External Tank Collection

Space shuttle Atlantis twin solid rocket boosters ignite to propel the spacecraft
Cape Canaveral, Florida, May 14, 2010 - Space shuttle Atlantis twin solid rocket boosters ignite to propel the spacecraft off Kennedy Space Centers Launch Pad 39A and into orbit

Space Shuttle Atlantis lifts off from Kennedy Space Center
September 9, 2006 - The Space Shuttle Atlantis and its crew lift off from Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida

The First Space Shuttle External Tank
The first Space Shuttle External Tank (ET), the Main Propulsion Test Article (MPTA), rolls off the assembly line on September 9, 1977 at Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, Louisiana

Night view of space shuttle Atlantis on the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center, Florida
July 7, 2011 - The space shuttle Atlantis is seen shortly after the rotating service structure (RSS) was rolled back at launch pad 39a at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida

The space shuttles external fuel tank falls toward Earths atmosphere
July 26, 2005 - The external fuel tank is jettisoned from the Space Shuttle Discovery and falls toward Earths atmosphere during the completion of the launch phase of the STS-114 mission

Space Shuttle Discovery atop the mobile launcher platform
August 4, 2009 - Sitting on top of the mobile launcher platform, space shuttle Discovery arrives on top of Launch Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida

Space Shuttle Discovery makes its way to the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center
August 4, 2009 - Space shuttle Discovery nears Launch Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center

A view Space Shuttle Atlantis on Launch Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center
March 31, 2009 - The gate to Launch Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida welcomes space shuttle Atlantis onto the pad mound after rollout from the Vehicle Assembly Building. aš

Space shuttle Atlantis on the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center, Florida
July 7, 2011 - The space shuttle Atlantis is revealed as the rotating service structure (RSS) is rolled back at launch pad 39a at the NASA Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida

Space Shuttle Atlantis sits ready on the launch pad
Cape Canaveral, Florida, April 18, 2009 a Space shuttle Atlantis on Launch Pad 39A is viewed across the lagoon at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida

Space Shuttle Endeavour lifts off from its launch pad at Kennedy Space Center, Florida
July 15, 2009 - The Banana River seems to burn as space shuttle Endeavours column of flame is reflected at liftoff on the STS-127 mission

Space Shuttle Discovery resting on the Mobile Launcher Platform
Cape Canaveral, Florida, May 26, 2005 - Space Shuttle Discovery, resting on the Mobile Launcher Platform, turns the corner on the crawlerway as it rolls back from Launch Pad 39B to the Vehicle

Space Shuttle Atlantis on Launch Pad 39A is accompanied by space shuttle Endeavour
April 17, 2009 - Space Shuttle Atlantis on Launch Pad 39A is accompanied by space shuttle Endeavour after Endeavours rollout to Launch Pad 39B

Space shuttle Atlantis sits on the launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center in anticipation
Cape Canaveral, Florida, May 14, 2010 - Space shuttle Atlantis sits on the launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center in anticipation of its upcoming launch

Space shuttle Atlantis comes to a stop on the top of Launch Pad 39A at Kennedy Space
September 4, 2008 - Space shuttle Atlantis comes to a stop on the top of Launch Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center after more than a 6-hour journey from the Vehicle Assembly Building

Space shuttle Atlantis lifting off from Launch Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center
Cape Canaveral, Florida, May 14, 2010 - Space shuttle Atlantis lifts off from Launch Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on the STS-132 mission to the International Space Station

Space Shuttle Discovery in full launch configuration is revealed after the Rotating Service Structure (RSS) is rotated back at Launch Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida

An external fuel tank backdropped by a blue and white part of Earth
May 31, 2008 - Backdropped by a blue and white part of Earth, the STS-124 external fuel tank begins its relative separation from the Space Shuttle Discovery

Space Shuttle Endeavour approaches the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center
May 31, 2009 - At the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Endeavour makes its final approach toward the fixed and rotating service structures on Launch Pad 39A. aš

A nearly full Moon sets as Space Shuttle Discovery sits atop the launch pad
March 11, 2009 - A nearly full Moon sets as the Space Shuttle Discovery sits atop Launch pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida

Space shuttle Endeavour atop a mobile launcher platform at Kennedy Space Center
Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida, February 6, 2010 - Space shuttle Endeavour poised atop a mobile launcher platform awaiting launch following retraction of the rotating service structure

