STS-124 Mission Updates: Part 3

Shuttle Crew Disembarks Discovery
14 June 2008 12:42 p.m. EDT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. ? The seven-astronaut crew of NASA?s shuttle Discovery have exited their spacecraft and are now in a mobile welcome room on the tarmac of the Shuttle Landing Facility here at the Kennedy Space Center.

They?re expected to inspect Discovery to see how it fared during its successful landing today in a short while.

NASA will hold a post-landing press conference in about an hour, with the astronauts themselves slated to speak about their mission later this afternoon.

Click here to see SPACE.com?s landing wrap story.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery?s mission live on NASA TV. Click here for SPACE.com's NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left of this page.

-- Tariq Malik

Touchdown! Discovery Lands Safely in Florida
14 June 2008 11:15 a.m. EDT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. ? Shuttle Discovery and its crew of seven astronauts has safely landed at Florida's Kennedy Space Center, following a two-week mission to the International Space Station (ISS) and the successful installation of Japan's Kibo science laboratory module. After a journey of 5.7 million miles, Discovery touched down on Runway 15 at the Shuttle Landing Facility at 11:15 a.m. EDT (1515 GMT) to complete its 35^th space voyage.

Veteran commander Mark Kelly and rookie pilot Ken Ham guided the Orbiter on its fiery plunge through the atmosphere and hour-long free-fall descent back to Earth, then precisely executed a series of turns and banking maneuvers that bled-off excess speed and slowed the 203,320-pound spaceplane for its powerless landing on the 3-mile long paved runway. All spacecraft systems performed as expected.

Discovery's STS-124 crew included flight engineer Ronald Garan, mission specialists Karen Nyberg and Michael Fossum, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, and returning ISS Flight Engineer Garrett Reisman who returns to earth after a 95-day tour of duty on the orbiting outpost. During re-entry and descent, Reisman was strapped into a special recumbent seat in the orbiter?s middeck, which kept him in a reclined position during the ride home to ease his body?s re-acclimation to gravity.

A convoy of landing support vehicles is now approaching Discovery and technicians will soon begin to 'safe' the vehicle ? purging the spacecraft of its toxic propellants ? to be followed by the astronauts' egress and traditional 'walkaround' of the spacecraft.

Discovery's return marks the 69^th space shuttle landing at the Kennedy Space Center and the 5^th consecutive mission to land in Florida.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery's STS-124 mission live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com?s NASA TV, feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

-- Roger Guillemette

Shuttle Discovery Flying Over Gulf of Mexico
14 June 2008 11:02 a.m. EDT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. ? Shuttle Discovery is crossing over the Gulf of Mexico, just west of Cuba, as it continues its long, gliding approach to Florida's Kennedy Space Center. Touchdown at the Shuttle Landing Facility is scheduled for 11:15 a.m. EDT (1515 GMT).

Mission Control confirms all spacecraft systems are performing as expected.

The Orbiter will soon enter U.S. airspace over the Florida's Gulf Coast, near Naples and Marco Island, on its cross-peninsula landing approach. Commander Mark Kelly and pilot Ken Ham are piloting the 203,320-pound spaceplane through a series of turns and banking maneuvers to slow the vehicle and expend excess energy in preparation for its powerless landing, culminating with left overhead turn of 245 degrees to precisely align with Runway 15 ? the northwest-to-southeast landing strip.

Weather conditions at the landing site are near-perfect for Discovery's homecoming, with scattered clouds at 3,000 feet and light sea breezes. NASA chief astronaut Steve Lindsey is flying the Shuttle Training Aircraft on practice approaches to Runway 15 and relaying his observations to flight controllers.

Discovery's crew includes flight engineer Ronald Garan, mission specialists Karen Nyberg and Michael Fossum, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, and returning ISS Flight Engineer Garrett Reisman who is returning to earth after a 95-day tour of duty on the orbiting outpost. During re-entry and descent, Reisman is strapped into a special recumbent seat in the orbiter?s middeck, keeping him in a reclined position during the ride home to ease his body?s re-acclimation to gravity.

Discovery's touchdown will mark the 69^th space shuttle landing at the Kennedy Space Center and the 5^th consecutive mission to land in Florida.

