The space shuttle Discovery touches down at 11:15 a.m. EDT, Saturday, June 14, 2008, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. During the 13-day mission, Discovery and the crew of STS-124 delivered new components of the Japanese Experiment Module, or Kibo, to the International Space Station and the Canadian-built Special Purpose Dextrous Manipulator to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

The space shuttle Discovery touches down at 11:15 a.m. EDT, Saturday, June 14, 2008, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. During the 13-day mission, Discovery and the crew of STS-124 delivered new components of the Japanese Experiment Module, or Kibo, to the International Space Station and the Canadian-built Special Purpose Dextrous Manipulator to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

The space shuttle Discovery touches down at 11:15 a.m. EDT, Saturday, June 14, 2008, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. During the 13-day mission, Discovery and the crew of STS-124 delivered new components of the Japanese Experiment Module, or Kibo, to the International Space Station and the Canadian-built Special Purpose Dextrous Manipulator to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Shuttle Launch Director Michael Leinbach, left, STS-124 Assistant Launch Director Ed Mango, center, and Flow Director for Space Shuttle Discovery Stephanie Stilson clap in the the Launch Control Center after the main engine cut off and successful launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-124) Saturday, May 31, 2008, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. The Shuttle lifted off from launch pad 39A at 5:02 p.m. EDT. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA's John C. Stennis Space Center Deputy Director Gene Goldman (center) welcomed members of the STS-124 Discovery space shuttle crew during their July 23 visit to the center. Crew members who visited Stennis were (l to r) Pilot Ken Ham, Mission Specialist Karen Nyberg, Kelly, and Mission Specialists Ron Garan and Mike Fossum.

A NASA helicopter escorting the STS-124 crew in their Astronvan to launch pad 39A flies in front of the Vehicle Assembly Building Saturday, May 31, 2008, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator, Michael Griffin talks with other NASA managers in the Launch Control Center prior to the launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-124) Saturday, May 31, 2008, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. The Shuttle lifted off from launch pad 39A at 5:02 p.m. EDT. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations Bill Gerstenmaier watches the space shuttle Discovery touch down at 11:15 a.m. EDT, Saturday, June 14, 2008, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. During the 13-day mission, Discovery and the crew of STS-124 delivered new components of the Japanese Experiment Module, or Kibo, to the International Space Station and the Canadian-built Special Purpose Dextrous Manipulator to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator, Michael Griffin watches the launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-124) from the Launch Control Center Saturday, May 31, 2008, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. The Shuttle lifted off from launch pad 39A at 5:02 p.m. EDT. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Lead Shuttle Flight Director for STS-124 Matt Abbott, left, shows his lucky launch and landing tie to NASA Associate Administrator Chris Scolese, 2nd from left, NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations Bill Gerstenmaier, 3rd from left, and NASA Deputy Shuttle Program Manager LeRoy Cain shortly after the space shuttle Discovery touched down at 11:15 a.m., Saturday, June 14, 2008, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. During the 14-day STS-124 mission Discovery's crew installed the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's large Kibo laboratory and its remote manipulator system leaving a larger space station and one with increased science capabilities. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Astronaut and STS-124 commander Mark E. Kelly, right, talks with NASA Associate Administrator Chris Scolese, center, and NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations Bill Gerstenmaier underneath the space shuttle Discovery shortly after landing on runway 15 of the NASA Kennedy Space Center, Shuttle Landing Facility at 11:15 a.m., Saturday, June 14, 2008 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Onboard Discovery were NASA astronauts Mark Kelly, commander; Ken Ham, pilot; Mike Fossum, Ron Garan, Karen Nyberg, Garrett Reisman and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, all mission specialists. During the STS-124 mission, Discovery's crew installed the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's large Kibo laboratory and its remote manipulator system leaving a larger space station and one with increased science capabilities. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

The space shuttle Discovery, STS-124 mission, touches down on runway 15 of the NASA Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility at 11:15 a.m., Saturday, June 14, 2008 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Onboard are NASA astronauts Mark Kelly, commander; Ken Ham, pilot; Mike Fossum, Ron Garan, Karen Nyberg, Garrett Reisman and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, all mission specialists. During the mission, Discovery's crew installed the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's large Kibo laboratory and its remote manipulator system leaving a larger space station and one with increased science capabilities. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

The space shuttle Discovery, STS-124 mission, touches down on runway 15 of the NASA Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility at 11:15 a.m., Saturday, June 14, 2008 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Onboard are NASA astronauts Mark Kelly, commander; Ken Ham, pilot; Mike Fossum, Ron Garan, Karen Nyberg, Garrett Reisman and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, all mission specialists. During the mission, Discovery's crew installed the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's large Kibo laboratory and its remote manipulator system leaving a larger space station and one with increased science capabilities. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

STS-124 crew members, from left, pilot Kenneth T. Ham, mission specialist Karen L. Nyberg, mission specialist, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's (JAXA) Akihiko Hoshide, Commander Mark E. Kelly, mission specialist Michael E. Fossum and mission specialist Ronald J. Garan talk about their STS-124 mission shortly after landing the space shuttle Discovery at 11:15 a.m. on June 14, 2008 at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. During the 14-day mission the crew of STS-124 installed the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's large Kibo laboratory and its remote manipulator system leaving a larger space station and one with increased science capabilities. Discovery also brought home NASA astronaut Garrett Reisman after his 3 month mission onboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

