Astronautics Collection (page 5)

A manned lunar space elevator ascends from the surface of the moon riding a 35, 000-mile-long tether anchored at the other end to a counterweight in a Lagrange point in space

A young radio astronomer stationed near the Moons South Pole receives a welcome gift from Earth. Amid the techno-clutter of an office where livable real estate is at an extreme premium

A manned orbital maintenance platform approaches the Chandra X-ray Observatory
A manned orbital maintenance platform (OMP) approaches NASAs Chandra X-ray Observatory for repair and upgrade. Chandra is a space-based X-ray telescope that was launched in 1999

A large mass of storm clouds over the Atlantic Ocean near Brazil and the Equator
July 4, 2013 - A large mass of storm clouds over the Atlantic Ocean near Brazil and the Equator. A Russian spacecraft, docked to the orbiting outpost

A manned Asteroid Lander descends toward the surface of an ancient asteroid
A manned Asteroid Lander descends toward the rugged and cratered surface of an ancient asteroid. Orbiting the asteroid on the upper left is a Deep Space Vehicle (DSV) and Extended Stay Module (ESM)

Illustration of a space shuttle re-entering the Earths atmosphere. In order for the Space Shuttle to return to Earth it must shed 18

Artists concept of a lunar cycler approaching Earth
A lunar cycler rounds the south pole of the Earth near perigee, its closest approach to the Earth, while a trailing future generation space shuttle prepares for a rendezvous

A Soyuz spacecraft docked to the International Space Station
January 6, 2011 - Newfoundland and clouds over the North Atlantic Ocean share a scene with a Soyuz spacecraft docked to the International Space Station

Artists concept of the Assimilators Claw in hyperspace, as described in the novels of Stephen Baxter

A shuttle delivers supplies to a space station
A shuttle from an Earth base makes its way with supplies to a space station in orbit over the planet

Orbital maintenance platform in high Earth orbit
Typical configuration for a manned orbital maintenance platform (OMP) where it is docked with a free-flying crewed spacecraft

French / Bulgarian orbital weapons platform in orbit
French/Bulgarian orbital weapons platform featured in 2001: A Space Odyssey, in orbit

A reusable lunar shuttle prepares to dock with a lunar cycler
A reusable lunar shuttle, recently launched from the moon, prepares to dock with a lunar cycler. The lunar shuttle has a capacity for six crew and passengers

Artists concept of a space shuttle entering Earth orbit. The Space Shuttle reveals a belly covered with thousands of individual thermally protective silica tiles

A manned orbital maintenance platform rendezvouses with Chandra X-ray Observatory
A manned orbital maintenance platform (OMP) rendezvouses with NASAs Chandra X-ray Observatory for maintenance and upgrade

The Cygnus spacecraft begins its separation from the International Space Station
October 22, 2013 - The Orbital Sciences Cygnus commercial craft begins its relative separation from the International Space Station

The SpaceX Dragon commercial cargo craft
September 23, 2014 - The SpaceX Dragon commercial cargo craft approaches the International Space Station for grapple and berthing

A lunar shuttle descends toward a manned outpost on the Moon
A dedicated lunar shuttle descends toward a manned outpost on the Moons southern hemisphere

A starship from Earth with ion drive propulsion explores the cosmos

Spaceship with afterburners engaged as it approaches planet Earth
Rear view of spaceship with afterburners engaged as it approaches planet Earth

Two intrepid explorers discuss the next phase of their exploration of Mars
Two intrepid explorers talk togther on the next phase of their exploration of the Mars planet

A starship passes by a planet with a ring of asteroids on its journey to a nearby nebula

Asteroid Lander departs from Deep Space Vehicle
A manned Asteroid Lander departs from a combination Deep Space Vehicle (DSV) and Extended Stay Module (ESM) as a first step toward exploring the large asteroid below

An explorer departs a manned rover ina martian canyon
A manned rover pauses in a martian canyon while an explorer in a protective pressurized suit departs. This rover provides a pressurized shirtsleeve environment enabling a crew of two to explore a

Artists concept of a space tug docked with a lunar lander. With the space tug firmly docked with the lunar lander, the two will function as a single spacecraft for the duration of a 3-day trip to

A command module begins a close approach to Phobos
The command module, now free of the larger Phobos mission rocket, begins a close approach to Phobos. With an average diameter of less than 12 miles

The Small Satellite Orbital Deployer in the grasp of a robotic arm
February 11, 2014 - The Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (SSOD), in the grasp of the Kibo laboratory robotic arm, as it deploys a set of NanoRacks CubeSats

Artists concept for an Orion-drive battleship; American style

A small spacecraft from Earth reaches a water planet after many light years

Orion-drive spacecraft in standard configuration for space flight
Orion-drive spacecraft with solid-fuel rocket boosters to escape the atmosphere

Illustration of astronauts setting up a base on the Martian surface around their lander vehicle. The first human visitors to Mars would face an environment nearly as hostile as the Earths Moon

The Cygnus spacecraft attached to the Harmony Node in the grasp of Canadarm2
October 5, 2013 - Attached to the Harmony node, the first Cygnus commercial cargo spacecraft in the grasp of the Canadarm2. The thin line of Earths atmosphere provides the backdrop for the scene

