STS-133 launch

STS133-S-036 (24 Feb. 2011) --- Space shuttle Discovery and its six-member STS-133 crew head toward Earth orbit and rendezvous with the International Space Station. Liftoff was at 4:53 p.m. (EST) on Feb. 24, 2011, from Launch Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Onboard are NASA astronauts Steve Lindsey, commander; Eric Boe, pilot; Steve Bowen, Alvin Drew, Michael Barratt and Nicole Stott, all mission specialists. Discovery and its six-member crew are on a mission to deliver the Permanent Multipurpose Module, packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2, the dexterous humanoid astronaut helper, to the International Space Station. Discovery is making its 39th mission and is scheduled to be retired following STS-133. This is the 133rd Space Shuttle Program mission and the 35th shuttle voyage to the space station. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration