Space Shuttle Discovery: Difference between revisions

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File:Space Shuttle Discovery at Udvar-Hazy Center.jpg

Space Shuttle Discovery at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

File:Discovery rollout ceremony.jpg

Discovery rollout ceremony in October 1983

File:Space Shuttle Discovery and Carrier 747 at Vandenberg Air Force Base.png

Discovery and SCA 905 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, November 6, 1983

Space Shuttle Discovery (Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-103) is a retired American Space Shuttle orbiter. The spaceplane was one of the orbiters from NASA's Space Shuttle program and the third of five fully operational orbiters to be built.^[1] Its first mission, STS-41-D, flew from August 30 to September 5, 1984. Over 27 years of service it launched and landed 39 times, aggregating more spaceflights than any other spacecraft Template:As of.^[2] The Space Shuttle launch vehicle had three main components: the Space Shuttle orbiter, a single-use central fuel tank, and two reusable solid rocket boosters. Nearly 25,000 heat-resistant tiles cover the orbiter to protect it from high temperatures on re-entry.^[3]

Discovery became the third operational orbiter to enter service, preceded by Columbia and Challenger.^[4] After the Challenger and Columbia accidents, Discovery became the oldest surviving orbiter. It embarked on its final mission, STS-133, on February 24, 2011, and touched down for the last time at Kennedy Space Center on March 9,^[5] having spent a cumulative total of nearly a full year in space. Discovery performed both research and International Space Station (ISS) assembly missions, and also carried the Hubble Space Telescope into orbit among other satellites.

Discovery was the first operational shuttle to be retired, followed by Endeavour and then Atlantis. The shuttle is now on display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.

History

The name Discovery was chosen to carry on a tradition based on ships of exploration,^[1] primarily Template:HMS,^[6] one of the ships commanded by Captain James Cook during his third and final major voyage from 1776 to 1779, and Henry Hudson's Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".,^[1] which was used in 1610–1611 to explore Hudson Bay and search for a Northwest Passage. Other ships bearing the name have included Template:HMS^[7] of the 1875–1876 British Arctic Expedition to the North Pole, and Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters"., which carried the 1901–1904 Discovery Expedition to Antarctica, led by Captain Scott.^[8]

Space Shuttle Discovery launched the Hubble Space Telescope and conducted the second and third Hubble service missions. It also launched the Ulysses probe and three TDRS satellites. Twice Discovery was chosen as the "Return To Flight" Orbiter, first in 1988 after the loss of Challenger in 1986, and then again for the twin "Return To Flight" missions in July 2005 and July 2006 after the Columbia disaster in 2003. Project Mercury astronaut John Glenn, who was 77 at the time, flew with Discovery on STS-95 in 1998, making him the oldest person to go into space at that time in history.^[9]

Had plans to launch United States Department of Defense payloads from Vandenberg Air Force Base gone ahead, Discovery would have become the dedicated US Air Force shuttle.^[10] Its first West Coast mission, STS-62-A, was scheduled for 1986, but canceled in the aftermath of the Challenger disaster.

On May 27, 1999, Discovery was launched on STS-96, the first shuttle mission to dock with the International Space Station.^[11]

Discovery was retired after completing its final mission, STS-133 on March 9, 2011. The spacecraft is now on display in Virginia at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, an annex of the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum.^[12]

In 2025, the Trump One Big Beautiful Bill had a rider from Texas federal lawmakers stating that a Shuttle was to be moved to Texas. The only federally owned shuttle remaining, Discovery, would be the shuttle that would be dismantled and moved, at a cost of over $300 million. It would likely be moved to Houston, but cannot leave the Smithsonian and transported to Texas without being taken apart.^[13]^[14]^[15]

Construction milestones

Date	Milestone^[8]
1979 January 29	Contract Award to Rockwell International's Space Transportation Systems Division in Downey, California
1979 August 27	Start long lead fabrication of Crew Module
1980 June 20	Start fabrication lower fuselage
1980 November 10	Start structural assembly of aft-fuselage
1980 December 8	Start initial system installation aft fuselage
1981 March 2	Start fabrication/assembly of payload bay doors
1981 October 26	Start initial system installation, crew module, Downey
1982 January 4	Start initial system installation upper forward fuselage
1982 March 16	Midfuselage on dock, Palmdale, California
1982 March 30	Elevons on dock, Palmdale
1982 April 30	Wings arrive at Palmdale from Grumman
1982 April 30	Lower forward fuselage on dock, Palmdale
1982 July 16	Upper forward fuselage on dock, Palmdale
1982 August 5	Vertical stabilizer on dock, Palmdale
1982 September 3	Start of Final Assembly
1982 October 15	Body flap on dock, Palmdale
1983 January 11	Aft fuselage on dock, Palmdale
1983 February 25	Complete final assembly and closeout installation, Palmdale
1983 February 28	Start initial subsystems test, power-on, Palmdale
1983 May 13	Complete initial subsystems testing
1983 July 26	Complete subsystems testing
1983 August 12	Completed Final Acceptance
1983 October 16	Rollout from Palmdale
1983 November 5	Overland transport from Palmdale to Edwards Air Force Base
1983 November 9	Delivery to Kennedy Space Center
1984 June 2	Flight Readiness Firing
1984 August 30	First Flight (STS-41-D)

Features and upgrades

File:STS-41-D Crew Enjoying Space - GPN-2004-00024.jpg

On the maiden voyage of Discovery: Judith Resnik, Henry Hartsfield, Michael L. Coats, Steven A. Hawley, Charles D. Walker, and Richard M. Mullane

File:SRBsepfromDiscovery07042006.png

Discovery after booster separation on STS-121

Discovery is approaching the International Space Station during STS-121. The payload in the shuttle's cargo compartment would be attached to the ISS later in the mission. The spaceship's unique 'teardrop' feature, consisting of several black tiles near the cockpit, is clearly visible.

Discovery approaching the ISS on STS-121, its 'teardrop' feature clearly visible

File:Deployment of the Hubble Space Telescope (28248653761).jpg

Discovery sends the Hubble Space Telescope into orbit on April 25, 1990

During its construction, Discovery was fitted with several black tiles near the middle starboard window where there should have been white tiles. It is unknown if this was the result of a harmless manufacturing mishap or done intentionally to give a distinctive look to the shuttle. This feature has been called 'teardrop' and allowed Discovery to be told apart from the rest of the fleet without looking at its name, although often unnoticed by the uninitiated.^[16]

The spacecraft weighed roughly Template:Cvt less than Columbia when it was brought into service due to optimalizations determined during the construction and testing of Enterprise, Columbia and Challenger.^[9] Discovery weighs Template:Convert heavier than Atlantis and Template:Convert heavier than Endeavour after further weight-saving adjustments were made.^[17]

Part of the Discovery weight optimizations included the greater use of quilted AFRSI blankets rather than the white LRSI tiles on the fuselage, and the use of graphite epoxy instead of aluminum for the payload bay doors and some of the wing spars and beams.^[18]

Upon its delivery to the Kennedy Space Center in 1983, Discovery was modified alongside Challenger to accommodate the liquid-fueled Centaur-G booster, which had been planned for use beginning in 1986 but was cancelled in the wake of the Challenger disaster.^[19]

Beginning in late 1995, the orbiter underwent a nine-month Orbiter Maintenance Down Period (OMDP) in Palmdale, California. This included outfitting the vehicle with a fifth set of cryogenic tanks and an external airlock to support missions to the International Space Station. As with all the orbiters, it could be attached to the top of specialized aircraft and did so in June 1996 when it returned to the Kennedy Space Center, and later in April 2012 when sent to the Udvar-Hazy Center, riding piggy-back on a modified Boeing 747.^[9]

After STS-105, Discovery became the first of the orbiter fleet to undergo Orbiter Major Modification (OMM) period at the Kennedy Space Center. Work began in September 2002 to prepare the vehicle for Return to Flight. The work included scheduled upgrades and additional safety modifications.^[9]

Decommissioning

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Discovery was decommissioned on March 9, 2011.^[20]^[21] NASA offered Discovery to the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum for public display and preservation, after a month-long decontamination process,^[22] as part of the national collection.^[23]^[24]^[25] Discovery replaced Enterprise, which was in the Smithsonian's display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center until 2011.^[26]^[27]^[28] Discovery was transported to Washington Dulles International Airport on April 17, 2012, and was transferred to the Udvar-Hazy Center on April 19 where a welcome ceremony was held. Afterwards, at around 5:30 pm, Discovery was rolled to its "final wheels stop" in the Udvar-Hazy Center.^[29]^[30]

Texas senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz added a provision to the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act to spend $85 million to relocate a space vehicle that has flown astronauts into space, presumably Discovery because of the sponsors of the provision and previous legislation attempts, from the Udvar-Hazy Center to the Space Center Houston Museum in Texas.^[31]^[32] While the Smithsonian estimated that the total cost of the transfer would be approximately $325 million, they also countered that ownership of the shuttle had been transferred to the museum and was no longer federal property, and that Congress did not have the ability to force a transfer.^[33]^[34] Template:Multiple image

Flights

File:STS-48 UARS deployment.jpg

The Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS), one of the many satellites deployed from Discovery (photo from STS-48)

By its last mission, Discovery had flown Template:Convert in 39 missions, completed 5,830 orbits, and spent 365 days in orbit over 27 years.^[35] Discovery flew more flights than any other Orbiter Shuttle, including four in 1985 alone. Discovery flew both "return to flight" missions after the Challenger and Columbia disasters: STS-26 in 1988, STS-114 in 2005, and STS-121 in 2006. Discovery flew the ante-penultimate mission of the Space Shuttle program, STS-133, having launched on February 24, 2011. Endeavour flew STS-134 and Atlantis performed STS-135, NASA's last Space Shuttle mission. On February 24, 2011, Space Shuttle Discovery launched from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39-A to begin its final orbital flight.^[36]

