The
seven-astronaut crew of NASA's STS-120 mission to the International Space
Station (ISS) launched on Oct. 23, 2007 to lay the foundation for
future additions to the orbital laboratory.
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STS-120 Mission Elapsed Time
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Commanded
by veteran spaceflyer Pamela Melroy, the seven-astronaut STS-120 crew launched aboard NASA's shuttle Discovery at 11:38 a.m. EDT (1538 GMT) from the
Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla.
During the
15-day mission, the STS-120 crew performed four spacewalks to
install the new Harmony connecting node, relocate and old ISS solar power
segment and repair a torn solar array.
Below is SPACE.com's
special report of NASA's STS-120 mission. Stories appear in reverse chronological
order, with the most recent updates first. This page was last updated on November
12, 2007.
Successful Construction Flight
Shuttle Astronauts Hailed for 'Terrific Mission'
Just a day after landing from their 15-day flight aboard space shuttle Discovery, the crew of STS-120 returned home to Houston on Thursday, where they were met by their NASA coworkers, family, friends, fans and the President of the United States George Bush.
After Busy Flight, Shuttle Astronauts Glad to be Home
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The seven-astronaut crew of space shuttle Discovery finished a long journey in space today and are glad to be back on solid ground.
NASA Relishes Shuttle Flight's Success
CAPE CANVERAL, Fla. - Seven astronauts safely returned to Earth today on board space shuttle Discovery, ending a space station construction mission that NASA called a tremendous success.
Space Shuttle Discovery Returns to Earth Safely
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Discovery and its seven-astronaut crew returned safely to Earth today, sailing over the heartland of America after a busy construction flight to the International Space Station (ISS).
Space Shuttle Should Make Loud Flyover Today
For the first time since the tragic loss of Columbia in February 2003, early this afternoon, a space shuttle will attempt a return to Florida's Kennedy Space Center by taking a path across the contiguous United States.
Space Shuttle Discovery to Land Today
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Clear skies and a slight breeze await space shuttle Discovery and its seven-astronaut crew as they maneuver toward a landing at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) this afternoon.
BLOG: Last Chance to Spot the Space Shuttle
Tonight and early Wednesday are your last chances to search the night sky for NASA's space shuttle Discovery before its planned landing tomorrow.
NASA: Weather Looks Good for Shuttle Landing
CAPE CANVERAL, Fla. – Good weather has the space shuttle Discovery and its seven-astronaut crew poised to land at Kennedy Space Center tomorrow afternoon, NASA mission managers said today.
Shuttle Astronauts Prepare for Wednesday Landing
CAPE CANVERAL - After spending more than two weeks in space, seven astronauts on board the space shuttle Discovery are making final preparations to return home tomorrow.
Astronauts Scan Space Shuttle's Heat Shield
CAPE CANAVERAL - The seven astronauts on board the space shuttle Discovery scanned their spacecraft's heat shield for potential damage Monday and are gearing up for a planned Wednesday landing.
Shuttle and Space Station Create Backyard Sky Show
With the Space Shuttle Discovery having successfully undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) early Monday morning, skywatchers across much of the United States and southern Canada are now in for a real treat on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.
Shuttle Crew Undocks From Space Station, Heads for Home
CAPE CANAVERAL -- Astronauts aboard the NASA's shuttle Discovery undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) early Monday, beginning their two-day journey back to planet Earth.
Astronauts Give Teary Eyed Goodbyes to Space Station, Crew
HOUSTON - Seven astronauts climbed into the space shuttle Discovery today, bidding farewell to the International Space Station (ISS) in a tear-jerking ceremony.
Solar Array Snarls
NASA Lauds Spacewalk, Ponders ISS Completion
HOUSTON - NASA lauded its astronaut crews today for an unprecedented spacewalk outside the International Space Station (ISS) to stitch up a torn solar array wing.
Space Station Surgery: Astronauts Mend Torn Solar Wing
HOUSTON - Dangling on the end of a shaky robotic arm today, a NASA astronaut rescued a torn solar blanket and ensured the short-term future of the International Space Station (ISS).
