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Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center Micheala Sosby (NASA/GSFC): Lead Producer Katie Atkinson (GSFC Interns): Lead Producer C. Alex Young (NASA/GSFC): Narrator Aaron E. Lepsch (ADNET Systems Inc.): Technical Support Music: "Flow" by Lee Rosevere

Space shuttle Atlantis and its six-member crew began an 11-day delivery flight to the International Space Station on Monday with a 2:28 p.m. EST launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The shuttle will transport spare hardware to the outpost and return a station crew member who spent more than two months in space. Atlantis is carrying about 30,000 pounds of replacement parts for systems that provide power to the station, keep it from overheating, and maintain a proper orientation in space. The large equipment can best be transported using the shuttle's unique capabilities.

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has several key purposes: Studying the Early Universe: JWST will help scientists observe the formation of the first galaxies and stars after the Big Bang, providing insights into the universe's early history. Characterizing Exoplanets: The telescope will analyze the atmospheres of exoplanets (planets outside our solar system) to determine their composition and potential habitability. Studying Star Formation: JWST will examine regions where stars are born, revealing details about the processes that lead to the formation of stars and planetary systems. Observing Distant Galaxies: By observing galaxies at extreme distances, JWST will allow researchers to study their formation and evolution over cosmic time. Infrared Observations: JWST is optimized for infrared observations, which can penetrate dust clouds and provide clearer views of certain astronomical phenomena, such as distant galaxies and protostars. Investigating Black Holes: The telescope will contribute to the study of black holes, their properties, and their interactions with their surroundings. Overall, the James Webb Space Telescope aims to expand our understanding of the universe's origins, evolution, and the many celestial phenomena that shape it.

The Hubble Space Telescope, renowned for its captivating imagery, embarked on a remarkable auditory journey as it captured the enigmatic "sound" of space. While space is largely a vacuum devoid of air, the telescope's sensitive instruments were able to convert the electromagnetic radiation emitted by celestial objects into sound waves perceptible to human ears. The resulting recordings unveiled a symphony of cosmic phenomena, from the haunting echoes of distant stars to the rhythmic pulsations of quasars. These sonic representations offer a unique perspective, allowing us to experience the universe in an entirely novel way, and further deepening our understanding of its vast and intricate nature.