The aft end of the space shuttle Discovery is seen shortly after landing on runway 15 of the NASA Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility at 11:15 a.m., Saturday, June 14, 2008 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Onboard Discovery were NASA astronauts Mark Kelly, commander; Ken Ham, pilot; Mike Fossum, Ron Garan, Karen Nyberg, Garrett Reisman and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, all mission specialists. During the STS-124 mission, Discovery's crew installed the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's large Kibo laboratory and its remote manipulator system leaving a larger space station and one with increased science capabilities. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Deputy Shuttle Program Manager LeRoy Cain points out a portion of the space shuttle Discovery to NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations Bill Gerstenmaier, left, during a walk around shortly after Discovery touched down at 11:15 a.m., Saturday, June 14, 2008, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. During the 14-day STS-124 mission Discovery's crew installed the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's large Kibo laboratory and its remote manipulator system leaving a larger space station and one with increased science capabilities. Discovery also brought home NASA astronaut Garrett Reisman after his 3 month mission onboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Astronaut Garrett Reisman, right, jokes with NASA Associate Administrator Chris Scolese, 2nd from right, NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations Bill Gerstenmaier, 3rd from right and NASA Deputy Shuttle Program Manager LeRoy Cain as NASA Astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegria looks on. Reisman spent 3 months in space onboard the the International Space Station. Reisman landed onboard the space shuttle Discovery along with the crew of the STS-124 mission. Discovery touched down at 11:15 a.m. EDT, Saturday, June 14, 2008, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, members of the STS-124 crew look over the scientific airlock in the Kibo pressurized module. The module is part of the payload for the mission, targeted for launch no earlier than April 24. The crew comprises seven: Commander Mark Kelly, Pilot Kenneth Ham, and Mission Specialists Karen Nyberg, Ronald Garan, Michael Fossum and Akihiko Hoshide. The crew is at Kennedy for a crew equipment interface test that includes familiarization with tools and equipment that will be used on the mission. The STS-124 mission is the second of three flights that will launch components to complete the Japanese pressurized module, the Kibo laboratory. The mission will include two spacewalks to install the new lab and its remote manipulator system. The lab's logistics module, which will have been installed in a temporary location during STS-123, will be attached to the new lab. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, members of the STS-124 crew look over the scientific airlock in the Kibo pressurized module. The module is part of the payload for the mission, targeted for launch no earlier than April 24. The crew comprises seven: Commander Mark Kelly, Pilot Kenneth Ham, and Mission Specialists Karen Nyberg, Ronald Garan, Michael Fossum and Akihiko Hoshide. The crew is at Kennedy for a crew equipment interface test that includes familiarization with tools and equipment that will be used on the mission. The STS-124 mission is the second of three flights that will launch components to complete the Japanese pressurized module, the Kibo laboratory. The mission will include two spacewalks to install the new lab and its remote manipulator system. The lab's logistics module, which will have been installed in a temporary location during STS-123, will be attached to the new lab. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, members of the STS-124 crew look over equipment for the scientific airlock in the Kibo pressurized module. The module is part of the payload for the mission targeted for launch no earlier than April 24. The crew comprises seven: Commander Mark Kelly, Pilot Kenneth Ham, and Mission Specialists Karen Nyberg, Ronald Garan, Michael Fossum and Akihiko Hoshide. The crew members are at Kennedy for a crew equipment interface test, that includes familiarization with tools and equipment that will be used on the mission. The STS-124 mission is the second of three flights that will launch components to complete the Japanese pressurized module, the Kibo laboratory. The mission will include two spacewalks to install the new lab and its remote manipulator system. The lab's logistics module, which will have been installed in a temporary location during STS-123, will be attached to the new lab. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, members of the STS-124 crew get a close look at the scientific airlock on Kibo pressurized module. The module is part of the payload for the mission, targeted for launch no earlier than April 24. Crew members are at Kennedy for a crew equipment interface test that includes familiarization with tools and equipment that will be used on the mission. The STS-124 mission is the second of three flights that will launch components to complete the Japanese pressurized module, the Kibo laboratory. The mission will include two spacewalks to install the new lab and its remote manipulator system. The lab's logistics module, which will have been installed in a temporary location during STS-123, will be attached to the new lab. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, members of the STS-124 crew get a close look at equipment on the Japanese Experiment Module, called Kibo, including the Remote Manipulator System, or RMS, two robotic arms that support operations on the outside of the Kibo. Crew members are at Kennedy for a crew equipment interface test that includes familiarization with tools and equipment that will be used on the mission. The STS-124 mission is the second of three flights that will launch components to complete the Japanese pressurized module, the Kibo laboratory. The mission will include two spacewalks to install the new lab and its remote manipulator system. The lab's logistics module, which will have been installed in a temporary location during STS-123, will be attached to the new lab. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, members of the STS-124 crew get a close look at equipment on the Japanese Experiment Module, called Kibo, including the Remote Manipulator System, or RMS, two robotic arms that support operations on the outside of the Kibo. Crew members are at Kennedy for a crew equipment interface test that includes familiarization with tools and equipment that will be used on the mission. The STS-124 mission is the second of three flights that will launch components to complete the Japanese pressurized module, the Kibo laboratory. The mission will include two spacewalks to install the new lab and its remote manipulator system. The lab's logistics module, which will have been installed in a temporary location during STS-123, will be attached to the new lab. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, STS-124 Mission Specialist Michael Fossum is one of the crew members getting hands-on experience with equipment that is part of the Kibo pressurized module. The module is part of the payload for the mission, targeted for launch no earlier than April 24. He and other crew members are at Kennedy for a crew equipment interface test that includes familiarization with tools and equipment that will be used on the mission. The STS-124 mission is the second of three flights that will launch components to complete the Japanese pressurized module, the Kibo laboratory. The mission will include two spacewalks to install the new lab and its remote manipulator system. The lab's logistics module, which will have been installed in a temporary location during STS-123, will be attached to the new lab. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, members of the STS-124 crew look over equipment related to the scientific airlock in the Kibo pressurized module. The module is part of the payload for the mission, targeted for launch no earlier than April 24. The crew comprises seven: Commander Mark Kelly, Pilot Kenneth Ham, and Mission Specialists Karen Nyberg, Ronald Garan, Michael Fossum and Akihiko Hoshide. The crew is at Kennedy for a crew equipment interface test that includes familiarization with tools and equipment that will be used on the mission. The STS-124 mission is the second of three flights that will launch components to complete the Japanese pressurized module, the Kibo laboratory. The mission will include two spacewalks to install the new lab and its remote manipulator system. The lab's logistics module, which will have been installed in a temporary location during STS-123, will be attached to the new lab. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, members of the STS-124 crew look over equipment related to the scientific airlock in the Kibo pressurized module. The module is part of the payload for the mission, targeted for launch no earlier than April 24. The crew comprises seven: Commander Mark Kelly, Pilot Kenneth Ham, and Mission Specialists Karen Nyberg, Ronald Garan, Michael Fossum and Akihiko Hoshide. The crew is at Kennedy for a crew equipment interface test that includes familiarization with tools and equipment that will be used on the mission. The STS-124 mission is the second of three flights that will launch components to complete the Japanese pressurized module, the Kibo laboratory. The mission will include two spacewalks to install the new lab and its remote manipulator system. The lab's logistics module, which will have been installed in a temporary location during STS-123, will be attached to the new lab. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, STS-124 Mission Specialist Michael Fossum (right) gets hands-on experience with the scientific airlock in the Kibo pressurized module. The module is part of the payload for the mission, targeted for launch no earlier than April 24. He and other crew members are at Kennedy for a crew equipment interface test that includes familiarization with tools and equipment that will be used on the mission. The STS-124 mission is the second of three flights that will launch components to complete the Japanese pressurized module, the Kibo laboratory. The mission will include two spacewalks to install the new lab and its remote manipulator system. The lab's logistics module, which will have been installed in a temporary location during STS-123, will be attached to the new lab. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, members of the STS-124 crew look over the scientific airlock in the Kibo pressurized module. The module is part of the payload for the mission, targeted for launch no earlier than April 24. The crew comprises seven: Commander Mark Kelly, Pilot Kenneth Ham, and Mission Specialists Karen Nyberg, Ronald Garan, Michael Fossum and Akihiko Hoshide. The crew is at Kennedy for a crew equipment interface test that includes familiarization with tools and equipment that will be used on the mission. The STS-124 mission is the second of three flights that will launch components to complete the Japanese pressurized module, the Kibo laboratory. The mission will include two spacewalks to install the new lab and its remote manipulator system. The lab's logistics module, which will have been installed in a temporary location during STS-123, will be attached to the new lab. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, members of the STS-124 crew get a close look at equipment on the Japanese Experiment Module, called Kibo, including the Remote Manipulator System, or RMS, two robotic arms that support operations on the outside of the Kibo. Crew members are at Kennedy for a crew equipment interface test that includes familiarization with tools and equipment that will be used on the mission. The STS-124 mission is the second of three flights that will launch components to complete the Japanese pressurized module, the Kibo laboratory. The mission will include two spacewalks to install the new lab and its remote manipulator system. The lab's logistics module, which will have been installed in a temporary location during STS-123, will be attached to the new lab. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, STS-124 Mission Specialist Michael Fossum (facing camera) gets hands-on experience with equipment that is part of the Kibo pressurized module. He and other crew members are at Kennedy for a crew equipment interface test that includes familiarization with tools and equipment that will be used on the mission, targeted for launch no earlier than April 24. The STS-124 mission is the second of three flights that will launch components to complete the Japanese pressurized module, the Kibo laboratory. The mission will include two spacewalks to install the new lab and its remote manipulator system. The lab's logistics module, which will have been installed in a temporary location during STS-123, will be attached to the new lab. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, STS-124 Mission Specialist Michael Fossum (left) gets a close look at equipment on the Japanese Experiment Module, called Kibo, including the Remote Manipulator System, or RMS, two robotic arms that support operations on the outside of the Kibo. Crew members are at Kennedy for a crew equipment interface test that includes familiarization with tools and equipment that will be used on the mission. The STS-124 mission is the second of three flights that will launch components to complete the Japanese pressurized module, the Kibo laboratory. The mission will include two spacewalks to install the new lab and its remote manipulator system. The lab's logistics module, which will have been installed in a temporary location during STS-123, will be attached to the new lab. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Vice President Richard B. Cheney, center, poses with astronauts from the STS-124 mission at the Vice President's residence Wednesday July 16, 2008, in Washington. Crew members from left are: NASA Astronaut Garrett Reisman, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, Mission Specialist Mike Fossum, Mission Specialist Ron Garan, Mission Specialist Karen Nyberg, Pilot Ken Ham and Commander Mark Kelly. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- This image taken from the deck of NASA's SRB retrieval ship Freedom Star shows the right hand solid rocket booster from space shuttle Discovery's STS-124 launch falling through the atmosphere while burning off the remainder of its fuel. It will splash down into the Atlantic Ocean where the ship and its crew will recover it and tow it back through Port Canaveral for refurbishing for another launch. The STS-124 mission is the second of three flights launching components to complete the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory. The shuttle crew will install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system, or RMS. Photo credit: USA/Jeff Suter

