STS-124
{{short description|2008 American crewed spaceflight to the ISS}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox spaceflight
| name = STS-124
| names_list = Space Transportation System-124
| image = File:STS-124_Kibo.jpg
| image_caption = Kibō{{'}}s pressurized module, two days after its installation, with Discovery in the background
| insignia = STS-124 patch.svg
| spacecraft = {{OV|103}}
| mission_type = ISS assembly
| operator = NASA
| COSPAR_ID =
| SATCAT =
| orbits_completed = 217
| distance_travelled = {{convert|9230622.6|km|mi|sp=us}}
| mission_duration = 13 days, 18 hours, 13 minutes 7 seconds
| launch_mass = {{convert|269123|lb|kg|order=flip}}
| landing_mass = {{convert|203320|lb|kg|order=flip}}
| payload_mass = 17530 kg {{Cite web|url=http://weebau.com/flights/sts124.htm|title=STS-124|access-date=April 24, 2018|archive-date=April 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425114803/http://weebau.com/flights/sts124.htm|url-status=live}}
| launch_site = Kennedy, LC-39A
| launch_date = {{start date text|May 31, 2008, 21:02:12|timezone=yes}} UTC{{cite web |url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts124/main/index.html |title=Mission Information – STS-124 |publisher=NASA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314212655/https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts124/main/index.html |archive-date=March 14, 2022 |url-status=live }}
| landing_date = {{end date text|June 14, 2008, 15:15:19|timezone=yes}} UTC{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/228145main_sts124_presskit2.pdf|title=Page 19|access-date=August 22, 2010|archive-date=June 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170608033148/https://www.nasa.gov/pdf/228145main_sts124_presskit2.pdf|url-status=live}}
| landing_site = Kennedy, SLF Runway 15
| crew_size = 7
| crew_members = {{Unbulleted list|Mark E. Kelly|Kenneth T. Ham|Karen L. Nyberg|Ronald J. Garan Jr.|Michael E. Fossum|Akihiko Hoshide}}
| crew_launching = {{Unbulleted list|Gregory E. Chamitoff}}
| crew_landing = {{Unbulleted list|Garret E. Reisman}}
| crew_photo = Sts124crew.jpg
| crew_photo_caption = From left to right: Chamitoff, Fossum, Ham, Kelly, Nyberg, Garan and Hoshide
| docking =
{{Infobox spaceflight/Dock
|docking_target = ISS
|docking_type = dock
|docking_port = PMA-2
(Harmony forward)
|docking_date = June 2, 2008, 18:03{{nbsp}}UTC
|undocking_date = June 11, 2008, 11:42{{nbsp}}UTC
|time_docked = 8{{nbsp}}days, 17{{nbsp}}hours, 39{{nbsp}}minutes
}}
| apsis = gee
| orbit_epoch =
| orbit_reference = Geocentric
| orbit_regime = Low Earth
| orbit_apoapsis = {{convert|177|nmi|km|order=flip}}
| orbit_periapsis = {{convert|166|nmi|km|order=flip}}
| orbit_period = 91 minutes
| orbit_inclination = 51.6 degrees
| programme = Space Shuttle program
| previous_mission = STS-123
| next_mission = STS-126
}}
STS-124 was the 35th mission of Space Shuttle Discovery. It went to the International Space Station on this mission. Discovery launched on May 31, 2008, at 17:02 EDT, moved from an earlier scheduled launch date of May 25, 2008,{{cite web | url = http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2008/mar/HQ_M08069_STS-124_launch_date.html | title = NASA Updates Target Launch Date for Next Space Shuttle Flight | author = NASA | publisher = NASA | year = 2008 | access-date = March 31, 2008 | archive-date = December 28, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181228132550/https://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2008/mar/HQ_M08069_STS-124_launch_date.html | url-status = live }} and landed safely at the Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility, at 11:15 EDT on June 14, 2008. Its objective was to deliver the largest module of the space station – Kibō, the Japanese Experiment Module pressurized section. The mission is also referred to as ISS-1J by the ISS program.
