Sunset on the Shuttle: Servicing After a Mission

The end of a mission was just as critical as liftoff. This atmospheric image shows the Space Shuttle on the runway at sunset, undergoing post-landing servicing. Engineers and technicians worked swiftly to ensure the orbiter was safe, powered down, and prepped for transport. The golden light of the setting sun highlights the Shuttle’s iconic silhouette, a fitting backdrop for a vehicle that bridged Earth and space for three decades.