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- This image taken from the deck of NASA's SRB retrieval ship Freedom Star shows the right hand solid rocket booster from space shuttle Discovery's STS-124 launch falling through the atmosphere after its parachute has been deployed. It will splash down into the Atlantic Ocean where the ship and its crew will recover it and tow it back through Port Canaveral for refurbishing for another launch. The STS-124 mission is the second of three flights launching components to complete the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory. The shuttle crew will install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system, or RMS. Photo credit: USA/Jeff Suter

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- This image taken from the deck of NASA's SRB retrieval ship Freedom Star shows the right hand solid rocket booster from space shuttle Discovery's STS-124 launch falling through the atmosphere while burning off the remainder of its fuel. It will splash down into the Atlantic Ocean where the ship and its crew will recover it and tow it back through Port Canaveral for refurbishing for another launch. The STS-124 mission is the second of three flights launching components to complete the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory. The shuttle crew will install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system, or RMS. Photo credit: USA/Jeff Suter

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- This image taken from the deck of NASA's SRB retrieval ship Freedom Star shows the right hand solid rocket booster from space shuttle Discovery's STS-124 launch falling through the atmosphere after its parachute has been deployed. It will splash down into the Atlantic Ocean where the ship and its crew will recover it and tow it back through Port Canaveral for refurbishing for another launch. The STS-124 mission is the second of three flights launching components to complete the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory. The shuttle crew will install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system, or RMS. Photo credit: USA/Jeff Suter

STS124-S-080 (14 June 2008) --- Space Shuttle Discovery is towed from the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Discovery's landing ended the 14-day, STS-124 mission to the International Space Station. The STS-124 mission delivered the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system to the International Space Station. The landing was on time at 11:15 a.m. (EDT) on June 14, 2008.

S124-E-007905 (9 June 2008) --- The STS-124 and Expedition 17 crewmembers pose for a group portrait following a joint news conference from the newly installed Kibo Japanese Pressurized Module of the International Space Station while Space Shuttle Discovery is docked with the station. From the left (front row) are NASA astronauts Karen Nyberg, Garrett Reisman, both STS-124 mission specialists; Mark Kelly, STS-124 commander; Russian Federal Space Agency cosmonaut Sergei Volkov, Expedition 17 commander; and NASA astronaut Mike Fossum, STS-124 mission specialist. From the left (back row) are NASA astronaut Ron Garan, STS-124 mission specialist; Russian Federal Space Agency cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko, Expedition 17 flight engineer; NASA astronauts Ken Ham, STS-124 pilot; Greg Chamitoff, Expedition 17 flight engineer; and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, STS-124 mission specialist. Reisman, who joined the station's crew in March, is being replaced by Chamitoff, who arrived at the station with the STS-124 crew.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, members of the STS-124 crew get a close look at the Remote Manipulator System, or RMS, two robotic arms that support operations on the outside of the Japanese Experiment Module, called Kibo. They will be used to exchange experiment payloads or hardware located on the Exposed Facility and Experiment Logistics Module - Exposed Section and from inside the pressurized module through a scientific airlock, support maintenance tasks of Kibo and handle orbital replacement units. Crew members are at Kennedy for a crew equipment interface test that includes familiarization with tools and equipment that will be used on the mission. The STS-124 mission is the second of three flights that will launch components to complete the Japanese pressurized module, the Kibo laboratory. The mission will include two spacewalks to install the new lab and its remote manipulator system. The lab's logistics module, which will have been installed in a temporary location during STS-123, will be attached to the new lab. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, STS-124 Mission Specialist Michael Fossum gets a close look at the Remote Manipulator System, or RMS, two robotic arms that support operations on the outside of the Japanese Experiment Module, called Kibo. They will be used to exchange experiment payloads or hardware located on the Exposed Facility and Experiment Logistics Module - Exposed Section and from inside the pressurized module through a scientific airlock, support maintenance tasks of Kibo and handle orbital replacement units. Crew members are at Kennedy for a crew equipment interface test that includes familiarization with tools and equipment that will be used on the mission. The STS-124 mission is the second of three flights that will launch components to complete the Japanese pressurized module, the Kibo laboratory. The mission will include two spacewalks to install the new lab and its remote manipulator system. The lab's logistics module, which will have been installed in a temporary location during STS-123, will be attached to the new lab. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

S124-E-007537 (8 June 2008) --- A "fish-eye" lens on a digital still camera was used to record this image of the STS-124 and Expedition 17 crewmembers as they share a meal on the middeck of the Space Shuttle Discovery while docked with the International Space Station. Pictured clockwise (from the left) are NASA astronauts Mike Fossum (partially out of frame), Ron Garan, both STS-124 mission specialists; Mark Kelly, STS-124 commander; Russian Federal Space Agency cosmonaut Sergei Volkov, Expedition 17 commander; NASA astronauts Ken Ham (top), STS-124 pilot; Garrett Reisman, STS-124 mission specialist; Russian Federal Space Agency cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko and NASA astronaut Greg Chamitoff (partially obscured), both Expedition 17 flight engineers.

