Earth is prominently displayed and is the focus of the mission's space plasma physics and Earth sciences observations. The colors of the setting sun, measured by sensitive instruments, provide detailed information about ozone, carbon dioxide and other gases which determine Earth's climate and environment. Encircling the scene are the names of the flight crewmembers. The additional star in the ring is to recognize Charles R. Chappell and Michael Lampton, alternate payload specialists, and the entire ATLAS-1 team for its dedication and support of this Mission to Planet Earth.
Sts-81-patch.png
The crew patch for STS-81 , the fifth Shuttle-Mir docking mission, is shaped to represent the Roman numeral V. The Shuttle Atlantis is launching toward a rendezvous with Russia's Mir Space Station, silhouetted in the background. Atlantis and the STS-81 crew spent several days docked to Mir during which time Jerry M. Lineger (NASA-Mir-4) replaced astronaut John Blaha (NASA-Mir-3) as the U.S. crew member onboard Mir. The U.S. and Russian flags are depicted along with the names of the shuttle crew.
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STS-66 Mission Insignia

Designed by the mission crew members, the STS-66 emblem depicts the Space Shuttle Atlantis launching into Earth orbit to study global environmental change. The payload for the Atmospheric Laboratory for Applications and Science (ATLAS-3) and complementary experiments were part of a continuing study of the atmosphere and the Sun's influence on it. The Space Shuttle is trailed by gold plumes representing the astronaut symbol and is superimposed over Earth, much of which is visible from the flight's high inclination orbit. Sensitive instruments aboard the ATLAS pallet in the Shuttle payload bay and on the free-flying Cryogenic Infrared Spectrometers and Telescopes for the Atmospheric-Shuttle Pallet Satellite (CHRISTA-SPAS) that gazed down on Earth and toward the Sun, are illustrated by the stylized sunrise and visible spectrum.
STS-79 patch.svg
Emblem of Nasa's STS-79 mission.
Sts-98-patch.png
This is the insignia for STS-98, which marks a major milestone in assembly of the International Space Station (ISS). Atlantis' crew will deliver the United States Laboratory, Destiny, to the ISS. Destiny will be the centerpiece of the ISS, a weightless laboratory where expedition crews will perform unprecedented research in the life sciences, materials sciences, Earth sciences, and microgravity sciences. The laboratory is also the nerve center of the Station, performing guidance, control, power distribution, and life support functions. With Destiny's arrival, the Station will begin to fulfill its promise of returning the benefits of space research to Earth's citizens. The crew patch depicts the Space Shuttle with Destiny held high above the payload bay just before its attachment to the ISS. Red and white stripes, with a deep blue field of white stars, border the Shuttle and Destiny to symbolize the continuing contribution of the United States to the ISS. The constellation Hercules, seen just below Destiny, captures the Shuttle and Station's team efforts in bringing the promise of orbital scientific research to life. The reflection of Earth in Destiny's window emphasizes the connection between space exploration and life on Earth.
Sts-46-patch.png

STS-46 Mission Insignia

Designed by the crewmembers assigned to the flight, the STS-46 crew patch depicts the Space Shuttle Atlantis in orbit around Earth, accompanied by major payloads: the European Retrievable Carrier (EURECA) and the Tethered Satellite System (TSS- l). In the depiction, EURECA has been activated and released, its antennae and solar arrays deployed, and it is about to start its ten- month scientific mission. The Tethered Satellite is linked to the orbiter by a 20-krn. tether. The purple beam emanating from an electron generator in the payload bay spirals around Earth's magnetic field. Visible on Earth's surface are the United States of America and the thirteen-member countries of the European Space Agency (ESA), in particular, Italy -- partner with the USA in the TSS program. The American and Italian flags, as well as the ESA logo, further serve to illustrate the international character of STS-46.
Sts-86-patch.svg
The STS-86 flight was the seventh shuttle-Mir docking mission, symbolized by seven stars. The international crew includes astronauts from the United States, Russia, and France. The flags of these nations are incorporated in the rays of the astronaut logo. The rays of light streaking across the sky depict the orbital tracks of the two spacecraft as they prepare to dock. During the flight, an American astronaut and a Russian cosmonaut will perform an extravehicular activity (EVA). The mercator projection of Earth illustrates the global cooperative nature of the flight.
Sts-61-b-patch.png
STS-61-B mission patch
This is the insignia designed by the STS-61B crewmembers to represent their November 1985 mission aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis, depicted here in earth orbit, making only its second space flight. The design is surrounded by the surnames of the seven crewmembers.
Atlantis taking off on STS-27.jpg
Aufstieg der Raumfähre Atlantis am 2. Dezember 1988 mit der Mission STS-27.
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STS-51-J Mission Insignia