Click here for a look at today?s landing day plan for the shuttle crew.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery's STS-124 mission live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com?s NASA TV, feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

-- Roger Guillemette

Discovery Re-entering Earth's Atmosphere  
14 June 2008 10:43 a.m. EDT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. ? Shuttle Discovery is now transitioning from spacecraft to aircraft, encountering the upper fringes of Earth's atmosphere - known as 'Entry Interface' - at about 400,000 feet above the southern Pacific Ocean as it begins its fiery descent and a long, gliding approach to the 3-mile long landing strip at Florida's Kennedy Space Center.

Landing on Runway 15 - the northwest-to-southeast runway - at the Shuttle Landing Facility is scheduled for 11:15 a.m. EDT (1515 GMT). All spacecraft systems are performing as expected.

With the heat on its Thermal Protection System tiles building to 2,500 degrees F, Discovery will be flying south to north, across Mexico, Central America and the Yucatan Peninsula, crossing over the Gulf of Mexico west of Cuba and then descending over Florida's Gulf Coast near Naples and Marco Island on its final cross-peninsula approach for landing.

Commander Mark Kelly and pilot Ken Ham completed a 2-minute, 35-second firing of Discovery's twin Orbital Maneuvering System engines that began at 10:10 a.m. EDT (1410 GMT), reducing the Orbiter's velocity sufficiently to drop it out of orbit and begin its hour-long free-fall descent back to Earth. Kelly and Ham will pilot the 203,320-pound spaceplane through a series of turns and banking maneuvers, known as 'roll reversals', to slow the vehicle for its powerless touchdown at the Kennedy Space Center.

Weather conditions at the landing site are described as "very stable" and well within acceptable limits for landing, with just scattered clouds at 3,000 feet and negligible sea breezes. NASA chief astronaut Steve Lindsey continues to fly the Shuttle Training Aircraft on practice landing approaches to Runway 15 and relaying his observations to flight controllers.

Click here for a look at today?s landing day plan for the shuttle crew.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery's STS-124 mission live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com?s NASA TV, feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

-- Roger Guillemette

Discovery Heading Home to Florida  
14 June 2008 10:13 a.m. EDT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. ? Shuttle Discovery has ignited its braking rockets to start a fiery plunge through Earth's atmosphere and a long, gliding descent to the Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility. Weather conditions are near-perfect for the spaceplane's return with just scattered clouds at 3,000 feet and negligible sea breezes.

Touchdown on Runway 15 ? the northwest to southeast landing strip - is scheduled for 11:15 a.m. EDT (1515 GMT).

Commander Mark Kelly and pilot Ken Ham just completed a 2-minute, 35-second firing of Discovery's twin Orbital Maneuvering System engines that began at 10:10 a.m. EDT (1410 GMT) to reduce the shuttle's velocity sufficiently to drop it out of orbit and begin the hour-long free-fall descent back to Earth. The de-orbit burn slowed Discovery's velocity by about 289 feet/second (approx. 197 miles/hour).

Discovery and its crew of seven astronauts will first encounter the upper fringes of the atmosphere at about 400,000 feet above the southern Pacific Ocean, flying north across Mexico, Central America and the Yucatan Peninsula, crossing over the Gulf of Mexico to the west of Cuba and then descending over Florida's Gulf Coast near Naples and Marco Island on its final approach for landing.

NASA chief astronaut Steve Lindsey has been flying landing approaches in the Shuttle Training Aircraft ? a specially modified Gulfstream jet that simulates the shuttle's handling characteristics ? closely monitoring the scattered clouds and evaluating the weather conditions that Discovery will encounter on its approach and landing.

Click here for a look at today?s landing day plan for the shuttle crew.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery's STS-124 mission live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com?s NASA TV, feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

-- Roger Guillemette

Discovery 'Go' for Florida Landing  
14 June 2008 9:50 a.m. EDT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. ? Mission managers have cleared shuttle Discovery for an 11:15 a.m. EDT (1515 GMT) landing at the Kennedy Space Center where weather conditions are near-ideal for the spaceplane's return to Earth. Discovery will touch down on the first of today's two Florida landing opportunities ? a thickening deck of scattered clouds over the Space Coast was of little concern to flight controllers as they are not producing any precipitation.

