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International Space Station Imagery
Space Shuttle Atlantis performed a backflip about 600 feet from the station
high res (1.5 M) low res (101 K)
ISS013-E-80040 (11 Sept. 2006) --- A crewmember aboard the International Space Station took this picture with a handheld digital still camera as the Space Shuttle Atlantis performed a backflip while it was about 600 feet from the station during its approach. The flip, done on every shuttle mission, allows a full photographic survey of the shuttle heat shield to be taken by the station crew. This image from that survey shows one of the three the main engines, and part of the starboard wing and the starboard orbital maneuvering system (OMS)pod.

Curator: Kim Dismukes | Responsible NASA Official: John Ira Petty | Updated: 09/12/2006
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