The 51-J mission insignia, designed by Atlantis's first crew, pays tribute to the Statue of Liberty and the ideas it symbolizes. The historical gateway figure bears additional significance for Astronauts Karol J. Bobko, mission commander; and Ronald J. Grabe, pilot, both New York Natives.
STS-122 patch.svg
Emblem of Nasa's STS-122 mission.
  • The STS-122 patch depicts the continuation of the voyages of the early explorers to today's frontier, space. The ship denotes the travels of the early expeditions from the east to the west. The space shuttle shows the continuation of that journey along the orbital path from west to east. A little more than 500 years after Columbus sailed to the new world, the STS-122 crew will bring the European laboratory module "Columbus" to the International Space Station to usher in a new era of scientific discovery.
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STS-74 Mission Insignia
  • The STS-74 crew patch depicts the orbiter Atlantis docked to the Russian Space Station Mir. The central focus is on the Russian-built docking module, drawn with shading to accentuate its pivotal importance to both STS-74 and the NASA-Mir Program. The rainbow across the horizon represents the Earth's atmosphere, the thin membrane protecting all nations, while the three flags across the bottom show those nations participating in STS-74: Russia, Canada, and the United States. The sunrise is symbolic of the dawn of a new era in NASA space flight , that of International Space Station construction.
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STS-37 Mission Insignia

The principal theme of the STS-37 patch, designed by astronaut crewmembers, is the primary payload -- Gamma Ray Observatory (GRO) -- and its relationship to the Space Shuttle. The Shuttle and the GRO are both depicted on the patch and are connected by a large gamma. The gamma symbolizes both the quest for gamma rays by GRO as well as the importance of the relationship between the manned and unmanned elements of the United States space program. The Earth background shows the southern portion of the United States under a partial cloud cover while the two fields of three and seven stars, respectively, refer to the STS-37 mission designation.
SpaceShuttleAtlantisKSC.jpg
Autor/Urheber: Selbst, Lizenz: CC BY-SA 4.0
Raumfähre Atlantis in der Ausstellung des Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
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STS-43 Mission Insignia

  • Designed by the astronauts assigned to fly on the mission, the STS 43 patch portrays the evolution and continuity of the USA's space program by highlighting 30 years of American manned space flight experience -- from Mercury to the Space Shuttle. The emergence of the Shuttle Atlantis from the outlined configuration of the Mercury space capsule commemorates this special relationship. The energy and momentum of launch are conveyed by the gradations of blue which mark the Shuttle's ascent from Earth to space. Once in Earth orbit, Atlantis' cargo bay opens to reveal the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) which appears in gold emphasis against the white wings of Atlantis and the stark blackness of space. A primary mission objective, the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) will enable almost continuous communication from Earth to space for future Space Shuttle missions. The stars on the patch are arranged to suggest this mission's numerical designation, with four stars left of Atlantis and three to the right.
Sts-44-patch.png