Flights listing

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#	Date	Designation	Notes	Length of journey
1	Template:Dts	STS-41-D	First Discovery mission: Judith Resnik became second American woman in Space. Three communications satellites were put into orbit, including LEASAT F2.	6 days, 00 hours, 56 minutes, 04 seconds
2	Template:Dts	STS-51-A	Launched two and rescued two communications satellites including LEASAT F1.	7 days, 23 hours, 44 minutes, 56 seconds
3	Template:Dts	STS-51-C	Launched DOD Magnum ELINT satellite.	3 days, 01 hours, 33 minutes, 23 seconds-
4	Template:Dts	STS-51-D	Launched two communications satellites including LEASAT F3. Carried first incumbent United States member of Congress into space, Senator Jake Garn (R–Utah)	6 days, 23 hours, 55 minutes, 23 seconds
5	Template:Dts	STS-51-G	Launched two communications satellites, Sultan Salman al-Saud becomes first Saudi Arabian in space.	7 days, 01 hours, 38 minutes, 52 seconds
6	Template:Dts	STS-51-I	Launched two communications satellites including LEASAT F4. Recovered, repaired, and redeployed LEASAT F3.	7 days, 02 hours, 17 minutes, 42 seconds
7	Template:Dts	STS-26	Return to flight after Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, launched TDRS-3.	4 days, 01 hours, 00 minutes, 11 seconds
8	Template:Dts	STS-29	Launched TDRS-4.	4 days, 23 hours, 38 minutes, 52 seconds
9	Template:Dts	STS-33	Launched DOD Magnum ELINT satellite.	5 days, 00 hours, 06 minutes, 49 seconds
10	Template:Dts	STS-31	Launch of Hubble Space Telescope (HST).	5 days, 01 hours, 16 minutes, 06 seconds
11	Template:Dts	STS-41	Launch of Ulysses.	4 days, 02 hours, 10 minutes, 04 seconds
12	Template:Dts	STS-39	Launched DOD Air Force Program-675 (AFP-675) satellite.	8 days, 07 hours, 22 minutes, 23 seconds
13	Template:Dts	STS-48	Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS).	5 days, 08 hours, 27 minutes, 38 seconds
14	Template:Dts	STS-42	International Microgravity Laboratory-1 (IML-1).	8 days, 01 hours, 14 minutes, 44 seconds
15	Template:Dts	STS-53	Department of Defense payload.	7 days, 07 hours, 19 minutes, 47 seconds
16	Template:Dts	STS-56	Atmospheric Laboratory (ATLAS-2).	9 days, 06 hours, 08 minutes, 24 seconds
17	Template:Dts	STS-51	Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS).	9 days, 20 hours, 11 minutes, 11 seconds
18	Template:Dts	STS-60	First Shuttle-Mir mission; Wake Shield Facility (WSF). First Russian launched in an American spacecraft (Sergei Krikalev).	8 days, 07 hours, 09 minutes, 22 seconds
19	Template:Dts	STS-64	LIDAR In-Space Technology Experiment (LITE).	10 days, 22 hours, 49 minutes, 57 seconds
20	Template:Dts	STS-63	Rendezvous with Mir space station. First female shuttle pilot Eileen Collins.^[17]	8 days, 06 hours, 29 minutes, 36 seconds
21	Template:Dts	STS-70	Launched TDRS-7.	8 days, 22 hours, 20 minutes, 05 seconds
22	Template:Dts	STS-82	Servicing Hubble Space Telescope (HST) (HSM-2).	9 days, 23 hours, 38 minutes, 09 seconds
23	Template:Dts	STS-85	Cryogenic Infrared Spectrometers and Telescopes (CRISTA).	11 days, 20 hours, 28 minutes, 07 seconds
24	Template:Dts	STS-91	Final Shuttle/Mir Docking Mission.	9 days, 19 hours, 55 minutes, 01 seconds
25	Template:Dts	STS-95	SPACEHAB, second flight of John Glenn, who was 77 years of age at that time, the oldest man in space and third incumbent member of Congress to enter space. Pedro Duque became the first Spaniard in space.	8 days, 21 hours, 44 minutes, 56 seconds
26	Template:Dts	STS-96	First Space Shuttle mission to dock with the International Space Station^[17]	9 days, 19 hours, 13 minutes, 57 seconds
27	Template:Dts	STS-103	Servicing Hubble Space Telescope (HST) (HSM-3A).	7 days, 23 hours, 11 minutes, 34 seconds
28	Template:Dts	STS-92	International Space Station Assembly Flight (carried and assembled the Z1 truss); 100th Shuttle mission.	12 days, 21 hours, 43 minutes, 47 seconds
29	Template:Dts	STS-102	International Space Station crew rotation flight (Expedition 1 and Expedition 2)	12 days, 19 hours, 51 minutes, 57 seconds
30	Template:Dts	STS-105	International Space Station crew and supplies delivery (Expedition 2 and Expedition 3)	11 days 21 hours, 13 minutes, 52 seconds
31	Template:Dts	STS-114	First "Return To Flight" mission since Space Shuttle Columbia disaster; International Space Station (ISS) supplies delivery, new safety procedures testing and evaluation, Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) Raffaello.	13 days, 21 hours, 33 minutes, 00 seconds
32	Template:Dts	STS-121	Second "Return To Flight" mission since the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster, owing to concerns surrounding foam debris from the external tank during STS-114; International Space Station (ISS) supplies delivery, test new safety and repair techniques.	12 days, 18 hours, 37 minutes, 54 seconds
33	Template:Dts	STS-116	ISS crew rotation and assembly (carries and assembles the P5 truss segment); Last flight to launch on pad 39-B; First night launch since Space Shuttle Columbia disaster.	12 days, 20 hours, 44 minutes, 16 seconds
34	Template:Dts	STS-120	ISS crew rotation and assembly (carries and assembles the Harmony module).	15 days, 02 hours, 23 minutes, 55 seconds
35	Template:Dts	STS-124	ISS crew rotation and assembly (carries and assembles the Kibō JEM PM module).	13 days, 18 hours, 13 minutes, 07 seconds
36	Template:Dts	STS-119	International Space Station crew rotation and assembly of a fourth starboard truss segment (ITS S6) and a fourth set of solar arrays and batteries. Also replaced a failed unit for a system that converts urine to drinking water.	12 days, 19 hours, 29 minutes, 33 seconds
37	Template:Dts	STS-128	International Space Station crew rotation and ISS resupply using the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module. Also carried the C.O.L.B.E.R.T treadmill named after Stephen Colbert	13 days 20 hours, 54 minutes, 40 seconds
38	Template:Dts	STS-131	ISS resupply using the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module. The mission also marked the first time that four women were in space and the first time that two Japanese astronauts were together on a space station.^[37] Longest mission for this Orbiter.	15 days 2 hours, 47 minutes 11 seconds‡
39	Template:Dts	STS-133	The mission launched at 4:53 pm EST on February 24, was carrying the Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM) Leonardo, the ELC-4 and Robonaut 2 to the ISS.^[38] Final flight of Discovery.	12 days 19 hours, 4 minutes, 50 seconds

‡ Longest shuttle mission for Discovery
– shortest shuttle mission for Discovery

Mission and tribute insignias

File:Space Shuttle Discovery Tribute.jpg

NASA Orbiter Tribute for Space Shuttle Discovery

Mission insignia for Discovery flights
File:Sts-41-d-patch.png	File:Sts-51-a-patch.png	File:Sts-51-c-patch.png	File:Sts-51-d-patch.png	File:Sts-51-g-patch.png	File:Sts-51-i-patch.png	File:Sts-26-patch.png	File:Sts-29-patch.png
STS-41-D	STS-51-A	STS-51-C	STS-51-D	STS-51-G	STS-51-I	STS-26	STS-29
File:Sts-33-patch.png	File:Sts31 flight insignia.png	File:Sts-41-patch.png	File:STS-39 patch.svg	File:Sts-48-patch.png	File:Sts-42-patch.png	File:STS-53 patch.svg	File:Sts-56-patch.png
STS-33	STS-31	STS-41	STS-39	STS-48	STS-42	STS-53	STS-56
File:STS-51 patch.svg	File:Sts-60-patch.png	File:Sts-64-patch.png	File:Sts-63-patch.png	File:Sts-70-patch.png	File:Sts-82-patch.png	File:Sts-85-patch.png	File:Sts-91-patch.svg
STS-51	STS-60	STS-64	STS-63	STS-70	STS-82	STS-85	STS-91
File:STS-95 Patch.svg	File:Sts-96-patch.svg	File:STS-103 Patch.svg	File:Sts-92-patch.svg	File:STS-102 Patch.svg	File:Sts-105-patch.svg	File:STS-114 patch.svg	File:STS-121 patch.svg
STS-95	STS-96	STS-103	STS-92	STS-102	STS-105	STS-114	STS-121
File:STS-116 emblem.svg	File:Sts-120-patch.svg	File:STS-124 patch.svg	File:STS-119 Patch.svg	File:STS-128 Patch.svg	File:STS-131 patch.svg	File:STS-133 patch.svg
STS-116	STS-120	STS-124	STS-119	STS-128	STS-131	STS-133

Flow directors

The Flow Director was responsible for the overall preparation of the shuttle for launch and processing it after landing, and remained permanently assigned to head the spacecraft's ground crew while the astronaut flight crews changed for every mission. Each shuttle's Flow Director was supported by a Vehicle Manager for the same spacecraft. Space Shuttle Discovery's Flow Directors were:

Until 01/1991: John J. "Tip" Talone Jr. (afterwards Flow Director for Endeavour)^[39]
01/1991 – 09/1992: John C. "Chris" Fairey^[39]
09/1992 – 10/1996: David A. King^[40]
10/1996 – 05/2000: W. Scott Cilento^[41]
12/2000 – 03/2011: Stephanie S. Stilson^[42]

