Shuttle Atlantis 2-16-2014
Seeing an actual flown orbiter in person truly puts the scale of American space exploration into perspective. Standing inside the Atlantis exhibit at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, the orbiter hangs suspended at a dynamic tilt with its payload doors wide open. It is displayed exactly as it would have appeared while working in low Earth orbit.
An ultra-wide fisheye perspective captures the full sweep of the spacecraft, from the forward crew cabin and heat shield tiles back to the open cargo bay and upright vertical stabilizer. Subtle museum uplights illuminate the weathered ceramic thermal tiles and United States insignia, contrasting sharply against the darkened overhead exhibit hall.
