Payload Bay Collection

Challenger as seen from SPAS
Full view of Space Shuttle Orbiter Challenger in space, taken by the Space Pallet Satellite (SPAS). A heavily cloud-covered portion of the earth forms the backdrop for this scene of Challenger

Illustration of an orbiter cutaway view of a space shuttle
This illustration is an orbiter cutaway view with callouts. The orbiter is both the brains and heart of the Space Transportation System (STS)

Space shuttle Atlantis and various components
July 18, 2011 - View of the space shuttle Atlantis and its Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module during the final day of being docked with the International Space Station

The Harmony node in the payload bay of Space Shuttle Discovery
October 25, 2007 - A close-up view of the Harmony node in the payload bay of Space Shuttle Discovery

Space Shuttle Atlantis and the docked Soyuz spacecraft
Backdropped by a cloud-covered part of Earth, Space Shuttle Atlantis was photographed by the Expedition 15 crew after it undocked from the International Space Station on June 19, 2007

Space Shuttle

Space Shuttle Discovery backdropped by a blue and white Earth
October 25, 2007 - Backdropped by a blue and white Earth, Space Shuttle Discovery approaches the International Space Station during STS-120 rendezvous and docking operations

The Permanent Multipurpose Module in space shuttle Discoverys payload bay
March 1, 2011 - In the grasp of the International Space Stations Canadarm2, the Italian-built Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM)

View of space shuttle Endeavours crew cabin and forward payload bay
February 9, 2010 - View of space shuttle Endeavours crew cabin and forward payload bay

Space shuttle Atlantis backdropped by a colorful Earth, as the shuttle approaches
May 16, 2010 - Space shuttle Atlantis backdropped by a colorful Earth, as the shuttle approaches the International Space Station

The Permanent Multipurpose Module and a docked Russian Soyuz spacecraft
March 1, 2011 - The newly-attached Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM) and a docked Russian Soyuz spacecraft. Earths horizon and the blackness of space provide the backdrop for the scene

The payload bay of Space Shuttle Endeavour
August 14, 2007 - An external stowage platform (ESP-3) is photographed in the payload bay of Space Shuttle Endeavour while docked with the International Space Station

Space Shuttle Atlantis and a Russian spacecraft backdropped by a blue and white Earth
November 18, 2009 - Backdropped by a blue and white part of Earth, Space Shuttle Atlantis approaches the International Space Station during STS-129 rendezvous and docking operations

Space Shuttle Discovery with a Russian spacecraft visible in the foreground
October 25, 2007 - Backdropped by a cloud-covered part of Earth, Space Shuttle Discovery approaches the International Space Station during STS-120 rendezvous and docking operations

Space Shuttle Atlantis backdropped by a blue and white part of Earth
November 18, 2009 - Space Shuttle Atlantis backdropped by a blue and white part of Earth

A partial view of Space Shuttle Endeavours payload bay
July 29, 2009 - Backdropped by the blackness of space and Earths horizon, a partial view of Space Shuttle Endeavours payload bay, docking mechanism, vertical stabilizer

View of Space Shuttle Discovery over Earths horizon
April 6, 2010 - View of Space Shuttle Discovery over Earths horizon. Components visible on the shuttle are The Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM)

Space Shuttle Discoverys payload bay backdropped by Earths horizon
October 24, 2007 - Backdropped by the blackness of space and Earths horizon, the Harmony node in Space Shuttle Discoverys payload bay

Space Shuttle Endeavour backdropped by a blue and white Earth
March 12, 2008 - Backdropped by a blue and white Earth, Space Shuttle Endeavour approaches the International Space Station during STS-123 rendezvous and docking operations

Space Shuttle Endeavour, a Russian spacecraft is visible in the foreground
March 12, 2008 - Backdropped by a blue and white Earth, Space Shuttle Endeavour approaches the International Space Station during STS-123 rendezvous and docking operations

An overhead view of the exterior of Space Shuttle Endeavour
November 16, 2008 - An overhead view of the exterior of Space Shuttle Endeavours crew cabin, part of its payload bay doors and docking system

Space Shuttle Endeavour, docked to the Destiny laboratory of the International Space
August 15, 2007 - Backdropped by a blue and white Earth and the blackness of space, Space Shuttle Endeavour, docked to the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station

Space Shuttle Endeavours payload bay
November 15, 2008 - Backdropped by a colorful Earth and the blackness of space, the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module visible in Space Shuttle Endeavours payload bay, vertical stabilizer

Space shuttle Endeavour, a Soyuz spacecraft, and the International Space Station
February 19, 2010 - Space shuttle Endeavour is featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 22 crew member on the International Space Station soon after the shuttle

The Permanent Multipurpose Module in the grasp of Canadarm2
March 1, 2011 - In the grasp of the International Space Stations Canadarm2, the Italian-built Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM)

Aerial view of Space Shuttle Discovery over Earth as it approaches the International
April 7, 2010 - Aerial view of Space Shuttle Discovery over Earth as it approaches the International Space Station. The Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module is visible in Discoverys cargo bay

