STS-128 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
STS-128

Discovery approaches the ISS with Leonardo in its payload bay
Mission type	ISS assembly
Operator	NASA
Mission duration	13 days, 20 hours, 54 minutes, 55 seconds
Distance travelled	9,262,217 kilometres (5,755,275 mi)
Orbits completed	219
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft	Space Shuttle Discovery
Launch mass	121,422 kilograms (267,689 lb)
Crew
Crew size	7
Members	Frederick W. Sturckow Kevin A. Ford Patrick G. Forrester José M. Hernández John D. Olivas Christer Fuglesang
Launching	Nicole Stott
Landing	Timothy Kopra
Start of mission
Launch date	29 August 2009, 03:59 (2009-08-29UTC03:59Z) UTC
Launch site	Kennedy LC-39A
End of mission
Landing date	12 September 2009, 00:53 (2009-09-12UTC00:54Z) UTC
Landing site	Edwards Runway 22
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric
Regime	Low Earth
Perigee	219 kilometres (136 mi)
Apogee	264 kilometres (164 mi)
Inclination	51.6 degrees
Period	89.33 minutes
Epoch	29 August 2009
Docking with ISS
Docking port	PMA-2 (Harmony forward)
Docking date	31 August 2009, 00:54 UTC
Undocking date	8 September 2009, 19:26 UTC
Time docked	8 days, 18 hours, 32 minutes
Seated (l–r) Ford and Sturckow. Standing (l–r) are Hernández, Olivas, Stott, Fuglesang and Forrester. Space Shuttle program ← STS-127 STS-129 →

STS-128 was a NASA Space Shuttle mission to the International Space Station (ISS). It launched on August 28, 2009. The Space Shuttle Discovery (also known as Space Shuttle Discovery) carried a special cargo module called Leonardo. This module brought many new experiments and supplies to the space station.

During the mission, astronauts performed three spacewalks. They replaced a science experiment outside the European Columbus module. They also brought back an empty tank that held ammonia, which is used for cooling the station.

The mission's launch was delayed a few times. First, bad weather stopped the launch. Then, a small problem with a fuel valve on Discovery caused another delay. Finally, Discovery launched successfully on August 28, 2009. It landed on September 11, 2009, at Edwards Air Force Base in California. This was the last time a Space Shuttle landed at that base.

Meet the Crew: Who Flew on STS-128?

Position	Launching astronaut	Landing astronaut
Commander	Frederick W. Sturckow Fourth (last NASA) spaceflight
Pilot	Kevin A. Ford First spaceflight
Mission Specialist 1	Patrick G. Forrester Third and last spaceflight
Mission Specialist 2	José M. Hernández Only spaceflight
Mission Specialist 3	John D. Olivas Second and last spaceflight
Mission Specialist 4	Christer Fuglesang, ESA Second and last spaceflight
Mission Specialist 5	Nicole Stott Expedition 20 First spaceflight	Timothy Kopra Expedition 20 First spaceflight

What Did Discovery Carry?

The STS-128 mission carried a lot of important cargo. Here's a look at some of the main items:

The Leonardo Module: A Space Delivery Truck

Leonardo, as flown on STS-102.

The main cargo for STS-128 was the Leonardo module. This module is like a moving truck for space. It helped bring many supplies and new equipment to the International Space Station. This was important to help the station get ready to host a larger crew of six astronauts.

Leonardo carried several key items:

• Three racks for life support systems.
• A new sleeping area for astronauts, installed in the Kibo module.
• A new treadmill called COLBERT. This treadmill helps astronauts exercise in space.
• An Air Revitalization System (ARS) to help clean the air on the station.

Lightweight Multi-Purpose Carrier (LMC)

LMC with ATA and EuTEF STS-128

The shuttle also carried a special carrier called the Lightweight Multi-Purpose Experiment Support Structure Carrier (LMC). It held a new Ammonia Tank Assembly (ATA). This new tank was needed to replace an old, empty one during a spacewalk.

TriDAR: A Smart Camera for Space

The STS-128 mission was the first test flight for a new device called TriDAR. This is a 3D laser camera that helps spacecraft find and connect with other objects in space on their own. During the mission, TriDAR successfully tracked the ISS as Discovery approached it for docking.

Other Science Experiments

Discovery also brought three science racks to the ISS:

• The FIR (Fluids Integrated Rack) and the first Materials Science Research Rack (MSRR-1) were placed in the Destiny module.
• The MELFI-2 (Minus Eighty Laboratory Freezer for ISS) was placed in the Kibo module.

The FIR helps scientists study how liquids behave in microgravity (very low gravity). This is important for understanding chemical reactions in space. For example, one experiment looked at how mixtures called colloids act without gravity stirring them.

Mission Highlights: What Happened Day by Day?

August 28 (Flight Day 1 – Launch)

Space Shuttle Discovery launches from Kennedy Space Center, August 28, 2009

Discovery launched at 11:59 PM EDT. After reaching orbit, the crew opened the shuttle's cargo bay doors. They then set up the Ku-band antenna and the Shuttle Remote Manipulator System (SRMS), which is the shuttle's robotic arm. The crew also sent pictures of the external fuel tank back to Earth. This helped engineers check how the tank performed during launch.

August 29 (Flight Day 2 – Checking the Shuttle's Health)

On their first full day in space, the crew used the SRMS to grab the Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS). They used this system to check the shuttle's heat shield (Thermal Protection System or TPS) for any damage. Some crew members also prepared the spacesuits and tools for the upcoming spacewalks.

