Space Shuttle Mission STS-128

Name: _________________________________       Date: _____________

One minute before midnight on August 28, 2009, NASA launched the Discovery on mission STS-128, the 128th of the space shuttle program. The seven-member crew included astronaut Jose Hernandez, who also happens to be a valuable contributor to Scott Foresman Science. Hernandez and his crewmates had a busy schedule planned for their two-week journey, including a visit to the International Space Station. In this Planet Diary activity, you'll learn all about mission STS-128.

1. First, let's meet Jose Hernandez and the rest of the STS-128 shuttle crew. Mr. Hernandez is the astronaut standing on the far left in the picture. Read the summary of the crew and its mission. What are the two important payloads onboard the Discovery?
   
   
   
   
2. Read this STS-128 mission overview. What's the job of the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module?
   
   
   
   
3. What will the Materials Science Research Rack and the Fluid Integrated Rack be used for?
   
   
   
   
4. Why is the air revitalization system STS-128 is bringing to the International Space Station so important?
   
   
   
   
5. Why is it essential for space station astronauts to get vigorous exercise?
   
   
   
   
6. Check out this STS-128 mission timeline. Click each day of the mission on the interactive graphic to learn what the Discovery astronauts will accomplish. Use the info about their daily tasks to complete the table below.
   

   Mission Day	Mission Tasks
   Day 1
   Day 2
   Day 3
   Day 4
   Day 5
   Day 6
   Day 7
   Day 8
   Day 9
   Day 10
   Day 11
   Day 12
   Day 13
   Day 14