Gallery

File:STS-41-D launch August 30, 1984.jpg	File:07042007 SpaceShuttle Discovery.jpg	File:Space Shuttle Discovery under a full moon, 03-11-09.jpg	File:Discovery sits atop a Boeing 747 as it touched down.jpg	File:Space Shuttle Discovery lands for the first time, completing STS-41-D.jpg
The launch of STS-41-D, Discovery's first mission	STS-121 launched on July 4, 2006 – the only Shuttle to launch on Independence Day	STS-119 on the night of March 11, 2009	Discovery sits atop a modified Boeing 747 as it touches down at the Kennedy Space Center following STS-128	Discovery lands after its first flight, STS-41-D
File:ISS-11 Discovery heat shield photograph.jpg	File:Discovery mission completed q.jpg	File:Modified Boeing 747 carrying Discovery.jpg	File:Space Shuttle Discovery Landing after STS-124.jpg	File:Concluding the STS-133 mission, Space Shuttle Discovery touches down at the Shuttle Landing Facility - cropped.jpg
Discovery performing the Rendezvous pitch maneuver during STS-114 prior to docking with the International Space Station	The Space Shuttle Discovery soon after landing at the end of STS-114	Modified Boeing 747 carrying Discovery after STS-128	STS-124 comes to a close as Discovery lands at the Kennedy Space Center	DiscoveryTemplate:'s final touchdown on Kennedy Space Center's runway, concluding the STS-133 mission and DiscoveryTemplate:'s 27-year career

