Space shuttle Enterprise lands in the Big Apple
The trailblazing prototype for the space shuttle fleet, the Enterprise, was hauled Friday atop a modified Boeing 747 to New York City where it will become a new exhibit aboard the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, a vintage aircraft carrier turned museum anchored in the Hudson River.
FULL STORY FERRYFLIGHT STATUS CENTER- live updates IMAGES:AERIAL VIEWS OF ENTERPRISE OVER NYC IMAGES:ENTERPRISE FLIES OVER NEW HOME
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Spaceport to Smithsonian: Discovery flies away
The space shuttle orbiter Discovery, part of Kennedy Space Center's heart and soul for three decades, departed the Florida spaceport forever Tuesday morning en route to become a museum exhibit at the Smithsonian's annex in Northern Virginia.
FULL STORY IMAGES:DISCOVERY FLYOVER PHOTO GALLERY PANO:ARTISTIC PANORAMA OF TAKEOFF
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Space shuttle ferryflight to Smithsonian ready for takeoff
Now perched atop the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, Discovery emerged from the crane gantry this morning to spend the final day at the place she called home for three decades.
FULL STORY VIDEO:3-DAY TIMELAPSE OF LOADING DISCOVERY ATOP 747
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A windy Saturday morning interview with Stephanie Stilson, a long-time space shuttle Discovery official at Kennedy Space Center and now manager of all the orbiters' retirement activities.
Shuttle Discovery mounted atop 747 carrier jet
The very same aircraft that delivered Discovery from her California manufacturing plant in Palmdale to the Kennedy Space Center in 1983 was topped by the orbiter Sunday morning to prepare for Tuesday's ferryflight to the orbiter's museum display site outside Washington, D.C.
FERRYFLIGHT STATUS CENTER IMAGES:A PHOTO TOUR OF THE 747
Public can get up-close view of shuttle ferryflight takeoff
Talk about access! Space shuttle fans have a unique opportunity to buy front-row seats at Kennedy Space Center's runway to watch Discovery depart the spaceport atop the 747 carrier jet Tuesday morning.
FULL STORY
Discovery rolls to runway, winds delay 747 mating
In the predawn darkness Saturday, the shuttle Discovery moved ever closer to leaving her home port forever as remaining technicians towed the decommissioned spaceplane to the runway ramp for mounting atop the 747 carrier jet. However, strong winds stalled plans to hoist the orbiter off the ground until Sunday.
FULL STORY IMAGES:DISCOVERY LEAVES VAB IMAGES:A PHOTO TOUR OF THE 747
Discovery's ride arrives
The modified Boeing 747 jumbojet that will haul the space shuttle Discovery piggyback-style to the Smithsonian next week flew across the country to Kennedy Space Center on Tuesday to pick up the spaceplane passenger.
FULL STORY IMAGES:747 ARRIVES @ KSC
Discovery leaves hangar to await April 17 ferryflight
Exactly one year to the day since returning from her final spaceflight and now ready for public display at the Smithsonian, the most-flown space shuttle orbiter was rolled from the Kennedy Space Center hangar and placed into temporary storage at the Vehicle Assembly Building today.
FULL STORY IMAGES:DISCOVERY AND ATLANTIS SHUFFLE
'Sporty' weather greeted Discovery on final landing
When the shuttle Discovery swooped back to the Kennedy Space Center a year ago Friday to conclude the spaceship's flying days, commander Steve Lindsey was dealt some of the most challenging weather conditions ever experienced during an orbiter landing.
FULL STORY OUR STS-133 MISSION COVERAGE
Experience a space shuttle launch like never before
These slow-motion films capture the awe-inspiring sight of a space shuttle blasting off from the Kennedy Space Center on one of the program's final missions, Discovery soaring skyward in February headed for the International Space Station. The amazing videos are presented here for Spaceflight Now+Plus users.
VIDEO COLLECTION STS-133 VIDEO ARCHIVE
Good night, Discovery
The space shuttle Discovery, undergoing her retirement and transition to museum status at the Kennedy Space Center, has been outfitted with hollowed thruster and rocket pods, replicas of the main engines, the payload bay doors sealed up and the emotional moment of being powered down for the final time. We take a look back at all of those events in this video package presented for Spaceflight Now+Plus users.
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PAYLOAD BAY DOORS SWING SHUT PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
REPLICA MAIN ENGINES INSERTED PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
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Ferryflight tail cone put onto shuttle Discovery
The aerodynamic tail cone to cover space shuttle Discovery's main engines and provide a smooth airflow during the piggyback ride atop the modified Boeing 747 carrier jet to the Smithsonian in April was installed onto the orbiter this week.
PHOTO GALLERY
Shuttle Discovery's historic payload bay goes dark
After deploying 21 satellites from expansive confines, including the Hubble Space Telescope, commercial spacecraft and military eavesdroppers, hosting scientific platforms and hauling key pieces of the International Space Station, the payload bay of space shuttle Discovery was closed and locked as the spacecraft was powered off for the final time Friday.
PHOTO GALLERY
Discovery getting replica engines for Smithsonian
In preparation for displaying the space shuttle Discovery at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, technicians began installing replica main engines on Monday.
PHOTO GALLERY
Two shuttle orbiters face off on road to retirement duty
Two space shuttle orbiters swapped places at the Kennedy Space Center on Thursday as NASA prepares the retired spaceships for public display in museums. The unique morning climaxed with a nose-to-nose photo opportunity with Discovery and Endeavour.