The Apollo 13 space vehicle is launched from Kennedy Space Center
April 11, 1970 - The Apollo 13 (Spacecraft 109/Lunar Module 7/Saturn 508) space vehicle is launched from Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida

Artists concept of the Dawn spacecraft as it approaches an encounter with Ceres
An artists depiction of the Dawn spacecraft as it approaches an encounter with Ceres. The satellite will investigate the two bright spots on the surface of the dwarf planet

Nighttime view of the Apollo 10 space vehicle on its launch pad
May 4, 1969 - Nighttime, ground-level view of the Apollo 10 (Spacecraft 106/Lunar Module 4/Saturn 505) space vehicle on Launch Complex 39, Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida

Starship inspired by the novels of Stephen Baxter

A Mars cycler travels by the Earth while two astronauts watch from afar
A Mars cycler swings by the Earth and onward to Mars while two astronauts in manned maneuvering units (AKA, MMUs) watch from afar

An orbital maintenance platform docks an orbiting booster in low Earth orbit
An orbital maintenance platform (OMP) docks an orbiting booster in low Earth orbit. Once connected the booster will loft the OMP to a gravitationally stable Lagrangian point about 700 thousand miles

An aerial view of the Apollo 15 spacecraft on its launch pad
Cape Canaveral, Florida, July 13, 1971 - An aerial view of Launch Complex 39, Kennedy Space Center, showing the 363-feet tall Apollo 15 (Spacecraft 112/Lunar Module 10/Saturn 510)

An orbital maintenance platform fires it liquid-propellant rocket thrusters
An orbital maintenance platform (OMP) docked with a manned reusable crew capsule (RCC) in low Earth orbit fires its ten liquid-propellant rocket thrusters in order to lift it to a far higher Earth

International Space Station solar array panels and planet Earth
May 21, 2011 - International Space Station solar array panels and a blue and white part of Earth

Canadarm2 robotic arm releases the Cygnus spacecraft
October 22, 2013 - The International Space Stations Canadarm2 releases the Orbital Sciences Cygnus commercial craft. A blue and white part of Earth provides the backdrop for the scene

The Apollo 16 space vehicle is launched from Kennedy Space Center
April 16, 1972 - The huge, 363-feet tall Apollo 16 (Spacecraft 113/Lunar Module 11/Saturn 510) space vehicle is launched from Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida, on a lunar landing mission

A NASA Project Mercury spacecraft is test launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida
February 21, 1961 - In this Project Mercury test, a spacecraft booster by a modified Atlas was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida

The International Space Station with two docked Russian spacecraft
July 12, 2011 - The International Space Stations Cupola, backdropped against black space, a horizon scene and various components of the orbiting outpost

Space Shuttle Atlantis over the Bahamas
July 10, 2011 - Space Shuttle Atlantis over the Bahamas. Part of a Russian Progress spacecraft is visible in the foreground

A northern hemisphere mid-Atlantic low pressure system
February 23, 2013 - View from space of a northern hemisphere mid-Atlantic low pressure system

The SpaceX Dragon cargo craft is suspended in the grasp of the Candarm2
May 31, 2012 - The SpaceX Dragon cargo craft is suspended in the grasp of the Candarm2 robotic arm some 240 miles above Earth

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Astronautics, the captivating realm of space exploration, has witnessed remarkable milestones throughout history. From the groundbreaking launch of Sputnik II carrying Laika, the courageous canine astronaut, to the awe-inspiring image of an astronaut standing on the moon with Earth as a backdrop - these moments have forever etched themselves in our collective memory. The journey began with Sputnik I, a testament to human ingenuity and scientific prowess. As it pierced through Earth's atmosphere, it heralded a new era of possibilities and ignited fierce competition between Russia and the United States. The race for supremacy in space intensified when Sputnik II embarked on its mission with Laika onboard, capturing hearts worldwide. Amidst this rivalry emerged extraordinary feats like Yuri Gagarin becoming the first human to orbit our planet aboard Vostok This triumph was celebrated not only by Russia but also marked a significant milestone for all humankind. Spacewalks became another defining moment in astronautics as Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov ventured outside his spacecraft adorned in an artistic spacesuit. His daring act paved the way for future extravehicular activities that expanded our understanding of outer space. Meanwhile, across continents and oceans lay Apollo 1 tragedy - a somber reminder of the risks involved in pushing boundaries. Yet from this dark chapter arose resilience and determination as NASA continued their pursuit towards landing humans on lunar soil. As time progressed, Pravda unveiled secrets hidden within Sputnik I's walls – revealing astonishing discoveries that further fueled mankind's curiosity about what lies beyond our blue planet. Fast forward to present times; we witness breathtaking images captured by rovers exploring Mars' rugged terrain or glimpses into distant galaxies taken by powerful telescopes stationed above Earth's atmosphere. These advancements remind us that there is still so much left unexplored within our vast universe. Astronautics continues to evolve; private companies now join the ranks of space exploration, offering opportunities for space tourism.