Space Shuttles Last Mission

Finally the end of the space shuttle era is approaching, and it is expected that the space shuttle will be retiring in September 2010. Space Shuttle Discovery will be carrying out the last planned mission to the International Space Station. On the other hand Orion spacecraft will be replacing the shuttle fleet which will be powered by Ares 1 rocket. The first Space Shuttle Columbia a.k.a STS-1 was launched on April 12, 1981, operated by commander John W. Young and pilot Robert Crippen.

Later four more space shuttles were built namely, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavour. On January 28, 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger disintegrated after launch, killing all seven astronauts on board, and on February 16, 2003 Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated during re-entry killing all astronauts.

Now for the final mission of the Space Shuttle Discovery a.k.a STS-133, will be launched in September 2010 on a 8 day mission for the completion of  the ISS. NASA has already announced the six man crew which will be going to ISS,  veteran astronaut Steve Lindsey also NASA’s chief astronaut, will be commanding the STS-133 along with him Eric Boe as Discovery’s pilot, Mission specialists Alvin Drew, Timothy Kopra, Michael Barratt and Nicole Stott round out the final planned shuttle crew. All are veteran spaceflyers.

CREW OF STS-133

All image Credit: NASA

Related posts:

1. Discovery Liftoff
2. LEGACY OF SPACE SHUTTLE DISCOVERY
3. Space Shuttle Dump
4. Space Shuttle Atlantis: The Last Ride
5. STS-128 Discovery