Viewed across the basin, Space Shuttle Atlantis crawls toward the launch pad
September 4, 2008 - Viewed across the turn basin near the Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center, space shuttle Atlantis crawls toward Launch Pad 39A. ašaš

Palmetto trees frame space shuttle Endeavour as it rolls toward the launch pad
Palmetto trees frame space shuttle Endeavour as it rolls toward Launch Pad 39A after earlier moving off Launch Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida

Atlantis twin solid rocket boosters ignite to propel the spacecraft into orbit at
Cape Canaveral, Florida, May 14, 2010 - A plume of smoke builds at Kennedy Space Centers Launch Pad 39A as space shuttle Atlantis twin solid rocket boosters ignite to propel the spacecraft into

Atlantis rolls toward the open doors of the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy
October 20, 2008 - Atlantis rolls toward the open doors of the Vehicle Assembly Building after rolling back from Launch Pad 39A. The journey from the pad took about six hours. aš

Space Shuttle Endeavour sits ready on the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center
July 11, 2009 - The space shuttle Endeavour is seen on launch pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida

Space Shuttle Endeavour on the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center
June 12, 2009 - Space Shuttle Endeavour is in place at Launch Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida

Space shuttle Atlantis atop the mobile launcher platform sits on the launch pad
April 17, 2009 - Space shuttle Atlantis atop the mobile launcher platform sits on Launch Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. At left is the Vehicle Assembly Building

External Tank 130 rolls toward Kennedy Space Centers Vehicle Assembly Building
December 4, 2008 - External Tank 130 rolls toward Kennedys Vehicle Assembly Building and will be used on the STS-125 Hubble servicing mission. aš

Space shuttle Atlantis approaches the top of Launch Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center
September 4, 2008 - Space shuttle Atlantis approaches the top of Launch Pad 39A. The shuttle stack, with solid rocket boosters

Space Shuttle Discovery sits ready on the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center
August 24, 2009 - Space Shuttle Discovery is poised for liftoff on the STS-128 mission from pad 39a at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida

Space Shuttle Endeavour lifts off from Kennedy Space Center
July 15, 2009 - Space Shuttle Endeavour lifts off from launch pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida

Space Shuttle Atlantis lifts off from its launch pad toward Earth orbit
Cape Canaveral, Florida, May 11, 2009 - Space Shuttle Atlantis lifts off from launch pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in to Earth orbit and rendezvous with the Hubble Space Telescope

Space Shuttle Atlantis and Endeavour sit on their launch pads at Kennedy Space Center
April 18, 2009 - On Launch Pad 39B (left) at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Endeavour stands just a few miles from space shuttle Atlantis on Launch Pad 39A (right)

Technicians begin to roll the rotating service structure from Space Shuttle Discovery
August 24, 2009 - On Launch Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians in the rotating service structures control booth begin to roll the structure from space shuttle Discovery

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

The external tank plays a crucial role in the launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis. As the twin solid rocket boosters ignite, their powerful thrust propels the spacecraft into space from Kennedy Space Center. This iconic moment marks another successful mission for NASA. In Cape Canaveral, Florida, a full-size display of the first-ever space shuttle external tank is carefully positioned onto a truck for transportation. The massive tank is then hauled away to its new destination, showcasing its impressive size and engineering marvel. Technicians work diligently on removing a replica of the external fuel tank, ensuring that every detail is attended to with precision and care. These dedicated individuals play an integral part in maintaining and preserving this significant piece of space exploration history. A pair of 149-foot-long solid rocket boosters stands tall as they await their next mission. These SRBs have proven themselves time and again as reliable sources of power during liftoffs. Meanwhile, the External Tank Test Article (ETTA2) embarks on a journey to be rotated 180° for interface ring installation for SBKF. This intricate process showcases the meticulous planning involved in preparing these tanks for future missions. The final production external tank rolls towards its barge ride to Cape Canaveral, ready to fulfill its purpose once more. Its sleek design and advanced technology are evident as it makes its way through various stages before reaching its ultimate destination. During STS-29 mission onboard photo capture, we witness the awe-inspiring sight of the External Tank falling toward Earth's vast ocean after separation from Atlantis. This breathtaking image serves as a reminder of humanity's ability to explore beyond our planet's boundaries. Inside Highbay 1 within Kennedy Space Center's Vehicle Assembly Building, engineers meticulously assemble each component necessary for successful launches like these. Their expertise ensures that everything fits together seamlessly and functions flawlessly when put into action.