STS-128

Mission Profile

Overview

STS-128 brought Christer Fuglesang back to orbit for his second flight, making Sweden's first astronaut also its most experienced, as Discovery carried the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module to the International Space Station. Packed inside Leonardo were science racks, the COLBERT treadmill, a new crew sleeping compartment and tons of supplies that helped enable the station's permanent six-person crews. Over three spacewalks, two of them with Fuglesang, the crew replaced a depleted ammonia coolant tank, a heavy and delicate job, and prepared external systems for future assembly. The mission also rotated the Expedition crew, delivering Nicole Stott to the station and returning Timothy Kopra to Earth in the last ISS crew exchange ever flown by a Space Shuttle. Commanded by Frederick Sturckow, Discovery glided to a night landing at Edwards Air Force Base after nearly fourteen days aloft.

Crew

Key Milestones

1. 2009-08-29

   Discovery launches from LC-39A carrying the Leonardo logistics module

2. 2009-08-30

   Discovery docks with the ISS; Leonardo is later berthed and unloaded

3. 2009-09-01

   Spacewalkers replace a depleted ammonia coolant tank during multiple EVAs

4. 2009-09-11

   Discovery lands at Edwards Air Force Base; Nicole Stott joins the station, Timothy Kopra returns

Key Achievements

• Second spaceflight of Christer Fuglesang, Sweden's most experienced astronaut

• Delivered the Leonardo logistics module with equipment enabling six-person ISS crews

• Replaced a depleted ammonia coolant tank during three spacewalks

• Flew the last ISS crew rotation ever performed by a Space Shuttle

Related Missions

Sources

1. Spaceline: STS-128 Fact Sheet
2. Wikipedia: STS-128