DiscoveryDiscovery in orbit in 2011, during STS-133, the orbiter's final flightTypeSpaceplaneClassSpace Shuttle orbiterEponymDiscovery (1602)HMS Discovery (1774)Serial no.OV-103OwnerNASAManufacturerRockwell InternationalSpecificationsDry mass78,000 kilograms (172,000 lb)RocketSpace ShuttleHistoryFirst flightAugust 30 – September 5, 1984STS-41-DLast flightFebruary 24 – March 9, 2011STS-133Flights39Flight time8,783 hoursTrelled238,539,663 kilometres (148,221,675 mi) around Earth[1]Orbits5,830 around EarthFateRetiredLocationSteven F. Udvar-Hazy CenterChantilly, VirginiaSpace Shuttle orbiters← ChallengerAtlantis → Space Shuttle Discovery at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center Discovery rollout ceremony in October 1983 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.[2] 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 December 2024[update].[3] 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.[4]
Discovery became the third operational orbiter to enter service, preceded by Columbia and Challenger.[5] 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,[6] hing 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 Endeour 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[edit]The name Discovery was chosen to carry on a tradition based on ships of exploration,[2] primarily HMS Discovery,[7] one of the ships commanded by Captain James Cook during his third and final major voyage from 1776 to 1779, and Henry Hudson's Discovery,[2] which was used in 1610–1611 to explore Hudson Bay and search for a Northwest Passage. Other ships bearing the name he included HMS Discovery[8] of the 1875–1876 British Arctic Expedition to the North Pole, and RRS Discovery, which carried the 1901–1904 Discovery Expedition to Antarctica, led by Captain Scott.[9]
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.[10]
Had plans to launch United States Department of Defense payloads from Vandenberg Air Force Base gone ahead, Discovery would he become the dedicated US Air Force shuttle.[11] 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.[12]
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.[13]
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 lee the Smithsonian and transported to Texas without being taken apart.[14][15][16]
Construction milestones[edit] Date Milestone[9] 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[edit] On the maiden voyage of Discovery: Judith Resnik, Henry Hartsfield, Michael L. Coats, Steven A. Hawley, Charles D. Walker, and Richard M. Mullane Discovery after booster separation on STS-121 Discovery approaching the ISS on STS-121, its 'teardrop' feature clearly visible Discovery sends the Hubble Space Telescope into orbit on April 25, 1990During its construction, Discovery was fitted with several black tiles near the middle starboard window where there should he 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.[17]
The spacecraft weighed roughly 6,870 lb (3,120 kg) less than Columbia when it was brought into service due to optimalizations determined during the construction and testing of Enterprise, Columbia and Challenger.[10] Discovery weighs 6 pounds (2.7 kg) heier than Atlantis and 363 pounds (165 kg) heier than Endeour after further weight-sing adjustments were made.[18]
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.[19]
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.[20]
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.[10]
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.[10]
Decommissioning[edit] Main article: Space Shuttle retirement SCA N905NA carrying Discovery on the last flyover of the National Mall at around 10:15 am EDT, during its 11:05 am landing at Dulles airport on April 17, 2012[21]Discovery was decommissioned on March 9, 2011.[22][23] NASA offered Discovery to the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum for public display and preservation, after a month-long decontamination process,[24] as part of the national collection.[25][26][27] Discovery replaced Enterprise, which was in the Smithsonian's display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center until 2011.[28][29][30] 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.[31][32]
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.[33][34] 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 he the ability to force a transfer.[35][36]