Crew
{{Spaceflight crew
|terminology = Astronaut
|position1 = Commander
|crew1_up = {{Flag icon|USA}} Mark Kelly
|flights1_up = Third
|position2 = Pilot
|crew2_up = {{Flag icon|USA}} Kenneth Ham
|flights2_up = First
|position3 = Mission Specialist 1
|crew3_up = {{Flag icon|USA}} Karen Nyberg
|flights3_up = First
|position4 = Mission Specialist 2
Flight Engineer
|crew4_up = {{Flag icon|USA}} Ronald J. Garan Jr.
|flights4_up = First
|position5 = Mission Specialist 3
|crew5_up = {{Flag icon|USA}} Michael E. Fossum
|flights5_up = Second
|position6 = Mission Specialist 4
|crew6_up = {{Flag icon|JPN}} Akihiko Hoshide
|flights6_up = First
|agency6_up = JAXA
|position7 = Mission Specialist 5
|crew7_up = {{Flag icon|USA}} Gregory Chamitoff
|flights7_up = First
|expedition7_up = Expedition 17
|details7_up = ISS Flight Engineer
|crew7_down = {{Flag icon|USA}} Garrett Reisman
|flights7_down = First
|expedition7_down = Expedition 17
|details7_down = ISS Flight Engineer
}}
=Crew notes=
- Stephen G. Bowen was originally assigned to STS-124 but was moved to STS-126 to allow this mission to rotate an ISS crew member.{{cite web |author=Withers |first=Stephen |year=2007 |title=Crew assignments for space shuttle mission STS-126 have been revised following the resignation of an experienced astronaut. |url=http://www.itwire.com/content/view/15454/1066/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080605164115/http://www.itwire.com/content/view/15454/1066/ |archive-date=June 5, 2008 |access-date=November 22, 2007 |publisher=iTWire}} Bowen was scheduled to perform the EVAs on the flight along with Fossum. Garan took his place for the EVAs.
=Commander Kelly discusses the crew=
Image:Space Shuttle Discovery lowered toward external tank and solid rocket boosters (STS-124).jpg toward the external tank and SRBs in high bay 3 of the Vehicle Assembly Building for STS-124.]]
"I'm really fortunate to be given the crew members that I have on this mission. It's myself and six others. We do swap one of our crew members with the expedition crew member on board. So Greg goes up, Greg stays on station and Garrett comes home. But the crew that was assigned to me—I'm really fortunate to have some really talented people. Ken Ham, as a pilot, knows the orbiter better than anybody I've seen. This is his first flight. My lead EVA crew member is Mike Fossum who did three spacewalks on my previous flight, STS-121. We've flown together before. I have all the confidence in the world in his ability to execute these EVAs. Karen Nyberg, my MS1, sits on the flight deck for ascent and entry. She's also the lead for all the robotic arm operations. She'll be flying three robotic arms in space, incredibly motivated, well ahead of the game and I expect great things from her. Ron Garan is my flight engineer, a colonel in the Air Force. This is going to be his first time in space as well as is Karen's and Ken's and he's doing three spacewalks. So he's got a lot on his plate. He's been doing great during training and he's going to have the opportunity to prove himself during these three spacewalks. I kind of wish it was me getting to go outside. I can't do that, but we expect great things from Ron as well. And then I have Aki Hoshide, our Japanese crew member, who grew up in New Jersey kind of like me. That's an interesting thing about our flight—we have four people from New Jersey on the mission. I look at Aki as the payload commander. He is responsible for that Japanese laboratory and he has taken on that responsibility as completely as I could have hoped for. All through our training he's been very much focused on the Japanese lab, making sure it's ready to go, making sure we're completely trained on the systems and everything we have to do. I've given him a lot of responsibility and he's completely taken it on."