References

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External links

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@@ Line 39: / Line 39: @@
 [[File:Space Shuttle Discovery and Carrier 747 at Vandenberg Air Force Base.png|thumb|Discovery and SCA 905 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, November 6, 1983]]
-'''Space Shuttle ''Discovery''''' ([[Orbiter Vehicle Designation]]: '''OV-103''') is a retired American [[Space Shuttle orbiter]]. The [[spaceplane]] was one of the [[Space Shuttle orbiter|orbiters]] from [[NASA]]'s [[Space Shuttle program]] and the third of five fully operational orbiters to be built.<ref name="ov103">{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/shuttleoperations/orbiters/discovery-info.html|title=Space Shuttle Overview: Discovery (OV-103)|access-date=November 6, 2007|publisher=[[NASA|National Aeronautics and Space Administration]]|year=2007|author=NASA|author-link=NASA|archive-date=November 7, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071107032526/http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/shuttleoperations/orbiters/discovery-info.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Its first mission, [[STS-41-D]], flew from August 30 to September 5, 1984. Over 27 years of service it launched and landed 39 times, aggregating more spaceflights than any other spacecraft {{as of|lc=yes|2024|12}}.<ref name="Guiness most spaceflights">{{cite web |title=Most re-used spacecraft |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/75333-most-re-used-spacecraft#:~:text=The%20most%20re-used%20spacecraft%20is%20the%20Space%20Shuttle,between%2030%20August%201984%20and%209%20March%202011. |website=Guiness World Records |access-date=12 December 2024}}</ref> The Space Shuttle launch vehicle had three main components: the [[Space Shuttle orbiter]], a single-use central fuel tank, and two reusable [[solid rocket booster]]s. Nearly 25,000 [[Space Shuttle thermal protection system|heat-resistant tiles]] cover the orbiter to protect it from high temperatures on re-entry.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.space.com/15327-space-shuttle-discovery-10-cool-facts.html |title=10 Cool Facts About NASA's Space Shuttle Discovery &#124; Space Shuttle Retirement |date=April 18, 2012 |publisher=Space.com |access-date=August 30, 2013 |archive-date=June 22, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622193311/http://www.space.com/15327-space-shuttle-discovery-10-cool-facts.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
+'''Space Shuttle ''Discovery''''' ([[Orbiter Vehicle Designation]]: '''OV-103''') is a retired American [[Space Shuttle orbiter]]. The [[spaceplane]] was one of the [[Space Shuttle orbiter|orbiters]] from [[NASA]]'s [[Space Shuttle program]] and the third of five fully operational orbiters to be built.<ref name="ov103">{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/shuttleoperations/orbiters/discovery-info.html|title=Space Shuttle Overview: Discovery (OV-103)|access-date=November 6, 2007|publisher=[[NASA|National Aeronautics and Space Administration]]|year=2007|author=NASA|author-link=NASA|archive-date=November 7, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071107032526/http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/shuttleoperations/orbiters/discovery-info.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Its first mission, [[STS-41-D]], flew from August 30 to September 5, 1984. Over 27 years of service it launched and landed 39 times, aggregating more spaceflights than any other spacecraft {{as of|lc=yes|2024|12}}.<ref name="Guinness most spaceflights">{{cite web |title=Most re-used spacecraft |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/75333-most-re-used-spacecraft#:~:text=The%20most%20re-used%20spacecraft%20is%20the%20Space%20Shuttle,between%2030%20August%201984%20and%209%20March%202011. |website=Guinness World Records |access-date=12 December 2024}}</ref> The Space Shuttle launch vehicle had three main components: the [[Space Shuttle orbiter]], a single-use central fuel tank, and two reusable [[solid rocket booster]]s. Nearly 25,000 [[Space Shuttle thermal protection system|heat-resistant tiles]] cover the orbiter to protect it from high temperatures on re-entry.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.space.com/15327-space-shuttle-discovery-10-cool-facts.html |title=10 Cool Facts About NASA's Space Shuttle Discovery &#124; Space Shuttle Retirement |date=April 18, 2012 |publisher=Space.com |access-date=August 30, 2013 |archive-date=June 22, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622193311/http://www.space.com/15327-space-shuttle-discovery-10-cool-facts.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
 ''Discovery'' became the third operational orbiter to enter service, preceded by ''[[Space Shuttle Columbia|Columbia]]'' and ''[[Space Shuttle Challenger|Challenger]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scibuff.com/2011/02/24/discoverys-last-trip-to-space-begins/ |title=Discovery's last mission flight to space begun |date=February 24, 2011 |access-date=March 9, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716014726/http://www.scibuff.com/2011/02/24/discoverys-last-trip-to-space-begins/ |archive-date=July 16, 2011 }}</ref> After the Challenger and Columbia accidents, Discovery became the oldest surviving orbiter. It embarked on its final mission, [[STS-133]], on February 24, 2011, and touched down for the last time at [[Kennedy Space Center]] on March 9,<ref>{{cite web|title=Discovery's Final Touchdown A Success|url=http://www.redorbit.com/news/space/2009363/discoverys_final_touchdown_a_success/|publisher=redOrbit.com|access-date=March 9, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110820190639/http://www.redorbit.com/news/space/2009363/discoverys_final_touchdown_a_success|archive-date=August 20, 2011}}</ref> having spent a cumulative total of nearly a full year in space. ''Discovery'' performed both research and [[International Space Station]] (ISS) assembly missions, and also carried the [[Hubble Space Telescope]] into orbit among other satellites.
@@ Line 55: / Line 55: @@
 ''Discovery'' was retired after completing its final mission, [[STS-133]] on March 9, 2011. The spacecraft is now on display in Virginia at the [[Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center]], an annex of the [[Smithsonian Institution]]'s [[National Air and Space Museum]].<ref name=nasm>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nasm.si.edu/events/pressroom/releaseDetail.cfm?releaseID=256|title=Space Shuttle Discovery Joins the National Collection|date=April 12, 2011|access-date=July 31, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120121120846/http://www.nasm.si.edu/events/pressroom/releaseDetail.cfm?releaseID=256|archive-date=January 21, 2012}}</ref>
+In 2025, the Trump [[One Big Beautiful Bill]] had a rider from Texas federal lawmakers stating that a Shuttle was to be moved to Texas. The only federally owned shuttle remaining, ''Discovery'', would be the shuttle that would be dismantled and moved, at a cost of over $300 million. It would likely be moved to Houston, but cannot leave the Smithsonian and transported to Texas without being taken apart.<ref name=WaPo-20251024> {{cite news |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/2025/10/24/discovery-space-shuttle-smithsonian-houston/ |title= GOP lawmakers raise pressure on Smithsonian over space shuttle fight |date= 24 October 2025 |author= Kelsey Ables |newspaper= Washington Post }} </ref><ref name=SPACEcom-20251022> {{Cite news |url= https://www.space.com/space-exploration/the-smithsonian-might-have-to-cut-space-shuttle-discovery-into-pieces-to-get-it-to-texas |title= The Smithsonian might have to cut space shuttle Discovery into pieces to get it to Texas |author= Josh Dinner |date= 22 October 2025 |publisher= SPACE.com }} </ref><ref name=NVaMag-20250701> {{cite news |url= https://northernvirginiamag.com/news/2025/07/01/trumps-one-big-beautiful-bill-includes-provision-to-move-the-space-shuttle-discovery-to-texas/ |title= Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ Includes Provision to Move the Space Shuttle Discovery to Texas |author= Maggie Roth |date= 1 July 2025 |publisher= Northern Virginia Magazine }} </ref>
 ==Construction milestones==
@@ Line 147: / Line 149: @@
 == Features and upgrades ==
 [[File:STS-41-D_Crew_Enjoying_Space_-_GPN-2004-00024.jpg|thumb|On the maiden voyage of ''Discovery'': [[Judith Resnik]], [[Henry Hartsfield]], [[Michael L. Coats]], [[Steven A. Hawley]], [[Charles D. Walker]], and [[Richard M. Mullane]]]]