S124-E-007545 (8 June 2008) --- A "fish-eye" lens on a digital still camera was used to record this image of the STS-124 and Expedition 17 crewmembers as they share a meal on the middeck of the Space Shuttle Discovery while docked with the International Space Station. Pictured counter-clockwise (from the left bottom) are NASA astronauts Mark Kelly, STS-124 commander; Russian Federal Space Agency cosmonaut Sergei Volkov, Expedition 17 commander; NASA astronaut Garrett Reisman, STS-124 mission specialist; Russian Federal Space Agency cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko; NASA astronauts Greg Chamitoff, both Expedition 17 flight engineers; NASA astronaut Mike Fossum, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, NASA astronaut Karen Nyberg, all STS-124 mission specialists; and NASA astronaut Ken Ham, STS-124 pilot.

NASA Shuttle Launch Director Michael Leinbach, left, STS-124 Assistant Launch Director Ed Mango, center, and Flow Director for Space Shuttle Discovery Stephanie Stilson clap in the the Launch Control Center after the main engine cut off and successful launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-124) Saturday, May 31, 2008, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. The Shuttle lifted off from launch pad 39A at 5:02 p.m. EDT. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

STS124-S-006 (31 May 2008) --- After suiting up, the STS-124 crewmembers pause alongside the Astrovan to wave farewell to onlookers before heading for launch pad 39A for the launch of Space Shuttle Discovery on the STS-124 mission. From the right are astronauts Mark Kelly, commander; Ken Ham, pilot; Karen Nyberg, Ron Garan, Mike Fossum, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide and Greg Chamitoff, all mission specialists. The STS-124 mission is the 26th in the assembly of the International Space Station. It is the second of three flights launching components to complete JAXA's Kibo laboratory. During the mission, the shuttle crew will install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system. Chamitoff will join Expedition 17 in progress to serve as a flight engineer aboard the station.

STS124-S-005 (31 May 2008) --- After suiting up, the STS-124 crewmembers exit the Operations and Checkout Building to board the Astrovan, which will take them to launch pad 39A for the launch of Space Shuttle Discovery on the STS-124 mission. On the right (front to back) are astronauts Mark Kelly, commander; Karen Nyberg and Mike Fossum, both mission specialists. On the left (front to back) are astronauts Ken Ham, pilot; Ron Garan, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide and Greg Chamitoff, all mission specialists. The STS-124 mission is the 26th in the assembly of the International Space Station. It is the second of three flights launching components to complete JAXA's Kibo laboratory. During the mission, the shuttle crew will install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system. Chamitoff will join Expedition 17 in progress to serve as a flight engineer aboard the station.

NASA Associate Administrator Chris Scolese, left and the Vice President of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Mr. Kaoru Mamiya talk underneath the wing of the space shuttle Discovery shortly after Discovery touched down at 11:15 a.m., Saturday, June 14, 2008, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. During the 14-day STS-124 mission Discovery's crew installed the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's large Kibo laboratory and its remote manipulator system leaving a larger space station and one with increased science capabilities. Discovery also brought home NASA astronaut Garrett Reisman after his 3 month mission onboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Vice President of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Mr. Kaoru Mamiya, left, and Mr. Yuichi Yamaura of JAXA look at one of the space shuttle Discovery tires shortly after Discovery touched down at 11:15 a.m., Saturday, June 14, 2008, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. During the 14-day STS-124 mission Discovery's crew installed the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's large Kibo laboratory and its remote manipulator system leaving a larger space station and one with increased science capabilities. Discovery also brought home NASA astronaut Garrett Reisman after his 3 month mission onboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Astronaut Garrett Reisman, right, jokes with NASA Associate Administrator Chris Scolese, 2nd from right, NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations Bill Gerstenmaier, 3rd from right and NASA Deputy Shuttle Program Manager LeRoy Cain as NASA Astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegria looks on shortly after landing onboard the space shuttle Discovery. Discovery touched down at 11:15 a.m., Saturday, June 14, 2008, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Onboard Discovery with Reisman was the crew of the STS-124 mission, NASA astronauts Mark Kelly, commander; Ken Ham, pilot; Mike Fossum, Ron Garan, Karen Nyberg and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, all mission specialists. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

JSC2008-E-006612 (23 Jan. 2008) --- Attired in a training version of his Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit, astronaut Ronald J. Garan, STS-124 mission specialist, awaits the start of a training session in the waters of the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near the Johnson Space Center.

STS124-S-034 (31 May 2008) --- The Space Shuttle Discovery and its seven-member STS-124 crew head toward Earth-orbit and a scheduled link-up with the International Space Station (ISS). Liftoff from Kennedy Space Center's launch pad 39A occurred at 5:02 p.m. (EDT). The STS-124 mission is the 26th in the assembly of the International Space Station. It is the second of three flights launching components to complete JAXA's Kibo laboratory. During the mission, the shuttle crew will install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system. Onboard are astronauts Mark Kelly, commander; Ken Ham, pilot; Karen Nyberg, Mike Fossum, Ron Garan, Greg Chamitoff and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, all mission specialists. Chamitoff will join Expedition 17 in progress to serve as a flight engineer aboard the station.

STS124-S-031 (31 May 2008) --- The Space Shuttle Discovery and its seven-member STS-124 crew head toward Earth-orbit and a scheduled link-up with the International Space Station (ISS). Liftoff from Kennedy Space Center's launch pad 39A occurred at 5:02 p.m. (EDT). The STS-124 mission is the 26th in the assembly of the International Space Station. It is the second of three flights launching components to complete JAXA's Kibo laboratory. During the mission, the shuttle crew will install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system. Onboard are astronauts Mark Kelly, commander; Ken Ham, pilot; Karen Nyberg, Mike Fossum, Ron Garan, Greg Chamitoff and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, all mission specialists. Chamitoff will join Expedition 17 in progress to serve as a flight engineer aboard the station.

STS124-S-022 (31 May 2008) --- The Space Shuttle Discovery and its seven-member STS-124 crew head toward Earth-orbit and a scheduled link-up with the International Space Station (ISS). Liftoff from Kennedy Space Center's launch pad 39A occurred at 5:02 p.m. (EDT). The STS-124 mission is the 26th in the assembly of the International Space Station. It is the second of three flights launching components to complete JAXA's Kibo laboratory. During the mission, the shuttle crew will install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system. Onboard are astronauts Mark Kelly, commander; Ken Ham, pilot; Karen Nyberg, Mike Fossum, Ron Garan, Greg Chamitoff and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, all mission specialists. Chamitoff will join Expedition 17 in progress to serve as a flight engineer aboard the station.

