IMAGE 1000_99\15.Lbm,The crew patch for Endeavour's first mission, STS-49. The ship depicted is the orbiter's namesake, in which Captain Cook sailed on his first expedition to the South Pacific.
IMAGE 1000_99\8.Lbm,The huge external tank that will be used in the STS-49 shuttle stack for Endeavour's first flight arrives at the VAB on July 29, 1991.
IMAGE 1000_99\10.Lbm,In the VAB on March 7, 1992, Endeavour is lowered into position on the external tank for the STS-49 mission.
xxIxxMAGE 1000_99\14b.Lbm,Endeavour and the STS-49 shuttle stack sit on the mobile launch platform on Pad 39B with just a few hours of the countdown remaining to its first launch attempt.
IMAGE 1000_99\17.Lbm,STS-49 mission specialist Kathryn Thornton being presented with a T-shirt send-off gift just before launch on May 7, 1992, in the 'white room', which gives access to Endeavour's upper deck.
IMAGE 1200_99\270.Lbm,Pictured on Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center are the crew for Endeavour's maiden flight, STS-49, on which they will attempt to capture a satellite. From the left they are: Pierre Thuot, Rick Hieb, Dan Brandenstein, Kevin Chilton, Tom Akers, Kathy Thornton and Bruce Melnick.
IMAGE 1200_99\271.Lbm,The Hughes solid motor that, if all goes well, will be used on the STS-49 mission to boost the captured Intelsat VI satellite to its proper orbit. It will shortly be installed in Endeavour's payload bay.
IMAGE 1200_99\272.Lbm,Sunset at Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center on May 6, 1992. On the morrow, weather permitting, the orbiter Endeavour will attempt its first lift-off. (STS-49)
IMAGE 1200_99\273.Lbm,Enjoying the traditional astronauts' breakfast in Kennedy's operations and checkout building on May 7, 1992, are, from the left: Rick Hieb, Bruce Melnick, Kathy Thornton, Dan Brandenstein, Kevin Chilton, Pierre Thuot and Tom Akers. (STS-49)
IMAGE 1200_99\274.Lbm,Kathy Thornton relaxes for a few moments following suiting up ready for launch. (STS-49)
IMAGE 1200_99\275.Lbm,Bruce Melnick checks out his flight suit. (STS-49)
IMAGE 1200_99\276.Lbm,With the final hours of the countdown ticking away, the STS-49 crew set out for the launch pad. Commander Dan Brandenstein leads (right front), with Bruce Melnick to his right. Then follow, from the left: Kevin Chilton, Tom Akers, Pierre Thuot, Kathy Thornton and Rick Hieb.
IMAGE 1200_99\277.Lbm,Pictured in the white room that gives access to Endeavour's crew cabin are Rick Hieb and Kathy Thornton. (STS-49)
IMAGE 1200_99\278.Lbm,Endeavour climbs into the darkening Florida sky on its first journey into space, on May 7, 1992. (STS-49)
IMAGE 1200_99\279.Lbm,As commander Dan Brandenstein manoeuvres Endeavour towards the Intelsat VI comsat, Pierre Thuot stands on the robot arm carrying the grapple bar, designed to latch on to the satellite. It is the second attempt. The first attempt the previous day failed. (STS-49)
IMAGE 1200_99\280.Lbm,The 5-tonne Intelsat floats into view, against an appropriate backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean and Cape Canaveral. (STS-49)
IMAGE 1200_99\281.Lbm,Pictured through the overhead window on Endeavour's aft flight deck, Pierre Thuot tries in vain to latch the grapple device on to the Intelsat. (STS-49)
IMAGE 1200_99\282.Lbm,On the third EVA of the STS-49 mission, a trio of spacewalking astronauts finally manages to capture the errant Intelsat - by hand. From the left, they are Rick Hieb, Tom Akers and Pierre Thuot.
IMAGE 1200_99\283.Lbm,A spectacular view of the spacewalking trio who captured the Intelsat, still clinging on. Only two are visible here, Rick Hieb and Tom Akers; Pierre Thuot is in shadow. (STS-49)