Enterprise and Discovery exchanged and Discovery on display at the National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center Flights[edit] 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 149 million mi (240 million km) in 39 missions, completed 5,830 orbits, and spent 365 days in orbit over 27 years.[37] 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, hing launched on February 24, 2011. Endeour 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.[38]
Flights listing[edit] # Date Designation Notes Length of journey 1 August 30, 1984 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 November 8, 1984 STS-51-A Launched two and rescued two communications satellites including LEASAT F1. 7 days, 23 hours, 44 minutes, 56 seconds 3 January 24, 1985 STS-51-C Launched DOD Magnum ELINT satellite. 3 days, 01 hours, 33 minutes, 23 seconds- 4 April 12, 1985 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 June 17, 1985 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 August 27, 1985 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 September 29, 1988 STS-26 Return to flight after Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, launched TDRS-3. 4 days, 01 hours, 00 minutes, 11 seconds 8 March 13, 1989 STS-29 Launched TDRS-4. 4 days, 23 hours, 38 minutes, 52 seconds 9 November 22, 1989 STS-33 Launched DOD Magnum ELINT satellite. 5 days, 00 hours, 06 minutes, 49 seconds 10 April 24, 1990 STS-31 Launch of Hubble Space Telescope (HST). 5 days, 01 hours, 16 minutes, 06 seconds 11 October 6, 1990 STS-41 Launch of Ulysses. 4 days, 02 hours, 10 minutes, 04 seconds 12 April 28, 1991 STS-39 Launched DOD Air Force Program-675 (AFP-675) satellite. 8 days, 07 hours, 22 minutes, 23 seconds 13 September 12, 1991 STS-48 Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS). 5 days, 08 hours, 27 minutes, 38 seconds 14 January 22, 1992 STS-42 International Microgrity Laboratory-1 (IML-1). 8 days, 01 hours, 14 minutes, 44 seconds 15 December 2, 1992 STS-53 Department of Defense payload. 7 days, 07 hours, 19 minutes, 47 seconds 16 April 8, 1993 STS-56 Atmospheric Laboratory (ATLAS-2). 9 days, 06 hours, 08 minutes, 24 seconds 17 September 12, 1993 STS-51 Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS). 9 days, 20 hours, 11 minutes, 11 seconds 18 February 3, 1994 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 September 9, 1994 STS-64 LIDAR In-Space Technology Experiment (LITE). 10 days, 22 hours, 49 minutes, 57 seconds 20 February 3, 1995 STS-63 Rendezvous with Mir space station. First female shuttle pilot Eileen Collins.[18] 8 days, 06 hours, 29 minutes, 36 seconds 21 July 13, 1995 STS-70 Launched TDRS-7. 8 days, 22 hours, 20 minutes, 05 seconds 22 February 11, 1997 STS-82 Servicing Hubble Space Telescope (HST) (HSM-2). 9 days, 23 hours, 38 minutes, 09 seconds 23 August 7, 1997 STS-85 Cryogenic Infrared Spectrometers and Telescopes (CRISTA). 11 days, 20 hours, 28 minutes, 07 seconds 24 June 2, 1998 STS-91 Final Shuttle/Mir Docking Mission. 9 days, 19 hours, 55 minutes, 01 seconds 25 October 29, 1998 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 May 27, 1999 STS-96 First Space Shuttle mission to dock with the International Space Station[18] 9 days, 19 hours, 13 minutes, 57 seconds 27 December 19, 1999 STS-103 Servicing Hubble Space Telescope (HST) (HSM-3A). 7 days, 23 hours, 11 minutes, 34 seconds 28 October 11, 2000 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 March 8, 2001 STS-102 International Space Station crew rotation flight (Expedition 1 and Expedition 2) 12 days, 19 hours, 51 minutes, 57 seconds 30 August 10, 2001 STS-105 International Space Station crew and supplies delivery (Expedition 2 and Expedition 3) 11 days 21 hours, 13 minutes, 52 seconds 31 July 26, 2005 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 July 4, 2006 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 December 9, 2006 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 October 23, 2007 STS-120 ISS crew rotation and assembly (carries and assembles the Harmony module). 15 days, 02 hours, 23 minutes, 55 seconds 35 May 31, 2008 STS-124 ISS crew rotation and assembly (carries and assembles the Kibō JEM PM module). 