August 30 (Flight Day 3 – Docking with the ISS)

Discovery successfully docked with the International Space Station. Before docking, Commander Rick Sturckow performed a special flip maneuver. This allowed the ISS crew to take photos of the shuttle's belly. These photos were sent to Mission Control for review. After docking, astronaut Nicole Stott officially joined the ISS crew, and Timothy Kopra became part of the shuttle crew. The teams also began moving items from the shuttle to the station.

August 31 (Flight Day 4 – Moving Leonardo)

On flight day 4, the Leonardo module was moved from the shuttle's cargo bay and attached to the Harmony module on the ISS using the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS), the station's robotic arm. Once attached, the crew opened Leonardo and began moving supplies inside. Astronauts Danny Olivas and Nicole Stott also prepared their spacesuits and tools for the first spacewalk.

September 1 (Flight Day 5 – Spacewalk 1)

Nicole Stott during the STS-128 mission's first space-walk.

The first spacewalk (EVA 1) took place. Astronauts removed an empty ammonia tank and also took off two science experiments (EuTef and MISSE 6) from outside the station. These experiments were stored in the shuttle for return to Earth. Inside the station, other crew members moved the new crew sleeping area, the COLBERT treadmill, and the Air Revitalization System.

September 2 (Flight Day 6)

The crew continued setting up the new sleeping area. They also moved the last major science items from Leonardo to the station. These included the Fluids Integrated Rack (FIR), the Materials Science Research Rack, and the Minus Eighty Laboratory Freezer ISS 2 (MELFI-2). Astronauts Danny Olivas and José M. Hernández answered questions from the public. Olivas and Christer Fuglesang prepared for the second spacewalk by spending the night in the airlock at a lower air pressure.

September 3 (Flight Day 7 – Spacewalk 2)

Composite of images showing the Russian Segment during the EVA

Astronauts Danny Olivas and Christer Fuglesang performed the second spacewalk (EVA 2). They installed the new Ammonia Tank Assembly (ATA). This new tank, weighing about 1,800 pounds (816 kg), was the heaviest item ever moved by spacewalking astronauts. They also installed protective covers on the cameras of the station's robotic arm. Inside, the rest of the crew continued moving items between the shuttle and the station.

September 4 (Flight Day 8)

The crew had some time off. They shared a meal, took a group photo, and talked to the public. More cargo was moved between the shuttle and the station. Astronauts Timothy Kopra and Nicole Stott continued their handover activities, as Stott was taking over Kopra's role on the station. Olivas and Fuglesang prepared their spacesuits for the third spacewalk.

September 5 (Flight Day 9 – Spacewalk 3)

Danny Olivas during EVA 3.

Astronauts Danny Olivas and Christer Fuglesang completed the third and final spacewalk (EVA 3). They installed two GPS antennas and a new Rate Gyro Assembly. They also routed cables for the Node 3 module, which would arrive later. The crew also replaced a bolt on a docking mechanism to make sure future spacecraft could connect properly.

September 6 (Flight Day 10 – Getting Ready to Go Home)

The crews transferred science samples from the space station to a special freezer on the shuttle called Glacier. These samples would be returned to Earth for scientists to study. The crew also started closing up the Leonardo module, getting it ready to be moved back into the shuttle. The last part of the day was spent off duty.

September 7 (Flight Day 11 – Saying Goodbye)

The joint crews finished moving all the cargo. They then closed the hatches of the Leonardo module. After that, Leonardo was detached from the ISS and placed back into the shuttle's cargo bay. Astronauts José M. Hernández and Nicole Stott spoke to the public. The two crews then said their goodbyes and closed the hatches between the shuttle and the ISS. The shuttle crew then prepared their tools for undocking.

September 8 (Flight Day 12 – Undocking)

Space Shuttle Discovery and International Space Station on September 8, 2009, after undocking

Space Shuttle Discovery successfully undocked from the International Space Station at 7:26 PM UTC. After undocking, the shuttle flew around the ISS, allowing the crew to take photos. The astronauts then used the Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS) to inspect the shuttle's heat shield one last time.

September 9 (Flight Day 13 – Preparing for Landing)

On flight day 13, the shuttle crew began putting away items for landing. Commander Frederick W. Sturckow and pilot Kevin A. Ford checked the shuttle's flight control systems and communication with the ground. The crew also reviewed the landing procedures.

September 10 (Flight Day 14 – Landing Postponed)

Discovery was scheduled to land at Kennedy Space Center. However, bad weather conditions caused the landing to be delayed twice.

September 11 (Flight Day 15 – Landing)

After weather delayed two landing opportunities at Kennedy Space Center, Discovery lands at Edwards Air Force Base, California.

After the delays, Discovery started its journey back to Earth. It landed safely at Edwards Air Force Base in California at 8:53 PM EDT. This landing was the last time a Space Shuttle mission ended at Edwards Air Force Base. Discovery was later flown back to Kennedy Space Center on September 21, 2009.

Spacewalks: Working Outside in Space

During the STS-128 mission, astronauts performed three spacewalks. Each spacewalk was planned to last about 6.5 hours.

Wake-up Calls: Music in Space

NASA has a fun tradition of playing music to wake up astronauts in space. This started during the Gemini program. Each song is chosen specially, often by the astronauts' families. The songs usually have a special meaning to an astronaut or relate to their daily tasks.

Images for kids

• 

  Discovery on the pad 6 August 2009

• 

  Discovery poised for lift-off

• 

  Launch from 180 miles away (long exposure)

• 

  STS-128 as seen from Bartram Springs in Jacksonville, FL

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  Long exposure picture of STS-128 launching

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  Olivas(left) and Stott (right) during EVA 1.

• 

  Leonardo is placed back in Discovery's payload bay.

See also

In Spanish: STS-128 para niños