-[[File:SRBsepfromDiscovery07042006.png|thumb|''Discovery'' after booster separation]]
+[[File:SRBsepfromDiscovery07042006.png|thumb|''Discovery'' after booster separation on STS-121]]
 [[File:STS-121 Discovery posing for inspection photos edit1.jpg|thumb|''Discovery'' approaching the [[International Space Station|ISS]] on [[STS-121]], its 'teardrop' feature clearly visible|alt=Discovery is approaching the International Space Station during STS-121. The payload in the shuttle's cargo compartment would be attached to the ISS later in the mission. The spaceship's unique 'teardrop' feature, consisting of several black tiles near the cockpit, is clearly visible.]]
 [[File:Deployment of the Hubble Space Telescope (28248653761).jpg|thumb|''Discovery'' sends the [[Hubble Space Telescope]] into orbit on April 25, 1990]]
@@ Line 158: / Line 160: @@
 Upon its delivery to the Kennedy Space Center in 1983, ''Discovery'' was modified alongside ''Challenger'' to accommodate the liquid-fueled [[Centaur-G]] booster, which had been planned for use beginning in 1986 but was cancelled in the wake of the ''Challenger'' disaster.<ref>{{cite book|last=Lardas|first=Mark|title=Space Shuttle Launch System: 1972–2004|year=2012|publisher=Osprey Publishing|page=37}}</ref>
-Beginning in late 1995, the orbiter underwent a nine-month [[Orbiter Maintenance Down Period]] (OMDP) in [[Palmdale, California]]. This included outfitting the vehicle with a fifth set of cryogenic tanks and an external airlock to support missions to the [[International Space Station]]. As with all the orbiters, it could be attached to the top of specialized aircraft and did so in June 1996 when it returned to the Kennedy Space Center, and later in April 2012 when sent to the Udvar-Hazy Center, riding [[piggy-back (transportation)|piggy-back]] on a [[Shuttle Carrier Aircraft|modified Boeing 747]].<ref name=over/>
+Beginning in late 1995, the orbiter underwent a nine-month Orbiter Maintenance Down Period (OMDP) in [[Palmdale, California]]. This included outfitting the vehicle with a fifth set of cryogenic tanks and an external airlock to support missions to the [[International Space Station]]. As with all the orbiters, it could be attached to the top of specialized aircraft and did so in June 1996 when it returned to the Kennedy Space Center, and later in April 2012 when sent to the Udvar-Hazy Center, riding [[piggy-back (transportation)|piggy-back]] on a [[Shuttle Carrier Aircraft|modified Boeing 747]].<ref name=over/>
 After [[STS-105]], ''Discovery'' became the first of the orbiter fleet to undergo Orbiter Major Modification (OMM) period at the Kennedy Space Center. Work began in September 2002 to prepare the vehicle for Return to Flight. The work included scheduled upgrades and additional safety modifications.<ref name=over/>
@@ Line 170: / Line 172: @@
 | image1            = Discovery over Washington DC April 17 2012 National Mall last pass.jpg
 | image2            = Space Shuttle Discovery landing at Dulles.jpg
-| caption2          = [[Shuttle Carrier Aircraft|SCA N905NA]] carrying ''Discovery'' on the last flyover of the [[National Mall]] at around 10:15&nbsp;am EDT, during its 11:05&nbsp;am landing at [[Washington Dulles International Airport|Dulles]] airport on April 17, 2012<ref>{{cite journal|last=Pearlman|first=Robert Z.|title=Space Shuttle Discovery lands, for the last time, in Washington, D.C.|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2012/0417/Space-Shuttle-Discovery-lands-for-the-last-time-in-Washington-D.C|journal=The Christian Science Monitor|date=April 17, 2012|access-date=April 17, 2012|quote=The air- and spacecraft duo landed at Washington Dulles International Airport at 11:05&nbsp;am EDT (1505 GMT).|archive-date=May 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180515014638/https://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2012/0417/Space-Shuttle-Discovery-lands-for-the-last-time-in-Washington-D.C|url-status=live}}</ref>
+| caption2          = [[Shuttle Carrier Aircraft|SCA N905NA]] carrying ''Discovery'' on the last flyover of the [[National Mall]] at around 10:15&nbsp;am EDT, during its 11:05&nbsp;am landing at [[Washington Dulles International Airport|Dulles]] airport on April 17, 2012<ref>{{cite journal|last=Pearlman|first=Robert Z.|title=Space Shuttle Discovery lands, for the last time, in Washington, D.C.|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2012/0417/Space-Shuttle-Discovery-lands-for-the-last-time-in-Washington-D.C|journal=The Christian Science Monitor|date=April 17, 2012|access-date=April 17, 2012|quote=The air- and spacecraft duo landed at Washington Dulles International Airport at 11:05&nbsp;am EDT (1505 GMT).|archive-date=May 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180515014638/https://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2012/0417/Space-Shuttle-Discovery-lands-for-the-last-time-in-Washington-D.C|url-status=live}}</ref>
 }}
-''Discovery'' was [[ship decommissioning|decommissioned]] on March 9, 2011.<ref name="manifest">{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/iss_manifest.html|title=Consolidated Launch Manifest|access-date=October 10, 2007|publisher=NASA|year=2007|archive-date=October 13, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013001414/http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/iss_manifest.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="CSCS1">{{cite web|url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2007/04/nasa-sets-new-launch-date-targets-through-to-sts-124/|title=NASA sets new launch date targets through to STS-124|access-date=October 15, 2007|publisher=NASASpaceflight.com|year=2006|first=Chris|last=Bergin|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303182207/http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2007/04/nasa-sets-new-launch-date-targets-through-to-sts-124/|url-status=live}}</ref> NASA offered ''Discovery'' to the [[Smithsonian Institution]]'s [[National Air and Space Museum]] for public display and preservation, after a month-long [[Contamination control|decontamination]] process,<ref>{{cite web|last=Chow|first=Denise|title=Space Shuttle Discovery Lands on Earth After Final Voyage|date=March 9, 2011|url=http://www.space.com/11080-space-shuttle-discovery-final-landing.html|publisher=SPACE.com|access-date=March 10, 2011|archive-date=March 11, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110311054117/http://www.space.com/11080-space-shuttle-discovery-final-landing.html|url-status=live}}</ref> as part of the national collection.<ref name="smithsonian">{{cite web|url=http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-121708a.html|title=NASA seeks shuttle suitors: Museums may need to cover the costs for retired orbiters|access-date=December 17, 2008|publisher=collectspace.com|year=2008|first=Robert|last=Pearlman|archive-date=January 26, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090126203934/http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-121708a.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="smithsonian-houston-chronical">{{cite press release |url=http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2008/dec/HQ_08-330_Shuttle_retirement.html |title=NASA Solicits Ideas for Displaying Retired Space Shuttles and Main Engines |publisher=NASA |date=December 17, 2009 |access-date=January 23, 2013 |archive-date=April 6, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130406221514/http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2008/dec/HQ_08-330_Shuttle_retirement.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nation/6756689.html|title=Discovery is Smithsonian's|last=Berger|first=Eric|date=December 7, 2009|work=Houston Chronicle|access-date=January 3, 2010|archive-date=January 3, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100103091013/http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nation/6756689.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Discovery'' replaced [[Space Shuttle Enterprise|''Enterprise'']], which was in the Smithsonian's display at the [[Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center]] until 2011.<ref>{{cite web|last=Pearlman|first=Robert Z.|title=NASA Primes Retired Test Shuttle Enterprise For One Last Flight|url=http://www.space.com/8049-nasa-primes-retired-test-shuttle-enterprise-flight.html|work=Space.com|access-date=March 14, 2011|date=March 17, 2010|archive-date=February 27, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110227010913/http://www.space.com/8049-nasa-primes-retired-test-shuttle-enterprise-flight.