13 days, 18 hours, 13 minutes, 07 seconds 36 March 15, 2009 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 August 28, 2009 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 April 5, 2010 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.[39] Longest mission for this Orbiter. 15 days 2 hours, 47 minutes 11 seconds‡ 39 February 24, 2011 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.[40] 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[edit] NASA Orbiter Tribute for Space Shuttle Discovery Mission insignia for Discovery flights STS-41-D STS-51-A STS-51-C STS-51-D STS-51-G STS-51-I STS-26 STS-29 STS-33 STS-31 STS-41 STS-39 STS-48 STS-42 STS-53 STS-56 STS-51 STS-60 STS-64 STS-63 STS-70 STS-82 STS-85 STS-91 STS-95 STS-96 STS-103 STS-92 STS-102 STS-105 STS-114 STS-121 STS-116 STS-120 STS-124 STS-119 STS-128 STS-131 STS-133 Flow directors[edit]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 Endeour)[41] 01/1991 – 09/1992: John C. "Chris" Fairey[41] 09/1992 – 10/1996: Did A. King[42] 10/1996 – 05/2000: W. Scott Cilento[43] 12/2000 – 03/2011: Stephanie S. Stilson[44] Gallery[edit] 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 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 Discovery's final touchdown on Kennedy Space Center's runway, concluding the STS-133 mission and Discovery's 27-year career See also[edit] Spaceflight portalSolar System portal List of human spaceflights List of Space Shuttle crews List of Space Shuttle missions Timeline of Space Shuttle missions References[edit]This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
^ NASA (October 2010). "NASAfacts Discovery (OV-103)" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on October 26, 2010. Retrieved October 21, 2010. ^ a b c NASA (2007). "Space Shuttle Overview: Discovery (OV-103)". National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Archived from the original on November 7, 2007. Retrieved November 6, 2007. ^ "Most re-used spacecraft". Guiness World Records. Retrieved December 12, 2024. ^ "10 Cool Facts About NASA's Space Shuttle Discovery | Space Shuttle Retirement". Space.com. April 18, 2012. Archived from the original on June 22, 2013. Retrieved August 30, 2013. ^ "Discovery's last mission flight to space begun". February 24, 2011. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved March 9, 2011. ^ "Discovery's Final Touchdown A Success". redOrbit.com. Archived from the original on August 20, 2011. Retrieved March 9, 2011. ^ "Discovery (OV-103)". science.ksc.nasa.gov. Archived from the original on February 9, 2021. Retrieved February 28, 2015. ^ "How Did the Space Shuttle Discovery Get Its Name?". Space.com. February 22, 2011. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2015. ^ a b "Discovery (OV-103)". NASA/KSC. Archived from the original on June 10, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2011. ^ a b c d "Space Shuttle Overview: Discovery (OV-103)". NASA. Archived from the original on November 7, 2007. Retrieved March 10, 2011. ^ "Part II. Discovery (OV-103)" (PDF). Space Transportation System Haer No. TX-116. NASA.gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 22, 2020. Retrieved February 28, 2015. ^ "STS-96 - NASA". ^ "Space Shuttle Discovery Joins the National Collection". April 12, 2011. Archived from the original on January 21, 2012. Retrieved July 31, 2011. ^ Kelsey Ables (October 24, 2025). "GOP lawmakers raise pressure on Smithsonian over space shuttle fight". Washington Post. ^ Josh Dinner (October 22, 2025). "The Smithsonian might he to cut space shuttle Discovery into pieces to get it to Texas". SPACE.com. ^ Maggie Roth (July 1, 2025). "Trump's 'One Big Beautiful Bill' Includes Provision to Move the Space Shuttle Discovery to Texas". Northern Virginia Magazine. ^ "Tire marks and teardrop tiles: Smithsonian curator on shuttle Discovery at 30 years | collectSPACE". collectSPACE.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2022. Retrieved August 4, 2022. ^ a b c "Space Shuttle Discovery Facts". Florida Today. April 10, 2011. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved May 1, 2011. ^ "STS-41D Press Kit" (PDF). NASA. August 1984. p. 13. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 15, 2013. Retrieved July 12, 2013. Graphite epoxy has replaced some internal aluminum spars and beams in the wings and in the payload bay doors. ^ Lardas, Mark (2012). Space Shuttle Launch System: 1972–2004. Osprey Publishing. p. 37. ^ Pearlman, Robert Z. (April 17, 2012). "Space Shuttle Discovery lands, for the last time, in Washington, D.C." The Christian Science Monitor. Archived from the original on May 15, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2012. The air- and spacecraft duo landed at Washington Dulles International Airport at 11:05 am EDT (1505 GMT). ^ "Consolidated Launch Manifest". NASA. 2007. Archived from the original on October 13, 2007. Retrieved October 10, 2007. ^ Bergin, Chris (2006). "NASA sets new launch date targets through to STS-124". NASASpaceflight.com. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved October 15, 2007. ^ Chow, Denise (March 9, 2011). "Space Shuttle Discovery Lands on Earth After Final Voyage". SPACE.com. Archived from the original on March 11, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2011. ^ Pearlman, Robert (2008). "NASA seeks shuttle suitors: Museums may need to cover the costs for retired orbiters". collectspace.com. Archived from the original on January 26, 2009. Retrieved December 17, 2008. ^ "NASA Solicits Ideas for Displaying Retired Space Shuttles and Main Engines" (Press release). NASA. December 17, 2009. Archived from the original on April 6, 2013. Retrieved January 23, 2013. ^ Berger, Eric (December 7, 2009). "Discovery is Smithsonian's". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on January 3, 2010. Retrieved January 3, 2010. ^ Pearlman, Robert Z. (March 17, 2010). "NASA Primes Retired Test Shuttle Enterprise For One Last Flight". Space.com. Archived from the original on February 27, 2011. Retrieved March 14, 2011. ^ "news – "NASA readies retired test shuttle Enterprise for one last flight"". collectSPACE. March 15, 2010. Archived from the original on September 13, 2013. Retrieved August 30, 2013. ^ "NYC, L.A., Kennedy Space Center, Smithsonian to get the 4 retired space shuttles". USA Today. April 12, 2011. Archived from the original on May 26, 2012. Retrieved April 12, 2011. ^ "Welcome, Discovery!". Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. Archived from the original on February 2, 2012. Retrieved January 30, 2012. ^ Associated Press/NBC Washington (January 24, 2012). "Udvar-Hazy Center Getting a 2nd Space Shuttle". NBC Washington. Archived from the original on March 6, 2012. Retrieved January 30, 2012. ^ Pearlman, Robert (July 11, 2025). ""It's a heist": Senator calls out Texas for trying to steal shuttle from Smithsonian". Ars Technica. Retrieved July 11, 2025. ^ 119th Congress (July 4, 2025). "H.R.1 - One Big Beautiful Bill Act". congress.gov. US Government. Retrieved August 29, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) ^ Roth, Maggie (July 1, 2025). "Trump's 'One Big Beautiful Bill' Includes Provision to Move the Space Shuttle Discovery to Texas". Northern Virginia Magazine. Retrieved July 1, 2025. ^ Dinner, Josh (July 30, 2025). "'The Smithsonian Institution owns the Discovery.' Museum resists Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' plan to move space shuttle to Houston". Space.com. Retrieved August 17, 2025. ^ Dunn, Marcia (March 9, 2011). "Space shuttle Discovery lands, ends flying career". Salt Lake Tribune. Associated Press. Archived from the original on March 15, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2011. ^ Tris, Matthew (February 24, 2011). "STS-133 space shuttle Discovery launches for the final time". The Spacearium, SpaceflightNews.net via YouTube. Archived from the original on November 10, 2021. Retrieved June 23, 2011. ^ Four Women, Two Japanese in Space at Same Time Archived July 25, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Asian American Press, April 8, 2010 ^ "Shuttle Discovery takes off on its final flight". CNN. February 24, 2011. Archived from the original on November 10, 2012. Retrieved March 10, 2011. ^ a b Malone, Lisa (January 8, 1991). "KSC Names Two Space Shuttle Flow Directors". KSC Release No. 5-91. Archived from the original on January 1, 2014. Retrieved September 8, 2013. ^ "NASA – KSC Names Did King as Shuttle Discovery's Flow Director". www.nasa.gov. Archived from the original on September 27, 2016. Retrieved September 8, 2013. ^ "KSC Release No. 120-96". Archived from the original on February 21, 2013. Retrieved September 