John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is the launch facility for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The Center is named in honor of President John F. Kennedy, who inspired the nation to put a man on the moon and return him safely to earth. All the historic space missions have launched from KSC, including the Mercury, Apollo/Saturn, Skylab, Mars rovers, and space shuttle programs. http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/about/history/index.html A new phase of space exploration took place in October 2009, with the successful test launch of the Ares I-X rocket which is designed to extend the range of human space flight to Mars.

The future of KSC and its workers is uncertain until President Obama decides how to proceed with the U.S. space program. When the shuttle program ends in 2010 or 2011, as many as 7,000 workers at the Kennedy Space Center will lose their jobs. In addition, 21,000 indirect jobs may be lost. Officials believe the unemployment rate in Brevard County, where KSC is located, may reach 13%. http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20091201/NEWS01/912010315/1006/news01

The wisdom of abandoning the shuttle space program with its replacement in development is a subject of debate. Some believe that the U.S. has to maintain a way to get our astronauts to and from the International Space Station and to preserve our space leadership. http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn13098-politician-urges-nasa-to-postpone-shuttles-retirement.html Others believe that it is past time to retire the shuttles with their aging technology and that the Russians can ferry our astronauts and equipment to the ISS. Whether the shuttles should be allowed to go beyond their current 25 years of service is also a controversial subject. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/columbia/richardson.html

The space shuttle Endeavor is scheduled to launch from Kennedy Space Center Launch Pad 39A at 5:52 A.M. EST on Feb. 4, 2010. Endeavor's 11-day mission (STS-130) is to deliver Tranquility Node 3, the final connecting node, to the International Space Station. http://www.nasa.gov/missions/highlights/schedule.htmla A Cupola unit will be attached. Three space walks are planned. The mission will be Endeavor's 24th flight and the 130th flight for the Space Shuttle Program. http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/05/nasa-updates-endeavours-2010-opening-sts-130-mission-carrying-node-3/

The Endeavor is concluding its processing in Orbiter Processing Facility 2. Its tank will be attached when it is rolled to the Vehicle Assembly Building on Dec. 15, 2009. http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/05/nasa-updates-endeavours-2010-opening-sts-130-mission-carrying-node-3/ Finally, Endeavor will be transferred from the VAB to Launch Pad 39A and prepared for launch.

After a flawless launch from the Kennedy Space Center space shuttle Atlantis was in earth's orbit heading for the International Space Station (ISS).. Carrying a crew of six, the space shuttle Atlantis (STS-129) took off from Launch Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center at 2:28 EST on Monday, Nov. 16, 2009, for an 11-day mission. The destination was the International Space Station. The crew is composed of Commander Charlie Hobaugh, Pilot Barry Wilmore, and Mission Specialists Leland Melvin, Mike Foreman, Robert Satcher, and Randy Bresnik. Only Melvin and Foreman had flown on a shuttle mission previously. Atlantis delivered several items to the space station, including gyroscopes, pump nodules, and an ammonia tank assembly. Three space walks took place while Atlantic was docked with the ISS. MIssion Specialist/ISS Flight Engineer Nicole Stott, who has been serving on the space station, is returning home with the Atlantis crew. http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html After spending Thanksgiving in orbit, the astronauts landed safely at KSC at 9:44 a.m, EST, on Friday, Nov. 26, 2009. http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/11/flawless-atlantis-home-kennedy-space-center/ The next and final scheduled mission of space shuttle Atlantis is scheduled to depart for the space station on May 14, 2010. http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/11/flawless-atlantis-home-kennedy-space-center/