IMAGES:DISCOVERY AND ENDEAVOUR PICTURED TOGETHER
Discovery leaves hangar to make room for Atlantis
The space shuttle Discovery on Wednesday morning made her first public appearance outside the hangar since being retired, emerging without any main engines, nose thrusters or aft rocket pods. Seeing the stripped down orbiter with a gaping hole in the nose was a harsh reminder that the spaceship's flying days are over.
IMAGES:SPECIAL PHOTO GALLERY VIDEO:DISCOVERY MOVES TO STORAGE
Space shuttle retirement museums announced
NASA Administrator Charles Bolden unveiled which museums will house the retired space shuttle vehicles during a ceremony Tuesday on the 30th anniversary of the program's first launching. The future homes are: Discovery to the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum, Atlantis to the Kennedy Space Center, Endeavour to California Science Center in Los Angeles and Enterprise to the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City.
FULL STORY LIVE STREAMING VIDEO COVERAGE IMAGES:STS-1 ANNIVERSARY CEREMONY IN FLORIDA
Main engines removed from retired shuttle Discovery
The cryogenic powerplants that propelled space shuttle Discovery on her final eight-and-a-half minute climb to orbit last month were removed from the spacecraft this week. Here's some photo galleries of the three-day process.
PHOTOS:REMOVAL OF FIRST ENGINE PHOTOS:SECOND ENGINE REMOVED PHOTOS:THIRD ENGINE PULLED OUT STS-133 ARCHIVE
Decommissioning work starts for shuttle Discovery
And so it begins. Technicians at the Kennedy Space Center have begun taking apart the shuttle Discovery, the ship now a laboratory specimen for engineering forensics before her future date with a museum.
FULL STORY PHOTOS:DISCOVERY'S NOSE POD REMOVED
Discovery's final landing marks beginning of the end
The shuttle Discovery made a graceful landing at Kennedy Space Center, returning from her final voyage after a remarkable three-decade life of service spanning 39 flights, 5,830 orbits of the planet, 365 days spent aloft and 148 million miles traveled. Discovery becomes NASA's first orbiter retired as the space shuttle fades into history over the next few months.
FULL STORY MISSION STATUS CENTER - live updates and streaming video! IMAGES:DISCOVERY MAKES PERFECT LANDING IMAGES:LANDING GROUND TRACK MORNING STORY NASA TV SCHEDULE REV. L (.pdf download) STS-133 ARCHIVE
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Shuttle astronauts reflect on the legacy of Discovery
On the eve of returning to Earth to close out the shuttle Discovery's 39th and final flight, the ship's crew said the nation should be proud of the shuttle program's accomplishments, but expressed concern that a replacement vehicle is not waiting in the wings to replace it. FULL STORY WEATHER FORECASTERS OPTIMISTIC MORNING STORY MISSION STATUS CENTER - live updates and streaming video! IMAGES:DISCOVERY DEPARTS SPACE STATION NASA TV SCHEDULE REV. L (.pdf download)
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Shuttle crew gets 'Star Trek' sendoff before undocking
The crew of the shuttle Discovery, awakened by actor William Shatner reading a "Star Trek" tribute marking the veteran spaceplane's final voyage, undocked from the International Space Station at 7 a.m. EST Monday to close out an extended assembly and resupply visit. The orbiter is scheduled to land on Wednesday.
FULL STORY MORNING STORY NASA TV SCHEDULE REV. K (.pdf download)
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EXTRAORDINARY TIME-LAPSE OF STATION FLYAROUND PLAY VIDEO:
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NASA's humanoid Robonaut to be unpacked this month
A humanoid robot delivered to the space station by the shuttle Discovery should come out of its packing crate by the end of March, and ground crews could start tinkering with the Robonaut soon after. But it could be months before NASA trusts the robot to help astronauts do chores on the complex.
FULL STORY
Shuttle crew bids farewell to space station residents
After transferring a final few items to and from the International Space Station -- and enjoying a bit of zero-gravity fun in a roomy new storage module -- the Discovery astronauts bid their station colleagues farewell Sunday, floating back aboard the orbiter to rig the ship for undocking early Monday to wrap up this shuttle's final visit.
FULL STORY MORNING STORY NASA TV SCHEDULE REV. J (.pdf download)
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Crew services station's air purifier, oxygen generator
The Discovery astronauts and their space station counterparts continued unloading a newly attached storage module and successfully performed electronic surgery to bypass a short circuit in a U.S. carbon dioxide removal system. Station commander Scott Kelly also installed a filter in an oxygen generator and helped flight controllers test the refurbished system.