STS124-S-021 (31 May 2008) --- The Space Shuttle Discovery and its seven-member STS-124 crew head toward Earth-orbit and a scheduled link-up with the International Space Station (ISS). Liftoff from Kennedy Space Center's launch pad 39A occurred at 5:02 p.m. (EDT). The STS-124 mission is the 26th in the assembly of the International Space Station. It is the second of three flights launching components to complete JAXA's Kibo laboratory. During the mission, the shuttle crew will install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system. Onboard are astronauts Mark Kelly, commander; Ken Ham, pilot; Karen Nyberg, Mike Fossum, Ron Garan, Greg Chamitoff and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, all mission specialists. Chamitoff will join Expedition 17 in progress to serve as a flight engineer aboard the station.

STS124-S-007 (31 May 2008) --- The Space Shuttle Discovery and its seven-member STS-124 crew head toward Earth-orbit and a scheduled link-up with the International Space Station (ISS). Liftoff from Kennedy Space Center's launch pad 39A occurred at 5:02 p.m. (EDT). The STS-124 mission is the 26th in the assembly of the International Space Station. It is the second of three flights launching components to complete JAXA's Kibo laboratory. During the mission, the shuttle crew will install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system. Onboard are astronauts Mark Kelly, commander; Ken Ham, pilot; Karen Nyberg, Mike Fossum, Ron Garan, Greg Chamitoff and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, all mission specialists. Chamitoff will join Expedition 17 in progress to serve as a flight engineer aboard the station.

STS124-S-009 (31 May 2008) --- The Space Shuttle Discovery and its seven-member STS-124 crew head toward Earth-orbit and a scheduled link-up with the International Space Station (ISS). Liftoff from Kennedy Space Center's launch pad 39A occurred at 5:02 p.m. (EDT). The STS-124 mission is the 26th in the assembly of the International Space Station. It is the second of three flights launching components to complete JAXA's Kibo laboratory. During the mission, the shuttle crew will install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system. Onboard are astronauts Mark Kelly, commander; Ken Ham, pilot; Karen Nyberg, Mike Fossum, Ron Garan, Greg Chamitoff and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, all mission specialists. Chamitoff will join Expedition 17 in progress to serve as a flight engineer aboard the station.

STS124-S-029 (31 May 2008) --- The Space Shuttle Discovery and its seven-member STS-124 crew head toward Earth-orbit and a scheduled link-up with the International Space Station (ISS). Liftoff from Kennedy Space Center's launch pad 39A occurred at 5:02 p.m. (EDT). The STS-124 mission is the 26th in the assembly of the International Space Station. It is the second of three flights launching components to complete JAXA's Kibo laboratory. During the mission, the shuttle crew will install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system. Onboard are astronauts Mark Kelly, commander; Ken Ham, pilot; Karen Nyberg, Mike Fossum, Ron Garan, Greg Chamitoff and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, all mission specialists. Chamitoff will join Expedition 17 in progress to serve as a flight engineer aboard the station.

STS124-S-025 (31 May 2008) --- The Space Shuttle Discovery and its seven-member STS-124 crew head toward Earth-orbit and a scheduled link-up with the International Space Station (ISS). Liftoff from Kennedy Space Center's launch pad 39A occurred at 5:02 p.m. (EDT). The STS-124 mission is the 26th in the assembly of the International Space Station. It is the second of three flights launching components to complete JAXA's Kibo laboratory. During the mission, the shuttle crew will install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system. Onboard are astronauts Mark Kelly, commander; Ken Ham, pilot; Karen Nyberg, Mike Fossum, Ron Garan, Greg Chamitoff and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, all mission specialists. Chamitoff will join Expedition 17 in progress to serve as a flight engineer aboard the station.

STS124-S-023 (31 May 2008) --- A videographer with NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC) captures the launch of Space Shuttle Discovery on its STS-124 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Liftoff from KSC's launch pad 39A occurred at 5:02 p.m. (EDT). The STS-124 mission is the 26th in the assembly of the International Space Station. It is the second of three flights launching components to complete JAXA's Kibo laboratory. During the mission, the shuttle crew will install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system. Onboard are astronauts Mark Kelly, commander; Ken Ham, pilot; Karen Nyberg, Mike Fossum, Ron Garan, Greg Chamitoff and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, all mission specialists. Chamitoff will join Expedition 17 in progress to serve as a flight engineer aboard the station.

STS124-S-036 (31 May 2008) --- The Space Shuttle Discovery and its seven-member STS-124 crew head toward Earth-orbit and a scheduled link-up with the International Space Station (ISS). Liftoff from Kennedy Space Center's launch pad 39A occurred at 5:02 p.m. (EDT). The STS-124 mission is the 26th in the assembly of the International Space Station. It is the second of three flights launching components to complete JAXA's Kibo laboratory. During the mission, the shuttle crew will install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system. Onboard are astronauts Mark Kelly, commander; Ken Ham, pilot; Karen Nyberg, Mike Fossum, Ron Garan, Greg Chamitoff and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, all mission specialists. Chamitoff will join Expedition 17 in progress to serve as a flight engineer aboard the station.

STS124-S-035 (31 May 2008) --- The Space Shuttle Discovery and its seven-member STS-124 crew head toward Earth-orbit and a scheduled link-up with the International Space Station (ISS). Liftoff from Kennedy Space Center's launch pad 39A occurred at 5:02 p.m. (EDT). The STS-124 mission is the 26th in the assembly of the International Space Station. It is the second of three flights launching components to complete JAXA's Kibo laboratory. During the mission, the shuttle crew will install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system. Onboard are astronauts Mark Kelly, commander; Ken Ham, pilot; Karen Nyberg, Mike Fossum, Ron Garan, Greg Chamitoff and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, all mission specialists. Chamitoff will join Expedition 17 in progress to serve as a flight engineer aboard the station.

STS124-S-028 (31 May 2008) --- The Space Shuttle Discovery and its seven-member STS-124 crew head toward Earth-orbit and a scheduled link-up with the International Space Station (ISS). Liftoff from Kennedy Space Center's launch pad 39A occurred at 5:02 p.m. (EDT). The STS-124 mission is the 26th in the assembly of the International Space Station. It is the second of three flights launching components to complete JAXA's Kibo laboratory. During the mission, the shuttle crew will install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system. Onboard are astronauts Mark Kelly, commander; Ken Ham, pilot; Karen Nyberg, Mike Fossum, Ron Garan, Greg Chamitoff and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, all mission specialists. Chamitoff will join Expedition 17 in progress to serve as a flight engineer aboard the station.

STS124-S-013 (31 May 2008) --- The Space Shuttle Discovery and its seven-member STS-124 crew head toward Earth-orbit and a scheduled link-up with the International Space Station (ISS). Liftoff from Kennedy Space Center's launch pad 39A occurred at 5:02 p.m. (EDT). The STS-124 mission is the 26th in the assembly of the International Space Station. It is the second of three flights launching components to complete JAXA's Kibo laboratory. During the mission, the shuttle crew will install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system. Onboard are astronauts Mark Kelly, commander; Ken Ham, pilot; Karen Nyberg, Mike Fossum, Ron Garan, Greg Chamitoff and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, all mission specialists. Chamitoff will join Expedition 17 in progress to serve as a flight engineer aboard the station.

