Space Shuttle Discovery’s Final Mission: STS-133

On March 9, 2011, the Space Shuttle Discovery completed its final mission, STS-133, by landing at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This marked the end of an era for one of NASA’s most storied spacecraft.

Background

The Space Shuttle Discovery was one of NASA’s most reliable and frequently used orbiters, having completed 39 missions over its 27-year career. It was first launched on August 30, 1984, and played a crucial role in numerous significant missions, including the deployment of the Hubble Space Telescope and the construction of the International Space Station (ISS).

Mission STS-133

• Launch Date: February 24, 2011
• Duration: 12 days, 19 hours, 4 minutes
• Primary Objectives: The mission’s primary goals were to deliver the Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM) and the Express Logistics Carrier-4 (ELC-4) to the ISS. The PMM provided additional storage and living space, while the ELC-4 carried spare parts and equipment.
• Crew: The mission was commanded by Steven Lindsey, with pilot Eric Boe and mission specialists Alvin Drew, Michael Barratt, Nicole Stott, and Stephen Bowen. Notably, Stephen Bowen replaced astronaut Timothy Kopra, who was injured in a bicycle accident before the mission.

Key Events

1. Launch and Docking: Discovery launched successfully from Kennedy Space Center and docked with the ISS on February 26, 2011.
2. Spacewalks: The mission included two spacewalks, during which astronauts performed maintenance and upgrades to the ISS.
3. Robonaut 2: STS-133 also carried Robonaut 2, the first humanoid robot in space, designed to assist astronauts with tasks aboard the ISS.

Landing and Legacy

Discovery landed safely at Kennedy Space Center on March 9, 2011, concluding its final mission. The shuttle’s retirement was part of NASA’s transition from the Space Shuttle program to new space exploration initiatives, including the development of the Space Launch System (SLS) and the Orion spacecraft.

Discovery’s legacy is marked by its contributions to space exploration, scientific research, and international cooperation. It remains a symbol of human ingenuity and the spirit of exploration.

Aftermath

Following its retirement, Discovery was transferred to the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum. It is now on display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, where it continues to inspire future generations of scientists, engineers, and explorers.

The conclusion of Discovery’s missions underscored the end of the Space Shuttle era, paving the way for new advancements in space travel and exploration.