STS-44 Mission Insignia

Designed by the participating crewmembers, the STS-44 patch shows the Space Shuttle Atlantis ascending to Earth orbit to expand mankind's knowledge. The patch illustrated by the symbolic red, white and blue of the American flag represents the American contribution and strength derived from this mission. The black background of space, indicative of the mysteries of the universe, is illuminated by six large stars, which depict the American crew of six and the hopes that travel with them. The smaller stars represent Americans who work in support of this mission. Within the Shuttle's payload bay is a Defense Support Program Satellite which will help ensure peace. In the words of a crew spokesman, the stars of the flag symbolize our leadership in an exciting quest of space and the boundless dreams for humanity's future.
Sts-36-patch.png

STS-36 Mission Insignia

Description: The dominant theme of the STS-36, designed by the five astronaut crewmembers, is, in their words ...the essential role that space plays in preserving the blessings of freedom and liberty for America. The crew used the eagle to symbolize our country's commitment to strength and vigilance; its domain is not bound by the limits of Earth but reaches out to the star. The Shuttle, they express majestically beginning its journey into orbit demonstrates how man and machine work together for the security of our nation. A crew spokesman went on to say the flag represents the patriotism and love for America possessed by each member of the five-man crew and signifies the honor accorded them through participation in national defense.
STS-38 patch.svg
Emblem of Nasa's STS-38 mission.
STS-117 patch new2.svg
The STS-117 crew patch symbolizes the continued construction of the International Space Station (ISS) and our ongoing human presence in space. The ISS is shown orbiting high above the Earth. Gold is used to highlight the portion of the ISS that will be installed by the STS-117 crew. It consists of the second starboard truss section, S3/S4, and a set of solar arrays. The names of the STS-117 crew are located above and below the orbiting outpost. The two gold astronaut office symbols, emanating from the '117' at the bottom of the patch represent the concerted efforts of the shuttle and station programs toward the completion of the station. The orbiter and unfurled banner of red, white and blue represent our Nation's renewed patriotism as we continue to explore the universe.
Atlantis flag.JPG
Autor/Urheber: Palatinatian, Lizenz: CC BY 3.0
Flagge des Spaceshuttle Atlantis. Diese hängt im Technik Museum in Speyer.
Sts-106-patch.png
This is the crew patch for the STS-106 mission, which is the first Shuttle flight to the International Space Station since the arrival of its newest component, the Russian-supplied Service Module Zvezda (Russian for star). Zvezda is depicted on the crew patch mated with the already orbiting Node 1 Unity module and Russian-built Functional Cargo Block, called Zarya (sunrise), with a Progress supply vehicle docked to the rear of the Station. The International Space Station is shown in orbit with Earth above as it appears from the perspective of space. The Astronaut Office symbol, a star with three rays of light, provides a connection between the Space Shuttle Atlantis and the Space Station, much the same as the Space Shuttle Program is linked to the International Space Station during its construction and future research operations. Stylized versions of flags from Russia and the United States meet at the Space Station. They symbolize both the cooperation and joint efforts of the two countries during the development and deployment of the permanent outpost in space as well as the close relationship of the American and Russian crew members.
STS-112 Patch.svg
The STS-112 emblem symbolizes the ninth assembly mission (9A) to the International Space Station (ISS), a flight which is designed to deliver the Starboard 1 (S1) truss segment. The 30,000 pound truss segment will be lifted to orbit in the payload bay of the Space Shuttle Atlantis and installed using the ISS robotic arm. Three space walks will then be carried out to complete connections between the truss and ISS. Future missions will extend the truss structure to a span of over 350 feet so that it can support the solar arrays and radiators which provide the electrical power and cooling for ISS. The STS-112 emblem depicts ISS from the viewpoint of a departing shuttle, with the installed S1 truss segment outlined in red. A gold trail represents a portion of the Shuttle rendezvous trajectory. Where the trajectory meets ISS, a nine-pointed star represents the combined on-orbit team of six shuttle and three ISS crew members who together will complete the S1 truss installation. The trajectory continues beyond the ISS, ending in a six-pointed star representing the Atlantis and the STS-112 crew.
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STS-71 Mission Insignia
The STS-71 crew patch design depicts the orbiter Atlantis in the process of the first international docking mission of the Space Shuttle Atlantis with the Russian Space Station Mir. The names of the 10 astronauts and cosmonauts who flew aboard the orbiter are shown along the outer border of the patch. The rising sun symbolizes the dawn of a new era of cooperation between the two countries. The vehicles Atlantis and Mir are shown in separate circles converging at the center of the emblem symbolizing the merger of the space programs of the two space faring nations. The flags of the United States and Russia emphasize the equal partnership of the mission. The joint program symbol at the lower center of the patch acknowledges the extensive contributions made by the Mission Control Centers (MCC) of both countries. The crew insignia was designed by aviation and space artist, Bob McCall, who also designed the crew patch for the Apollo Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) in 1975, the first international space docking mission.
STS-132 Patch.svg
Die STS-132 Mission wird die 32. des Space Shuttles Atlantis sein. Das hauptsächliche STS-132 Missionsziel ist die Anlieferung des in Russland gebauten MRM-1 (Mini Research Module) zur Internationalen Raumstation (ISS). Die Atlantis wird außerdem eine neue Nachrichtenantenne und einen neuen Satz Batterien für eines der ISS-Solarmodule ausliefern. Das STS-132 Missionsemblem stellt die Atlantis heraus, die in den Sonnenuntergang wegfliegt, da das Ende des Space-Shuttle-Programms näher kommt. Jedoch die Sonne verkündet auch das Versprechen eines neuen Tags, der für das neue ISS-Modul Rasswet, das russische Wort für Sonnenaufgang, das erste Mal aufgehen wird.
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STS-76 Mission Insignia

