As the starting point for most NASA missions, Kennedy Space Center's primary business is preparing and launching a variety of space vehicles and payloads. Although well known as the home of Space Shuttle operations, Kennedy is also the lead NASA Center for all Expendable Launch Vehicle missions carrying NASA payloads, whether launching from the nearby Cape Canaveral Air Force Station or one of NASA's other launch facilities. Additionally, all U.S.-launched International Space Station hardware passes through Kennedy for final flight preparations before starting their journey to the orbiting laboratory. From Earth orbit to deep space, Kennedy Space Center is America's premier gateway to the stars.

NASA's Launch Schedule
Don't miss a single mission! Check here for the dates of all upcoming launches.
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Space Shuttle: Before the Countdown
From liftoff to touchdown, preparing a Space Shuttle for its next mission is a long and painstaking process.
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Touchdown!
A Space Shuttle orbiter's return home begins more than an hour before landing.
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The Careful Craft of Spacecraft Processing
How do you prepare a NASA spacecraft for launch on an Expendable Launch Vehicle? Very carefully.
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