Astronauts Ready for Solar Wing Surgery
HOUSTON - With NASA's go-ahead today, astronauts have geared up for a tricky solar wing repair at a far end of the International Space Station (ISS) tomorrow morning.
How to Build Space Station-Saving Cuff Links
HOUSTON - On Saturday, should NASA proceed as planned, the success of its current mission will rely on six cuff links.
NASA Reveals Plan to Fix Solar Wing
HOUSTON - NASA revealed unprecedented spacewalking plans today that could mend a maimed solar wing at a far end of the International Space Station (ISS) on Saturday.
Astronauts Take Presidential Call
HOUSTON - Astronauts on board the International Space Station (ISS) received a special phone call today from former President George H. W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush.
NASA Delays Risky Spacewalk
HOUSTON - NASA worked feverishly through the night to finalize the details of a risky spacewalk planned for Friday, only to delay the extravehicular activity (EVA) until Saturday morning.
BLOG: Vampires! Pirates! In Space!
Despite facing down solar panel woes and a spacewalk delay aboard the International Space Station, astronauts took some time to celebrate Halloween today in Earth orbit.
NASA: Space Station Solar Wing Repair a 'Top Priority'
HOUSTON - NASA mission managers today announced a risky new plan to fix an injured solar wing at a distant end of the International Space Station (ISS).
Astronauts Ready for Space Station Fix
HOUSTON - Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) said today that they are ready for any repair work needed outside the orbital laboratory, even as NASA delayed a planned spacewalk in order to fix a torn solar wing.
NASA Ponders Space Station Troubles
HOUSTON - There's trouble brewing in space, but NASA officials said today that they are confident astronaut crews aboard the International Space Station (ISS) will work through the difficulties ahead with mission control's help.
Space Station Solar Wing Rips in Orbit
HOUSTON — Two spacewalking astronauts reattached a massive solar power plant of the International Space Station (ISS) today, and inspected gears that orient its wing-like arrays toward the Sun.
NASA Extends Shuttle Mission, Changes Spacewalk Plans
HOUSTON - NASA added a day to space shuttle Discovery's STS-120 construction flight, mission managers said today.
Robotic Arm Ballet: Astronauts Move Massive Truss, Take Time Off
HOUSTON - Astronauts aboard NASA's shuttle Discovery will take a few hours off Monday after some delicate robotic arm work to move a massive girder outside the International Space Station (ISS), while engineers on Earth study contamination in one of the orbital laboratory's solar array-turning joints.
NASA Eyes Worrisome Debris in Space Station Joint
HOUSTON - NASA engineers are studying the potentially serious contamination of a vital joint used to turn solar arrays aboard the International Space Station (ISS) after a spacewalking astronaut collected samples of the grit on Sunday.
Spacewalkers Help Detach Space Station Solar Power Tower
HOUSTON - Two spacewalking astronauts helped pry a massive solar power tower from its perch atop the International Space Station (ISS) Sunday and discovered odd metal shavings in a large joint that turns the orbital lab's starboard solar arrays.
Space Station's New Orbital Room
Busy Shuttle Flight Goes Smoothly, Astronauts Say
HOUSTON - Astronauts broke in a brand new room aboard the International Space Station (ISS) with some orbital fun Saturday as their ambitious construction mission goes well.
Astronauts Open Space Station's New Room
HOUSTON - Astronauts the International Space Station (ISS) celebrated the grand opening of their orbital laboratory's latest addition on Saturday to christen the hub-like node dubbed Harmony.
Astronauts Add New Orbital Room to Space Station
HOUSTON - Two spacewalking astronauts helped deliver a new orbital room to the International Space Station (ISS) Friday and primed a massive solar power tower for its own move early next week.
Lightsaber Leads List of Mission Mementos
Item number 22 is for Pam Melroy's alma matter. Stephanie Wilson chose to fly number 52 in connection with her former summer job. Items 70 through 78 will be returned by Paolo Nespoli. And oh, yes, item 18 is Luke Skywalker's lightsaber ...