FULL STORY MORNING STORY NASA TV SCHEDULE REV. I (.pdf download)
Additional coverage for subscribers: UPDATED HIGH-DEFINITION VIDEO LISTING: FLIGHT DAY 9: CREW'S HOME MOVIES HI-DEF FLIGHT DAY 7: ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL SPACEWALK HI-DEF FLIGHT DAY 7: ROBONAUT MOVED INTO DESTINY LAB HI-DEF FLIGHT DAY 7: EXERCISING ON SHUTTLE'S BICYCLE HI-DEF FLIGHT DAY 7: SPACESUIT LEAK FOUND AND FIXED HI-DEF FLIGHT DAY 6: PREPS FOR SPACEWALK NO. 2 HI-DEF FLIGHT DAY 6: THE SPACEWALKING TOOLS HI-DEF FLIGHT DAY 6: MODIFYING STATION EQUIPMENT HI-DEF FLIGHT DAY 6: FUN TIME FLOATING IN PMM HI-DEF FLIGHT DAY 6: CREWS ENTER INTO THE MODULE HI-DEF FLIGHT DAY 6: PMM HATCHWAY IS OPENED UP HI-DEF FLIGHT DAY 6: OPENING PASSAGEWAY TO MODULE HI-DEF FLIGHT DAY 6: NEW "PMM" MODULE ATTACHED TO STATION HI-DEF FLIGHT DAY 6: BREAKFAST TIME ABOARD THE ORBITER HI-DEF FLIGHT DAY 5: TIRED BUT HAPPY SPACEWALKERS HI-DEF FLIGHT DAY 5: FLY SPACE STATION'S ROBOT ARM HI-DEF FLIGHT DAY 5: CHOREOGRAPHING THE SPACEWALK HI-DEF FLIGHT DAY 5: SPACEWALKERS GET READY TO LEAVE HI-DEF VIDEO:
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Discovery crew helps unpack new station module
The Discovery astronauts Friday focused on unloading the newly attached Permanent Multipurpose Module, moving science gear and other equipment into the International Space Station and transferring packing material and unneeded gear to a Japanese cargo ship for disposal at the end of the month.
FULL STORY MORNING STORY NASA TV SCHEDULE REV. H (.pdf download)
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Awe-inspiring views of shuttle Discovery's launch
Onboard rocket camera footage always dazzles and the video from Discovery's external fuel tank and solid boosters didn't disappoint during the afternoon blastoff last week. A camera mounted in the pilot's window looking outward also provides an amazing view of the spacecraft rocketing toward orbit, which is presented here for Spaceflight Now+Plus users with launch audio.
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Orbiting astronauts receive presidential phone call
The Discovery astronauts worked through a busy morning in space Thursday, took the afternoon off and enjoyed a long-distance call from President Barack Obama, who praised NASA's oldest shuttle for a "critical and iconic" final flight to the International Space Station. NASA managers, meanwhile, decided to extend Discovery's mission a second day to give the crew more time to help unload a newly attached storage module.
FULL STORY MORNING STORY NASA TV SCHEDULE REV. G (.pdf download)
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Spacewalk wrangles 'cats and dogs...no elephants'
Venturing outdoors from the International Space Station on Wednesday for their second of two EVAs during shuttle Discovery's mission, spacewalkers Steve Bowen and Al Drew successfully accomplished a long list of maintenance chores. The assorted collection of odds and ends was described as "cats and dogs but no elephants" because none of the various tasks were major.
FULL STORY MORNING STORY NASA TV SCHEDULE REV. F (.pdf download)
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Special photo gallery from Discovery's final launch
Take another look back at the space shuttle Discovery's last launch with this beautiful series of photographs from NASA cameras around the Kennedy Space Center.
PHOTO GALLERY
International Space Station gets a roomy float-in closet
An Italian-made module that will give the International Space Station a bonus room to help ease the outpost's storage woes was successfully installed Tuesday while flying 220 miles over the Sahara. The vessel is the modified Leonardo reusable cargo van that had visited the station seven times, but now it's a permanent fixture.
ULTIMATE STATION PHOTO OP REJECTED NEW MODULE ADDED TO STATION MORNING STORY MISSION STATUS CENTER - live updates and streaming video! NASA TV SCHEDULE REV. E (.pdf download) STS-133 ARCHIVE
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'NO GO' FOR SPACE STATION PHOTO OP PLAY VIDEO:
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ROBOT ARM MANEUVERS MODULE TO ITS NEW HOME PLAY VIDEO:
STATION'S NEW MODULE UNBERTHED FROM SHUTTLE PLAY VIDEO:
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ORBITAL SUNRISE OVER PMM BEFORE LEAVING SHUTTLE PLAY VIDEO:
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DISCOVERY'S FLIGHT EXTENDED ONE DAY PLAY VIDEO:
EVA NO. 1 CONCLUDES PLAY VIDEO:
JAPANESE "MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE" CAPTURES SPACE PLAY VIDEO:
FAILED PUMP COVERED UP WITH THERMAL BLANKET PLAY VIDEO:
GRAPPLE FIXTURE MOVED FROM PUMP TO OTHER SPARE PLAY VIDEO:
AMMONIA VENTING TOOLS ATTACHED TO FAILED PUMP PLAY VIDEO:
BOLTS ENGAGED TO HOLD OLD PUMP IN STORAGE BOX PLAY VIDEO:
FAILED PUMP MODULE FINALLY PUT INTO ENCLOSURE PLAY VIDEO:
ROBOT ARM SWINGS STEVE BOWEN AROUND THE STATION PLAY VIDEO:
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No time for Sunday rest as astronauts keep hectic pace
The Discovery astronauts worked through a busy day of robot arm activity Sunday, along with equipment transfers to the International Space Station and preparations for a spacewalk Monday by astronauts Al Drew and Steve Bowen, the first of two planned for the shuttle's final mission.
FULL STORY MORNING STORY IMAGES:FLIGHT DAY 3 PHOTO GALLERY IMAGES:FLIGHT DAY 2 PHOTO GALLERY IMAGES:FLIGHT DAY 1 PHOTO GALLERY NASA TV SCHEDULE REV. C (.pdf download)
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SPACE STATION ARM INCH-WORMS TO NEW BASE PLAY VIDEO:
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Discovery pulls into port for her final space station visit
Sailing in orbit on her last mission, Discovery arrived at the International Space Station on Saturday for a week-long stay to prepare the outpost for life after the space shuttles are retired. Just hours after docking, an outdoor pallet for stockpiling spare parts was hoisted from the shuttle payload bay and delivered to the station.