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-031510a.html |title=news – "NASA readies retired test shuttle Enterprise for one last flight" |publisher=collectSPACE |date=March 15, 2010 |access-date=August 30, 2013 |archive-date=September 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130913000946/http://collectspace.com/news/news-031510a.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=NYC, L.A., Kennedy Space Center, Smithsonian to get the 4 retired space shuttles|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2011/04/kennedy-space-center-air-and-space-museum-likely-to-get-2-of-the-4-retiring-shuttle-vehicles/1|work=USA Today|date=April 12, 2011|access-date=April 12, 2011|archive-date=May 26, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120526065357/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2011/04/kennedy-space-center-air-and-space-museum-likely-to-get-2-of-the-4-retiring-shuttle-vehicles/1|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Discovery'' was transported to [[Washington Dulles International Airport]] on April 17, 2012, and was transferred to the Udvar-Hazy on April 19 where a welcome ceremony was held. Afterwards, at around 5:30&nbsp;pm, ''Discovery'' was rolled to its "final wheels stop" in the Udvar Hazy Center.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nasm.si.edu/collections/discovery.cfm|title=Welcome, Discovery!|publisher=Smithsonian Air and Space Museum|access-date=January 30, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120202111956/http://www.nasm.si.edu/collections/discovery.cfm|archive-date=February 2, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcwashington.com/the-scene/events/Space-Shuttle-Discovery-headed-to-the-Smithsonian-137975898.html|title=Udvar-Hazy Center Getting a 2nd Space Shuttle|author=Associated Press/NBC Washington|date=January 24, 2012|publisher=NBC Washington|access-date=January 30, 2012|archive-date=March 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306202346/http://www.nbcwashington.com/the-scene/events/Space-Shuttle-Discovery-headed-to-the-Smithsonian-137975898.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
+''Discovery'' was [[ship decommissioning|decommissioned]] on March 9, 2011.<ref name="manifest">{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/iss_manifest.html|title=Consolidated Launch Manifest|access-date=October 10, 2007|publisher=NASA|year=2007|archive-date=October 13, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013001414/http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/iss_manifest.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="CSCS1">{{cite web|url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2007/04/nasa-sets-new-launch-date-targets-through-to-sts-124/|title=NASA sets new launch date targets through to STS-124|access-date=October 15, 2007|publisher=NASASpaceflight.com|year=2006|first=Chris|last=Bergin|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303182207/http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2007/04/nasa-sets-new-launch-date-targets-through-to-sts-124/|url-status=live}}</ref> NASA offered ''Discovery'' to the [[Smithsonian Institution]]'s [[National Air and Space Museum]] for public display and preservation, after a month-long [[Contamination control|decontamination]] process,<ref>{{cite web|last=Chow|first=Denise|title=Space Shuttle Discovery Lands on Earth After Final Voyage|date=March 9, 2011|url=http://www.space.com/11080-space-shuttle-discovery-final-landing.html|publisher=SPACE.com|access-date=March 10, 2011|archive-date=March 11, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110311054117/http://www.space.com/11080-space-shuttle-discovery-final-landing.html|url-status=live}}</ref> as part of the national collection.<ref name="smithsonian">{{cite web|url=http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-121708a.html|title=NASA seeks shuttle suitors: Museums may need to cover the costs for retired orbiters|access-date=December 17, 2008|publisher=collectspace.com|year=2008|first=Robert|last=Pearlman|archive-date=January 26, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090126203934/http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-121708a.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="smithsonian-houston-chronical">{{cite press release |url=http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2008/dec/HQ_08-330_Shuttle_retirement.html |title=NASA Solicits Ideas for Displaying Retired Space Shuttles and Main Engines |publisher=NASA |date=December 17, 2009 |access-date=January 23, 2013 |archive-date=April 6, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130406221514/http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2008/dec/HQ_08-330_Shuttle_retirement.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nation/6756689.html|title=Discovery is Smithsonian's|last=Berger|first=Eric|date=December 7, 2009|work=Houston Chronicle|access-date=January 3, 2010|archive-date=January 3, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100103091013/http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nation/6756689.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Discovery'' replaced [[Space Shuttle Enterprise|''Enterprise'']], which was in the Smithsonian's display at the [[Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center]] until 2011.<ref>{{cite web|last=Pearlman|first=Robert Z.|title=NASA Primes Retired Test Shuttle Enterprise For One Last Flight|url=http://www.space.com/8049-nasa-primes-retired-test-shuttle-enterprise-flight.html|work=Space.com|access-date=March 14, 2011|date=March 17, 2010|archive-date=February 27, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110227010913/http://www.space.com/8049-nasa-primes-retired-test-shuttle-enterprise-flight.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-031510a.html |title=news – "NASA readies retired test shuttle Enterprise for one last flight" |publisher=collectSPACE |date=March 15, 2010 |access-date=August 30, 2013 |archive-date=September 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130913000946/http://collectspace.com/news/news-031510a.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=NYC, L.A., Kennedy Space Center, Smithsonian to get the 4 retired space shuttles|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2011/04/kennedy-space-center-air-and-space-museum-likely-to-get-2-of-the-4-retiring-shuttle-vehicles/1|work=USA Today|date=April 12, 2011|access-date=April 12, 2011|archive-date=May 26, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120526065357/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2011/04/kennedy-space-center-air-and-space-museum-likely-to-get-2-of-the-4-retiring-shuttle-vehicles/1|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Discovery'' was transported to [[Washington Dulles International Airport]] on April 17, 2012, and was transferred to the Udvar-Hazy Center on April 19 where a welcome ceremony was held. Afterwards, at around 5:30&nbsp;pm, ''Discovery'' was rolled to its "final wheels stop" in the Udvar-Hazy Center.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nasm.si.edu/collections/discovery.cfm|title=Welcome, Discovery!|publisher=Smithsonian Air and Space Museum|access-date=January 30, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120202111956/http://www.nasm.si.edu/collections/discovery.cfm|archive-date=February 2, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcwashington.com/the-scene/events/Space-Shuttle-Discovery-headed-to-the-Smithsonian-137975898.html|title=Udvar-Hazy Center Getting a 2nd Space Shuttle|author=Associated Press/NBC Washington|date=January 24, 2012|publisher=NBC Washington|access-date=January 30, 2012|archive-date=March 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306202346/http://www.nbcwashington.com/the-scene/events/Space-Shuttle-Discovery-headed-to-the-Smithsonian-137975898.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
