NASA's shuttle Discovery and a seven-astronaut crew launched toward the International Space Station (ISS) on May 31, 2008 to deliver a massive Japanese laboratory during their STS-124 mission.
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STS-124 Mission Elapsed Time
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Commanded
by veteran astronaut Mark Kelly, Discovery's STS-124 crew lifted off at 5:02 p.m. EDT (2102 GMT) from Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy
Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla.
During the
13-day mission, the STS-124 astronauts staged three spacewalks to
install the Japan Experiment Module, a large laboratory the size of a tour bus, and the second element of the station's Kibo laboratory built by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.
A one-astronaut crew swap for the station's Expedition 17 crew also took place during the mission.
Below is SPACE.com's
special report of NASA's STS-124 mission. Stories appear in reverse
chronological order, with the most recent updates first. This page was last
updated on June 17, 2008.
Mission's Successful End
Astronauts Return Home to Houston After 'Amazing, Exciting' Flight
"Exciting." "Incredible." "Phenomenal." "Amazing." Such were the words chosen by the STS-124 crew to describe their mission to the International Space Station, where they delivered the Japanese Kibo module, the largest science laboratory to be added to the outpost, before returning to Earth Saturday and home to Houston on Sunday.
Jubilant Astronaut Crew Glad to be Home
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The jubilant crew of NASA's shuttle Discovery is readjusting to life back on Earth, but glad to be home all the same after a successful flight to the International Space Station (ISS).
Shuttle's Landing Success Sets Stage for Hubble Mission
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. With the successful Saturday return of the space shuttle Discovery, the stage is set for NASA's next flight: the final visit to the Hubble Space Telescope.
Space Shuttle Discovery Lands Safely
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. The space shuttle Discovery landed safely back on Earth Saturday to wrap up a two-week mission that delivered a new Japanese laboratory to the International Space Station (ISS).
Space Shuttle Discovery to Land Today
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. NASA's shuttle Discovery and seven astronauts are set to come home today after delivering the largest laboratory ever launched to the International Space Station (ISS).
NASA Clears Space Shuttle Discovery for Landing
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA mission managers cleared the shuttle Discovery for a weekend landing Friday after swiftly settling concerns with a lost metal clip that drifted away from the spacecraft earlier in the day.
Space Shuttle Crew Prepares for Saturday Landing
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Astronauts aboard NASA's shuttle Discovery are gearing up for their planned Saturday landing after Mission Control found that a lost metal clip poses no threat to their spacecraft's return.
NASA Set for Space Shuttle Landing, Launch Pad Fix
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA's shuttle Discovery is on track for a planned weekend landing, though the space agency is weighing options for the best way to fix launch pad damage from orbiter's May 31 blastoff.
Space Shuttle Astronauts Take Time Off
HOUSTON After successfully delivering the largest-ever lab to the International Space Station (ISS), the seven astronauts returning home aboard NASA's shuttle Discovery are taking some much deserved time off Thursday as they prepare for a weekend landing.
Shuttle Discovery Undocks From Space Station
HOUSTON NASA's shuttle Discovery and its seven-astronaut crew said "sayonara" to the International Space Station (ISS) Wednesday to begin the trip home after delivering a new Japanese lab to the orbiting outpost.
Astronauts Bid Emotional Farewell to Station Crew
HOUSTON The seven astronauts of NASA's shuttle Discovery bid an emotional farewell to the three-man crew of the International Space Station (ISS) Tuesday after more than a week of construction work to install the orbiting lab's largest room.
Shuttle Crew Prepares to Leave Space Station
HOUSTON The seven astronauts of NASA's shuttle Discovery will say farewell to the International Space Station (ISS) crew Tuesday as they prepare to head home after adding a massive Japanese laboratory to the orbiting outpost.
Japan's 'Hope' Arrives at Space Station
Space Shuttle Flight a 'Great Success,' Astronauts Say
HOUSTON Astronauts aboard the shuttle Discovery and International Space Station (ISS) reveled in the success of their mission Monday after delivering the largest single laboratory ever launched to the orbiting outpost.
Space Shuttle Flight a 'Great Success,' Astronauts Say
HOUSTON Astronauts aboard the shuttle Discovery and International Space Station (ISS) reveled in the success of their mission Monday after delivering the largest single laboratory ever launched to the orbiting outpost.
Space Station Ready to Flex Japanese Robotic Arm
HOUSTON - Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) successfully flexed and folded a fledgling robotic arm Monday to check the external reach of the outpost's new Japanese lab.
Shuttle Astronauts Wrap up Third Spacewalk at Station
HOUSTON Two astronauts floated outside the International Space Station (ISS) Sunday on their mission's last spacewalk to make a cooling system service call and wrap up work on its new Japanese lab.
Astronauts Set for Third Spacewalk Outside Station
HOUSTON Two astronauts will step outside the International Space Station (ISS) Sunday to pay a service call on the orbiting lab's cooling system.