STS124-S-033 (31 May 2008) --- The Space Shuttle Discovery and its seven-member STS-124 crew head toward Earth-orbit and a scheduled link-up with the International Space Station (ISS). Liftoff from Kennedy Space Center's launch pad 39A occurred at 5:02 p.m. (EDT). The STS-124 mission is the 26th in the assembly of the International Space Station. It is the second of three flights launching components to complete JAXA's Kibo laboratory. During the mission, the shuttle crew will install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system. Onboard are astronauts Mark Kelly, commander; Ken Ham, pilot; Karen Nyberg, Mike Fossum, Ron Garan, Greg Chamitoff and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, all mission specialists. Chamitoff will join Expedition 17 in progress to serve as a flight engineer aboard the station.

STS124-S-024 (31 May 2008) --- Framed here by Florida foliage, the Space Shuttle Discovery and its seven-member STS-124 crew head toward Earth-orbit and a scheduled link-up with the International Space Station (ISS). Liftoff from Kennedy Space Center's launch pad 39A occurred at 5:02 p.m. (EDT). The STS-124 mission is the 26th in the assembly of the International Space Station. It is the second of three flights launching components to complete JAXA's Kibo laboratory. During the mission, the shuttle crew will install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system. Onboard are astronauts Mark Kelly, commander; Ken Ham, pilot; Karen Nyberg, Mike Fossum, Ron Garan, Greg Chamitoff and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, all mission specialists. Chamitoff will join Expedition 17 in progress to serve as a flight engineer aboard the station.

STS124-S-032 (31 May 2008) --- The Space Shuttle Discovery and its seven-member STS-124 crew head toward Earth-orbit and a scheduled link-up with the International Space Station (ISS). Liftoff from Kennedy Space Center's launch pad 39A occurred at 5:02 p.m. (EDT). The STS-124 mission is the 26th in the assembly of the International Space Station. It is the second of three flights launching components to complete JAXA's Kibo laboratory. During the mission, the shuttle crew will install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system. Onboard are astronauts Mark Kelly, commander; Ken Ham, pilot; Karen Nyberg, Mike Fossum, Ron Garan, Greg Chamitoff and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, all mission specialists. Chamitoff will join Expedition 17 in progress to serve as a flight engineer aboard the station.

STS124-S-027 (31 May 2008) --- The Space Shuttle Discovery and its seven-member STS-124 crew head toward Earth-orbit and a scheduled link-up with the International Space Station (ISS). Liftoff from Kennedy Space Center's launch pad 39A occurred at 5:02 p.m. (EDT). The STS-124 mission is the 26th in the assembly of the International Space Station. It is the second of three flights launching components to complete JAXA's Kibo laboratory. During the mission, the shuttle crew will install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system. Onboard are astronauts Mark Kelly, commander; Ken Ham, pilot; Karen Nyberg, Mike Fossum, Ron Garan, Greg Chamitoff and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, all mission specialists. Chamitoff will join Expedition 17 in progress to serve as a flight engineer aboard the station.

STS124-S-011 (31 May 2008) --- The Space Shuttle Discovery and its seven-member STS-124 crew head toward Earth-orbit and a scheduled link-up with the International Space Station (ISS). Liftoff from Kennedy Space Center's launch pad 39A occurred at 5:02 p.m. (EDT). The STS-124 mission is the 26th in the assembly of the International Space Station. It is the second of three flights launching components to complete JAXA's Kibo laboratory. During the mission, the shuttle crew will install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system. Onboard are astronauts Mark Kelly, commander; Ken Ham, pilot; Karen Nyberg, Mike Fossum, Ron Garan, Greg Chamitoff and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, all mission specialists. Chamitoff will join Expedition 17 in progress to serve as a flight engineer aboard the station.

STS124-S-038 (31 May 2008) --- The Space Shuttle Discovery and its seven-member STS-124 crew head toward Earth-orbit and a scheduled link-up with the International Space Station (ISS). Liftoff from Kennedy Space Center's launch pad 39A occurred at 5:02 p.m. (EDT). The STS-124 mission is the 26th in the assembly of the International Space Station. It is the second of three flights launching components to complete JAXA's Kibo laboratory. During the mission, the shuttle crew will install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system. Onboard are astronauts Mark Kelly, commander; Ken Ham, pilot; Karen Nyberg, Mike Fossum, Ron Garan, Greg Chamitoff and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, all mission specialists. Chamitoff will join Expedition 17 in progress to serve as a flight engineer aboard the station.

STS124-S-030 (31 May 2008) --- The Space Shuttle Discovery and its seven-member STS-124 crew head toward Earth-orbit and a scheduled link-up with the International Space Station (ISS). Liftoff from Kennedy Space Center's launch pad 39A occurred at 5:02 p.m. (EDT). The STS-124 mission is the 26th in the assembly of the International Space Station. It is the second of three flights launching components to complete JAXA's Kibo laboratory. During the mission, the shuttle crew will install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system. Onboard are astronauts Mark Kelly, commander; Ken Ham, pilot; Karen Nyberg, Mike Fossum, Ron Garan, Greg Chamitoff and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, all mission specialists. Chamitoff will join Expedition 17 in progress to serve as a flight engineer aboard the station.

STS124-S-037 (31 May 2008) --- The Space Shuttle Discovery and its seven-member STS-124 crew head toward Earth-orbit and a scheduled link-up with the International Space Station (ISS). Liftoff from Kennedy Space Center's launch pad 39A occurred at 5:02 p.m. (EDT). The STS-124 mission is the 26th in the assembly of the International Space Station. It is the second of three flights launching components to complete JAXA's Kibo laboratory. During the mission, the shuttle crew will install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system. Onboard are astronauts Mark Kelly, commander; Ken Ham, pilot; Karen Nyberg, Mike Fossum, Ron Garan, Greg Chamitoff and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, all mission specialists. Chamitoff will join Expedition 17 in progress to serve as a flight engineer aboard the station.

STS124-S-026 (31 May 2008) --- The Space Shuttle Discovery and its seven-member STS-124 crew head toward Earth-orbit and a scheduled link-up with the International Space Station (ISS). Liftoff from Kennedy Space Center's launch pad 39A occurred at 5:02 p.m. (EDT). The STS-124 mission is the 26th in the assembly of the International Space Station. It is the second of three flights launching components to complete JAXA's Kibo laboratory. During the mission, the shuttle crew will install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system. Onboard are astronauts Mark Kelly, commander; Ken Ham, pilot; Karen Nyberg, Mike Fossum, Ron Garan, Greg Chamitoff and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, all mission specialists. Chamitoff will join Expedition 17 in progress to serve as a flight engineer aboard the station.