Visibility is excellent and the oft-troubling sea breeze is negligible this morning ? alleviating any crosswind issues as the Orbiter makes its landing approach.

Commander Mark Kelly and pilot Ken Ham have been given the 'Go' to initiate the de-orbit burn at 10:10:12 a.m. EDT (1410:12 GMT), culminating in a landing on Runway 15 at the Shuttle Landing Facility.

Discovery's twin Orbital Maneuvering System engines will be fired for 2 minutes and 35 seconds, high above the Indian Ocean, to slow the Orbiter's velocity sufficiently to begin its fiery descent through Earth's atmosphere and a long, gliding approach to the 3-mile long landing strip at the Kennedy Space Center.

Discovery will first encounter the upper fringes of the atmosphere at about 400,000 feet above the southern Pacific Ocean, flying across Mexico, Central America and the Yucatan Peninsula, crossing over the Gulf of Mexico to the west of Cuba and then descending over Florida's Gulf Coast near Naples and Marco Island on its final approach for landing.

NASA chief astronaut Steve Lindsey has been flying landing approaches in the Shuttle Training Aircraft ? a specially modified Gulfstream jet that simulates the shuttle's handling characteristics ? closely monitoring the scattered clouds for any signs of precipitation and evaluating the weather conditions that Discovery will encounter on its approach and landing.

Click here for a look at today?s landing day plan for the shuttle crew.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery's STS-124 mission live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com?s NASA TV, feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

-- Roger Guillemette

Shuttle Crew Checks Systems for Landing
14 June 2008 9:41.m. EDT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. ? Discovery shuttle commander Mark Kelly and his crew are preparing their orbiter for its planned descent through the Earth?s atmosphere for today?s landing at 11:15 a.m. EDT (1515 GMT) at the Kennedy Space Center here.

They were slated to check the gimbals for Discovery?s aft-mounted Orbital Maneuvering System engines and start the Auxiliary Power Unit that will power the spacecraft?s flight control surfaces for the hour-long glide to landing.

Some scattered clouds have broken out above Discovery?s Shuttle Landing Facility here at the Kennedy Space Center, but pose no threat to today?s landing, NASA said.

Entry flight director Richard Jones is polling his team for a ?go? or ?no go? for the 10:10 a.m. EDT (1410 GMT) deorbit engine burn that will propel Discovery back down to Earth.

Click here for a look at today?s landing day plan for the shuttle crew.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery?s mission live on NASA TV. Click here for SPACE.com's NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left of this page.

-- Tariq Malik

Shuttle Astronauts Suit up for Landing
14 June 2008 9:00 a.m. EDT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. ? The seven astronauts aboard NASA?s space shuttle Discovery are donning their bright orange pressure suits for today?s 11:15 a.m. EDT (1515 GMT) landing here at the Kennedy Space Center.

At about 9:10 a.m. EDT (1310 GMT), they are slated to strap themselves into the seats for today?s descent through the Earth?s atmosphere. The 2-minute, 36-second engine burn to leave orbit is set for 10:10 a.m. EDT (1410 GMT).

The weather continues to look good for today?s landing, with NASA?s chief astronaut Steve Lindsey flying recon approaches on Discovery?s Runway 15 strip.

Click here for a look at today?s landing day plan for the shuttle crew.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery?s mission live on NASA TV. Click here for SPACE.com's NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left of this page.

-- Tariq Malik

Weather Near Perfect for Shuttle Landing
14 June 2008 8:26 a.m. EDT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. ? The weather continues to be pristine on this clear Saturday morning for today?s shuttle landing here at the Kennedy Space Center.

With just a few clouds, light winds and virtually non-existent crosswinds, the stage is set for the shuttle Discovery?s 11:15 a.m. EDT (1515 GMT) landing on Runway 15 ? commander Mark Kelly?s preferred approach.

Visibility on the runway is now 10 miles, though rain showers are still expected later today during a second landing opportunity at 12:50 p.m. EDT (1650 GMT).

