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The KSC Shuttle Landing Facility's paved runway is 15,000 feet long with a 1,000-foot overrun at each end, and 300 feet wide with 50-foot asphalt shoulders on each side.
 
STS 125: Oct 08
STS 124 Videos

TouchDown at KSC!
The successful STS-124 mission concludes as Discovery safely touches down at Kennedy Space Center. View Video


Discovery Performs Fly-Around of Station
Cameras aboard the International Space Station and space shuttle Discovery capture spectacular views as the shuttle performs a fly-around of the station. View Video


Second Spacewalk for STS-124
Highlights of STS-124's second spacewalk are described by David Beaver, lead spacewalk officer for the mission. View Video


Kibo Lab Open for Business
Astronauts Mike Fossum and Ron Garan conduct the first spacewalk of the STS-124 mission. View Video


STS-124 Conducts First Spacewalk
Astronauts Mike Fossum and Ron Garan conduct the first spacewalk of the STS-124 mission. View Video


Lift-off! Discovery on it's way to ISS
Discovery roars off the launch pad and soars through the clouds for its date with the International Space Station. View Video

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Celebrations on a successful mission
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Written by Web Master   
Photo Credit: Nasa
Seven astronauts flew space shuttle Discovery back to NASA's Kennedy Space Center on Saturday14th June to end the latest construction mission to the International Space Station.

Commander Mark Kelly and Pilot Ken Ham were at the controls of Discovery as it glided through Florida skies to touch down on time at 3:15 p.m. BST.

Kelly, Ham and Mission Specialists Karen Nyberg, Ron Garan, Mike Fossum and Japan's Akihiko Hoshide spent 14 days in orbit installing the Japanese Pressurized Module to the space station. The module is the largest section of the Japanese laboratory called "Kibo," or hope. Garrett Reisman also returned onboard Discovery. He spent three months living on the space station.

Talking to the news media a few hours after landing, the crew of STS-124 beamed about the flight.

"I think I have the best space shuttle crew of all-time," Kelly said.

Although there are more pieces to add on future flights, Fossum said the addition of Kibo made the station look nearly complete.

"It was a great feeling of accomplishment as we backed away (from the station)," he said.

Hoshide, one of the astronauts of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, spent time on Earth monitoring Kibo's preparation for space. Saying goodbye to it in orbit was not easy.

"When we went to close the hatch, that was a tender moment, it was kind of sad," he said.

NASA and Japanese officials hailed the flight just after landing.

"I can't think of a mission really that's been better than this one," said Bill Gerstenmaier, NASA's associate administrator of Space Operations. "We're starting to break that tie to planet Earth and get out and do what exploration is."

Discovery returned to its base in good shape, said Michael Leinbach, shuttle launch director.

"It's just a terrific day here at the Kennedy Space Center."

Astronaut Ron Garan came back with a unique spacewalking experience. Perched at one end of the station's long robotic arm, he swung far out and away from the shuttle and station to move a nitrogen tank into place.

"I got the impression I wasn't just looking at the Earth, I was looking at a planet hanging in space," he said.

After a night at Kennedy, the crew will fly to Ellington Field near NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.

NASA's next shuttle flight is slated for October when the crew of STS-125 is to service the Hubble Space Telescope.

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Last Updated ( Sunday, 15 June 2008 )
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STS 124 Mission
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Written by Admin   
Photo Credit: Nasa
Navy Cmdr. Mark E. Kelly will command the STS-124 shuttle mission to deliver the Pressurized Module and robotic arm of the Japanese Experiment Module, known as "Kibo" (hope), to the International Space Station. Navy Cmdr. Kenneth T. Ham will serve as the pilot. Mission specialists will include NASA astronauts Karen L. Nyberg; Air Force Col. Ronald J. Garan Jr.; and Air Force Reserve Col. Michael E. Fossum. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide also will serve as a mission specialist.
Last Updated ( Thursday, 05 June 2008 )
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Video Gallery

Discovery Rolls Out
Space shuttle Discovery made an important step toward space when it was moved to its launch pad. View Video



Tour of Japanese Experiment Module
STS-123 Mission Specialist Takao Doi gives a tour of Kibo, the Japanese Experiment Module, for the Japanese Prime Minister. View Video



Joint Crew News Conference
The STS-123 and Expedition 16 crews answer questions from the media in a joint crew news conference. View Video



STS 123 Farewell Ceremony
The STS-123 and Expedition 16 crews bid one another farewell. View Video



STS 123 Lands at KSC
The space shuttle Endeavour touches down in Florida, ending a successful mission. View Video



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