{{cite web |date=June 20, 2008 |title=Preflight Interview: Mark Kelly, Commander |url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts124/interview_Kelly.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130203085939/http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts124/interview_Kelly.html |archive-date=February 3, 2013 |access-date=August 22, 2010 |website=Nasa.gov |publisher=NASA}}
- Gregory Chamitoff brought the first bagels into space: 3 bags (18 sesame seed Montreal-style bagels) with him.{{Cite web |date=2008-06-01 |title=Montreal-born astronaut brings bagels into space |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/montreal-born-astronaut-brings-bagels-into-space-1.299619 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016010817/https://www.ctvnews.ca/montreal-born-astronaut-brings-bagels-into-space-1.299619 |archive-date=2012-10-16 |access-date= |website=CTVNews}}{{Cite news |last=Block |first=Irwin |date=June 3, 2008 |title=Here's proof: Montreal bagels are out of this world |url=http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=6924c3b3-a4e3-4c05-b279-025fc9650627 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604161249/http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=6924c3b3-a4e3-4c05-b279-025fc9650627 |archive-date=June 4, 2008 |work=The Gazette (Montreal) |page=A2}}
Mission payloads
STS-124 delivered the Pressurized Module (PM) of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), called Kibō, to the International Space Station (ISS). Kibō was berthed to the Harmony module and the pressurized section of the JEM Experiment Logistics Module, brought up by the STS-123 crew, was moved from Harmony to the JEM-PM. The Japanese Remote Manipulator System, a robotic arm, was also delivered by STS-124 and attached to Kibō. The entire Kibō laboratory was brought up over three missions. All the modules were manufactured at the Tsukuba Space Center and were shipped to the KSC SSPF for launch processing. It is manufactured from stainless steel and titanium.
Discovery carried with it replacement parts in a mid-deck locker for a malfunctioning toilet on the International Space Station. The crew had been using other facilities for waste until the new replacement parts were installed on the Zvezda module of the ISS.
Flying with the STS-124 crew was an action figure of Buzz Lightyear, a fictional character in the Toy Story franchise. Ken Ham, pilot of the STS-124 mission, brought with him episodes of ESPN Radio's Mike and Mike in the Morning, and a plastic microphone stand with the ESPN logo on it. Along with those, a yellow jersey from Lance Armstrong's record-setting seven victories at the Tour de France bicycle race, the backup jersey Eli Manning took to the Super Bowl, and the last jersey that American Major League Baseball's Craig Biggio wore in a game were placed inside the orbiter's lockers.{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/behindscenes/whatsgoingup124.html|title=Buzz Lightyear to Soar with Discovery|publisher=NASA|access-date=May 29, 2008|date=May 29, 2008|archive-date=May 31, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080531131540/http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/behindscenes/whatsgoingup124.html|url-status=live}}
With the completion of STS-124, the next permanent pressurized module would not be delivered to the ISS by a Space Shuttle until STS-130 brought up Tranquility in February 2010.