The STS-76 crew patch depicts the Space Shuttle Atlantis and Russia's Mir Space Station as the space ships prepare for a rendezvous and docking. The Spirit of 76, an era of new beginnings, is represented by the Space Shuttle rising through the circle of 13 stars in the Betsy Ross flag. STS-76 begins a new period of international cooperation in space exploration with the first Shuttle transport of a United States astronaut, Shannon W. Lucid, to the Mir Space Station for extended joint space research. Frontiers for future exploration are represented by stars and the planets. The three gold trails and the ring of stars in union form the astronaut logo. Two suited extravehicular activity (EVA) crew members in the outer ring represent the first EVA during Shuttle-Mir docked operations. The EVA objectives were to install science experiments on the Mir exterior and to develop procedures for future EVA's on the International Space Station. The surnames of the crew members encircle the patch: Kevin P. Chilton, mission commander; Richard A. Searfoss, pilot; Ronald M. Sega, Michael R. ( Rich) Clifford, Linda M. Godwin and Lucid, all mission specialists. This patch was designed by Brandon Clifford, age 12, and the crew members of STS-76.
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The STS-30 patch depicts the joining of NASA's manned and unmanned space programs. The sun and inner planets of our solar system are shown with the curve connecting Earth and Venus symbolizing the shuttle orbit, the spacecraft trajectory toward Venus, and its subsequent orbit around our sister planet. A Spanish caravel similar to the ship on the official Magellan program logo commemorates the 16th century explorer's journey and his legacy of adventure and discovery. Seven stars on the patch honor the crew of Challenger. The five-star cluster in the shape of the constellation Cassiopeia represent the five STS-30 crewmembers - Astronauts David Walker, Ronald Grabe, Norman Thagard, Mary Cleave and Mark Lee - who collectively designed the patch.
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For STS-129 the sun shines brightly on the International Space Station (ISS) above and the United States below representing the bright future of U.S. human spaceflight. The contiguous U.S., Rocky Mountains, and Great Desert Southwest are clearly visible on the earth below encompassing all the NASA centers and the homes of the many dedicated people that work to make our Space Program possible. The integrated shapes of the patch signifying the two Express Logistics Carriers that will be delivered by STS-129 providing valuable equipment ensuring the longevity of the ISS. The Space Shuttle is vividly silhouetted by the sun highlighting how brightly the Orbiters have performed as a workhorse for the U.S. Space Program over the past 3 decades. The Space Shuttle ascends on the Astronaut symbol portrayed by the Red, White and Blue swoosh bounded by the gold halo. This symbol is worn with pride by this U.S. crew representing their country on STS-129. The names of the crew members are denoted on the outer band of the patch. As STS-129 launches, the Space Shuttle is in its twilight years. This fact is juxtaposed by the 13 stars on the patch which are symbolic of our children who are the future. The Moon and Mars feature predominantly to represent just how close humankind is to reaching further exploration of those heavenly bodies and how the current Space Shuttle and ISS missions are laying the essential ground work for those future endeavors.