STS124-S-010 (31 May 2008) --- The Space Shuttle Discovery and its seven-member STS-124 crew head toward Earth-orbit and a scheduled link-up with the International Space Station (ISS). Liftoff from Kennedy Space Center's launch pad 39A occurred at 5:02 p.m. (EDT). The STS-124 mission is the 26th in the assembly of the International Space Station. It is the second of three flights launching components to complete JAXA's Kibo laboratory. During the mission, the shuttle crew will install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system. Onboard are astronauts Mark Kelly, commander; Ken Ham, pilot; Karen Nyberg, Mike Fossum, Ron Garan, Greg Chamitoff and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, all mission specialists. Chamitoff will join Expedition 17 in progress to serve as a flight engineer aboard the station.

STS124-S-039 (31 May 2008) --- The Space Shuttle Discovery and its seven-member STS-124 crew head toward Earth-orbit and a scheduled link-up with the International Space Station (ISS). Liftoff from Kennedy Space Center's launch pad 39A occurred at 5:02 p.m. (EDT). The STS-124 mission is the 26th in the assembly of the International Space Station. It is the second of three flights launching components to complete JAXA's Kibo laboratory. During the mission, the shuttle crew will install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system. Onboard are astronauts Mark Kelly, commander; Ken Ham, pilot; Karen Nyberg, Mike Fossum, Ron Garan, Greg Chamitoff and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, all mission specialists. Chamitoff will join Expedition 17 in progress to serve as a flight engineer aboard the station.

STS124-S-008 (31 May 2008) --- The Space Shuttle Discovery and its seven-member STS-124 crew head toward Earth-orbit and a scheduled link-up with the International Space Station (ISS). Liftoff from Kennedy Space Center's launch pad 39A occurred at 5:02 p.m. (EDT). The STS-124 mission is the 26th in the assembly of the International Space Station. It is the second of three flights launching components to complete JAXA's Kibo laboratory. During the mission, the shuttle crew will install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system. Onboard are astronauts Mark Kelly, commander; Ken Ham, pilot; Karen Nyberg, Mike Fossum, Ron Garan, Greg Chamitoff and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, all mission specialists. Chamitoff will join Expedition 17 in progress to serve as a flight engineer aboard the station.

STS124-S-012 (31 May 2008) --- The Space Shuttle Discovery and its seven-member STS-124 crew head toward Earth-orbit and a scheduled link-up with the International Space Station (ISS). Liftoff from Kennedy Space Center's launch pad 39A occurred at 5:02 p.m. (EDT). The STS-124 mission is the 26th in the assembly of the International Space Station. It is the second of three flights launching components to complete JAXA's Kibo laboratory. During the mission, the shuttle crew will install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system. Onboard are astronauts Mark Kelly, commander; Ken Ham, pilot; Karen Nyberg, Mike Fossum, Ron Garan, Greg Chamitoff and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, all mission specialists. Chamitoff will join Expedition 17 in progress to serve as a flight engineer aboard the station.

NASA Administrator, Michael Griffin watches the launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-124) from the Launch Control Center Saturday, May 31, 2008, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. The Shuttle lifted off from launch pad 39A at 5:02 p.m. EDT. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

S124-E-007004 (6 June 2008) --- The STS-124 and Expedition 17 crewmembers pose for a group portrait in the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station while Space Shuttle Discovery is docked with the station. From the left (front row) are NASA astronaut Karen Nyberg, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, NASA astronauts Ron Garan, Mike Fossum, all STS-124 mission specialists; and Ken Ham, STS-124 pilot. From the left (back row) are Russian Federal Space Agency cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko, NASA astronaut Greg Chamitoff, both Expedition 17 flight engineers; astronaut Garrett Reisman, STS-124 mission specialist; Mark Kelly, STS-124 commander; and Russian Federal Space Agency cosmonaut Sergei Volkov, Expedition 17 commander. Reisman, who joined the station's crew in March, is being replaced by Chamitoff, who arrived at the station with the STS-124 crew.

S124-E-005615 (2 June 2008) --- The STS-124 and Expedition 17 crewmembers greet each other shortly after Space Shuttle Discovery and the International Space Station docked in space and the hatches were opened on June 2, 2008. Pictured are Russian Federal Space Agency cosmonaut Sergei Volkov (left foreground), Expedition 17 commander; NASA astronauts Mark Kelly (left, partially obscured), STS-124 commander; Ken Ham, STS-124 pilot; Mike Fossum (center left), STS-124 mission specialist; Garrett Reisman (center right); cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko (right), both Expedition 17 flight engineers; astronaut Ron Garan, Greg Chamitoff and Karen Nyberg, all STS-124 mission specialists. Not pictured is Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, STS-124 mission specialist.

S124-E-006671 (6 June 2008) --- Nine of ten astronauts and cosmonauts currently sharing work on the International Space Station squeeze into an informal group portrait during mealtime on the Zvezda service module. Astronaut Mike Fossum, STS-124 mission specialist, is in center foreground. Pictured clockwise from his position are astronauts Mark Kelly, shuttle commander; Akihiko Hoshide, mission specialist; Karen Nyberg, mission specialist; Ken Ham, pilot; and Greg Chamitoff, Expedition 17 flight engineer; along with cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko, station flight engineer; and Sergei Volkov, station commander; and astronaut Garrett Reisman, STS-124 mission specialist. Not pictured is astronaut Ron Garan, STS-124 mission specialist.

S124-E-006920 (6 June 2008) --- Astronauts Ken Ham (foreground), STS-124 pilot; Mark Kelly, commander; Mike Fossum (partially obscured, left) and Ron Garan (partially obscured, right), both mission specialists, work in the newly installed Kibo Japanese Pressurized Module while Space Shuttle Discovery is docked with the station.

S124-E-006923 (6 June 2008) --- Astronauts Ron Garan (foreground), Mike Fossum (left background), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide (top background), all STS-124 mission specialists; astronaut Mark Kelly (bottom background) and Ken Ham, commander and pilot, respectively, work in the newly installed Kibo Japanese Pressurized Module while Space Shuttle Discovery is docked with the station.

S124-E-007928 (9 June 2008) --- STS-124 crewmembers and NASA astronaut Greg Chamitoff (center front row), Expedition 17 flight engineer, pose for a portrait following a joint news conference with the Expedition 17 crewmembers from the Kibo Japanese Pressurized Module of the International Space Station while Space Shuttle Discovery is docked with the station. Also pictured on the front row are NASA astronauts Karen Nyberg, mission specialist, and Mark Kelly, commander. From the left (back row) are NASA astronaut Ken Ham, pilot; Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, NASA astronauts Ron Garan and Mike Fossum, all mission specialists. Reisman (not pictured), who joined the station's crew in March, is being replaced by Chamitoff, who arrived at the station with the STS-124 crew.

S124-E-007930 (9 June 2008) --- STS-124 crewmembers pose for a portrait following a joint news conference with the Expedition 17 crewmembers from the Kibo Japanese Pressurized Module of the International Space Station while Space Shuttle Discovery is docked with the station. From the left (front row) are NASA astronauts Karen Nyberg, Garrett Reisman, both mission specialists; and Mark Kelly, commander. From the left (back row) are NASA astronaut Ken Ham, pilot; Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, NASA astronauts Ron Garan and Mike Fossum, all mission specialists. Reisman, who joined the station's crew in March, is being replaced by Chamitoff (not pictured), who arrived at the station with the STS-124 crew.

