This week in 2011, space shuttle Endeavour, mission STS-134, launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on its final flight. During its 14-day mission, Endeavour delivered the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2, Express Logistics Carrier-3, and spare parts and a high-pressure gas tank for the Dextre robotic helper to the International Space Station. Today, the Payload Operations Integration Center at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center serves as “science central” for the space station, working 24/7, 365 days a year in support of the orbiting laboratory’s science experiments. After 20 years of continuous human presence, the space station remains the sole space-based proving ground and stepping stone toward achieving the goals of the Artemis program. The NASA History Program is responsible for generating, disseminating, and preserving NASA’s remarkable history and providing a comprehensive understanding of the institutional, cultural, social, political, economic, technological, and scientific aspects of NASA’s activities in aeronautics and space. For more pictures like this one and to connect to NASA’s history, visit the Marshall History Program’s webpage.
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