At 1452GMT today Space Shuttle Discovery (pictured below from its own robotic arm's boom's camera) was to dock with the International Space Station, starting the next phase of STS-121, the 18th US mission to the ISS.
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Once docked it will take two hours before the hatch is opened between the two spacecraft. STS-121/Discovery will deliver supplies and equipment to the station using its Italian built Leonardo multi purpose logistics module.
European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Reiter has travelled to the ISS onboard Discovery and he will become its Expedition 13’s third crew member. His arrival will return the station’s crew complement to three for the first time since Expedition 6 left in May 2003. He will return to Earth with STS-116 later this year.
The STS-121 crew will also conduct at least two spacewalks while docked to the orbital outpost. During the excursions the Shuttle crew will demonstrate techniques for inspecting and protecting the shuttle’s thermal protection system and replace a communications umbelical reel assembly for the ISS's mobile transporter.
Blog: Read Rob Coppinger's Kennedy Space Center experience for the July STS-121 Space Shuttle launch
Source: Flight International