= Crew seat assignments =
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! Launch ! Landing |rowspan=8| 150px |
| 1
|colspan=2| Kelly |
|---|
| 2
|colspan=2| Ham |
| 3
|colspan=2| Nyberg |
| 4
|colspan=2| Garan |
| 5
|colspan=2| Fossum |
| 6
|colspan=2| Hoshide |
| 7
|Chamitoff |Reisman |
Mission background
- 154th NASA crewed spaceflight
- 123rd Space Shuttle flight since STS-1
- 98th post-Challenger mission
- 10th post-Columbia mission
- 11th flight remaining in the shuttle program
- 26th flight to the ISS
- 35th flight for shuttle Discovery
- 3rd shuttle mission in 2008
Shuttle processing
{{more footnotes needed|section|date=February 2024}}
On April 26, 2008 Discovery was rolled over to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) from its processing bay in the Orbiter Processing Facility. Once in the VAB it was lifted vertically and mated with its external tank and solid rocket boosters on April 28, 2008. At the end of a week-long prep schedule on May 2, 2008, at 23:47 EDT the stack was rolled out to launch pad 39A on top the Mobile Launch Platform. Carried by the Crawler Transporter, Discovery arrived and was secured at LC-39A on May 3, 2008, at 06:06 EDT. The payload canister containing the JEM was rolled out to the Payload Changeout Room at the pad on April 29, 2008, and was later installed into Discovery
Mission timeline
=May 31 (Flight day 1, Launch)=
File:STS-124 launch closeup.jpg
Image:STS124LaunchSpoilIslandsView.JPG
The Space Shuttle Discovery launched from the Kennedy Space Center at 17:02 EDT local time. Debris from the fuel tank was minimal.{{Cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/space/05/31/space.fuel.ap/index.html#cnnSTCText |title=Discovery blasts off for space station |website=CNN |access-date=June 2, 2008 |archive-date=June 3, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080603021249/http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/space/05/31/space.fuel.ap/index.html#cnnSTCText |url-status=live }}
"While we've all prepared for this event today, the discoveries from Kibo will definitely offer hope for tomorrow," said Discovery{{'}}s commander Mark Kelly just before launch. "Now stand by for the greatest show on Earth."{{cite web |url = http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/080531-sts124-launch-day.html |title = SPACE.com – Shuttle Discovery Launches Space Station's Largest Lab |website = Space.com |date = May 31, 2008 |access-date = June 14, 2008 |archive-date = January 5, 2010 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100105170351/http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/080531-sts124-launch-day.html |url-status = live }}
==Launch pad damage==
One of the trenches at launch pad 39A that channels flames away from the shuttle during lift-off was significantly damaged.{{cite web |url = http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/080602-sts124-pad39a-damage.html |title = SPACE.com |website = Space.com |date = June 2, 2008 |access-date = July 10, 2008 |archive-date = August 15, 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090815092422/http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/080602-sts124-pad39a-damage.html |url-status = live }} The subsequent mishap investigation found that the damage was the result of carbonation of epoxy and corrosion of steel anchors which held the refractory bricks in place. These had been exacerbated by the fact that hydrochloric acid is an exhaust by-product of the solid rocket boosters.{{cite journal | url=http://pbma.nasa.gov/docs/public/pbma/images/msm/STS-124FlameTrench_SFCS.pdf | title=Hit the Bricks | journal=System Failure Case Studies | publisher=NASA | date=August 2010 | volume=4 | issue=8 | pages=1–4 | author=Lilley, Steve K. | access-date=July 20, 2011 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928091534/http://pbma.nasa.gov/docs/public/pbma/images/msm/STS-124FlameTrench_SFCS.pdf | archive-date=September 28, 2011 | df=dmy-all }} Repairs to the trench were completed before the STS-125 mission's then scheduled launch attempt on October 8, 2008.{{cite web |url = http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_1125.html |title = NASA Image of the Day |access-date = July 10, 2008 |archive-date = July 11, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080711072939/http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_1125.html |url-status = live }} In fact STS-125 finally launched in May 2009, and in the meantime STS-126 (November 2008) and STS-119 (March 2009) had both been successfully launched from pad 39A.