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STS104-S-001 (March 2001) --- STS-104, International Space Station (ISS) assembly mission 7A, marks the completion of the initial assembly phase of ISS. The 7A crew will install, activate, and perform the first space walk from the Joint Airlock. The Joint Airlock will enable crews to perform space walks in either United States or Russian spacesuits while recovering over 90 percent of the gases that were previously lost when airlocks were vented to the vacuum of space. This patch depicts the launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis and the successful completion of the mission objectives as signified by the view of the ISS with the airlock installed. The astronaut symbol is displayed behind Atlantis as a tribute to the many crews that have flown before. The hard work, dedication, and teamwork of the airlock team is represented by the ISS components inside the payload bay which include the Joint Airlock and four high pressure gas tanks containing nitrogen and oxygen. In the words of a STS-104 crew spokesperson, "The stars and stripes background is symbolic of the commitment of a nation to this challenging international endeavor and to our children who represent its future." The NASA insignia design for Shuttle flights is reserved for use by the astronauts and for other official use as the NASA Administrator may authorize. Public availability has been approved only in the form of illustrations by the various news media. When and if there is any change in this policy, which is not anticipated, it will be publicly announced.
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The STS-84 emblem depicts the Space Shuttle Atlantis launching into Earth orbit to join the Russian Space Station Mir as part of Phase One (Shuttle-Mir) of the International Space Station program. The names of the eight astronauts who flew onboard Atlantis, including the two who changed their positions onboard Mir for a long duration flight, are shown along the border of the patch. The STS-84/Mir-23 team will transfer 7,000 pounds of experiments, Station hardware, food and clothing to and from Mir during the five-day period of docking. The Phase One program is represented by the rising Sun and by the Greek letter Phi followed by one star. This sixth Shuttle-Mir docking mission is symbolized by the six stars surrounding the word Mir in Cyrillic characters. Combined, the seven stars symbolize the current configuration of Mir, composed of six modules launched by the Russians and one module brought up by Atlantis on a previous docking flight.
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This is the STS-115 insignia. The patch was designed by Graham Huber, Gigi Lui, and Peter Hui in conjunction with York University in Toronto, Canada. This mission continues the assembly of the International Space Station (ISS) with the installation of the truss segments P3 and P4. Following the installation of the segments utilizing both the shuttle and the station robotic arms, a series of three space walks will complete the final connections and prepare for the deployment of the station's second set of solar arrays. To reflect the primary mission of the flight, the patch depicts a solar panel as the main element. As the Space Shuttle Atlantis launches towards the ISS, its trail depicts the symbol of the Astronaut Office. The starburst, representing the power of the sun, rises over the Earth and shines on the solar panel. The shuttle flight number 115 is shown at the bottom of the patch, along with the ISS assembly designation 12A (the 12th American assembly mission). The blue Earth in the background reminds us of the importance of space exploration and research to all of Earth's inhabitants. The NASA insignia design for shuttle flights is reserved for use by the astronauts and for other official use as the NASA Administrator may authorize. Public availability has been approved only in the forms of illustrations by the various news media. When and if there is any change in this policy, which is not anticipated, the change will be publicly announced.