Aerospace Snapshot - The Discovery Kicks the Tires and Lights the Fires

 

The launch of STS-26 Discovery (above) on September 29, 1988 helped restore the space shuttle to flight status after a distressing two years of self-reflection for NASA.  Photo courtesy of NASA, from The Space Shuttle: Celebrating Thirty Years of NASA's First Space Plane by Piers Bizony.

Aerospace X-Ray - Forward Reaction Control System Module

The forward reaction control system module is detachable for servicing, and its removal enables access to the lower nose section and upper landing gear bay. Illustration courtesy of NASA, from NASA Space Shuttle Owners' Workshop Manual by Dr. David Baker.