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Space Shuttle Discovery facts for kids

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Discovery
OV-103
STS-133 Space Shuttle Discovery after undocking 3 (cropped).jpg
Discovery in orbit in 2011, during STS-133
OV designation OV-103
Country United States
Contract award January 29, 1979
Named after Discovery (1602),
HMS Discovery (1774),
HMS Discovery (1874),
RRS Discovery (1901)
Status Retired, on display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia
First flight STS-41-D
August 30, 1984 (1984-08-30) – September 5, 1984
Last flight STS-133
February 24, 2011 (2011-02-24) – March 9, 2011
No. of missions 39
Crew members 252
Time spent in space 1 year (365 days), 22 hours, 39 minutes, 33 seconds
Distance travelled 148,221,675 mi (238,539,663 km)
Satellites deployed 31 (including Hubble Space Telescope)
Mir dockings 1
ISS dockings 13
Space Shuttle Discovery at Udvar-Hazy Center
Space Shuttle Discovery at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
Discovery rollout ceremony
Discovery rollout ceremony in October 1983

The Space Shuttle Discovery (also known as OV-103) was a special spacecraft. It was one of the orbiters used by NASA. Discovery was the third of five main orbiters built for the Space Shuttle program.

Its first trip to space, called STS-41-D, happened from August 30 to September 5, 1984. Over 27 years, Discovery flew into space and landed 39 times. This means it had more spaceflights than any other spacecraft at that time!

Like other space shuttles, Discovery had three main parts. These were the Space Shuttle orbiter (the part that looked like a plane), a large fuel tank, and two rocket boosters. The orbiter was covered with nearly 25,000 special heat-resistant tiles. These tiles protected it from the super hot temperatures when it came back into Earth's atmosphere.

Discovery was the third orbiter to start flying. The first two were Columbia and Challenger. Its very last mission, STS-133, began on February 24, 2011. It landed for the final time at Kennedy Space Center on March 9, 2011. In total, Discovery spent almost a full year in space!

Discovery did many important jobs. It carried out scientific research and helped build the International Space Station (ISS). It also famously carried the Hubble Space Telescope into orbit.

Discovery was the first of the operational shuttles to be retired. After it, Endeavour and then Atlantis also stopped flying. Today, you can see Discovery on display. It is at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia.

Exploring Discovery: Key Missions and Achievements

Discovery played a big role in space exploration. It completed many important missions for NASA.

Launching the Hubble Space Telescope

One of Discovery's most famous missions was STS-31 in 1990. On this mission, Discovery carried the Hubble Space Telescope into space. Hubble is a powerful telescope that takes amazing pictures of the universe. It has helped scientists learn so much about galaxies, stars, and planets far away.

Returning to Flight after Accidents

Discovery was also chosen for very important missions after accidents.

  • After the Challenger accident in 1986, Discovery was the first shuttle to fly again. This mission, STS-26 in 1988, showed that the Space Shuttle program was safe to continue.
  • Again, after the Columbia accident in 2003, Discovery flew the first "Return to Flight" mission, STS-114, in 2005. These missions were very important for NASA. They helped make sure space travel was as safe as possible.

Building the International Space Station

Discovery made 13 trips to the International Space Station (ISS). The ISS is a huge orbiting laboratory where astronauts from different countries live and work. Discovery helped carry parts and supplies to build and maintain the station. It also brought astronauts to and from the ISS.

Other Important Missions

  • Discovery carried many different satellites into orbit. These satellites helped with communication, weather forecasting, and scientific research.
  • It also performed research experiments in space. Astronauts on board studied how living in space affects the human body. They also tested new technologies for future space travel.

Images for kids

  • STS-41-D launch

    The first launch of Space Shuttle Discovery

  • DiscoveryVABrollout

    The rollout of Space Shuttle Discovery

  • Space Shuttle tail cone

    The tail cone being attached to Space Shuttle Discovery

  • Space Shuttle Discovery Catches a Ride by Lori Losey NASA, August 19, 2005 (NASA)

    Discovery on the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft

  • STS-133 Discovery seen from the Cupola

    Discovery seen from the Cupola

  • Discovery mission completed q

    Discovery after landing

  • STS-121-DiscoveryEnhanced

    Discovery doing backflip

  • Space Shuttle Discovery and Carrier 747 at Vandenberg Air Force Base

    Discovery and SCA 905 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, 6 Nov 1983

  • STS-41-D Crew Enjoying Space - GPN-2004-00024

    On the maiden voyage of Discovery: Judith Resnik, Henry Hartsfield, Michael L. Coats, Steven A. Hawley, Charles D. Walker, and Richard M. Mullane

  • SRBsepfromDiscovery07042006

    Discovery after booster separation.

  • STS-121 Discovery posing for inspection photos edit1

    Discovery approaching the ISS on STS-121, its 'teardrop' feature clearly visible.

  • STS-48 UARS deployment

    The Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS), one of the many satellites deployed from Discovery.

  • Space Shuttle Discovery Tribute

    NASA Orbiter Tribute for Space Shuttle Discovery

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Transbordador espacial Discovery para niños

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