STS-123

STS-123
source
Mission name	STS-123
Spacecraft	Space Shuttle Endeavour
Launch pad	Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A
Launch date	March 11, 2008
Landing date	March 27, 2008
Landing site	Kennedy Space Center

STS-123 was the 122nd NASA Space Shuttle mission, and the 21st Space Shuttle Endeavour mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission was crewed by Dominic Gorie, Gregory H. Johnson, Robert Behnken, Mike Foreman, Timothy Kopra, Takao Doi, and Léopold Eyharts, who were launched by NASA from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A on Space Shuttle Endeavour. The mission was a significant milestone in the construction of the International Space Station, with the installation of the Canadian Space Agency's Dextre robotic arm and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo experiment module.

Mission Overview

The STS-123 mission was a complex and challenging one, involving multiple spacewalks and the installation of new hardware on the International Space Station. The crew worked closely with Mission Control Center in Houston, Texas, and with the European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory team to ensure the success of the mission. The mission also marked the first time that a Space Shuttle had visited the International Space Station since the STS-120 mission in October 2007, which was crewed by Pamela Melroy, George Zamka, Scott Parazynski, Stephanie Wilson, Douglas Wheelock, and Paolo Nespoli. The STS-123 mission was also supported by the Russian Federal Space Agency's Soyuz TMA-11 spacecraft, which was crewed by Yuri Malenchenko, Peggy Whitson, and Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor.

Crew

The STS-123 crew consisted of seven experienced NASA astronauts, including Dominic Gorie, the mission commander, and Gregory H. Johnson, the pilot. The mission specialists were Robert Behnken, Mike Foreman, Timothy Kopra, Takao Doi, and Léopold Eyharts, who was a European Space Agency astronaut. The crew was supported by a team of thousands of people, including engineers and technicians from NASA, the Canadian Space Agency, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and the European Space Agency. The crew also worked closely with the International Space Station's Expedition 16 crew, which included Peggy Whitson, Yuri Malenchenko, and Léopold Eyharts, who was replaced by Garrett Reisman during the mission.

Mission Objectives

The primary objective of the STS-123 mission was to deliver the Canadian Space Agency's Dextre robotic arm to the International Space Station. The arm was designed to perform a variety of tasks, including maintenance and repairs, and was a critical component of the International Space Station's robotic system. The mission also included the installation of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo experiment module, which was designed to support a variety of scientific experiments. The crew also performed several spacewalks to install new hardware and to perform maintenance tasks on the International Space Station. The mission was supported by the NASA's Johnson Space Center, the Marshall Space Flight Center, and the Kennedy Space Center.

Mission Timeline

The STS-123 mission began on March 11, 2008, with the launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A. The crew spent the first two days of the mission in orbit, conducting checks of the Space Shuttle's systems and preparing for docking with the International Space Station. On March 13, 2008, the crew docked with the International Space Station, and began the process of transferring cargo and installing new hardware. The crew spent 12 days in orbit, during which time they performed five spacewalks and installed the Dextre robotic arm and the Kibo experiment module. The mission ended on March 27, 2008, with the landing of Space Shuttle Endeavour at Kennedy Space Center.

Spacewalks

The STS-123 mission included five spacewalks, which were performed by Robert Behnken and Mike Foreman. The first spacewalk was conducted on March 14, 2008, and lasted for 6 hours and 17 minutes. The second spacewalk was conducted on March 15, 2008, and lasted for 7 hours and 8 minutes. The third spacewalk was conducted on March 17, 2008, and lasted for 6 hours and 51 minutes. The fourth spacewalk was conducted on March 20, 2008, and lasted for 6 hours and 24 minutes. The fifth and final spacewalk was conducted on March 22, 2008, and lasted for 6 hours and 2 minutes. The spacewalks were supported by the NASA's Johnson Space Center and the European Space Agency's European Astronaut Centre. The crew also worked closely with the International Space Station's Expedition 16 crew, which included Peggy Whitson, Yuri Malenchenko, and Léopold Eyharts, to ensure the success of the mission.

Category:Space Shuttle missions