8, 2013. ^ KSC, Kay Grinter (June 6, 2013). "Kennedy Biographies". NASA. Archived from the original on January 24, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2013. External links[edit] Wikimedia Commons has media related to Space Shuttle Discovery. Mission Summary Archive Return to Flight mission STS-114 and STS-121 Archived January 21, 2019, at the Wayback Machine Shuttle Orbiter Discovery (OV-103) Archived February 9, 2021, at the Wayback Machine Night Launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery Discovery on Servicing Mission 3A at ESA/Hubble site Archived September 21, 2008, at the Wayback Machine Pictures of preparations for a launch of Discovery Archived December 13, 2012, at the Wayback Machine A Space Shuttle's Final Rollout Archived September 29, 2010, at the Wayback Machine – slideshow by Life magazine April 16, 2007: Consolidated Launch Manifest: Space Shuttle Flights and ISS Assembly Sequence. Transition and Retirement: Hi-res spherical panoramas of the processing Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) No. TX-116-A, "Space Transportation System, Orbiter Discovery (OV-103), Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, Harris County, TX", 121 photos, 14 measured drawings, 28 photo caption pages vteSpace Shuttle Discovery (OV-103)Completed flights STS-41-D STS-51-A STS-51-C STS-51-D STS-51-G STS-51-I STS-26 STS-29 STS-33 STS-31 STS-41 STS-39 STS-48 STS-42 STS-53 STS-56 STS-51 STS-60 STS-64 STS-63 STS-70 STS-82 STS-85 STS-91 STS-95 STS-96 STS-103 STS-92 STS-102 STS-105 STS-114 STS-121 STS-116 STS-120 STS-124 STS-119 STS-128 STS-131 STS-133 Status Retired On display Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Washington, D.C. Related Destiny in Space (1994 documentary) vteSpace Shuttle program Space Shuttle List of missions List of crews Components Orbiter Solid Rocket Booster External tank Main engine Orbital Maneuvering System Reaction control system Thermal protection system Booster separation motor Orbiters Enterprise Columbia Challenger Discovery Atlantis Endeour Add-ons Spacelab (ESA) Canadarm (CSA) Extended Duration Orbiter Remote Controlled Orbiter Spacehab Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Sites Launch Complex 39 A B Space Launch Complex 6 Landing sites Shuttle Landing Facility Abort landing sites Operationsand training Missions (canceled) Crews Mission timeline Mission Control Center Rollbacks Abort modes Rendezvous pitch maneuver Shuttle Mission Simulator Shuttle Training Aircraft Testing Inspiration (design) Pathfinder (simulator) MPTA (engine test article) Approach and Landing Tests Disasters Challenger disaster (report) Columbia disaster (report) Support Crawler-transporter Mate-Demate Device Mobile Launcher Platform NASA recovery ship Orbiter Processing Facility Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory (SAIL) Shuttle Carrier Aircraft flights Shuttle Training Aircraft STS-3xx Special Deutschland-1 Getaway Special Journalist in Space Project Teacher in Space Project Shuttle-Mir Hitchhiker Space suits Extrehicular Mobility Unit Shuttle Ejection Escape Suit Launch Entry Suit Advanced Crew Escape Suit Experiments Freestar experiments Inflatable Antenna Experiment Spartan Packet Radio Experiment Shuttle pallet satellite Wake Shield Facility Derivatives Saturn-Shuttle Magnum Shuttle-Derived Hey Lift Launch Vehicle Jupiter Shuttle-C Shuttle-Centaur Ares I IV V Liberty Space Launch System OmegA Replicas Independence Related Space Shuttle design process studied designs Inertial Upper Stage Payload Assist Module International Space Station Criticism Retirement Conroy Virtus Hail Columbia (1982 documentary) The Dream Is Alive (1985 documentary) Challenger (1990 film) Destiny in Space (1994 documentary) Columbia: The Tragic Loss (2004 documentary) Hubble (2010 documentary) The Challenger Disaster (2013 film) Challenger: The Final Flight (2020 documentary miniseries) Space Shuttle America Rendezvous: A Space Shuttle Simulation Space Shuttle Project Shuttle Space Shuttle: A Journey into Space Space Shuttle Mission 2007 Orbiter Space Flight Simulator When We Left Earth: The NASA Missions Flightgear Space Shuttle realistic simulation vteSpace Shuttle and Buran-class orbitersUnited States Space Shuttle program (orbiters)Soviet/Russian Buran programme (orbiters) Challenger (OV-099, destroyed in 1986) Enterprise (OV-101, atmospheric tests, retired in 1979) Columbia (OV-102, destroyed in 2003) Discovery (OV-103, retired in 2011) Atlantis (OV-104, retired in 2011) Endeour (OV-105, retired in 2011) Pathfinder (OV-098, ground tests) OK-GLI (BTS-02, atmospheric tests) Buran (1.01, destroyed in 2002) Ptichka (1.02, 95–97% completed) 2.01 (incomplete) 2.02 (partially dismantled) 2.03 (dismantled) vteNASAPolicy and historyHistory(creation) NACA (1915) National Aeronautics and Space Act (1958) Space Task Group (1958) Paine (1986) Rogers (1986) Ride (1987) Space Exploration Initiative (1989) Augustine (1990) U.S. National Space Policy (1996) CFUSAI (2002) CAIB (2003) Vision for Space Exploration (2004) Aldridge (2004) Augustine (2009) General Space Race Administrator and Deputy Administrator Chief Scientist Astronaut Corps Ranks and positions Chief Budget NASA research spinoff technologies NASA+ NASA TV NASA Social Launch Services Program Mercury Control Center Manned Space Flight Network Kennedy Space Center Vehicle Assembly Building Launch Complex 39 Launch Complex 48 Launch Control Center Operations and Checkout Building Johnson Space Center Mission Control Lunar Sample Laboratory Science Mission Directorate Human spaceflightprogramsPast X-15 (suborbital) Mercury Gemini Apollo Skylab Apollo–Soyuz (with the Soviet space program) Space Shuttle Shuttle–Mir (with Roscosmos) Constellation Current International Space Station Commercial Orbital Transportation Services Commercial Crew Orion Artemis Lunar Gateway Robotic programsPast Hitchhiker Mariner Mariner Mark II MESUR Mars Surveyor '98 New Millennium Lunar Orbiter Pioneer Planetary Observer Ranger Surveyor Viking Project Prometheus Mars Exploration Mars Exploration Rover Current Living With a Star Lunar Precursor Robotic Program Earth Observing System Great Observatories program Explorers Voyager Discovery New Frontiers Solar Terrestrial Probes Commercial Lunar Payload Services SIMPLEx Individual featured missions(human and robotic)Past Apollo 11 COBE Mercury 3 Mercury-Atlas 6 Magellan Pioneer 10 Pioneer 11 Galileo timeline GALEX GRAIL WMAP Space Shuttle Spitzer Space Telescope Sojourner rover Spirit rover LADEE MESSENGER Aquarius Cassini Dawn Kepler space telescope Opportunity rover timeline observed RHESSI InSight Ingenuity helicopter flights Currentlyoperating Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter 2001 Mars Odyssey New Horizons International Space Station Hubble Space Telescope Chandra X-ray Observatory Swift THEMIS Mars Exploration Rover Curiosity rover timeline GOES 14 Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter GOES 15 SDO Juno Mars Science Laboratory timeline NuSTAR Voyager 1 Voyager 2 MEN MMS OSIRIS-APEX TESS Mars 2020 Perseverance rover timeline James Webb Space Telescope timeline PACE Europa Clipper Future NISAR Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope DINCI VERITAS Communicationsand nigation Near Earth Network Space Network Deep Space Network (Goldstone Madrid Canberra Space Flight Operations Facility) Deep Space Atomic Clock NASA lists Astronauts by name by year Gemini astronauts Apollo astronauts Space Shuttle crews NASA aircraft NASA missions uncrewed missions Apollo missions Space Shuttle missions United States rockets NASA cancellations NASA cameras on spacecraft NASA imagesand artwork Earthrise The Blue Marble Family Portrait Pale Blue Dot Pillars of Creation Mystic Mountain Solar System Family Portrait The Day the Earth Smiled Fallen Astronaut Deep fields Lunar plaques Pioneer plaques Voyager Golden Record Apollo 11 goodwill messages NASA insignia Gemini and Apollo medallions Mission patches Astronomy Picture of the Day Hubble Space Telescope anniversary images Related "We choose to go to the Moon" Apollo 8 Genesis reading Apollo 15 postal covers incident Apollo Lunar Module Space Mirror Memorial The Astronaut Monument Lunar sample displays Moon rocks stolen or missing U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame Space program on U.S. stamps Apollo 17 Moon mice Moon tree Other primates in space NASA Exoplanet Archive NASA International Space Apps Challenge Astronauts Day National Astronaut Day Nikon NASA F4 Category Commons Authority control databases InternationalGNDNationalUnited StatesIsraelOtherSNACYale LUX