Discovery on the Pad - Prepares for Final Mission

September 24, 2010 — The end is drawing near. No, not the end of Earth and civilization as we know it, but rather the end of the U.S. Space Shuttle program. The Shuttle Discovery arrived at its launch pad at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center early Tuesday morning. Now preparations are underway for its upcoming and final mission to the International Space Station. Workers have already extended a series of metal shutters around the space shuttle's critical areas to provide weather protection for the orbiter. They are also preparing to service the shuttle's hypergolic system next week. The hypergolic system handles propellants, which are used in the shuttle’s steering thrusters in space. Six astronauts are set to launch aboard Discovery on November 1 for the final scheduled flight before the orbiter is retired. The last shuttle mission, STS-134, is currently scheduled to launch on February 26, 2011. Discovery’s 11-day mission will be the 35th flight to the station and the 39th flight for the shuttle. The mission will deliver and install the Permanent Multipurpose Module, the Express Logistics Carrier 4, an external platform that holds large equipment, and critical spare components for the space station. Discovery also will deliver Robonaut 2 to become a permanent resident of the station as the first human-like robot in space. You can also go to space on one of the remaining space shuttle missions — or at least your face can through NASA’s Face in Space program. Just click to upload your picture. Click also for NASA TV downlink information, schedules and links.

Space shuttle Discovery is attached to Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller Discovery will deliver Robonaut2 to become a permanent resident of the International Space Station. Photo: NASA

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