The final ascent of a legend: Discovery’s last mission to the stars

Space · Published 18 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: On February 24, 2011, the space shuttle Discovery lifted off from Florida to complete its 39th and final mission. It wasn't just a departure; it was a massive delivery of robotic residents and laboratory expansions designed to sustain the International Space Station's future.

The STS-133 mission, launched at approximately 4:53 p.m. EST, carried a launch weight of 262,309 pounds. The crew, led by Commander Steve Lindsey alongside Eric Boe, Alvin Drew, Nicole Stott, Michael Barratt, and Steve Bowen, embarked on a 13-day journey to augment the International Space Station. This mission served as the final chapter in Discovery's storied roster of accomplishments. The shuttle departed from Launch Pad 39AL. During the flight, the orbiter traveled roughly 5.3 million miles through space.

A primary objective was the delivery of the Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM), a facility repurposed from the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module. This expansion was designed to support diverse microgravity research, ranging from biology and biotechnology to materials science and fluid physics. Alongside this, the shuttle carried the Express Logistics Carrier 4 (ELC4), an external platform intended to hold large equipment and critical spare components for the station. The crew's efforts focused on outfitting the station's residents for ongoing scientific endeavors. This included setting up the orbiting laboratory for future research.

The mission also introduced Robonaut 2, a dexterous robot destined to become a permanent resident of the orbiting laboratory. During the flight, the crew performed two spacewalks to install the PMM and attach the external platform. The mission concluded on March 9, 2011, with a landing at the Kennedy Space Center. As the shuttle returned to Earth, the event marked the end of an era, with NASA officials and the crew celebrating a virtually flawless flight that ensured the station was outfitted for continued research. The mission was officially designated as the 35th station flight, also known as ULF5. Upon touchdown, Commander Lindsey expressed his profound happiness regarding the shuttle's return to its home at Kennedy.

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