External Tank for Final Scheduled Shuttle Mission Arrives at KSC (Gallery)

by Nancy Atkinson on July 14, 2010

Arrival of ET-138 at KSC. Credit: Alan Walters (awaltersphoto.com) for Universe Today

Universe Today photographer Alan Walters was on hand at Kennedy Space Center today to see the arrival of ET-138, the external tank for the final scheduled space shuttle mission, STS-134. Enjoy this gallery of images, (because it is something that might only happen one more time…). There was also a surprise drive-by of some segments of used shuttle solid rocket boosters.

Arrival of ET-138 at KSC. Credit: Alan Walters (awaltersphoto.com) for Universe Today

Arrival of ET-138 at KSC. Credit: Alan Walters (awaltersphoto.com) for Universe Today

Arrival of ET-138 at KSC. Credit: Alan Walters (awaltersphoto.com) for Universe Today

Arrival of ET-138 at KSC. Credit: Alan Walters (awaltersphoto.com) for Universe Today

Arrival of ET-138 at KSC. Credit: Alan Walters (awaltersphoto.com) for Universe Today

Closeup of ET-138 at KSC. Credit: Alan Walters (awaltersphoto.com) for Universe Today

Arrival of ET-138 at KSC. Credit: Alan Walters (awaltersphoto.com) for Universe Today

Arrival of ET-138 at KSC. Credit: Alan Walters (awaltersphoto.com) for Universe Today

Used SRB sections drive past while ET-138 is being unloaded at KSC. Credit: Alan Walters (awaltersphoto.com) for Universe Today

Used SRB sections drive past while ET-138 is being unloaded at KSC. Credit: Alan Walters (awaltersphoto.com) for Universe Today

Kennedy's External Tank/Solid Rocket Booster Vehicle Manager Alicia Mendoza is interviewed at KSC on July 14, 2010. Credit: Alan Walters (awaltersphoto.com) for Universe Today

Closeup of the nose of ET-138. Credit: Alan Walters (awaltersphoto.com) for Universe Today

ET-138 arrives at the Vehicle Assembly Building at KSC. Credit: Alan Walters (awaltersphoto.com) for Universe Today

Nancy Atkinson is Universe Today's Senior Editor. She also is the host of the NASA Lunar Science Institute podcast and works with the Astronomy Cast and 365 Days of Astronomy podcasts. Nancy is also a NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador.

  • eddyfca

    I love this, and I love the other recent pictures and videos NASA has put up. I love the recent public outreach like put your “face in space” and other silly little things that promotes engagement.

    My only beef is where has this been the last 30 years from them? It could have helped in garnering much needed support from the public for their funding woes.

    But still LOVE this, keep posting! ;-)

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