The docked space shuttle Discovery and Dextre
February 27, 2011 - The docked space shuttle Discovery (STS-133) and the Canadian-built Dextre, also known as the Special Purpose Dextrous Manipulator (SPDM)

The aft section of the docked space shuttle Discovery and the stations robotic Canadarm2
April 10, 2010 - The aft section of the docked space shuttle Discovery and the stations robotic Canadarm2. The Red Sea, Sinai Peninsula (center) and Nile River (left)

View of the Apollo 17 Command and Service Modules in lunar orbit
December 14, 1972 - View of the Apollo 17 Command and Service Modules (CSM) photographed from the Lunar Module (LM) Challenger during rendezvous and docking maneuvers in lunar orbit

Space shuttle Atlantis backdropped against the blackness of space
May 23, 2010 - Space shuttle Atlantis backdropped against the blackness of space

Space shuttle Endeavour as it approaches a docked Russian spacecraft
Space shuttle Endeavour as it approaches the International Space Station during STS-130 rendezvous and docking operations

A partial view of the Tranquility node in space shuttle Endeavours payload bay
February 8, 2010 - Backdropped by Earths horizon and the blackness of space, the Tranquility node in space shuttle Endeavours payload bay, vertical stabilizer, orbital maneuvering system (OMS) pods

Space Shuttle Discovery in orbit
July 6, 2006 - Space Shuttle Discovery in orbit

Space Shuttle Endeavour backdropped by space and Earths horizon
Backdropped by space and Earths horizon, Endeavours orbital maneuvering system pods and vertical stabilizer are visible in this image taken while docked with the International Space Station during

The logistics module for the Japanese Kibo laboratory in Space Shuttle Endeavour s
March 13, 2008 - Backdropped by Earths horizon and the blackness of space, the logistics module for the Japanese Kibo laboratory in Space Shuttle Endeavours payload bay

The Tranquility node in space shuttle Endeavours cargo bay
February 9, 2010 - The Tranquility node in space shuttle Endeavours cargo bay

Space Shuttle Discovery
September 8, 2009 - Backdropped by a cloud-covered part of Earth, Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-128) is featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 20 crew member on the International Space

Space Shuttle Discoverys cargo bay
July 27, 2005 - Space Shuttle Discoverys cargo bay over Earths horizon was photographed by one of the seven STS-114 crew members as the astronauts move within 24 hours of docking with

The Hubble Space Telescope, locked down in the cargo bay of Space Shuttle Atlantis
May 14, 2009 - A wide view of the Hubble Space Telescope, locked down in the cargo bay of the Earth-orbiting Space Shuttle Atlantis

Space Shuttle Atlantis payload bay backdropped by a blue and white Earth
May 19, 2009 - Backdropped by a blue and white Earth, Space Shuttle Atlantis payload bay, vertical stabilizer and orbital maneuvering system (OMS)

Space Shuttle Endeavour docked to the Destiny laboratory of the International Space
August 15, 2007 - Backdropped by a blue and white Earth, Space Shuttle Endeavour, docked to the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station

Space Shuttle Atlantis approaching the International Space Station
June 10, 2007 - Space Shuttle Atlantis approaches the Interntional Space Station during STS-117 rendezvous and docking operations, backdropped by a blue and white part of Earth

A docked Soyuz spacecraft over the docked space shuttle Atlantis
November 22, 2009 - A docked Soyuz spacecraft over the docked space shuttle Atlantis. A scene of Earths horizon forms the background

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

The payload bay of the Space Shuttle Atlantis serves as a crucial component for various missions and operations in space, and is from this bay that the iconic Hubble Space Telescope was released, marking a significant milestone in our exploration of the cosmos. As seen from SPAS (Shuttle Pallet Satellite), the Challenger spacecraft gracefully floats above Earth, showcasing the immense capabilities of the payload bay. This view offers a glimpse into the vastness of space and reminds us of humanity's quest to unravel its mysteries. Inside Orbiter Processing Facility-2 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, we witness engineers meticulously preparing payloads for their journeys into space. The state-of-the-art facility buzzes with activity as experts ensure that every aspect is carefully checked and secured before launch. At the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida, visitors are treated to an up-close encounter with history. They marvel at the sight of Space Shuttle Atlantis, standing proud as a symbol of human ingenuity and scientific progress. Bill Moore and Tim Macy, among many others, share their expertise and passion with eager guests who yearn to learn more about these incredible machines. Within Orbiter Processing Facility-2 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida lies an atmosphere charged with anticipation. Here, teams work tirelessly to prepare shuttles for future missions - each step taken with utmost precision and dedication. These efforts underscore NASA's commitment to pushing boundaries and expanding our knowledge beyond Earth's limits. The payload bay represents not just a physical compartment but also embodies humanity's relentless pursuit of discovery, and is through these bays that groundbreaking instruments like Hubble have been deployed into orbit – enabling us to capture breathtaking images from distant galaxies while deepening our understanding of our own place in the universe. In essence, whether it be releasing telescopes or carrying vital equipment for research purposes, the payload bay remains an integral part of space exploration – forever propelling us towards new frontiers where imagination and science intertwine.