=June 1 (Flight day 2)=
During the first full day in space, Ham and Nyberg completed a limited inspection of the shuttle's thermal protection system using the end effector camera of the shuttle's robotic arm. The crew also installed the centerline camera and extended the orbiter's docking system ring to prepare Discovery' for arrival at the space station.{{cite web |url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts124/news/STS-124-03.html |title=STS-124 MCC Status Report No. 03 |publisher=NASA |access-date=June 3, 2008 |archive-date=July 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708105232/https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts124/news/STS-124-03.html |url-status=live }}
=June 2 (Flight day 3)=
Discovery docked with the space station at 18:03 UTC and the hatches opened at 19:36 UTC. Greg Chamitoff officially joined the Expedition 17 crew, replacing Garrett Reisman.{{cite web |url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts124/news/STS-124-05.html |title=STS-124 MCC Status Report No. 05 |publisher=NASA |access-date=June 3, 2008 |archive-date=October 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027014212/https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts124/news/STS-124-05.html |url-status=live }}
=June 3 (Flight day 4)=
Mike Fossum and Ron Garan completed a six-hour-forty-eight-minute spacewalk at 23:10 UTC. During the excursion, the pair retrieved the Orbiter Boom Sensor System, serviced and inspected components of a Solar Alpha Rotary Joint and prepared the JEM-PS component of the Kibō laboratory for installation. Karen Nyberg and Akihiko Hoshide, using the station's robotic arm, removed the JEM-PS from the shuttle's payload bay and latched it in place on the Harmony node, completing the task at 23:01 UTC.{{cite web |url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts124/news/STS-124-07.html |title=STS-124 MCC Status Report No. 07 |publisher=NASA |access-date=June 5, 2008 |archive-date=August 7, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080807065918/http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts124/news/STS-124-07.html |url-status=live }}
=June 4 (Flight day 5)=
The hatch to the Kibō lab was opened at 21:05 UTC. The crew also repaired the malfunctioning ISS toilet.{{cite web |url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts124/news/STS-124-08.html |title=STS-124 MCC Status report |publisher=Nasa.gov |access-date=August 22, 2010 |archive-date=September 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925173611/https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts124/news/STS-124-08.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news|url=https://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts124/080604fd5/index2.html|title=Russian toilet pump replaced in space station|first=William|last=Harwood|date=June 4, 2008|publisher=SpaceflightNow|access-date=December 3, 2022|archive-date=December 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204061746/https://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts124/080604fd5/index2.html|url-status=live}}
=June 5 (Flight day 6)=
Image:STS-124 crew in Kibo.jpg
Fossum and Garan completed the second STS-124 spacewalk. The 7-hour, 11-minute excursion ended at 22:15 UTC.{{cite web |url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts124/news/STS-124-09.html |title=STS-124 MCC status Report |publisher=Nasa.gov |access-date=August 22, 2010 |archive-date=October 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027004952/https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts124/news/STS-124-09.html |url-status=live }} Prior to heading outside spacewalker Garan stated "Mike and I are getting ready to go out the door for our second spacewalk today. It's going to be a wonderful day."{{cite web |url = http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/080605-sts124-second-spacewalk-preview.html |title = SPACE.com – Astronauts to Add Camera Eyes to New Station Lab |website = Space.com |date = June 5, 2008 |access-date = June 14, 2008 |archive-date = June 7, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080607233153/http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/080605-sts124-second-spacewalk-preview.html |url-status = live }}
=June 6 (Flight day 7)=
The crew moved the Kibō Logistics Module from Harmony to the Pressurized Module.{{cite web |url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts124/news/STS-124-10.html |title=STS-124 MCC status Report |publisher=Nasa.gov |access-date=August 22, 2010 |archive-date=November 26, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126003650/http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts124/news/STS-124-10.html |url-status=live }}
=June 7 (Flight day 8)=
Image:STS-124 Columbus and Garan.jpg
Hoshide and Nyberg moved two of the six joints on the Japanese Kibō lab's robotic arm for the first time, maneuvering them very slightly with a series of commands.[https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080607/ap_on_sc/space_shuttle Shuttle astronauts prepare robot arm for 1st use] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080607151047/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080607/ap_on_sc/space_shuttle |date=June 7, 2008 }} With the mission at its midpoint astronaut Karen Nyberg commented that "the week has gone way too fast."{{cite web |url = http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/080607-sts124-mission-midpoint.html |title = SPACE.com – Shuttle Crew Hits Mission Midpoint with Robot Arm Test |website = Space.com |date = June 7, 2008 |access-date = June 14, 2008 |archive-date = June 11, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080611030145/http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/080607-sts124-mission-midpoint.html |url-status = live }}