DOCKING STORY MORNING STORY
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Astronauts give Discovery full post-launch inspection
The Discovery astronauts have spent their first full day in space inspecting the shuttle's nose cap and wing leading edge panels for standard post-launch heat shield checks, testing equipment needed for upcoming spacewalks and preparing for Saturday's docking to the International Space Station.
'CRYOPUMPING' LIKELY CAUSE OF TANK FOAM LOSS INJURED KOPRA CALLS THE SHUTTLE MORNING STORY MISSION STATUS CENTER - live updates and streaming video!
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GO INSIDE MISSION CONTROL DURING LAUNCH PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
EXTERNAL TANK CAMERA: LIFTOFF TO ORBIT PLAY VIDEO:
AERIAL VIEWS AROUND THE CAPE PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
LAUNCH REPLAY: VAB ROOF PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
LAUNCH REPLAY: PRESS SITE PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
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LOOK BACK AT THE LAUNCH DELAYS PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
NARRATED REVIEW OF SHUTTLE'S PREPARATIONS PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
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LAUNCH PAD GANTRY ROLLED BACK PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
INSIDE CONTROL ROOM WHEN COUNT STARTED PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
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Countdown remains on track for Thursday's shuttle launch
The shuttle Discovery's countdown is ticking smoothly toward launch Thursday on a space station re-supply mission. There are no technical problems of any significance at pad 39A and forecasters are continuing to predict an 80 percent chance of good weather.
FULL STORY MANAGERS "GO" FOR DISCOVERY LAUNCH NASA TV SCHEDULE REV. 0 (.pdf download)
Mission preview: One final spaceflight for Discovery
Three-and-a-half months after the shuttle Discovery was grounded by potentially dangerous cracks in its external tank, the orbiter is finally back on track for launch Thursday to deliver critical spare parts, supplies and a final U.S. module to the International Space Station. This is our five-piece, 5,400-word mission preview. SPECIAL MISSION PREVIEW
The shuttle Discovery fliers: A crew of seasoned pros
A veteran astronaut crew with over a year of collective spaceflight experience has arrived at the Florida spaceport to begin final preps before taking the shuttle Discovery on its final voyage to orbit Thursday.
MEET THE ASTRONAUTS CREW ARRIVES FOR LAUNCH LAUNCH COUNTDOWN BEGINS
Shuttle Discovery cleared for launch next Thursday
NASA managers have given the "go" to launch shuttle Discovery next Thursday on a long-delayed space station resupply mission after an exhaustive review of ground processing and unprecedented external tank repairs to fix and prevent potentially dangerous cracks in the ship's external tank like those that derailed a launch try last November.
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DISCOVERY CLEARED FOR LAUNCH ON FEB. 24 PLAY VIDEO:
STEVE BOWEN BEGINS CREW TRAINING PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
SUN RISES OVER SPACEPORT AFTER ROLLOUT PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
SHUTTLE ARRIVES ATOP LAUNCH PAD 39A AGAIN PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
CROWDS CHEER ON DISCOVERY'S ROLLOUT PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
DISCOVERY RE-EMERGES FROM THE VAB PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
LAUNCH TEAM PRACTICES PROCEDURES PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
FRESH FOAM APPLIED TO EXTERNAL TANK PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
REPAIRS AND STRENGTHENING TO TANK PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
DIGITAL X-RAY INSPECTIONS IN THE VAB PLAY | HI-DEF MORE:STS-133 VIDEO ARCHIVE HDTV:HIGH-DEFINITION COVERAGE SUBSCRIBE NOW
NASA considers unique photo op during Discovery mission
Space station officials are considering the possibility of staging what might be considered the ultimate photo op during Discovery's mission to deliver critical supplies and a final U.S. module to the International Space Station. Meanwhile, NASA managers and contractors met Friday for a program-level flight readiness review for the upcoming shuttle mission.
FULL STORY
Shuttle Discovery returns to launch pad after tank repairs
With the external tank repaired and strengthened, the space shuttle Discovery re-emerged from the Vehicle Assembly Building and returned to launch pad 39A overnight for a final pre-retirement mission to the International Space Station. Rollout began at 7:58 p.m. (0058 GMT) and was completed at 2:53 a.m. EST (0753 GMT).
ROLLOUT STORY MISSION STATUS CENTER - live updates and streaming video! IMAGES:DISCOVERY ROLLOUT PHOTO GALLERY IMAGES:SHUTTLE INSIDE THE VAB
Injured astronaut replaced on shuttle Discovery's crew
Less than six weeks before launch, astronaut Timothy Kopra, injured in a bicycle accident Saturday, was removed from the crew of the shuttle Discovery Wednesday and replaced by astronaut Stephen Bowen, a veteran spacewalker who flew aboard the shuttle Atlantis last May. Despite the last-minute crew change, NASA officials say Bowen should be able to complete a hurried round of refresher training in time for blastoff around Feb. 24 as planned.
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Shuttle Discovery's lead spacewalker hurt in accident
Space station veteran Timothy Kopra, scheduled for launch Feb. 24 aboard the shuttle Discovery, was injured in a bicycle accident Saturday, a NASA official said. The injury was not life threatening and the NASA official, citing medical privacy issues, provided no additional details. But multiple sources said Kopra may have broken his hip, raising the prospect of a significant impact to the already-delayed mission.