Kelly and his six-astronaut crew are set to don their bright orange launch/entry pressure suits at about 8:45 a.m. EDT (1245 GMT) for today?s landing.

Click here for a look at today?s landing day plan for the shuttle crew.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery?s mission live on NASA TV. Click here for SPACE.com's NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left of this page.

-- Tariq Malik

Runway Set for Shuttle Landing
14 June 2008 8:07 a.m. EDT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. ? After a detailed discussion, entry flight director Richard Jones has settled on Runway 15 here at NASA?s Kennedy Space Center for today?s planned landing of the space shuttle Discovery.

The runway, a northwest to southeast approach on NASA?s 3-mile Shuttle Landing Facility here, is the preferred site for shuttle commander Mark Kelly.

Flight controllers were debating whether to switch to Runway 33, a southeast to northwest approach on the same strip, due to sun glare concerns, but chief astronaut Steve Lindsey found the original approach acceptable during practice runs.

Click here for a look at today?s landing day plan for the shuttle crew.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery?s mission live on NASA TV. Click here for SPACE.com's NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left of this page.

-- Tariq Malik

Shuttle Astronauts Close Payload Bay Doors
14 June 2008 7:30 a.m. EDT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. ? Astronauts aboard the shuttle Discovery have closed the shell-like payload bay doors of their spacecraft, a major milestone for today?s planned landing at 11:15 a.m. EDT (1515 GMT) here at the Kennedy Space Center.

Meanwhile, NASA?s chief astronaut Steve Lindsey has reported good weather conditions at Discovery?s runway here at the space center. He is flying a NASA T-38 jet on landing approaches and will later switch to a Shuttle Training Aircraft designed to mimic a landing orbiter.

Click here for a look at today?s landing day plan for the shuttle crew.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery?s mission live on NASA TV. Click here for SPACE.com's NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left of this page.

-- Tariq Malik

Space Shuttle on Track for Landing Today
14 June 2008 7:00 a.m. EDT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. ? The space shuttle Discovery is on track for its planned landing here at the Kennedy Space Center today, with touchdown set for 11:15 a.m. EDT (1515 GMT).

With an encouraging forecast ahead, shuttle commander Mark Kelly and his crew are due to fire their spacecraft?s engines at 10:10 a.m. EDT (1410 GMT) to begin the long descent back to Earth.

The next major milestone is payload bay door closing, where the Kelly and his crew will shut the shell-like doors of Discovery?s cargo bay, at about 7:30 a.m. EDT (1130 GMT).

Returning to Earth with Kelly are shuttle pilot Kenneth Ham and mission specialists Karen Nyberg, Ronald Garan, Michael Fossum, Japanese astronaut Akihiko Hoshide and returning space station crewmember Garrett Reisman. They are wrapping up a 14-day mission deliver a new crewmember and Japan?s $1 billion Kibo lab to the International Space Station.

Click here for a look at today?s landing day plan for the shuttle crew.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery?s mission live on NASA TV. Click here for SPACE.com's NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left of this page.

-- Tariq Malik

Weather Looks Good for Shuttle Landing
14 June 2008 6:00 a.m. EDT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. ? The weather looks good for the first landing opportunity today for NASA?s space shuttle Discovery.

Aside from light winds and a few clouds, the runways at NASA?s Kennedy Space Center are pristine for today?s planned landing at 11:15 a.m. EDT (1515 GMT). There is the slight possibility of glare on Runway 15 at the center, though the Runway 33 approach appears to be fine.

NASA?s chief astronaut Steve Lindsey will be flying landing approaches on both runways to check the sun glare conditions later today.

Discovery commander Mark Kelly just said he prefers a landing on Runway 15 if the glare is minor, but will opt for Runway 33 if required.  

A second landing opportunity at 12:50 p.m. EDT (1650 GMT) does have a slight chance of nearby rain showers.

Click here for a look at today?s landing day plan for the shuttle crew.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery?s mission live on NASA TV. Click here for SPACE.com's NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left of this page.

-- Tariq Malik

Shuttle Crew Set up Seats for Landing
14 June 2008 5:30 a.m. EDT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. ? The seven-astronaut crew of NASA?s shuttle Discovery have set up the seats they will use for today?s planned 11:15 a.m. EDT (1515 GMT) landing.