=June 8 (Flight day 9)=
Image:STS-124 Karen window.jpg
Fossum and Garan conducted the third and final spacewalk, replacing an empty nitrogen tank and collecting a sample of debris from the solar array.[https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080608/ap_on_sc/space_shuttle Astronauts breeze through their 3rd spacewalk] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080608182212/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080608/ap_on_sc/space_shuttle |date=June 8, 2008 }}
=June 9 (Flight day 10)=
Kibō{{'}}s robot arm was extended to its full 33 feet, with all six joints tested. The astronauts also opened the hatch to the Kibō{{'}}s storage unit.[https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080609/ap_on_sc/space_shuttle Astronauts wrap up space station work] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080609222704/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080609/ap_on_sc/space_shuttle |date=June 9, 2008 }}
=June 10 (Flight day 11)=
The shuttle closed the hatch connecting it to the space station at 19:49 UTC.{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts124/news/STS-124-21.html|title=STS-124 MCC Status Report #21|access-date=April 25, 2010|archive-date=March 17, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100317064217/http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts124/news/STS-124-21.html|url-status=live}}
"It's amazing what's going on up here," said Chamitoff. "This is just the beginning. Overall, the mission's been a great success," said Kelly from space. "I certainly have a great crew and they're well trained, but there's also a little luck involved."{{cite web |url = http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/080609-sts124-crew-success.html |title = SPACE.com – Space Shuttle Flight a 'Great Success,' Astronauts Say |website = Space.com |date = June 9, 2008 |access-date = June 14, 2008 |archive-date = June 13, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080613011946/http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/080609-sts124-crew-success.html |url-status = live }}
=June 11 (Flight day 12)=
Discovery undocked from the International Space Station's Harmony Module, at 11:42 UTC. Discovery then conducted a fly-by of the ISS, so pictures could be taken. Saying goodbye to the ISS and its crew, commander Kelly said "We wish them the best with their expedition and we hope we left them a better, more capable space station than when we arrived. Sayonara."{{cite web |url = http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/080611-sts124-undocking-wrap.html |title = SPACE.com – Shuttle Discovery Undocks From Space Station |website = Space.com |date = June 11, 2008 |access-date = June 14, 2008 |archive-date = June 13, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080613231903/http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/080611-sts124-undocking-wrap.html |url-status = live }}
Afterwards the crew of Discovery conducted the late inspection of the shuttle's Thermal Protection System that was unable to be performed as usual on Flight Day 2, due to the size of the Kibō Pressurized Module.{{cite web |url = http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html |title = NASA – Space Shuttle |access-date = June 14, 2008 |archive-date = April 25, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130425195342/http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html |url-status = live }}
=June 12 (Flight day 13)=
Flight day 13 was a rare off-duty day. The only major projects were stowage of the Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS) and an orbit adjustment burn.
During the day, pilot Kenneth Ham conducted an interview with Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic of ESPN, to be aired on their radio show, Mike and Mike in the Morning, the following morning on ESPN Radio and ESPN2.
=June 13 (Flight day 14)=
The crew conducted routine testing of the steering jets and an examination of the flight control system. During these tests, a shiny object was noticed trailing the shuttle. This was identified as a thermal clip from the shuttle's rudder speed brake, and should pose no danger during landing.{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/space/06/13/shuttle.discovery/index.html?iref=mpstoryview |title=NASA identifies shiny object trailing shuttle |publisher=CNN |date=June 13, 2008 |access-date=August 22, 2010 |archive-date=August 1, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080801100535/http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/space/06/13/shuttle.discovery/index.html?iref=mpstoryview |url-status=live }}
=June 14 (Flight day 15, Landing)=
The crew worked through their lengthy list of deorbit preparations, which continued for most of the day. They closed the payload bay doors at 11:30 UTC, which took place without incident. All of Discovery{{'}}s systems were nominal, and with the weather looking very good at KSC the deorbit burn took place on schedule at 14:10 UTC for landing on runway 15 at 15:15 UTC.