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NASA zeroes in on root cause of shuttle tank cracks
Engineers believe they have zeroed in on the root cause of cracks in the shuttle Discovery's external tank, NASA officials said Tuesday. Installation of a relatively simple modification to the tops of the structural ribs, or stringers, where the ship's liquid oxygen tank is supported by a massive flange should resolve the problem once and for all, setting the stage for another launch attempt Feb. 24. FULL STORY
NASA orders full round of stiffeners to Discovery tank
Senior NASA managers Monday agreed to install stiffeners all the way around the shuttle Discovery's external tank to beef up structural ribs, or stringers, that are susceptible to cracks when exposed to ultra-low-temperature propellant. Engineers say the modifications can be completed in time to support at launch as early as Feb. 24, assuming the work goes smoothly and no other major problems develop.
FULL STORY
Shuttle Discovery launch delayed to late February
NASA managers Thursday decided to give engineers additional time to assess external tank cracks and repair scenarios, ruling out an early February launch for the shuttle Discovery. The next shuttle launch window opens Feb. 27, but NASA is assessing whether it might be possible to move that up a few days.
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Shuttle engineers consider beefing up all tank 'stringers'
NASA managers Monday directed engineers to add stiffeners to some structural beams in the shuttle Discovery's external tank. Another meeting is planned for Thursday to discuss installing so called "radius-block" stiffeners to the tops of the remaining stringers that form the tank's familiar ribbed midsection, but work to beef up all 108 almost certainly would delay Discovery's launch to late February.
FULL STORY
Inspections reveal four more cracks on Discovery's tank
Engineers examining the shuttle Discovery's external tank in the Vehicle Assembly Building have found four more small cracks in three structural ribs, or stringers, on the opposite side of the tank from the orbiter that could not be inspected at the launch pad. Four cracks on the shuttle side of the tank were repaired earlier, and it's not yet clear what, if any, additional work might be needed to develop the "flight rationale" needed for another launch attempt as early as Feb. 3.
FULL STORY
Discovery makes return trip to assembly building
Leaving the launch pad and rolling back to the Vehicle Assembly Building early Wednesday, the space shuttle Discovery will spend the holidays having the external tank digitally X-rayed as engineers look to prove the hypothesis that its structural cracks resulted from pent up stresses accumulated during construction and were unleashed during the strains of cryogenic fueling. FULL STORY PHOTOS:ARRIVAL BACK AT ASSEMBLY BUILDING PHOTOS:DISCOVERY LEAVES LAUNCH PAD LIST OF PREVIOUS SHUTTLE ROLLBACKS
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WORK UNDERWAY TO REMOVE FOAM AND SENSORS PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
SETTING UP ACCESS PLATFORMS AROUND TANK PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
SHUTTLE ROLLED BACK TO ASSEMBLY BUILDING PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
DISCOVERY DEPARTS LAUNCH PAD 39A PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
LUNAR ECLIPSE OVER DISCOVERY PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE FUELING TEST PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
FINAL PREPS FOR INSTRUMENTED TEST PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
STRAIN GAUGES ATTACHED TO TANK PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
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Photos: Aerial views of space shuttle Discovery
Before the space shuttle Discovery was returned to the Vehicle Assembly Building, a photographer for NASA captured a beautiful aerial picture gallery of the spaceship standing atop Kennedy Space Center's launch pad 39A. The photos show the crawler-transporter poised to move underneath Discovery for the rollback.
IMAGES:ENTER PHOTO GALLERY
Photos: Lunar eclipse over shuttle Discovery
NASA shot high-definition video of the lunar eclipse in the sky over Kennedy Space Center's launch pad 39A where the space shuttle Discovery was uncovered from the gantry during preps for rollback to the Vehicle Assembly Building. We took some frame grabs from that video to create this photo gallery.
IMAGES:ENTER PHOTO GALLERY
Shuttle Discovery undergoes special fueling test
The space shuttle Discovery's external tank was loaded with a half-million gallons of supercold liquid oxygen and hydrogen rocket fuel Friday for a knowledge-building test to understand the stresses and strains the external tank endures during a countdown. The shuttle will be rolled back to the Vehicle Assembly Building on Tuesday for detailed inspections.
NO MAJOR SURPRISES SEEN FUEL LOADING COMPLETED PREVIEW STORY
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RECAP OF THE FUELING EXERCISE PLAY VIDEO:
FUELING TEST COUNTDOWN UPDATE PLAY VIDEO:
COMMENTS FROM SHUTTLE LAUNCH DIRECTOR PLAY VIDEO:
GROUND UMBILICAL CARRIER PLATE CHECKED PLAY VIDEO:
INFO ON EXTERNAL TANK INSTRUMENTATION PLAY VIDEO:
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Discovery will return to assembly building next week
Shuttle Discovery's external tank will be loaded with supercold rocket propellants as early as Friday in a critical test to help engineers understand what might have caused cracks in two structural ribs. After the test, the shuttle will be hauled back to the Vehicle Assembly Building for additional inspections and possible repairs. FULL STORY
Discovery's final launch postponed until February
Launch of the shuttle Discovery on a space station resupply mission will be delayed until at least Feb. 3, NASA managers announced Friday, to give engineers more time to carry out tests to help figure out what caused cracks in the ship's external tank and what, if any, modifications might be needed before the ship can be cleared for flight.
FULL STORY
Special fueling test could be ordered for Discovery's tank
NASA managers and engineers met Thursday to discuss the potential root cause of cracks in the shuttle Discovery's external tank, what additional tests might be needed and what, if any, modifications might be required before another launch attempt can be made.
