You're watching NASA Direct.
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More than two years after the Columbia accident, NASA plans to return the Space Shuttle to flight this month.
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With implementation of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board recommendations completed, a
crew of seven astronauts will fly aboard Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-114 to test new
safety techniques and deliver needed supplies to the International Space Station.
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The mission will debut and test new External Tank designs and processes that will minimize
potentially damaging debris during launch.
New ground and flight camera systems will observe the Shuttle environment during launch and on orbit.
Also, new techniques for in-flight inspections and repair of the Shuttle Thermal Protection System will be tested.
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Several elements will be carried in Discovery's payload bay for delivery to the Station.
These include the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello, containing racks of supplies, food
and water, and the Human Research Facility-2 rack.
Also, the External Stowage Platform and a replacement Control Moment Gyroscope will be carried in Discovery's payload bay.
During Mission STS-114, mission specialists will perform spacewalks to install the External
Stowage Platform and the Control Moment Gyroscope onto the Station.
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They will unberth the logistics module and attach it to the Station to transfer several tons of
supplies and equipment, including food and water, for use by the Expedition 11 crew.
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Mission STS-114 signifies the beginning of a new era in human exploration. Safely returning
Space Shuttles to flight to complete the International Space Station are the first steps in the
Vision for Space Exploration.
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