Returning to Earth aboard the shuttle are shuttle commander Mark Kelly, pilot Kenneth Ham and mission specialists Karen Nyberg, Ronald Garan, Michael Fossum, Japanese astronaut Akihiko Hoshide and returning space station crewmember Garrett Reisman.

The astronauts are ahead of schedule and the weather is looking good for their initial landing attempt, which calls on them to fire their spacecraft?s engines at 10:10 a.m. EDT (1410 GMT) over the southern Indian Ocean, then fly over Central America on approach to its Florida landing site here at the Kennedy Space Center.

Click here for a look at today?s landing day plan for the shuttle crew.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery?s mission live on NASA TV. Click here for SPACE.com's NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left of this page.

-- Tariq Malik

Shuttle Crew Awakes for Landing Day
14 June 2008 3:00 a.m. EDT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. ? The seven astronauts of NASA?s space shuttle Discovery are awake for what is expected to be their last day in orbit as they prepare for a planned 11:15 a.m. EDT (1515 GMT) landing today.

NASA?s Mission Control in Houston roused the shuttle?s STS-124 crew at about 2:32 a.m. EDT (0732 GMT) with the song ?Life on an Ocean Wave? by the Merchant Marine Academy band, a tune selected for shuttle commander Mark Kelly and the entire crew.

?Good morning Houston, I want to thank the staff, midshipmen and alumni Merchant Marine Academy for that song,? Kelly said. ?The mission?s coming to an end but it?s going to be good to get home today.?

Today is Flight Day 15 of Discovery?s planned 14-day mission deliver a new crewmember and Japan?s $1 billion Kibo lab to the International Space Station.

Click here for a look at today?s landing day plan for the shuttle crew.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery?s mission live on NASA TV. Click here for SPACE.com's NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left of this page.

-- Tariq Malik

Shuttle?s Lost Metal Clip no Risk for Landing
13 June 2008 11:36 a.m. EDT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. ? A lost metal clip drifting away from the space shuttle Discovery poses no risk to the orbiter?s planned landing tomorrow, Mission Control told the seven astronauts aboard the spacecraft.

?We?re confident that this is going to be no impact for entry,? NASA astronaut Terry Virts radioed the crew, adding that similar clips have been lost on previous shuttle missions all the way back to the first flight, STS-1, in 1981.

The clip is one of three used to protect Discovery?s tail-mounted rudder speed brake against heat during launch, and not required for landing, he said.

A small bump thought to be loose insulation on the shuttle?s tail is actually just an artifact of lighting, Virts added.

Neither problem poses any concern for tomorrow?s planned Saturday landing at 11:15 a.m. EDT (1515 GMT) here at the Kennedy Space Center.

Click here for a look at today?s day in space for the shuttle crew.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery?s mission live on NASA TV. Click here for SPACE.com's NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left of this page.

-- Tariq Malik

Debris Appears to Pose No Problem
13 June 2008 10:55 a.m. EDT

Based on preliminary examination of photos taken this morning showing a piece of debris floating away from the space shuttle Discovery, NASA mission managers think it will pose no threat to the shuttle.

The debris appears to be one of three small metallic thermal clips that reside in the shuttle's tail-mounted rudder speed break. The roughly 1 to 1.5 foot piece of debris was spotted floating away early this morning after the shuttle test fired its thrusters.

"[It's not] considered to be a critical item? So far it doesn?t appear to pose any concern for the safe return of the astronauts to the Kennedy Space Center tomorrow," said NASA commentator Rob Navias.

Mission managers also think the small protuberance that was seen on the rudder this morning is a small piece of thermal insulation associated with that clip. They also think this is unlikely to cause problems for the shuttle.

Click here for a look at today?s day in space for the shuttle crew.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery?s mission live on NASA TV. Click here for SPACE.com's NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left of this page.

-- Clara Moskowitz

Astronauts Spot Debris Leaving Shuttle
13 June 2008 8:00 a.m. EDT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. ? Discovery astronauts have completed their flight control systems checks, but spotted bit of debris departing the departing the shuttle after test firing its thrusters.