FULL STORY
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INSTALLING DOUBLERS OVER STRINGERS PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
GASEOUS HYDROGEN VENT ARM RETURNED PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
DOUBLERS TO BEEF UP CRACKED BEAMS PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
HYDROGEN FITTING IS REINSTALLED PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
OPENING UP TANK'S ENTRANCE DOOR PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
GUCP DETACHED AND SEALS REMOVED PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
BROKEN FOAM REMOVED FROM THE TANK PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
VENT ARM LETS GO FROM LEAKY GUCP PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
DISCOVERY AWAITS REPAIRS TO TANK PROBLEMS PLAY | HI-DEF MORE:STS-133 VIDEO ARCHIVE HDTV:HIGH-DEFINITION COVERAGE SUBSCRIBE NOW
Discovery's launch delayed until at least mid-December
NASA managers reviewing the progress of repairs to the shuttle Discovery's external tank and the rationale for making another launch attempt decided Wednesday to pass up an early December launch window, delaying the flight to at least Dec. 17 and possibly all the way to February.
FULL STORY LAUNCH WINDOWS MISSION FLIGHT PLAN
Space shuttle Discovery's launch delayed to Dec. 3
Work to repair the shuttle Discovery's external tank is going well, but more time is needed to complete an engineering review and to develop the necessary flight rationale, the justification for launching with a repaired tank after unexpected damage. As a result, NASA announced Thursday, the flight will remain on hold until at least Dec. 3, four days after the opening of a short end-of-year launch window.
FULL STORY
Tank repairs proceed amid work on 'flight rationale'
Engineers are pressing ahead with work to repair small cracks in the shuttle Discovery's external tank and to finish installation and tests of a replacement hydrogen vent line quick-disconnect fitting that grounded the ship Nov. 5. At the same time, troubleshooters are assessing the structural integrity of the tank and its foam insulation to develop the necessary flight rationale, or justification, for proceeding with another launch as early as Nov. 30.
FULL STORY IMAGES:DISCOVERY STILL WAITING
Fourth crack found on shuttle Discovery's external tank
Engineers inspecting the shuttle Discovery's external tank have found a fourth crack in the structural ribs, or stringers, making up the outer skin of the compartment between the liquid oxygen and hydrogen sections.
FULL STORY
Second cracked stringer found in Discovery's tank
Engineers removed additional foam insulation near a cracked structural rib, or stringer, in the shuttle Discovery's external tank Friday and found yet another crack in an adjacent stringer, sources said.
FULL STORY
Apparent seal problem found in leaking shuttle vent line
A leaking hydrogen vent line attachment fitting on the side of the shuttle Discovery's external tank was removed and disassembled overnight, revealing an unevenly compressed internal seal. The quick-disconnect hardware also may have a less concentric fit than pre-fueling measurements indicated.
FULL STORY
Underlying metal cracks found on Discovery's tank
Cracked foam insulation on the shuttle Discovery's external tank was cut away early Wednesday, revealing serpentine cracks in an underlying structural rib, or stringer. Based on experience repairing similar cracks on other tanks, sources said, engineers believe the damage can be fixed at the pad before the next launch window opens at the end of the month.
FULL STORY
Shuttle gaseous hydrogen vent line inspections begin
Engineers worked to disconnect a 7-inch hydrogen vent line from a leaky quick-disconnect fitting on the side of the shuttle Discovery's external tank Tuesday that grounded the ship last Friday. Disassembly of the suspect fitting was expected overnight, with troubleshooters taking in situ photographs of the hardware, double-checking its alignment and looking for any obvious signs of trouble. FULL STORY
Discovery troubleshooting plans being formulated
Engineers extended a launch pad access platform Monday in preparation for inspections and disassembly of a 7-inch hydrogen vent line quick-disconnect fitting to find out what caused a potentially dangerous leak that forced NASA to cancel the shuttle Discovery's planned launching last Friday.
FULL STORY
Shuttle Discovery's launch delayed to November 30
Friday's liftoff of space shuttle Discovery has been postponed due to a "significant" leak in the gaseous hydrogen venting system between the launch pad and external fuel tank. It's the same problem that delayed a pair of shuttle missions last year. NASA says the next launch attempt won't be made until the next window opens on November 30 at 4:05 a.m. EST.
FULL STORY NASA TV SCHEDULE REV. C (.pdf download) ASCENT EVENTS TIMELINE LAUNCH COUNTDOWN MISSION FLIGHT PLAN LAUNCH WINDOWS SRB HISTORY
Weather postpones shuttle Discovery's final launch
The Mission Management Team met early Thursday morning and decided the weather conditions at Kennedy Space Center were too unfavorable to attempt launching space shuttle Discovery that day. The countdown will hold for 24 hours and retarget a liftoff on Friday at 3:04 p.m. EDT (1904 GMT).
FULL STORY
Shuttle Discovery will shoot for launch Thursday
Despite threatening weather, NASA managers Wednesday cleared the shuttle Discovery for launch Thursday on its 39th and final mission, deciding an electrical glitch that prompted a 24-hour delay was not a threat to flight safety. Liftoff was targeted for 3:29:43 p.m. EDT.
FULL STORY NASA TV SCHEDULE REV. B (.pdf download)
Shuttle Discovery's launch postponed at least a day
Wednesday's planned launch of space shuttle Discovery has been postponed at least 24 hours to give technicians additional time for troubleshooting the electrical problem with the main engine controller circuitry. A Thursday liftoff would be targeted for 3:29 p.m. EDT (1929 GMT).