At 12:00 UTC, the decision was made to use runway 15 rather than 33. This decision was made based on the sun glare that would be present on the Commander's window as he lined up Discovery with the runway.
Extra-vehicular activity
Three spacewalks were scheduled and completed during STS-124.{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/221164main_sts124_Fact_Sheet.pdf|title=NASA Mission Summary, STS-124|publisher=NASA|access-date=April 9, 2008|date=April 9, 2008|archive-date=May 24, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524222611/http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/221164main_sts124_Fact_Sheet.pdf|url-status=live}} The cumulative time in extra-vehicular activity during the mission was 20 hours and 32 minutes.
Wake-up calls
NASA began a tradition of playing music to astronauts during the Gemini program, which was first used to wake up a flight crew during Apollo 15.
Each track is specially chosen, often by their families, and usually has a special meaning to an individual member of the crew, or is applicable to their daily activities.{{cite news
| first = Colin
| last = Fries
| title = Chronology of Wakeup Calls
| date = June 25, 2007
| publisher = NASA
| url = https://history.nasa.gov/wakeup%20calls.pdf
| access-date = August 13, 2007
| archive-date = June 20, 2010
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100620230459/http://history.nasa.gov/wakeup%20calls.pdf
| url-status = live
}}
| class="wikitable" |
| Flight Day
! Song ! Artist/Composer ! Played for ! Links |
|---|
| Day 2
| [https://web.archive.org/web/20080624195526/http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/audio/shuttle/sts-124/wave/fd02.wav WAV] [https://web.archive.org/web/20080624195459/http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/audio/shuttle/sts-124/mp3/fd02.mp3 MP3] |
| Day 3
| Away from Home | José Molina Serrano | [https://web.archive.org/web/20080624195629/http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/audio/shuttle/sts-124/wave/fd03.wav WAV] [https://web.archive.org/web/20080624195540/http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/audio/shuttle/sts-124/mp3/fd03.mp3 MP3] |
| Day 4
| Hold Me with the Robot Arm | Yusuke Hanawa | [https://web.archive.org/web/20080624195501/http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/audio/shuttle/sts-124/wave/fd04.wav WAV] [https://web.archive.org/web/20080624195521/http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/audio/shuttle/sts-124/mp3/fd04.mp3 MP3] |
| Day 5
| [https://web.archive.org/web/20080624195548/http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/audio/shuttle/sts-124/wave/fd05.wav WAV] [https://web.archive.org/web/20080624195627/http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/audio/shuttle/sts-124/mp3/fd05.mp3 MP3] |
| Day 6
| Fly Away | [https://web.archive.org/web/20080624195511/http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/audio/shuttle/sts-124/wave/fd06.wav WAV] [https://web.archive.org/web/20080624195600/http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/audio/shuttle/sts-124/mp3/fd06.mp3 MP3] |
| Day 7
| Karen Nyberg | [https://web.archive.org/web/20080624195440/http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/audio/shuttle/sts-124/wave/fd07.wav WAV] [https://web.archive.org/web/20080624195622/http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/audio/shuttle/sts-124/mp3/fd07.mp3 MP3] |
| Day 8
| Godiego | Akihiko Hoshide | [https://web.archive.org/web/20080624195650/http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/audio/shuttle/sts-124/wave/fd08.wav WAV] [https://web.archive.org/web/20080624195543/http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/audio/shuttle/sts-124/mp3/fd08.mp3 MP3] |
| Day 9
| | [https://web.archive.org/web/20080624195449/http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/audio/shuttle/sts-124/wave/fd09.wav WAV] [https://web.archive.org/web/20080624195624/http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/audio/shuttle/sts-124/mp3/fd09.mp3 MP3] |
| Day 10
| [https://web.archive.org/web/20080624195426/http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/audio/shuttle/sts-124/wave/fd10.wav WAV] [https://web.archive.org/web/20080624195701/http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/audio/shuttle/sts-124/mp3/fd10.mp3 MP3] |
