The final flight of a shuttle that traveled 5.3 million miles

Space · Published 18 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Space shuttle Discovery didn't just end its journey with a quiet landing; it concluded a 30-year legacy of orbital exploration. Its final mission, STS-133, served as a high-stakes swan song, delivering critical infrastructure to the International Space Station before returning to its Florida home.

On February 24, 2011, Discovery launched from Kennedy Space Center with a weight of 262,309 pounds. This mission, designated STS-133, marked the 35th station flight and the final voyage for the shuttle that had logged 365 days in flight over its career. The crew, led by Commander Steve Lindsey, spent 12 days, 19 hours, 4 minutes, and 50 seconds in orbit, traveling at an inclination of 51.6 degrees and an altitude of 122 nautical miles.

The primary objective was the installation of the Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM) to the International Space Station. To achieve this, the crew performed two spacewalks and attached a platform carrying spare parts known as the EXPRESS Logistics Carrier 4 (ELC4). Beyond just delivery, the team worked to outfit the new module for the station's residents, ensuring the orbiting laboratory was prepared for future research cycles.

The mission was described as virtually flawless, concluding with a landing at Kennedy Space Center on March 9, 2011, at 11:57:17 a.m. EST. For the crew and NASA officials, including Administrator Charles Bolden, the return was a moment of deep reflection. It signaled the end of Discovery's 39 missions into orbit, closing a chapter of American space exploration that defined the shuttle era.

This finality highlights the transition from the shuttle era to the next phase of orbital logistics. While Discovery was retired, its final contributions—the PMM and the logistical support provided during STS-133—remain integral to the ongoing research and habitation of the International Space Station.

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