The final rehearsal for the space shuttle Discovery's last flight

Space · Published 19 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Before the final mission of the space shuttle program, the crew of Discovery underwent rigorous simulator training. This look inside the Johnson Space Center reveals the high-stakes preparation required to bring a spacecraft home safely.

The video features Astronaut Mike Massimino introducing Commander Steve Lindsey and the crew of STS-133. It provides a rare look inside a shuttle simulator at the Johnson Space Center, where the team practiced the specific procedures needed to land the shuttle after an 11-day mission.

This training preceded Discovery's final landing at Edwards Air Force Base on August 9, 2011. During its nearly two-week orbital stay, the crew also performed maintenance on the International Space Station and demonstrated new techniques for inspecting and repairing the shuttle while in orbit.

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