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STS-121
STS-121 was a 2006 NASA Space Shuttle mission to the International Space Station flown by Space Shuttle Discovery.
Space Shuttle
mission duration
Launch
Landing
![STS-121 crew in orange flight suits pose before the Discovery Space Shuttle](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/word-image-2657.jpeg?w=1024)
Mission Facts
Mission: International Space Station Assembly Flight ULF1.1
Space Shuttle: Discovery
Launch Pad: 39B
Launched: July 4, 2006 at 2:37:55 p.m. EDT
Landing Site: Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
Landing: July 17, 2006 at 9:15:49 a.m. EDT
Runway: 15
Revolution: 202
Mission Duration: 12 days, 18 hours, 37 minutes and 54 seconds
Miles Traveled: 5.3 million
Mission Details
The crew of Space Shuttle Discovery tested new equipment and procedures that increase the safety of space shuttles during the STS-121 mission to the International Space Station. It also performed maintenance on the space station and delivered supplies, equipment and a new Expedition 13 crew member to the station.
This mission carried on analysis of safety improvements that debuted on the Return to Flight mission, STS-114, and built upon those tests.
Crew:
Steven Lindsey, Commander
Mark Kelly, Pilot
Piers Sellers, Mission Specialist
Michael Fossum, Mission Specialist
Lisa Nowak, Mission Specialist
Stephanie Wilson, Mission Specialist
Thomas Reiter, Mission Specialist
STS-121
Resources
Retired Space Shuttle Locations
Shuttle Atlantis – Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Shuttle Discovery – Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center Shuttle Endeavour – California Science…
Read the Story![](https://images-assets.nasa.gov/image/KSC-81PC-0136/KSC-81PC-0136~large.jpg?w=1920&h=1495&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint)