STS-126

Occurred 16 years ago

The STS-126 crew delivered equipment to the International Space Station to enable larger crews to reside aboard the orbiting outpost, including additional crew quarters and exercise equipment, regenerative life support system equipment, and spare hardware.

Space Shuttle

Endeavour

mission duration

15 days, 20 hours, 29 minutes, 37 secs

Launch

Nov. 14, 2008

Landing

Nov. 30, 2008

Attired in training versions of their shuttle launch and entry suits, the seven STS-126 crew members took a break from training to pose for the official crew portrait. Astronaut Christopher J. Ferguson, commander, is at center; and astronaut Eric A. Boe, pilot, is third from the right. Remaining crewmembers, pictured from left to right, are astronauts Sandra H. Magnus, Stephen G. Bowen, Donald R. Pettit, Robert S. (Shane) Kimbrough and Heidemarie M. Stefanyshyn-Piper, all mission specialists. Magnus is scheduled to join Expedition 18 as flight engineer after launching to the International Space Station on mission STS-126.

NASA

Mission Facts

Mission: Delivered equipment to the International Space Station
Launch: Nov. 14, 2008, 7:55 p.m. EST
Landing: Nov. 30, 2008, 4:25 p.m. EST
Orbiter: Endeavour
Mission Number: STS-126 (124th space shuttle flight)
Launch Window: 10 minutes
Launch Pad: 39A
Mission Duration: 15 days, 20 hours, 29 minutes, 37 secs
Landing Site: Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
Inclination/Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
Primary Payload: 27th station flight (ULF2), Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM)

Crew:

Chris Ferguson, Commander

Eric Boe, Pilot

Steve Bowen, Mission Specialist

Shane Kimbrough, Mission Specialist

Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper, Mission Specialist

Donald Pettit, Mission Specialist

Sandra Magnus, Mission Specialist, Embarking to International Space Station

Gregory Chamitoff, Flight Engineer, Returning from International Space Station

Mission Highlights

Veteran space flier Navy Capt. Christopher J. Ferguson commanded the STS-126 mission aboard Endeavour that delivered equipment to the International Space Station that will enable larger crews to reside aboard the complex. Air Force Lt. Col. Eric A. Boe served as the pilot. The mission specialists were Navy Capt. Stephen G. Bowen, Army Lt. Col. Robert S. Kimbrough, Navy Capt. Heidemarie M. Stefanyshyn-Piper and NASA astronauts Donald R. Pettit and Sandra H. Magnus.

Magnus remained on the station, replacing Expedition 17/18 Flight Engineer Gregory E. Chamitoff, who returned to Earth with the STS-126 crew. Magnus will serve as a flight engineer and NASA science officer for Expedition 18. Magnus will return to Earth on shuttle mission STS-119.

Endeavour carried a reusable logistics module that held supplies and equipment, including additional crew quarters, additional exercise equipment, equipment for the regenerative life support system and spare hardware.

STS-126 was the 27th shuttle mission to the International Space Station.