A Mighty Endeavour: Building a Space Shuttle

Apr. 25, 1991: The OV-105 is rolled out after the final parts are put in place at Boeing's Rockwell Palmdale facility. Here's a look at what happened behind the scenes as the shuttle was put together.  (Boeing Corp.)

July 18, 1986: The initial build of the crew module, in Bldg 290 high bay at Boeing's Rockwell Downey facility. (Boeing Corp.)

Jan. 20, 1987: The crew module is shown being lowered into the vacuum chamber test facility at Rockwell Downey facility. (Boeing Corp.)

Sept. 10, 1987: The mid fuselage is delivered from General Dynamics in San Diego to Boeing's Rockwell Palmdale facility. (Boeing Corp.)

Jan. 20, 1988: The crew module is shown being lowered into the lower forward fuselage at Rockwell Palmdale facility. (Boeing Corp.)

Jan. 20, 1988: The crew module is lowered into the lower forward fuselage at Rockwell Palmdale facility. (Boeing Corp.)

Feb. 19, 1988: The right wing being installed to the mid fuselage at Rockwell Palmdale facility, Calif.  (Boeing Corp.)

Aug 2, 1989: The installation of the liquid hydrogen (LH2) and liquid oxygen (LO2) manifolds in the aft fuselage at Rockwell Downey facility, Calif. (Boeing Corp.)

Dec. 20, 1989: The aft fuselage is joined to the mid fuselage at the Rockwell Palmdale facility. (Boeing Corp.)

Feb. 28, 1990: The forward fuselage/crew module is installed in Boeing's Rockwell Palmdale facility. (Boeing Corp.)

Aug. 27, 1990: This image shows the vertical tail being installed in Rockwell Palmdale facility. (Boeing Corp.)

Sept. 9, 1990: This the payload bay doors are installed. (Boeing Corp.)

May 1, 1991: This image shows OV-105, Endeavour, being mated to the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) at Rockwell Palmdale facility. (Boeing Corp.)

Apr. 25, 1991: This image shows OV-105, Endeavour, being rolled out at Rockwell Palmdale facility, Calif.  (Boeing Corp.)