+Texas senators [[John Cornyn]] and [[Ted Cruz]] added a provision to the 2025 [[One Big Beautiful Bill Act]] to spend $85 million to relocate a space vehicle that has flown astronauts into space, presumably ''Discovery'' because of the sponsors of the provision and previous legislation attempts, from the Udvar-Hazy Center to the [[Space Center Houston]] Museum in Texas.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pearlman |first=Robert |date=2025-07-11 |title="It's a heist": Senator calls out Texas for trying to steal shuttle from Smithsonian |url=https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/07/its-a-heist-senator-calls-out-texas-for-trying-to-steal-shuttle-from-smithsonian/ |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=Ars Technica |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=119th Congress |title=H.R.1 - One Big Beautiful Bill Act |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1/text |website=congress.gov |date=July 4, 2025 |publisher=US Government |access-date=29 August 2025}}</ref> While the Smithsonian estimated that the total cost of the transfer would be approximately $325 million, they also countered that ownership of the shuttle had been transferred to the museum and was no longer federal property, and that Congress did not have the ability to force a transfer.<ref>{{cite web |author=Roth, Maggie |date=July 1, 2025 |title=Trump's 'One Big Beautiful Bill' Includes Provision to Move the Space Shuttle Discovery to Texas |url=https://northernvirginiamag.com/news/2025/07/01/trumps-one-big-beautiful-bill-includes-provision-to-move-the-space-shuttle-discovery-to-texas/ |access-date=July 1, 2025 |publisher=Northern Virginia Magazine}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Dinner |first1=Josh |title='The Smithsonian Institution owns the Discovery.' Museum resists Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' plan to move space shuttle to Houston |url=http://www.space.com/space-exploration/the-smithsonian-institution-owns-the-discovery-museum-resists-trumps-big-beautiful-bill-plan-to-move-space-shuttle-to-houston |access-date=17 August 2025 |work=Space.com |date=30 July 2025}}</ref>
 {{multiple image
 | align             = right
@@ Line 184: / Line 188: @@
 ==Flights==
-[[File:STS-48 UARS deployment.jpg|thumb|right|The Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS), one of the many satellites deployed from ''Discovery'']]
+[[File:STS-48 UARS deployment.jpg|thumb|right|The Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS), one of the many satellites deployed from ''Discovery'' (photo from STS-48)]]
 By its last mission, ''Discovery'' had flown {{convert|149|e6mi|e6km|abbr=unit}} in 39 missions, completed 5,830 orbits, and spent 365 days in orbit over 27 years.<ref name=slt>{{cite news|last=Dunn|first=Marcia|title=Space shuttle Discovery lands, ends flying career|url=http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/world/51395407-68/discovery-space-nasa-shuttle.html.csp|agency=Associated Press|work=Salt Lake Tribune|access-date=March 10, 2011|date=March 9, 2011|archive-date=March 15, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110315204103/http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/world/51395407-68/discovery-space-nasa-shuttle.html.csp|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Discovery'' flew [[Space Shuttle Orbiter#Flight statistics|more flights]] than any other Orbiter Shuttle, including four in 1985 alone. ''Discovery'' flew both "return to flight" missions after the ''[[Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster|Challenger]]'' and ''[[Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster|Columbia]]'' disasters: [[STS-26]] in 1988, [[STS-114]] in 2005, and [[STS-121]] in 2006. ''Discovery'' flew the ante-penultimate mission of the Space Shuttle program, [[STS-133]], having launched on February 24, 2011. ''Endeavour'' flew [[STS-134]] and ''Atlantis'' performed [[STS-135]], NASA's last Space Shuttle mission. On February 24, 2011, Space Shuttle ''Discovery'' launched from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39-A to begin its final orbital flight.<ref name=ares6>{{cite news|last=Travis|first=Matthew|title=STS-133 space shuttle Discovery launches for the final time|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eovKxCccMc| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211110/2eovKxCccMc| archive-date=November 10, 2021 | url-status=live|agency=The Spacearium, SpaceflightNews.net via YouTube|access-date=June 23, 2011|date=February 24, 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
@@ Line 451: / Line 455: @@
 |[[Image:Sts-29-patch.png|center|100x100px]]
 |-
-| '''[[STS-41-D]]'''
+| [[STS-41-D]]
-| '''[[STS-51-A]]'''
+| [[STS-51-A]]
-| '''[[STS-51-C]]'''
+| [[STS-51-C]]
-| '''[[STS-51-D]]'''
+| [[STS-51-D]]
-| '''[[STS-51-G]]'''
+| [[STS-51-G]]
-| '''[[STS-51-I]]'''
+| [[STS-51-I]]
-| '''[[STS 26]]'''
+| [[STS-26]]
-| '''[[STS 29]]'''
+| [[STS-29]]
 |-
 |[[Image:Sts-33-patch.png|center|100x100px]]
@@ Line 469: / Line 473: @@
 |[[Image:Sts-56-patch.png|center|100x100px]]
 |-
-| '''[[STS 33]]'''
+| [[STS-33]]
-| '''[[STS 31]]'''
+| [[STS-31]]
-| '''[[STS 41]]'''
+| [[STS-41]]
-| '''[[STS 39]]'''
+| [[STS-39]]
-| '''[[STS 48]]'''
+| [[STS-48]]
-| '''[[STS 42]]'''
+| [[STS-42]]
-| '''[[STS 53]]'''
+| [[STS-53]]
-| '''[[STS 56]]'''
+| [[STS-56]]
 |-
 |[[Image:STS-51 patch.svg|center|110x110px]]
@@ Line 487: / Line 491: @@
 |[[Image:Sts-91-patch.svg|center|100x100px]]
 |-
-| '''[[STS 51]]'''
+| [[STS-51]]
-| '''[[STS 60]]'''
+| [[STS-60]]
-| '''[[STS 64]]'''
+| [[STS-64]]
-| '''[[STS 63]]'''
+| [[STS-63]]
-| '''[[STS 70]]'''
+| [[STS-70]]
-| '''[[STS 82]]'''
+| [[STS-82]]
-| '''[[STS 85]]'''
+| [[STS-85]]
-| '''[[STS 91]]'''
+| [[STS-91]]
 |-
 |[[Image:STS-95 Patch.svg|center|100x100px]]
@@ Line 505: / Line 509: @@
 |[[Image:STS-121 patch.svg|center|100x100px]]
 |-
-| '''[[STS 95]]'''
+| [[STS-95]]
-| '''[[STS 96]]'''
+| [[STS-96]]
-| '''[[STS 103]]'''
+| [[STS-103]]
-| '''[[STS 92]]'''
+| [[STS-92]]
-| '''[[STS 102]]'''
+| [[STS-102]]
-| '''[[STS 105]]'''
+| [[STS-105]]
-| '''[[STS 114]]'''
+| [[STS-114]]
-| '''[[STS 121]]'''
+| [[STS-121]]
 |-
 |[[Image:STS-116 emblem.svg|center|100x100px]]
@@ Line 522: / Line 526: @@
 |[[Image:STS-133 patch.svg|center|100x100px]]
 |-
-| '''[[STS 116]]'''
+| [[STS-116]]
-| '''[[STS 120]]'''
+| [[STS-120]]
-| '''[[STS 124]]'''
+| [[STS-124]]
-| '''[[STS 119]]'''
+| [[STS-119]]
-| '''[[STS 128]]'''
+| [[STS-128]]
-| '''[[STS 131]]'''
+| [[STS-131]]
-| '''[[STS 133]]'''
+| [[STS-133]]
 |}
@@ Line 551: / Line 555: @@
 |<small>[[STS-121]] launched on July 4, 2006 – the only Shuttle to launch on [[Independence Day (United States)|Independence Day]]</small>
 |<small>[[STS-119]] on the night of March 11, 2009</small>
-|<small>''Discovery'' sits atop a modified [[Boeing 747]] as it touches down</small>
+|<small>''Discovery'' sits atop a modified [[Boeing 747]] as it touches down at the Kennedy Space Center following [[STS-128]]</small>
 |<small>''Discovery'' lands after its first flight, [[STS-41-D]]</small>
 |-
@@ Line 560: / Line 564: @@
 |[[Image:Concluding the STS-133 mission, Space Shuttle Discovery touches down at the Shuttle Landing Facility - cropped.jpg|100px]]
 |-
-|<small>''Discovery'' performing the [[Rendezvous pitch maneuver]] prior to docking with the [[International Space Station]]</small>
+|<small>''Discovery'' performing the [[Rendezvous pitch maneuver]] during [[STS-114]] prior to docking with the [[International Space Station]]</small>
-|<small>The Space Shuttle ''Discovery'' soon after landing</small>
+|<small>The Space Shuttle ''Discovery'' soon after landing at the end of STS-114</small>
-|<small>Modified Boeing 747 carrying ''Discovery''</small>
+|<small>Modified Boeing 747 carrying ''Discovery'' after STS-128</small>
 |<small>[[STS-124]] comes to a close as ''Discovery'' lands at the [[Kennedy Space Center]]</small>
 |<small>''Discovery''{{'}}s final touchdown on Kennedy Space Center's runway, concluding the [[STS-133]] mission and ''Discovery''{{'}}s 27-year career</small>
@@ Line 596: / Line 600: @@
 {{NASA space program}}
 {{Authority control}}
-{{Use American English|date=January 2014}}
 [[Category:Crewed spacecraft|Discovery]]

Space Shuttle Discovery: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 06:42, 3 November 2025

Contents

History

Construction milestones

Features and upgrades

Decommissioning

Flights

Flights listing

Mission and tribute insignias

Flow directors

Gallery

See also

References

External links

Navigation menu

Space Shuttle Discovery: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 06:42, 3 November 2025

History

Construction milestones

Features and upgrades

Decommissioning

Flights

Flights listing

Mission and tribute insignias

Flow directors

Gallery

See also

References

External links

Navigation menu

Search