Space Shuttle Discovery STS-124 Mission (34 images)

The sun sets as final preparations are made to launch NASA's Space Shuttle Discovery which sits bolted to Launch Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 30, 2008. NASA will attempt to launch Discovery on mission STS 124 during the evening of May 31. Discovery will boost its largest payload ever launched during the shuttle program, the 37,000 pound Kibo Module for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. (UPI Photo/Roger L. Wollenberg)

NASA's Space Shuttle Discovery launches at 5:02 PM from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida to begin its fourteen day mission on May 31, 2008. Following a three day chase, Discovery will deliver a 37,000 pound laboratory to the International Space Station for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. (UPI Photo/Joe Marino-Bill Cantrell)

NASA's Space Shuttle Discovery launches at 5:02 PM from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida on May 31, 2008 to begin its mission, STS 124. Following a three day chase, Discovery will deliver a 37,000 pound laboratory to the International Space Station for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. (UPI Photo/Joe Marino-Bill Cantrell)

NASA's Space Shuttle Discovery launches at 5:02 PM from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida on May 31, 2008 to begin its mission, STS 124. Following a three day chase, Discovery will deliver a 37,000 pound laboratory to the International Space Station for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. (UPI Photo/Joe Marino-Bill Cantrell)