S124-E-007922 (9 June 2008) --- STS-124 crewmembers pose for a portrait following a joint news conference with the Expedition 17 crewmembers from the Kibo Japanese Pressurized Module of the International Space Station while Space Shuttle Discovery is docked with the station. From the left (front row) are NASA astronauts Karen Nyberg, Garrett Reisman, both mission specialists; Mark Kelly, commander; Greg Chamitoff, Expedition 17 flight engineer; and Ken Ham, pilot. From the left (back row) are Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, NASA astronauts Ron Garan and Mike Fossum, all mission specialists. Reisman, who joined the station's crew in March, is being replaced by Chamitoff, who arrived at the station with the STS-124 crew.

S124-E-005058 (31 May 2008) --- Backdropped by a blue and white part of Earth, the STS-124 external fuel tank (ET) begins its relative separation from the Space Shuttle Discovery. An STS-124 crewmember recorded the scene with a digital still camera.

STS124-S-040 (31 May 2008) --- Captured on film by a remote camera equipped with a special "fish-eye" lens, the Space Shuttle Discovery and its seven-member STS-124 crew head toward Earth-orbit and a scheduled link-up with the International Space Station (ISS). Liftoff from Kennedy Space Center's launch pad 39A occurred at 5:02 p.m. (EDT). The STS-124 mission is the 26th in the assembly of the International Space Station. It is the second of three flights launching components to complete JAXA's Kibo laboratory. During the mission, the shuttle crew will install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system. Onboard are astronauts Mark Kelly, commander; Ken Ham, pilot; Karen Nyberg, Mike Fossum, Ron Garan, Greg Chamitoff and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, all mission specialists. Chamitoff will join Expedition 17 in progress to serve as a flight engineer aboard the station.

STS124-S-077 (14 June 2008) --- The STS-124 crewmembers finish their traditional walk-around Space Shuttle Discovery after landing on runway 15 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, to end a 14-day mission to the International Space Station. At left are Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, NASA astronauts Ron Garan, both mission specialists; and Ken Ham, pilot. At center is NASA astronaut Karen Nyberg, mission specialist. At right are NASA astronauts Mike Fossum, mission specialist, and Mark Kelly, commander. The STS-124 mission ended with Discovery's landing on runway 15 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, ending a 14-day mission to the International Space Station. Discovery's main landing gear touched down at 11:15:19 a.m. (EDT) on June 14, 2008. The nose landing gear touched down at 11:15:30 a.m. and wheel stop was at 11:16:19 a.m. During the mission, Discovery's crew installed the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's large Kibo laboratory and its remote manipulator system leaving a larger space station and one with increased science capabilities.

S124-E-007357 (8 June 2008) --- A crescent moon is featured in this image photographed by a STS-124 crewmember while Space Shuttle Discovery is docked with the International Space Station.

JSC2007-E-48272 (28 Sept. 2007) --- Astronauts Gregory E. Chamitoff (left), Expedition 17 flight engineer; Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's (JAXA) Akihiko Hoshide, Ronald J. Garan, Michael E. Fossum, Karen L. Nyberg, all STS-124 mission specialists; Mark E. Kelly and Kenneth T. Ham, STS-124 commander and pilot, respectively, pose for a group photo prior to a training session in the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at Johnson Space Center. The crewmembers are wearing training versions of their shuttle launch and entry suits.

S124-E-007400 (8 June 2008) --- Astronaut Ron Garan, STS-124 mission specialist, participates in the mission's third scheduled session of extravehicular activity (EVA) as construction and maintenance continue on the International Space Station. During the six-hour, 33-minute spacewalk, Garan and astronaut Mike Fossum (out of frame), mission specialist, exchanged a depleted Nitrogen Tank Assembly for a new one, removed thermal covers and launch locks from the Kibo laboratory, reinstalled a repaired television camera onto the space station's left P1 truss, and retrieved samples of a dust-like substance from the left Solar Alpha Rotary Joint for analysis by experts on the ground.

S124-E-007313 (8 June 2008) --- Astronaut Mike Fossum, STS-124 mission specialist, participates in the mission's third scheduled session of extravehicular activity (EVA) as construction and maintenance continue on the International Space Station. During the six-hour, 33-minute spacewalk, Fossum and astronaut Ron Garan (out of frame), mission specialist, exchanged a depleted Nitrogen Tank Assembly for a new one, removed thermal covers and launch locks from the Kibo laboratory, reinstalled a repaired television camera onto the space station's left P1 truss, and retrieved samples of a dust-like substance from the left Solar Alpha Rotary Joint for analysis by experts on the ground.

S124-E-007941 (9 June 2008) --- STS-124 crewmembers pose for a portrait following a joint news conference with the Expedition 17 crewmembers from the Kibo Japanese Pressurized Module of the International Space Station while Space Shuttle Discovery is docked with the station. Pictured (clockwise) from the bottom are NASA astronauts Karen Nyberg, mission specialists; Ken Ham, pilot; Mark Kelly, commander; Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, NASA astronauts Ron Garan and Mike Fossum, all mission specialists.

JSC2007-E-48235 (28 Sept. 2007) --- Attired in a training version of his shuttle launch and entry suit, astronaut Ronald J. Garan, STS-124 mission specialist, awaits the start of a training session in the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at Johnson Space Center.

JSC2007-E-48230 (28 Sept. 2007) --- Attired in training versions of their shuttle launch and entry suits, astronauts Karen L. Nyberg (left) and Michael E. Fossum, both STS-124 mission specialists, exchange thoughts as they await the start of a training session in the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at Johnson Space Center.

JSC2007-E-48225 (28 Sept. 2007) --- Attired in a training version of his shuttle launch and entry suit, astronaut Ronald J. Garan, STS-124 mission specialist, awaits the start of a training session in the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at Johnson Space Center.

ISS017-E-009038 (5 June 2008) --- Backdropped by the blackness of space, the forward section of Space Shuttle Discovery, while docked to the International Space Station, and partial views of the Japanese Pressurized Module (bottom) and the Japanese Logistics Module are featured in this image photographed by a crewmember during the STS-124 mission's second planned spacewalk.

ISS017-E-009056 (5 June 2008) --- Located on the exterior of the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station, the Canadian-built Dextre, also known as the Special Purpose Dextrous Manipulator, is photographed by a crewmember during the STS-124 mission's second planned spacewalk. The blackness of space and Earth's horizon provide the backdrop for the scene.

JSC2007-E-43407 (15 Aug. 2007) --- Attired in a training version of his shuttle launch and entry suit, astronaut Mark E. Kelly, STS-124 commander, awaits the start of a water survival training session in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near Johnson Space Center.

JSC2007-E-43438 (15 Aug. 2007) --- Attired in a training version of his shuttle launch and entry suit, astronaut Michael E. Fossum, STS-124 mission specialist, awaits the start of a water survival training session in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near Johnson Space Center.

JSC2007-E-43408 (15 Aug. 2007) --- Attired in a training version of his shuttle launch and entry suit, astronaut Kenneth T. Ham, STS-124 pilot, awaits the start of a water survival training session in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near Johnson Space Center.