Shuttle Crew Hits Mission Midpoint with Robot Arm Test
HOUSTON Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) tested a new Japanese robotic arm for the first time Saturday as they passed the halfway mark of their two-week construction flight.
Space Station's New Japanese Arm to Make First Move
HOUSTON A new Japanese robotic arm outside the International Space Station (ISS) is set to make a brief orbital debut Saturday to set the stage for a spacewalk tomorrow.
Space Station's Largest Lab Gets Second Room
HOUSTON - The International Space Station's (ISS) giant Japanese laboratory got a second room Friday after astronauts attached its attic-like storage room.
Astronauts to Add Attic to New Space Station Lab
HOUSTON A giant laboratory aboard the International Space Station (ISS) will get a bit bigger today when astronauts add an attic to the already tour bus-sized Japanese module.
Spacewalkers Outfit Station's New Japanese Lab
HOUSTON Two spacewalking astronauts floated outside the International Space Station (ISS) Thursday to outfit its new Japanese laboratory and spot check a solar array joint.
Astronauts to Add Camera Eyes to New Station Lab
HOUSTON Astronauts will give the space station's new Kibo lab camera eyes in a Thursday spacewalk.
Japan's New Space Laboratory Opens Aboard Station
HOUSTON Astronauts christened the International Space Station's (ISS) giant Japanese room with warm words and smiles Wednesday, officially opening the tour bus-sized Kibo science module aboard the orbiting laboratory.
Astronauts Share Space Through Souvenirs
Armstrong and Buzz are in space again, though they aren't the Apollo astronauts who made history walking on the Moon.
Astronauts Fix Space Station Toilet
HOUSTON Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) appeared to solve the orbiting lab's toilet troubles Wednesday as they prepared to open a new Japanese laboratory for business.
Astronauts to Fix Station's Space Toilet, Open New Lab
HOUSTON Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) will trade their spaceflight wings for plumber personas Wednesday to fix a balky space toilet before opening a massive new Japanese room on the orbiting laboratory.
Spacewalkers Help Deliver Space Station's Largest Lab
HOUSTON Two spacewalking astronauts help deliver a major new addition, the giant Japanese Kibo laboratory, to the International Space Station (ISS) Tuesday in the first of three excursions planned for their mission.
Astronauts to Install Space Station's Largest Lab Today
HOUSTON Astronauts are preparing to venture outside of the International Space Station (ISS) later today to install its new Japanese laboratory and attempt to clean grit out of a gummed up solar wing joint.
Shuttle Discovery Arrives at Space Station with Japanese Lab
HOUSTON After a two-day chase, NASA's shuttle Discovery and its seven-astronaut crew caught up with the International Space Station (ISS) Monday to deliver a massive new room for the orbiting laboratory.
NASA Eyes Launch Pad Damage for Next Shuttle Flight
HOUSTON - When the space shuttle Discovery lifted off Saturday, it left some serious destruction in its wake.
Shuttle Discovery to Dock at Space Station Today
HOUSTON - The space shuttle Discovery is set to finally deliver the giant Japanese Kibo lab to its intended home today on the International Space Station (ISS).
Modified Shuttle Fuel Tank Performs Well, NASA Says
HOUSTON The modified fuel tank that fed the space shuttle Discovery's main engines during its weekend launch performed well based on preliminary examinations, NASA officials said Sunday.
Shuttle Astronauts Scan Heat Shield
Astronauts aboard NASA's space shuttle Discovery took a first look at their spacecraft's heat shield today even though they lack a vital tool to hunt for any damage to the vehicle from its Saturday afternoon launch.
Japan's 'Hope' Rides Toward Space Station
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The space shuttle Discovery's successful Saturday launch marked a milestone for Japan, whose largest contribution to the International Space Station (ISS) has finally reached space.
Shuttle Discovery Launches Space Station's Largest Lab
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA's shuttle Discovery rocketed into space Saturday with a massive Japanese laboratory bound for the International Space Station.
Congresswoman Nervous as Husband Goes to Space
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - With her husband in command of space shuttle Discovery and on the verge of launching, U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords wanted to set the record straight.
Countdown to Launch
National Lab Plan for Station Moves Forward
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Among the precious payloads set to launch tomorrow aboard the space shuttle Discovery is one of the first experiments as part of a NASA plan to use the International Space Station (ISS) as a U.S. National Laboratory.
Weather Looks Good for Saturday Shuttle Launch
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The weather looks good for NASA's planned Saturday launch of the shuttle Discovery to deliver a massive new laboratory to the International Space Station.
Space Shuttle Discovery 'Go' for Saturday Launch
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA's shuttle Discovery is "go" for its planned Saturday launch to deliver a massive Japanese lab and a new toilet pump to the International Space Station, mission managers said Thursday.
Space Station Crew Awaits Orbital Plumbers
Astronauts living aboard the International Space Station (ISS) need help from an orbital plumber to fix their troublesome space commode.
Space Shuttle Mission Loaded with 'Hope'
There's a lot of hope packed aboard the shuttle Discovery, bound for the space station.
