Space Shuttle Imagery

Space Shuttle Atlantis launches successfully from the Kennedy Space Center, May 11, 2009, to begin the STS-125 mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope for the last time.

Kennedy Space Center Weather Forecast

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July 15, 2009: STS-127, Endeavour. The primary purpose of the STS-127 mission is to deliver and install the final two components of the Japanese Experiment Module: the Exposed Facility (JEM EF), and the Exposed Section of the Experiment Logistics Module (ELM-ES).

August 18, 2009: STS-128, Discovery. The primary payload will be the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Leonardo. The mission will include three spacewalks to remove and replace a materials processing experiment outside ESA's Columbus module and return an empty ammonia tank assembly.

Nov. 12, 2009: STS-129, Atlantis. The primary payload of STS-129 is scheduled to be the EXPRESS Logistics Carrier (ELC1) and the ELC2 holding two spare gyroscopes, two nitrogen tank assemblies, two pump modules, an ammonia tank assembly, a spare latching end effector for the station's robotic arm, a spare trailing umbilical system for the Mobile Transporter and a high-pressure gas tank.

TBD, 2010: STS-130, Endeavour. STS-130 is scheduled to carry Tranquility and the Cupola to the International Space Station. Tranquility was in storage at the Thales Alenia Space facility in Turin, Italy, and has been flown to Florida in preparation of the flight. It was formerly known as Node 3, and was renamed by a NASA poll.

March 18, 2010: STS-131, Discovery. The primary payload of STS-131 is scheduled to be the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello.

TBD, 2010: STS-132, Atlantis. STS-132 is scheduled to carry the Russian Mini-Research Module 1 (MRM1) to the International Space Station. Also onboard will be the Integrated Cargo Carrier-Vertical Light Deployable (ICC-VLD), six spare batteries, and a boom assembly for the Ku-band antenna and spares for the Canadian Dextre robotic arm extension. A radiator, airlock and a spare elbow for the European Robotic Arm for the Russian Multi-purpose Laboratory Module also are payloads on the flight.

TBD, 2010: STS-133, Endeavour. The mission will deliver the final components of the International Space Station, and the third and fourth EXPRESS Logistics Carriers. STS-133 would mark the completion of the International Space Station, and the final flight of Endeavour. STS-133 was slated to be the final flight of the space shuttle program, however the NASA Authorization Act of 2008 authorizes one additional space shuttle mission in order to launch previously canceled ISS components such as the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer.

TBD, 2010: STS-134, Discovery will deliver the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer and a fourth ExPRESS Logistics Carrier to the International Space Station. It is currently slated to be the final flight of the Space Shuttle program. 

So, what's it like inside the Space Shuttle during a launch? Ever wonder? Watch this video, and see for yourself.

The STS-123 crew. T-minus 3:00 and counting.

Position	Launching Astronaut	Landing Astronaut
Commander	Frederick W. Sturckow Fourth spaceflight
Pilot	Kevin A. Ford First spaceflight
Mission Specialist 1	Patrick G. Forrester Third spaceflight
Mission Specialist 2	Jose M. Hernández First spaceflight Flight Engineer
Mission Specialist 3	Christer Fuglesang Second spaceflight
Mission Specialist 4	John D. Olivas Second spaceflight
Mission Specialist 5	Nicole Stott Expedition 20 First spaceflight	Timothy Kopra Expedition 20 First spaceflight