NASA: Extra Heat Shield Inspection Unlikely for Shuttle Discovery
HOUSTON – Astronauts aboard the space shuttle Discovery will likely not have to perform a focused inspection of their spacecraft's heat shield, NASA said Thursday.
Shuttle Discovery Docks at Space Station
HOUSTON - The space shuttle Discovery arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) early Thursday with its seven-astronaut crew set for the challenging task of adding a new orbital room onto the high-flying laboratory.
'Audacious' ISS Construction Flight Begins
BLOG: Orbital Shout Out to Female Space Commanders
With two female spacecraft commanders set to meet Thursday in Earth orbit for the first time in history, one NASA astronaut sent out a cosmic dedication to commemorate the event.
First Look Finds Shuttle Heat Shield in Good Shape
HOUSTON - An early look at imagery of NASA's space shuttle Discovery and its discarded fuel tank has found the orbiter's heat shield to be in good shape one day after launch, mission managers said Wednesday.
Astronauts Inspect Space Shuttle Heat Shield
HOUSTON - Astronauts aboard NASA's shuttle Discovery began their first full day in orbit Wednesday with a heat shield inspection as they head toward an orbital rendezvous with the International Space Station (ISS).
Gateway to Space Station's Future Reaches Orbit
Some gateways to international progress, it turns out, look like giant tin cans that float in space.
NASA: Shuttle Launch Paves Way to Larger Space Station
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The successful Tuesday launch of NASA's shuttle Discovery has opened the gate for a busy few months of construction at the International Space Station (ISS).
Shuttle Astronauts Launch on Ambitious Space Station Mission
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA's shuttle Discovery and its seven-astronaut crew launched into orbit Tuesday with a thunderous roar on an ambitious mission to add a new orbital room to the International Space Station (ISS).
Countdown
to Launch
Shuttle Astronauts to Launch on 'Audacious' Spaceflight
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA is poised to launch seven shuttle astronauts toward the International Space Station (ISS) Tuesday on what some have called the most ambitious orbital construction mission to date.
Weather Forecast Dips For Tuesday Shuttle Launch
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The weather outlook for NASA's Tuesday launch of the shuttle Discovery has dipped slightly, with an increased risk of rain showers and thick clouds preventing the planned space shot.
Space Shuttle Discovery 'Go' for Tuesday Launch
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA's shuttle Discovery is set for a planned Tuesday launch toward the International Space Station (ISS) to deliver a new orbital room to the high-flying laboratory, mission managers said Sunday.
Spaceflights Mark One Giant Leap for Womankind
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) - A giant leap is about to be made for womankind.
Shuttle Astronauts Arrive at NASA Spaceport
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The seven astronauts set to launch aboard NASA's shuttle Discovery next week arrived at the agency's spaceport Friday eager to fly and confident their spacecraft is safe to rocket into orbit.
NASA: Space Shuttle Discovery on Track for Launch
The space shuttle Discovery will launch next week despite concerns from an independent safety group over slight defects on three of the orbiter's wing-mounted heat shield panels, top NASA's officials said late Tuesday.
NASA Discusses Space
Shuttle Launch Date
Top NASA officials will decide today whether
to proceed with the planned launch of the space shuttle Discovery next week
or to stand down and replace several heat shield panels lining the orbiter's wings.
NASA
Aims for Oct. 23 Shuttle Launch
CAPE CANAVERAL – In
an engineering showdown next week, shuttle managers will recommend launching
Discovery on Oct. 23 despite concerns raised by an independent safety group
about tiny cracks in critical wing panels.
Shuttle
Astronauts Ham it up in Launch Practice
CAPE CANAVERAL - A
collection of kidders who employ hilarity to handle stress, Discovery's
astronauts wound up a practice countdown Wednesday with a bit of playfulness.
Space
Shuttle Could Face Launch Delay
CAPE CANAVERAL,
Florida (AP) _ NASA is studying a possible problem with the thermal shielding
on Discovery's wings that could force a delay in this month's launch.
