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Discovery Comes Home
Credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller
With its drag chute unfurled, space shuttle Discovery rolls down Runway 15 at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Landing was at 11:57 a.m. EST, completing the 13-day STS-133 mission to the International Space Station.
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Home at Last
Credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller
Space shuttle Discovery's 39th and final flight concluded on March 9, 2011. Here, the "towback" vehicle pulls the spacecraft into Orbiter Processing Facility-2 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for a well-deserved rest. NASA will now prepare Discovery for future public display.
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Discovery's Last Crew: A Final Pose
Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
The last crew of shuttle Discovery, the STS-133 astronauts, poses for a photo in front of on the Shuttle Landing Facility's Runway 15 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida after landing on March 9, 2011.
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Discovery Touches Down
Credit: NASA/Tim Terry and Mike Kerley
Space shuttle Discovery touches down on Runway 15 at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida to end its final mission - STS-133 - on March 9, 2011. Landing was at 11:57 a.m. EST.
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Waiting for the Return
Credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden talks to about 50 eighth-grade students from McNair Magnet Middle School in Rockledge, Fla., and other invited guests who are at Kennedy Space Center in Florida to watch shuttle Discovery return from space for the last time.
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Welcome Home, Discovery!
Credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, about 50 eighth-grade students from McNair Magnet Middle School in Rockledge, Fla., and other invited guests watch shuttle Discovery return from space for the last time. Discovery touched down on the Shuttle Landing Facility's Runway 15 at 11:57 a.m. EST, completing the 13-day STS-133 mission to the International Space Station.
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Awaiting Inspection
Credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller
Two spent shuttle solid rocket boosters await inspection and cleaning near Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The boosters were used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24.
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Space Shuttle Discovery Landing
Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls
Space shuttle Discovery lands at Kennedy Space Center in Florida to complete its 39th and final flight.
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The Final Landing
Credit: NASA TV
Space shuttle Discovery lands back on Earth on March 9, 2011 after completing its final mission, STS-133. Discovery landed at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 11:57 a.m. EST.
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Discovery's Last Space Close-Up
Credit: NASA
Space shuttle Discovery sails high over the southwestern coast of Morocco in this image taken by International Space Station astronauts just after the two vehicles undocked on March 7, 2011 during the STS-133 mission.
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Space Road to Morocco
Credit: ESA/NASA
Space shuttle Discovery floats over southern Morocco during the ISS fly-around before departing to return to Earth.
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Shuttle Discovery and Space Station over New York City on March 7, 2011.
Credit: Tony Hoffman
Amateur astronomer Tony Hoffman of New York City took this long-exposure photo of the shuttle Discovery (right light line) and International Space Station as they flew over Flushing Meadows Park in Queens, NY on March 7, 2011 during the STS-133 mission, Discovery's last flight.
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Farewell, Discovery
Credit: NASA TV
Space shuttle Discovery is seen in cameras as it flies around the International Space Station after undocking for the final time on March 7, 2011 during its last mission, STS-133.
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Goodbye, Space Station
Credit: NASA TV
Space shuttle Discovery performs its flyaround shortly after undocking from the International Space Station on March 7, 2011 near the end of its final mission - STS-133.
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Discovery and the International Space Station by Skywatcher Rob Bullen
Credit: Rob Bullen
Skywatcher Rob Bullen of Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England caught this snapshot of shuttle Discovery (left) as it approached the International Space Staiton on Feb. 26, 2011. Discovery was flying its final mission, STS-133.
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Shuttle Discovery Prepares to Leave Station
Credit: NASA
Backdropped by Earth's horizon and the blackness of space, space shuttle Discovery and its remote manipulator system/orbiter boom sensor system (RMS/OBSS) is featured in this image photographed by an STS-133 crew member while docked with the International Space Station on March 6, 2011 during the shuttle's last flight, STS-133.
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Space Shuttle Discovery and ISS during spacewalk on March 2, 2011 by Martin Lewis
Credit: Martin Lewis via the Society of Popular Astronomy
Skywatcher Martin Lewis of St. Albans, Herts in the U.K. caught this amazing view of the docked shuttle Discovery and International Space Station on March 2, 2011 during a spacewalk. A spacewalker can be seen on a robot arm.
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Take a Picture
Credit: ESA/NASA
Astronaut Steve Bowen takes a picture while spacewalking and riding Canada’s robotic arm, during Discovery's STS-133 mission, March 2011.
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Open the Box!
Credit: ESA/NASA
Astronaut Paolo Nespoli writes, "Robonaut in its crate gets moved from PMM to the Lab. We’ll unpack it later, unless it takes over the ISS earlier!"