The small, rectangular object was seen floating away from the aft starboard wing of Discovery and appeared to be about 1-1.5 feet long and shiny in nature.

?It is not yet known what that object might be,? said NASA commentator Rob Navias, adding that it?s not uncommon for objects to drift out of shuttle payload bay during flight control systems checks.

Shuttle commander Mark Kelly later reported the debris appeared to be leaving the orbiter at a rate of about 1 foot per second.

Astronauts noted a protrusion of what appeared to be thermal insulation on Discovery?s tail-mounted speed brake. They have sent images to Mission Control of the protrusion to Earth, though flight controllers do not believe it represents a concern.

Click here for a look at today?s day in space for the shuttle crew.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery?s mission live on NASA TV. Click here for SPACE.com's NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left of this page.

-- Tariq Malik

Shuttle Astronauts Wake for Last Full Space Day
13 June 2008 4:00 a.m. EDT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. ? Astronauts aboard NASA?s shuttle Discovery are up and working through what they plan to be their last full day in space as they gear up for a planned Saturday landing.

NASA?s Mission Control in Houston roused the crew at about 3:02 a.m. EDT (0702 GMT) with the song ?Baby Won?t You Please Come Home? by Louis Prima and Keely Smith, a tune selected for returning space station astronaut Garrett Reisman by his wife Simone. Reisman is returning to Earth aboard Discovery after three months aboard the International Space Station.

"Good morning to you Houston and a special good morning to Simone, my favorite Earthling," Reisman said. "Get ready doll face, Discovery's

Discovery astronauts will test shuttle systems for landing, stow final bits of cargo and set up a special seat to help Reisman endure the return to Earth?s gravity today. They?ll also discuss their mission with reporters at about 11:52 a.m. EDT (1552 GMT).

Today is Flight Day 14 of Discovery?s planned 14-day mission to deliver a new crewmember and Japan?s Kibo lab to the space station.

Click here for a look at today?s day in space for the shuttle crew.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery?s mission live on NASA TV. Click here for SPACE.com's NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left of this page.

-- Tariq Malik

Astronauts Stow Shuttle?s Robotic Arm
12 June 2008 2:23 p.m. EDT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.  ? After taking the morning off, astronauts aboard NASA?s space shuttle Discovery are working to stow the orbiter?s 50-foot (15-meter) robotic arm as well as its inspection pole as they prepare for a Saturday landing.

Mission specialists Karen Nyberg and Ronald Garan will place the arm in its sill-mounted cradle, where it will stay for the remainder of NASA?s STS-124 mission. First, though, they are stowing the orbiter?s sensor-tipped heat shield inspection boom on the other side of the payload bay.

Earlier, all seven astronauts spoke with reporters on Earth during a series of televised interviews.

?The whole experience turned out to be more emotional than I?d expect,? shuttle pilot Ken Ham. ?Seeing space station out the window and realizing that it?s all very real and we?re part of it, it?s a great time to be part of this country. It?s a pretty incredible feeling.?

Click here for a look Discovery?s day off in space.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery?s mission live on NASA TV. Click here for SPACE.com's NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left of this page.

-- Tariq Malik

Shuttle Crew Set for Orbital Day Off
12 June 2008 4:00 a.m. EDT

HOUSTON ? The seven astronauts aboard the shuttle Discovery are up and eager a few hours to themselves today as they prepare for a Saturday landing.

NASA?s Mission Control here at the Johnson Space Center roused the astronauts at 3:32 a.m. EDT (0732 GMT) with the song ?Crystal Frontier? by the band Calexico, a tune chosen for shuttle commander Mark Kelly by his wife Gabrielle Giffords, a U.S. Congresswoman from Arizona, and his two daughters.

?Good morning, and it?s a very good morning in space,? Kelly radioed Mission Control. ?I?d like to thank my wonderful wife Gabriele and kids Bonnie and Claire.?

Today is Flight Day 13 of Discovery?s planned 14-day mission to deliver Japan?s Kibo lab and a new astronaut to the International Space Station.

Click here for a look Discovery?s day off in space today.