STS-124 Discovery (OV-103)
Scheduled Launch: May 31, 2008 @ 5:02 pm EDT
Launch PAD: LC-39A
STS-124 "Quick Look" (CBS News Reporter Bill Harwood)
Launch of STS-123 "Endeavour" , as viewed and photographed from the VIP Stands at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida on March 11, 2008
(Photo by SCAS Member Tim Khan (Nikon D200). Click on the picture to download a Hi-Res copy.)
STS-124 Status / Next Event: Discovery was rolled out to PAD LC-39A on May 3rd and is "hard down". The STS-124 crew will arrive on Tuesday, May 6th for training culminating in the TCDT (Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test) on May 9th. Some of these training activities and crew arrival at KSC may be carried live on NASA TV or replayed later on NASA TV.
Mission TV Coverage
All events are carried live on NASA TV (see "For More Information" section below for a link to NASA TV on the web). NASA TV can be found on some cable public access channels (consult your local cable TV channel schedule/guide). If you have satellite TV service (DIRECTV or DISH Network), NASA-TV can be found on;
DirecTV - Ch 283
Dish Network - Ch 213
The End of the Road!
On Sept 30, 2010, the NASA Space Shuttle Program will be officially retired from service!
There are only 11 more shuttle missions scheduled.........
10 more Shuttle Flights scheduled to the ISS
1 more shuttle flight (STS-125 Atlantis) to service the Hubble Space Telescope (August 2008)
So, if you have never seen a Shuttle Launch in person at KSC,
DO SO BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!
You will not regret the experience.
For those of us who were too young to remember the Saturn V launches of the late 1960's and early 1970's. The Space Shuttle is to this generation what the Saturn V rocket was to a previous generation. It will be lost to history before you know it!
Future Shuttle Launch Dates (Consolidated Launch Manifest)
May 31 , 2008 @ 5:01 pm EDT- STS-124 (Discovery) - Kibo PM
NET Oct 8, 2008 - STS-125 "Hubble SM-4" (Atlantis)*
NET Nov 10 , 2008 - STS-126 (Endeavour)# ULF - MPLM
NET Feb 12, 2009 - STS-119 (Discovery) - S6 Truss & 4th (Final) Solar Array
NET April 23, 2009 - STS-127 (Endeavour) - Kibo EF
NET July 16, 2009 - STS-128 (Atlantis)* - MPLM "Donatello"
************* ISS - 6 Person Crew Established **************
Sept 3, 2009 - STS-129 (Endeavour) ULF - ELC1 & 2
Oct 22, 2009 - STS-130 (Discovery) - MPLM "Raffaello"
Jan 21, 2010 - STS-131 (Atlantis)* ULF - ELC 3 & 4 (Last ISS Crew Rotation from Shuttle)
Mar 18, 2010 - STS-132 (Discovery) - Node 3 Cupola
April 29, 2010 - STS-133 (Endeavour) ULF - ELC 5 & 1
_______________________________________________________________
ULF - Utility Logistics Flight MPLM - Multi-Purpose Logistics Module ELC - Express Logistics Carrier
PM - Pressurized Module EF - Exposure Facility
_______________________________________________________________
Notes
* Last flight of Atlantis?: MAYBE NOT! Space Shuttle Atlantis was due for a 2 year "OMDP" (Orbiter Maintenance Down Period) starting in the fall of 2008. Because Atlantis would not return to flight status before the shuttle program is officially retired on Sept 30, 2010, NASA elected to make Atlantis a "Hangar Queen" as of Sept 30, 2008. Thus making her available to "donate" spare parts and any other support the remaining 2 shuttles would need to finish out the program.
However, Nasaspaceflight.com reported on it's web pages in January that NASA-KSC has come up with a plan (subject to NASA HQ approval) to extend the service life of Atlantis to 2010 with 2 additional missions (STS-128 and STS-131) to the ISS. I have annotated the schedule above with this change in mission assignments, subject to change if NASA HQ does not sign off on the plan.
# Endeavour is currently scheduled to be the "Launch On Need" rescue ship if Atlantis (STS-125) were to suffer damage on launch that would prevent her safe return to earth. The reason for this is because Atlantis would not have enough fuel to reach the ISS to seek refuge until the crew can be rescued. Endeavour would launch from PAD LC-39B within a couple of days after the launch of STS-125 to rendezvous with Atlantis and rescue the STS-125 crew. If Endeavour is not needed for such a rescue mission (currently designated "LON-400"), the orbiter will be rolled directly over to LC-39A from LC-39B to finish preparations for the STS-126 mission to the ISS. PAD LC-39B is currently the designated launch platform for the first Ares I-X rocket test scheduled for late in 2009. When Endeavour leaves LC-39B, contruction will start to modify LC-39B for the launching of the Ares test rockets (Ares I & V).
For More Information
Kennedy Space Center Visitors Center
(for Launch Day Tickets)
Kennedy Space Center
ISS-Amateur Telescope Project
NASA Web Site
NASA TV on the Web
STS-124 / NASA TV Schedule
KSC Launch Pads
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