FULL STORY NASA TV SCHEDULE REV. A (.pdf download)
Mission preview: One final spaceflight for Discovery
The shuttle Discovery and a crew of six veteran astronauts are on track for launch Wednesday to deliver critical spare parts, supplies and a final U.S. module to the International Space Station. It will be Discovery's 39th and final voyage as NASA presses ahead with plans to retire the fleet after just three more missions. This is our 4,300-word mission preview. FULL STORY
Discovery pronounced in good shape for launch
NASA managers met Monday to review the shuttle Discovery's readiness for flight and unanimously agreed to press ahead with launch Wednesday, weather permitting, on a voyage to the International Space Station. It will be Discovery's 39th and final mission.
FULL STORY
Countdown clocks begin ticking for Discovery
Having resolved helium and nitrogen leaks, space shuttle Discovery's final launch countdown started this afternoon at Kennedy Space Center's Complex 39. Liftoff is targeted for Wednesday at 3:52 p.m. EDT (1752 GMT). FULL STORY
Discovery launch postponed to Wednesday afternoon
Shuttle managers have decided to push back Discovery's launch an additional 24 hours, enabling technicians time to complete testing and the pressurization of Discovery's helium system before starting the countdown sequence. Liftoff is rescheduled for Wednesday at 3:52 p.m. EDT (1752 GMT). FULL STORY
Cosmonaut flies resupply ship to station docking
For the 40th time in the past decade, a Russian cargo freighter has arrived at the International Space Station carrying vital supplies to feed the needs of the orbiting laboratory and its resident crews. But this docking required the intervention by one of the most experienced cosmonauts. FULL STORY
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Space station's spectacular views of the world below
The Expedition 25 crew working aboard the International Space Station has used the outpost's seven-windowed cupola to take amazing nighttime pictures of planet Earth. The orbital observation deck offers panoramic views for the astronaut shutterbugs to wow the public in these photos of America, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
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Helium leak repair delays launch of shuttle Discovery
The shuttle Discovery's launch on a space station resupply mission is being delayed from Monday to at least Tuesday -- election day in the United States -- to give engineers time to repair two leaking quick-disconnect fittings in pressurization systems used by the ship's right-side orbital maneuvering system rocket pod. Repairs will delay starting the countdown sequence until Saturday, pushing back Discovery's launch to Tuesday at 4:17 p.m. EDT.
FULL STORY NASA TV SCHEDULE REV. 0 (.pdf download)
Discovery astronauts fly to Florida for Monday's launch
Six astronauts traveled from their home base in Houston to the Kennedy Space Center launch site in sleek T-38 jets Thursday afternoon, trained and ready to take shuttle Discovery for its final spaceflight. Launch remains scheduled for Monday at 4:40 p.m. EDT.
FULL STORY
Cargo craft begins pursuit of International Space Station
Just a week before the shuttle Discovery arrives at the International Space Station for its construction mission, a Russian resupply ship has launched to deliver a load of equipment, fuel and provisions to the orbiting science laboratory.
FULL STORY
Shuttle Discovery cleared for blastoff next Monday
After reviewing normal processing and weekend work to fix a small fuel leak, NASA managers Monday cleared the shuttle Discovery for an election-eve launch November 1 to begin a space station resupply mission, the orbiter's 39th and final flight. FULL STORY
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FLIGHT READINESS REVIEW SETS LAUNCH DATE PLAY VIDEO:
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Seals replaced in shuttle Discovery's fuel line flange
Working through the weekend, engineers drained toxic propellants from the shuttle Discovery's orbital maneuvering system rocket pods, dried out the lines, disassembled a fuel-line flange Saturday and replaced two internal seals in a bid to stop a tiny leak.
FULL STORY
NASA optimistic shuttle seal changeout will fix leak
Engineers geared up Thursday to drain toxic rocket fuel from the shuttle Discovery's orbital maneuvering system rocket pods before beginning weekend work to replace suspect seals in a fuel-line flange.
FULL STORY
NASA managers order seal replacement in Discovery
Uncomfortable with an on-again, off-again leak in the plumbing used by the shuttle Discovery's maneuvering rockets, NASA managers Tuesday ordered engineers to forego additional testing and to press ahead instead with work to replace internal seals in a fuel line fitting. FULL STORY
Technicians working on tiny fuel leak in Discovery pod
Engineers troubleshooting a small fuel leak aboard the shuttle Discovery decided Monday to carry out additional tests before more invasive and time-consuming work to replace a suspect seal, officials said. FULL STORY
Discovery astronauts practice launch countdown
Shuttle Discovery's six veteran astronauts suited up and climbed aboard the spacecraft at launch pad 39A for a countdown dress rehearsal Friday. The test culminated with a simulated shutdown of the main engines at T-minus 4 seconds to practice emergency procedures.
FULL STORY PRACTICE COUNTDOWN PHOTO GALLERY
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PRE-LAUNCH INTERVIEW WITH AL DREW PLAY VIDEO:
PRE-LAUNCH INTERVIEW WITH TIM KOPRA PLAY VIDEO:
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Discovery's crew takes armored tank for a spin
Space shuttle Discovery's astronauts Wednesday took turns test-driving an armored tank around Complex 39 as part of their emergency training exercises in the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test. PHOTO GALLERY
Shuttle crew comes to town for practice countdown
The six astronauts to fly Discovery's final orbital voyage have jetted into the Kennedy Space Center for this week's countdown dress rehearsal with the space shuttle launch team.
