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Discovery arrived at the launch pad.

In the morning yesterday, the shuttle «Discovery» was removed from the assembly complex and taken to the launch pad 39A Kennedy Space Center.

For «Discovery» on Nov. 1 to begin the last flight of the program «Space Shuttle», so the export was invited by NASA employees and their families.

«We have a lot of people worked on the shuttle program, now we want them all to attend before the final flight» — said Boytel Allard, a spokesman for NASA.

«This is an opportunity for families of employees of NASA to look at something that had been given many years of manned flight USA» — he added.

In the upcoming flight by Discovery »STS-133 will be made 39 shuttle mission to the ISS and the 133rd space shuttle mission in the history of the project, which started ticking in 1981. In February 2011 will have to fly the shuttle Endeavour, which will become the latest official shuttle, departing the station. NASA said they are considering the feasibility of another shuttle launch of Atlantis in the summer of 2011, but until a final decision on the launch there.

On STS-133 will deliver supplies to the International Space Station in a modified transport module Leonardo and experimental transport platform (Express Logistics Carrier 4). Transport Module «Leonardo» is used to deliver the equipment to the ISS and back to Earth. Module «Leonardo» six times flew to the station. After the last flight to the station in November 2009, the module was modified so that it will forever remain docked to the station. It will be used as extra storage space in the ISS.

On the Discovery into space will go and Robonavt 2 (Robonaut 2, R2) — a robot that has been jointly developed by General Motors and NASA. The purpose of running a robot — to check its operation in zero gravity, the impact on his work space and electromagnetic radiation.

Commander of STS-133 crew appointed Steven Lindsey, pilot — Eric Boe, mission specialists: Alvin Drew, Michael Barratt, Timothy Kopra and Nicole Stott.

Recall that after closing the program «Space Shuttle» NASA astronauts will be delivered to the ISS and return to the Russian Soyuz.


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