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Floating in My Tin Can
Credit: ESA/NASA
Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM) Leonardo is installed on the International Space Station during Space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 mission, March 2011.
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Module-a-go-go
Credit: ESA/NASA
Astronaut Paolo Nespoli writes, "PMM Leonardo is on the go!" Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM) Leonardo is moved during shuttle Discovery's final mission, STS-133.
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The Astronaut's Eye View
Credit: NASA
Backdropped by Earth's horizon and the blackness of space, the Cupola of the International Space Station and a docked Russian Progress spacecraft are featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 26 crew member while space shuttle Discovery (STS-133) remains docked with the station on March 2, 2011.
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Soyuz, ISS and Earth
Credit: NASA
A docked Russian Soyuz spacecraft (right) backdropped by the thin line of Earth's atmosphere and the blackness of space is featured in this image, which was taken by the STS-133 crew. The image also features a portion of the International Space Station's Quest airlock and solar array panels.
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President Obama Makes a Call
Credit: Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton
President Barack Obama makes a phone call with the crew of the Space Shuttle Discovery and the International Space Station from the Oval Office, March 3, 2011. Listening in the background are, from left: Ted Wackler, Acting Chief of Staff, Office of Science and Technology; Damon Wells, Assistant Director for Aeronautics and Space, Office of Science and Technology; and NASA Administrator Charles Bolden.
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Riding a Robot Arm in Space
Credit: NASA
Discovery STS-133 astronaut Steve Bowen stands at the tip of the International Space Station's Canadian robotic arm, with the Earth and space shuttle in the background, during the second spacewalk of his mission on March 2, 2011.
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The Zero G Dozen of Discovery and ISS
Credit: NASA
The crews of the International Space Station (Expedition 26) and the shuttle Discovery (STS-133) pose for a photo inside the newly attached Leonardo storage module, known as the Permanent Multipurpose Module, on March 1, 2011. They are (clockwise from the lower left) NASA astronauts Scott Kelly,; STS-133 mission specialists Alvin Drew, Steve Bowen, Nicole Stott; Russian cosmonauts Oleg Skripochka and Alexander Kaleri, NASA astronaut Cady Coleman, Russian cosmonaut Dmitry Kondratyev , STS-133 commander Steve Lindsey; European Space Agency astronaut Paolo Nespoli; STS-133 pilot Eric Boe; and mission specialists Michael Barratt.
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Spacewalking With a Smile
Credit: NASA
Astronauts Steve Bowen and Alvin Drew wave during the first spacewalk of their STS-133 mission on Feb. 28, 2011 while working outside the International Space Station during the final flight of space shuttle Discovery
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Astronaut Nicole Stott wearing glasses aboard Discovery on STS-133
Credit: NASA
NASA astronaut Nicole Stott, STS-133 mission specialist, wears "normal" glasses while working with a still camera on the middeck of space shuttle Discovery during flight day three activities.
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Steve Bowen and Al Drew Working Outside the ISS
Credit: ESA/NASA
ESA Astronaut Paoli Nespoli snapped this photo of Discovery shuttle astroanuts Alvin Drew and Steven Bowen during the first spacewalk of their STS-133 mission on Feb. 28, 2011.
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Astronaut Alvin Drew Collects Bottle of Space
Credit: NASA TV
The view from spacewalker Alvin Drew's helmet cam shows him opening the "Message in a Bottle" to capture space.
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Special Delivery for Space Station: A Zero G Closet
Credit: NASA TV
The Leonardo Permanent Multipurpose Module Leonardo being attached to the International Space Station, March 1, 2011, flight day 5 of NASA's STS-133 mission aboard the shuttle Discovery.
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The Gang's All Here
Credit: NASA TV
Space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 crew and the space station's Expedition 26 crew members speak with reporters during an in-flight interview on Feb. 27, 2011, the mission's fourth day.
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Shuttle Discovery and the PMM Space Closet
Credit: NASA
The docked space shuttle Discovery and the Canadian-built Dextre, also known as the Special Purpose Dextrous Manipulator, are featured in this photograph taken by the STS-133 crew aboard the station. The blackness of space and Earth's horizon provide the backdrop for the scene.
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Hello, Discovery!
Credit: ESA/NASA
Space shuttle Discovery is seen pulling up to the International Space Station on Feb. 26, 2010 during docking day for its final space mission STS-133. Italian astroanut Paolo Nespoli took this photo from inside the station. A Russian spacecraft is visible at top.
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A Moon With a View
Credit: NASA
A crescent moon is featured in this image photographed by an STS-133 crew member on space shuttle Discovery during flight day 3 activities on Feb. 26, 2011 during the shuttle's final mission.
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Discovery Docked at Space Station with Japan's HTV-2
Credit: NASA TV
NASA's space shuttle Discovery is shown docked to the International Space Station shortly after arriving on Feb. 26, 2011. The gold spacecraft at the bottom of this view is Japan's HTV-2 spacecraft.
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Over a Blue Earth
Credit: NASA
With a bright blue Earth in the background, the shuttle Discovery's robotic arm and heat shield inspection boom begins to conduct thorough inspections of the shuttle's thermal tile system on Feb. 25, 2011, flight day 2 of the shuttle's final spaceflight.
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Space Station in Sight
Credit: NASA
The International Space Station is featured in this image photographed by an STS-133 crew member on space shuttle Discovery as the shuttle approaches the station during rendezvous and docking operation on Feb. 27, 2011.
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Discovery Astronauts Take a Break
Credit: NASA
Astronauts Alvin Drew and Nicole Stott, both STS-133 mission specialists, take a break from flight day 2 duties on Discovery's aft flight deck on Feb. 25, 2011 during the STS-133 mission.
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Discovery Sets Sail for Space
Credit: NASA
Space shuttle Discovery heads to space after lifting off from Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida to begin its final flight to the International Space Station on the STS-133 mission. See more photos from Discovery's final mission to space.
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Permission to Come Aboard
Credit: NASA/Sandra Joseph and Kevin O'Connell
In the White Room at Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United Space Alliance spacesuit technicians help STS-133 Mission Specialist Nicole Stott put on the parachute for her launch-and-entry suit before she enters space shuttle Discovery through the crew hatch in the background.
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Proud of the Team
Credit: NASA
Space Shuttle Program Launch Integration Manager Mike Moses looks on proudly as Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach holds up a Discovery banner signed by the STS-133 astronauts, at a news conference held in the Press Site auditorium at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida following today's successful launch of space shuttle Discovery.
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Discovery Arcs Off the Planet
Credit: NASA/Ben Cooper
From the Banana River Creek VIP viewing area at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, spectators watch space shuttle Discovery's lift off from Launch Pad 39A on its final mission to the International Space Station. Discovery lifted off at 4:53 p.m. EST on Feb. 24.
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Discovery's Final Crew Heads to Launch Pad
The space shuttle Discovery's final crew, the six astronauts of NASA's STS-133 mission, head to Launch Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida for launch on Feb. 24, 2011.
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Ready for Launch (Close Up)
Credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller
At Nasa's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery is seen shortly after the rotating service structure was rolled back at Launch Pad 39A.
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Launch Day Arrives
Credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
Space shuttle Discovery's six STS-133 astronauts sit down to eat breakfast together in their Astronaut Crew Quarters located in NASA Kennedy Space Center's Operations and Checkout Building. The crew woke up at about 7 a.m. to begin final preparations before their scheduled launch at 4:50 p.m. From left, are Mission Specialists Alvin Drew and Steve Bowen, Pilot Eric Boe, Commander Steve Lindsey, and Mission Specialists Michael Barratt and Nicole Stott.
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Ready for Launch (Wide Shot)
Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls
At Nasa's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery is seen shortly after the rotating service structure was rolled back at Launch Pad 39A.
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Ready for Launch (High Angle)
Credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller
At Nasa's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery is seen shortly after the rotating service structure was rolled back at Launch Pad 39A.
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Walk in Silence
Credit: ESA/NASA
Halfway through the ISS airlock, Discovery shuttle astronaut Al Drew looks at the panorama for a second. This photo was taken by Italian astronaut Paolo Nespoli on the International Space Station on Feb. 28, 2011 during the first of two spacewalks for Discovery's STS-133 mission.
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Ready for Launch (Closer View)
Credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller
At Nasa's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery is seen shortly after the rotating service structure was rolled back at Launch Pad 39A.
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Landing Practice
Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
STS-133 Commander Steve Lindsey prepares for touch-and-go landing practice aboard a Shuttle Training Aircraft on the Shuttle Landing Facility runway at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The planes are modified Gulfstream II business jets that mimic the shuttle's handling during the final phase of landing. Practice landings are part of standard training before each space shuttle launch.
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Shuttle Discovery Poised for Last Launch
Space shuttle Discovery stands bathed in light ahead of its last launch into space on Feb. 24, 2011 on NASA's STS-133 mission.
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Here to Go
Credit: NASA/Frank Michaux
Space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 crew arrived on the Shuttle Landing Facility runway at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard four T-38 jets, on Sunday, Feb. 20. NASA plans to launch Discovery on Thursday, Feb. 24.
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STS-133 Crew Arrives
Space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 crew arrives at NASA's Kennedy Space Center on Feb. 20, 2011. From left: Nicole Stott, Michael Barratt, Steve Bowen, Al Drew, Eric Boe and Steven Lindsey.
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Space Shuttle Discovery Launch Pad Banner
Credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller
As dawn breaks over the Atlantic Ocean near Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a banner proclaims the sentiments of the work force at Kennedy Space Center following the rollout of space shuttle Discovery to the pad. Discovery is set to launch Feb. 24, 2011 on the STS-133 mission.
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The Names Have Been Changed
Credit: NASA
The STS-133 mission patch is based upon sketches from the late artist Robert McCall; they were the final creations of his long and prodigious career. In the foreground, a solitary orbiter ascends space. Stars surround the orbiter. The mission number, STS-133, is emblazoned on the patch center, with crewmembers' names bordering around the scene. This new patch replaces injured mission specialist Tim Kopra with NASA astronaut Steve Bowen.
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As Real as It May Seem
Credit: NASA/JSC
STS-133 astronauts Michael Barratt and Nicole Stott, both mission specialists, participate in an exercise in the systems engineering simulator in the Avionics Systems Laboratory at NASA's Johnson Space Center. The facility includes moving scenes of full-sized International Space Station components over a simulated Earth.
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Shuttle Discovery's Final Launch Pad Rollout
Space shuttle Discovery, bathed in Xenon lights, rolls out to Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Jan. 31, 2011.
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Discovery Shuttle Astronauts Cut Loose in Goofy Photo
Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
STS-133 astronauts take a break from a simulated liftoff countdown next to the space shuttle Discovery. From left: Eric Boe, Michael Barratt, Steve Lindsey, Tim Kopra, Nicole Stott, and Alvin Drew.
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Robonaut 2
Credit: SPACE.com, Stephanie Pappas
Robonaut 2, the first human-like robot designed for use in space, is ready for launch.
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Space Shuttle Discovery - VAB
Credit: NASA/Frank Michaux
Work platforms inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida surround the space shuttle Discovery, its solid rocket boosters and external fuel tank.
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Shuttle Discovery's Gas Leaks Repaired in Time for Wednesday Launch
Credit: NASA/Troy Cryder
The space shuttle Discovery and its STS-133 crew will deliver the Permanent Multipurpose Module, packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2, the dexterous humanoid astronaut helper, to the International Space Station. The launch attempt on Wed., Nov. 3 was delayed, however.
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Hello, It's Me
Credit: NASA/JSC
Mission Specialist Steve Bowen was picked to replace the injured Tim Kopra on the STS-133 flight. Here, he uses a communication system during a training session in the fixed-base shuttle mission simulator inside the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center.
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Slip Slidin' Away
Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
On Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, STS-133 crew members receive instruction on the operation of the pad's slidewire basket system emergency exit training. Inside the basket are Mission Specialists Nicole Stott (at left) and Michael Barratt.
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Entourage
Credit: NASA
The crew of STS-133 poses in front of a Destiny lab trainer. The six crew members surround Robonaut 2, which they will ferry to the International Space Station. Tim Kopra, however, has been replaced owing to injury since this picture was taken.
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Sweet Ride
Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-133 Commander Steve Lindsey prepares to practice driving an M-113 armored personnel carrier, kept at the foot of the launch pad in the event of emergency egress. Behind him (left to right) are Mission Specialists Michael Barratt and Alvin Drew, Pilot Eric Boe, and Mission Specialists Tim Kopra and Nicole Stott.
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The Second Time Around
Credit: NASA/Frank Michaux
Viewed from inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery awaited its 3.4-mile journey to Launch Pad 39A on Jan. 31, 2011. The shuttle took seven hours to complete the move. That was the second time Discovery rolled out to the pad for the STS-133 mission.
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Happy Families
Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
Outside the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Kennedy employees, with their families and friends, watch space shuttle Discovery roll out to Launch Pad 39A. Discovery is targeted to liftoff Feb. 24.
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The Replacement
Astronaut Stephen G. Bowen, mission specialist, will replace injured Tim Kopra on the STS-133 mission.
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Fans
Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
NASA astronaut Terry Virts signs autographs at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida while space shuttle Discovery rolls out to Launch Pad 39A. Virts piloted the STS-130 mission that took the cupola to the International Space Station in 2010.
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Space Shuttle Discovery's Last Crew Arrives at Launch Site
Space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 crew arrives at Kennedy Space Center on Oct. 28, 2010 ahead of their planned Nov. 1 launch - the last flight of Discovery. From left: Nicole Stott, Michael Barratt, Tim Kopra, Al Drew, Eric Boe and Steven Lindsey.
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It's a Brand New Day
Credit: NASA
Dawn over the Atlantic Ocean near Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida reveals space shuttle Discovery in place for its upcoming launch.
