KSC-2011-1635

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the White Room at Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United Space Alliance spacesuit technicians help STS-133 Mission Specialist Steve Bowen put on the parachute for his launch-and-entry suit before he enters space shuttle Discovery through the crew hatch in the background. Bowen, who is making his third spaceflight last flew in May 2010 on the STS-132 mission. Bowen replaces astronaut Tim Kopra as Mission Specialist 2, because Kopra was injured in a recent bicycle accident that prevented him from lifting off during this launch window. Behind Bowen is STS-133 Pilot Eric Boe. Scheduled to lift off Feb. 24 at 4:50 p.m. EST, Discovery and its crew will 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, which will fly its 39th mission, is scheduled to be retired following STS-133. This will be the 133rd Space Shuttle Program mission and the 35th shuttle voyage to the space station. For more information on the STS-133 mission, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/. Photo credit: NASA/Sandra Joseph and Kevin O'Connell