Space Shuttle Launch Schedule 2011

NASA.gov

NASA’s Discovery shuttle is ready for launch at 4:50 p.m. today, from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

“The space shuttle Discovery was rolled back at launch pad 39A, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011. Discovery, on its 39th and final flight, will carry the Italian-built Permanent Multipurpose Module, Express Logistics Carrier 4 and Robonaut 2, the first humanoid robot in space, to the International Space Station.”(Nasa.gov)

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Click to read about the rescheduled Glory Mission from California

During space shuttle Discovery’s final spaceflight, the STS-133 crew members will take important spare parts to the International Space Station along with the Express Logistics Carrier-4.

Discovery will deliver the Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM), which was converted from the multi-purpose logistics module (MPLM) Leonardo to the International Space Station. It will provide storage for the crew and room for experiments.

Discovery will also carry Express (Expedite the Processing of Experiments to the Space Station), an external platform that holds large equipment that can only be transported using the unique capability of the shuttle.

The mission will feature two spacewalks to do maintenance work and install new components.

Most interesting – Discovery will carry Robonaut 2, which is the very first human-like robot to fly in space. It will take up permanent residence at the space station.

This will be Discovery’s 39th space visit since 1984, and its last.