FULL STORY
Payloads loaded aboard shuttle Discovery for launch
Space shuttle Discovery's cargo bay was filled Monday with the orbiter's final payload complement, a new module and platform that are among the last accouterments for the International Space Station after a decade of construction.
FULL STORY
Roomy addition for space station ready to launch
An Italian-made module that will give the International Space Station a float-in closet and help ease the outpost's storage woes arrived at the launch pad Thursday morning for loading aboard space shuttle Discovery.
FULL STORY
Shuttle Discovery's payloads getting packed up
The Express Logistics Carrier No. 4 for the International Space Station was loaded into the transportation canister at Kennedy Space Center this morning, bound for shipment to shuttle Discovery at launch pad 39A.
FULL STORY MISSION FLIGHT PLAN LAUNCH WINDOWS
Photo special: Discovery on launch pad one last time
The incredible machine that is the space shuttle has been the central feature in America's space program for the past three decades. But as forced retirement looms, the orbiters are flying their final missions before becoming museum pieces. Spaceflight Now had the rare treat to visit shuttle Discovery at launch pad 39A and create this photographic collection of the venerable spaceplane.
IMAGES:SPECIAL PHOTO GALLERY
Shuttle Discovery takes final journey to launch pad
For the last time in history, the space shuttle Discovery journeyed from Kennedy Space Center's Vehicle Assembly Building to launch pad 39A Monday night. Watch our Mission Status Center for live updates and streaming video:
FULL STORY MISSION STATUS CENTER - live updates/video! IMAGES:SHUTTLE AT SUNRISE IMAGES:DISCOVERY LEAVES ASSEMBLY BUILDING
Discovery mounted to tank and boosters for final launch
Moving a major step closer to its final spaceflight before retirement, shuttle Discovery took a road trip Thursday morning from the hangar to the nearby Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center for attachment to the external fuel tank and twin solid rockets. Engineers ran into trouble Friday morning with one of the main bolts that connect the orbiter to the tank, but the problem was fixed Saturday.
DISCOVERY NOW BOLTED TO TANK BOLT PROBLEM DELAYING WORK MISSION STATUS CENTER - live updates and streaming video! IMAGES:DISCOVERY DEPARTS HANGAR IMAGES:SHUTTLE GOES VERTICAL IMAGES:ORBITER MEETS FUEL TANK
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SHUTTLE HOISTED FOR ATTACHMENT TO TANK PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
CRANE ROTATES THE ORBITER VERTICALLY PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
DISCOVERY DEPARTS ITS HANGAR PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
TIME-LAPSE SHOWS DISCOVERY ASCENDING IN VAB PLAY VIDEO:
TIME-LAPSE SHOWS THE MOVE TO ASSEMBLY BUILDING PLAY VIDEO:
THE HISTORY OF SHUTTLE DISCOVERY PLAY VIDEO:
DISCOVERY'S MAIDEN FLIGHT: FIRST TRIP TO VAB PLAY VIDEO:
DISCOVERY'S MAIDEN FLIGHT: ROLLOUT TO PAD 39A PLAY VIDEO:
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NASA photo gallery of Discovery's ground moves
This photo collection documents space shuttle Discovery's move from the Orbiter Processing Facility hangar to the Vehicle Assembly Building, going vertical and mating to external fuel tank, plus an internal view of the attachment bolt that had a problematic nut.
ENTER PHOTO GALLERY
Spacewalk to tidy up station deferred to shuttle crew
In the wake of a three-spacewalk coolant pump replacement, space station managers decided this week to defer additional maintenance work until the next shuttle crew arrives in November.
FULL STORY REVISED FLIGHT PLAN EARLIER SPACEWALK COVERAGE
Maneuvering engine attached to Discovery
Workers installed the shuttle Discovery's right-side Orbital Maneuvering System pod Thursday at the Kennedy Space Center after replacing a faulty helium valve.
FULL STORY AND PHOTO GALLERY
United Space Alliance announces shuttle layoffs
With only two shuttle flights remaining on NASA's manifest, prime contractor United Space Alliance plans to lay off about 15 percent of its 8,100-strong space shuttle workforce Oct. 1, company officials announced Tuesday. FULL STORY
New launch dates targeted for remaining shuttles
After assessing payload processing issues and projected traffic to and from the International Space Station, NASA managers Thursday formally retargeted the program's final two missions for launches Nov. 1 and Feb. 26.
FULL STORY
NASA begins review of shuttle launch date changes
NASA managers Tuesday asked shuttle engineers to assess retargeting the final two space shuttle missions, moving launch of a mid-September flight with Discovery to Oct. 29 and a late November flight by Endeavour to Feb. 28. The changes would give engineers more time to optimize payloads bound for the International Space Station and avoid launch conflicts with other flights to the lab complex.
FULL STORY
Discovery gets three main engines for last launch
Three main engines were attached to the shuttle Discovery earlier this week to power the orbiter's last launch this fall. Spaceflight Now captured these views of the task of installing the hydrogen-fueled engines on the back of the shuttle. IMAGES:ENGINE BOLTED TO SHUTTLE IMAGES:DISCOVERY RECEIVES FINAL ENGINE
Oil spill sits in route of shuttle external fuel tank
The oil slick threatening the Gulf Coast is throwing a wrench into NASA's plans to transport a new shuttle fuel tank from Louisiana to Florida this week. The external tank will fly on the shuttle Discovery's mission in September. FULL STORY
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ENTERPRISE TAKES OFF ON FERRYFLIGHT 
