Retro Space Pictures: Building Shuttle Atlantis

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Moving Day

Boeing

Upon completion of Atlantis' assembly, the new orbiter is moved from Rockwell's Palmdale facility to NASA's Dryden Flight and Research Facility on April 9, 1985.

On the Move to Dryden

Boeing

Basked in sunlight, Atlantis is rolled to NASA's Dryden Flight and Research Facility on April 9, 1985.

Atlantis' Transport to Dryden

Boeing

Atlantis is transported from Rockwell's Palmdale plant to NASA's Dryden Flight and Research Facility in this photo from April 9, 1985.

Make Way

Boeing

Space shuttle coming through! The newly constructed shuttle Atlantis is transported from Rockwell's Palmdale plant to NASA's Dryden Flight and Research Facility in this photo from April 9, 1985.

A Historic Journey

Boeing

With its assembly complete, Atlantis makes its historic journey from Rockwell's Palmdale plant to NASA's Dryden Flight and Research Facility on April 9, 1985.

A Long Awaited Arrival

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Atlantis arrives at NASA's Dryden Flight and Research Facility on April 9, 1985.

Denise Chow
Denise Chow
NBC News science writer

Denise Chow is a former Space.com staff writer who then worked as assistant managing editor at Live Science before moving to NBC News as a science reporter, where she focuses on general science and climate change. She spent two years with Space.com, writing about rocket launches and covering NASA's final three space shuttle missions, before joining the Live Science team in 2013. A Canadian transplant, Denise has a bachelor's degree from the University of Toronto, and a master's degree in journalism from New York University. At NBC News, Denise covers general science and climate change.