Space Shuttle Discovery Cleared for May 31 Launch
NASA's shuttle Discovery and its seven-astronaut crew are cleared to launch toward the International Space Station (ISS) on May 31 to deliver the high-flying laboratory's largest orbital room, mission managers said Monday.
NASA Discusses Launch Plan for Space Shuttle Discovery
NASA engineers and mission managers are expected to set a firm May launch date today for the shuttle Discovery and a massive Japanese laboratory bound for the International Space Station (ISS).
Shuttle Astronauts Rehearse Launch Day
The crew of the space shuttle Discovery successfully completed a dress rehearsal today for their upcoming launch. They capped off their practice run at Cape Canaveral with a simulated countdown to liftoff at 11:00 a.m. EDT.
Space Shuttle Discovery in Good Shape for May Launch
The crew of the space shuttle Discovery successfully completed a dress rehearsal today for their upcoming launch. They capped off their practice run at Cape Canaveral with a simulated countdown to liftoff at 11:00 a.m. EDT.
Shuttle Astronauts Prepare for Launch Practice
The seven shuttle astronauts preparing to rocket toward the International Space Station (ISS) with a new Japanese laboratory this month arrived at NASA's Florida spaceport Tuesday for launch day practice.
Space Shuttle Discovery Moves to Launch Pad
The space shuttle Discovery rolled out to its Florida launch pad early Saturday as NASA prepares to launch a massive Japanese laboratory later this month.
Japan's Space Station Laboratory Ready to Fly
HOUSTON - The International Space Station (ISS) is about to get bigger.
Space Shuttle Discovery Moves Closer to Launch
The space shuttle Discovery moved a step closer to launch early Saturday as NASA engineers hauled the spacecraft into a massive hangar to join its fuel tank and twin rocket boosters.
Fuel Tank Stall May Delay Hubble Shuttle Flight
Delayed shuttle fuel tank deliveries may delay Hubble-bound flight.
NASA Tackles Late Fuel Tank for Shuttle Flight
NASA is tackling a late shuttle fuel tank for its next launch.
The Road to Kibo
Japanese Space Food a Hit in Orbit
HOUSTON - When visiting someone's house - even in space - bring food. That was Japanese astronaut Takao Doi's motto and his country's orbital eats are apparently a hit aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
Space Station Astronauts Open New Japanese Room
HOUSTON Astronauts on board the International Space Station (ISS) opened up Japan's first orbital room Friday evening as mission controllers solved a power supply glitch with a giant robot outside the orbiting laboratory.
Astronauts Install Japanese Room, Assemble Robot in Space
HOUSTON Two spacewalking astronauts worked through the night high above the Earth to install Japan's first orbital room and attach hands to a two-armed robot named Dextre.
Astronauts to Install New Station Room in Spacewalk
HOUSTON - Two astronauts will venture outside the International Space Station (ISS) tonight to help deliver Japan's first orbital room and begin constructing a giant robot, even as NASA struggles to provide crucial power to the device.
Space Station Ready for New Robot, Room
A massive robot and Japan's first room in space are set for delivery to the International Space Station (ISS) next week aboard NASA's space shuttle Endeavour.
Japanese Astronaut to Help Deliver Nation's First Station Module
Japanese astronaut Takao Doi is looking forward to his country's plunge into human spaceflight next week when he helps deliver a small storage room for Japan's massive Kibo lab at the International Space Station (ISS).
Japan Prepares Space Station's Largest Laboratory for Flight
Pieces of the largest laboratory to launch towards the International Space Station (ISS) are coming together and Japan couldn't be happier.
NASA Spaceport Welcomes Japanese Space Station Component
A new pressurized module that will serve as a sort of orbital storage closet for Japan's Kibo laboratory at the International Space Station (ISS) received a warm welcome Tuesday at NASA's Florida spaceport.
NASA, Partners Set Space Station Construction Plan
NASA and its partner agencies have set a new plan to complete the International Space Station (ISS) by 2010, delaying science utilization to make way for 16 shuttle flights to piece together the orbital laboratory.
JEM Arrives, Europeans Deliver Station Node to NASA
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- European officials signed over to NASA on Wednesday a new node designed to link together several space-station modules, and one NASA official said December was a reasonable goal for the shuttles' return to flight.
Japan's ISS Unit, Kibo, to Begin Final Testing Next Month
TSUKUBA, Japan (AP) _ Japan unveiled its contribution to the international space station Saturday, a three-part research module that goes into its final testing phase next month.
Japan Starts Testing Robot Arm
TSUKUBA, Japan (Kyodo) -- The National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) on Wednesday began testing robot arms that will be used in Kibo, the Japanese experiment module of the International Space Station (ISS), NASDA officials said.
Japan's Uchida: Frustration and Excitement
Japan will play an important role in the development of the International Space Station by building the Kibo experiment module. Here, Japan's space agency chief Isao Uchida discusses his frustration with construction delays, his excitement in working on such a large project, his hopes for the space station and the status of the Japanese contribution.
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