Some cool space images:

Space Launch System: Booster Forward Skirt (NASA, SLS, 08/27/14)

Image by NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center
The booster forward skirt provides the critical connection between NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) core stage and its twin solid rocket boosters. The hardware proved it could withstand millions of pounds of launch load during a series of tests in May. To be sure to cover all possible scenarios, the structure was tested again in early August — increasing the liftoff and ascent conditions to more than a dozen scenarios, and ultimately to structural failure. Completion of this testing and some remaining analysis brings NASA closer to using this proven hardware on SLS.

The forward skirt, which houses the electronics for igniting, steering and jettisoning the two five-segment boosters, is at the top of the booster and is the primary attachment point to the SLS core stage. This connection carries all of the 3.5 million pounds of thrust created by each of the boosters during launch and ascent.

ATK is the prime contractor for the SLS solid rocket boosters. Structural testing was completed at ATK’s test facility in Promontory, Utah.

When completed, SLS will be capable of taking crew and cargo on deep space missions, including to an asteroid and eventually to Mars. The SLS 70-metric-ton (77-ton) initial configuration will launch an uncrewed Orion spacecraft to demonstrate the integrated system performance of the SLS rocket and spacecraft prior to a crewed flight.

Original image:
www.nasa.gov/sls/multimedia/gallery/sls-booster-forward-s…

Image credit: Boeing

More about SLS:
www.nasa.gov/sls

More SLS graphics and concepts:
www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/sls/multimedia/gallery/S…

Space Launch System Flickr album
www.flickr.com/photos/28634332@N05/sets/72157627559536895/
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These official NASA photographs are being made available for publication by news organizations and/or for personal use printing by the subject(s) of the photographs. The photographs may not be used in materials, advertisements, products, or promotions that in any way suggest approval or endorsement by NASA. All Images used must be credited. For information on usage rights please visit: www.nasa.gov/audience/formedia/features/MP_Photo_Guidelin…

Waxing Gibbous Moon (NASA, International Space Station, 11/12/13)

Image by NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center
Although crew members on the International Space Station view literally hundreds of scenes of the moon rising and setting over Earth on each several- month increment, the home planet’s natural satellite never ceases to escape the crew’s attention and impulse to grab a camera from time to time. Such was the case with this image of a waxing gibbous moon recorded exactly at 00:00:00 GMT, Nov. 12, 2013.

Image credit: NASA

Original image:
spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/station/crew-38/html/…

More about space station research:
www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/index.html

View more photos like this in the "NASA Earth Images" Flickr photoset:
www.flickr.com/photos/28634332@N05

_______________________________
These official NASA photographs are being made available for publication by news organizations and/or for personal use printing by the subject(s) of the photographs. The photographs may not be used in materials, advertisements, products, or promotions that in any way suggest approval or endorsement by NASA. All Images used must be credited. For information on usage rights please visit: www.nasa.gov/audience/formedia/features/MP_Photo_Guidelin…