The final flight of a space shuttle icon

Space · Published 19 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The Space Shuttle Discovery completed its 39th and final mission in 2011. While the shuttle program was ending, the crew of STS-133 was busy ensuring the International Space Station was prepared for the next generation of orbital research, bridging the gap between two eras of space exploration.

The STS-133 mission, launched on February 24, 2011, served as the concluding chapter for the Space Shuttle Discovery. Over a duration of 12 days, 19 hours, 4 minutes, and 50 seconds, the shuttle traveled approximately 5.3 million miles. The primary objective was the installation of the Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM) to the International Space Station, along with the EXPRESS Logistics Carrier 4 (ELC4). This work was essential for outfitting the orbiting laboratory to support continued scientific research for its residents. The shuttle launched from Pad 39AL with a weight of 262,309 pounds. It maintained an altitude of 122 nautical miles at a 51.6 degree inclination. The flight was described as virtually flawless by NASA.

The crew, which included Mission Specialist Nicole Stott, performed two spacewalks to complete these installations. Having previously worked as a Flight Engineer during ISS Expeditions 20 and 21, the Clearwater, Florida native, Stott, was already well-known in the space sector. Her experience included a 6-hour and 39-minute spacewalk during the STS-128 mission in 2009, where she logged a total of 91 days in space before the final shuttle flight. The team also included Commander Steve Lindsey and Pilot Eric Boe. Other specialists on board were Alvin Drew, Michael Barratt, and Steve Bowen. Stott originally launched to the station on the Space Shuttle Discovery in 2009.

The mission concluded with a landing at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on March 9, 2011. For many involved, the landing was a moment of bittersweet reflection. While the shuttle program was reaching its end, NASA officials, including Administrator Charles Bolden, noted that Discovery's legacy would provide the foundation for the future of space exploration. The shuttle was subsequently retired, with its final resting place designated at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. The orbiter soared through mostly clear skies during its final approach. After the touchdown, the crew walked beneath the vehicle with officials. Other retired shuttles like Atlantis and Endeavour are located in different facilities.

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