| Day 11
| U2 | Ron Garan | [https://web.archive.org/web/20080624195640/http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/audio/shuttle/sts-124/wave/fd11.wav WAV] [https://web.archive.org/web/20080624195524/http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/audio/shuttle/sts-124/mp3/fd11.mp3 MP3] |
| Day 12
| Kenneth Ham | [https://web.archive.org/web/20080624195601/http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/audio/shuttle/sts-124/wave/fd12.wav WAV] [https://web.archive.org/web/20080624195437/http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/audio/shuttle/sts-124/mp3/fd12.mp3 MP3] |
| Day 13
| Crystal Frontier | Calexico | [https://web.archive.org/web/20080624195612/http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/audio/shuttle/sts-124/wave/fd13.wav WAV] [https://web.archive.org/web/20080624195545/http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/audio/shuttle/sts-124/mp3/fd13.mp3 MP3] |
| Day 14
| Baby, Won't You Please Come Home | Louis Prima and Keely Smith | [https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20080624195531/http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/audio/shuttle/sts-124/wave/fd14.wav WAV] [https://web.archive.org/web/20080624195557/http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/audio/shuttle/sts-124/mp3/fd14.mp3 MP3] |
| Day 15
| Life on an Ocean Wave | the US Merchant Marine Academy Band | Mark Kelly | [https://web.archive.org/web/20080921115426/http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/audio/shuttle/sts-124/wave/fd15.wav WAV] [https://web.archive.org/web/20080921115440/http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/audio/shuttle/sts-124/mp3/fd15.mp3 MP3] |
Contingency mission
STS-326 was the designation given to the Contingency Shuttle Crew Support mission which would have been launched in the event that Discovery became disabled during STS-124.{{cite news | first=Chris | last=Bergin | title=NASA sets new launch date targets through to STS-124 | date=April 15, 2007 | publisher=NASASpaceflight | url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2007/04/nasa-sets-new-launch-date-targets-through-to-sts-124/ | access-date=August 21, 2007 | 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 }} It would have been a modified version of the STS-126 mission of Endeavour, which would have involved the launch date being brought forward. The crew for this mission would have been a four-person subset of the full STS-126 crew, namely:
- Christopher Ferguson – Commander
- Eric A. Boe – Pilot
- Stephen G. Bowen – Mission Specialist, extravehicular 2
- Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper – Mission Specialist, extravehicular 1
Media
Image:Sts-124 launch.ogv|Space Shuttle Discovery launches on STS-124
File:STS-124 Composite view of the US Segment of the International Space Station.jpg|Composite image of the US Segment of the ISS taken during EVA
References
{{Include-NASA}}
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Commons|STS-124}}
{{Wikinews|Space Shuttle Discovery launches on mission STS-124}}
- [http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html Official NASA Space Shuttle Page, includes images and data, constantly updated as STS-124 progresses]
- [http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/launch/launch_blog.html NASA's official STS-124 Launch Blog] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110222080423/http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/launch/launch_blog.html |date=February 22, 2011 }}
- [http://www.nasa.gov/ntv NASA-TV: NASA's Television Station Which Will Broadcast the Mission of STS-124 from Mission Control in Houston and Space]
- [http://www.spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts124/status.html Up to the minute status updates for STS-124 mission updates page on spaceflightnow.com]
- [http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-060408a.html#ofk STS-124 Official Flight Kit manifest page on collectspace.com]
{{Space Shuttle Discovery}}
{{Crewed ISS flights}}
{{All U.S. Space Shuttle Missions}}
{{Orbital launches in 2008}}
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Category:Space Shuttle missions
Category:Spacecraft launched in 2008