![Request for Information – Potential [Placeholder for Prize]](https://assets.science.nasa.gov/dynamicimage/assets/science/psd/solar/2023/09/s/solarsystem_0.jpg?w=1024)
APOD
Astronomy Picture of the Day
Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.
Shuttle Plume
Explanation: What kind of cloud is that? Not a naturally occurring one. Pictured above is the drifting smoke plume left over from last Friday's launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis . The twisted plume was captured shortly after launch high above NASA's massive Vehicle Assembly Building , the largest single story building in the world. Rockets frequently create picturesque plume s during launch. The Space Shuttle is currently visiting the International Space Station and delivering a new backbone truss segment to the continually developing and occupied spaceport . This trip, officially labeled STS-117 , is the 118th space shuttle flight overall and the 28th for the Atlantis Orbiter.
| Date | June 12, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Credit | Credit: NASA , Ken Thornsley |
| Authors & editors: | Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP) |
| A service of: |
ASD at NASA / GSFC, NASA Science Activation & Michigan Tech. U. |