Space
Shuttle Discovery Reaches Launch Pad
CAPE CANAVERAL -
Shuttle Discovery rolled out to its Kennedy Space Center launch pad Sunday,
marking the start of a final push to the planned Oct. 23 launch of an International
Space Station assembly mission.
Space
Shuttle Discovery Moves Closer to Launch
NASA's space
shuttle Discovery moved a step closer toward launch Monday as engineers worked
to join the orbiter with the twin rocket boosters and fuel tank that will aid
its flight into space next month.
NASA
Tests Leak Fix for Shuttle Discovery
NASA
engineers are testing new hydraulic seals aboard the space shuttle Discovery
after a swift week of repair work to ready the orbiter for a planned October
launch.
Leak
Repairs Under Way for Shuttle Discovery
Engineers worked to fix
a leaky hydraulic seal on NASA's space shuttle Discovery Wednesday as the
agency weighs a possible delay for the spacecraft's planned October launch.
Leaky
Seals on Shuttle May Delay Flight
CAPE CANAVERAL,
Fla. - Leaky hydraulic seals on space shuttle Discovery must be replaced, and
the extra work may end up delaying next month's flight, a NASA official said
Monday.
Shuttle
Astronauts Ready for Complex Construction Flight
HOUSTON - Seven
astronauts are eagerly preparing for a busy construction flight to the
International Space Station (ISS), with just over one month remaining until
their planned launch aboard NASA's shuttle Discovery.
Next
Shuttle Mission Vital for Space Station Expansion
HOUSTON - NASA's
shuttle Discovery is on track for an October launch to the International Space
Station (ISS), where its astronaut crew will lay the foundation for future
orbital laboratories, mission managers said Friday.
Female
Space Commanders Set for Landmark Mission
Two NASA astronauts
will make a bit of history next month when they become the first female
spacecraft commanders to lead their orbital missions at the same time.
Spacewalkers
to Test 'Goo Gun' for Shuttle Tile Repair
CAPE CANAVERAL -
NASA plans to add a fifth spacewalk to shuttle Discovery's upcoming mission so
astronauts can practice repairing the type of heat-shield damage done to
Endeavour on a flight last month.
NASA
Attaches Rocket Boosters to Repaired Shuttle Fuel Tank
NASA engineers attached
the space shuttle Discovery's external fuel tank to its twin rocket boosters
Wednesday following a week of repairs to avoid the same type of foam debris
that dinged the Endeavour orbiter during liftoff earlier this month.
NASA's
Shuttle Fuel Tank Repair Work Goes Well
NASA engineers will
patch up the last of four brackets with cracked insulation on the next space
shuttle fuel tank to fly Friday to help prevent the same type of foam debris
that dinged the Endeavour orbiter earlier this month.
NASA
Shuttle to Launch Luke Skywalker's Lightsaber
When the space
shuttle Discovery launches the STS-120 astronaut crew in October, the force
will be with them.
NASA to
Modify Next Shuttle Fuel Tank to Fly
NASA will strip
away cracked layers of insulation from its next space shuttle fuel tank to fly,
a top shuttle official said Friday.
NASA Eyes
Space Shuttle Fuel Tank Fix
CAPE CANAVERAL,
Fla. -- NASA is weighing the benefits of several possible modifications for
space shuttle fuel tanks after a debris strike etched a deep gouge in the
Endeavour orbiter's underbelly last week, a top shuttle official said Monday.
Students Name
Next U.S. Space Station Module 'Harmony'
A new hub-like
module bound for the International
Space Station (ISS) has a new name, Harmony, following a nationwide student
competition held by NASA, the space agency announced Thursday.
BLOG: NASA Wants YOU to Name Space
Station Piece
If you're a
student chock full of ideas, NASA wants your suggestions to name its Node 2
module: a sort of orbital hub that will bridge new sections of the
International Space Station (ISS).
NASA
Names Second Female Shuttle Commander
Astronaut Pamela
Melroy, a two-time shuttle pilot, will become the second woman to command a
NASA shuttle when she leads the upcoming STS-120 mission to the International
Space Station (ISS), the space agency said Monday.
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