Discovery Visits the Space Station
Explanation:
What's happening outside the space station?
A space shuttle has docked.
Five days ago, the
space shuttle Discovery was
launched to the
International Space Station, carrying six crew members and the large
Leonardo Multi Purpose Logistics Module.
Three days ago, as
pictured
above, the docked shuttle was prepared to be unloaded by the space stations
Dextre robot and
Canadarm2.
The above expansive photo captures much more, however, including Japan's
Kibo Experiment Module on the lower right, Earth across the top of the frame,
and a
seemingly starless
backdrop of space in the distance.
During the next week, the shuttle and
ISS crews are scheduled to permanently attach Leonardo
as well as fix and
upgrade
parts of the ISS.
After 38 previous voyages, this is expected to be the last
space mission for the
Space Shuttle
Discovery.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
