(12/22/2006) --- KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-116 Commander Mark Polansky talks to Launch Director Mike Leinbach beneath Space Shuttle Discovery during post-landing inspections on Runway 15 at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility. During the STS-116 mission, three spacewalks attached the P5 integrated truss structure to the station, and completed the rewiring of the orbiting laboratory's power system. A fourth spacewalk retracted a stubborn solar array. Main gear touchdown was at

(12/22/2006) --- KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On the shortest day of the year, Discovery touches down on Runway 15 at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility as the sun sets, concluding mission STS-116. The rescue vehicles in the foreground are in position in the unlikely event they are needed during post-landing operations.

(12/22/2006) --- KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On the shortest day of the year, Discovery touches down on Runway 15 at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility as the sun sets, concluding mission STS-116. Aboard are Commander Mark Polansky, Pilot William Oefelein, and Mission Specialists Robert Curbeam, Joan Higginbotham, Nicholas Patrick and Christer Fuglesang, who represents the European Space

(21 Dec. 2006) --- As seen through windows on the aft flight deck of Space Shuttle Discovery, a Department of Defense pico-satellite known as Atmospheric Neutral Density Experiment (ANDE) is released from the shuttle's payload bay by STS-116 crewmembers. ANDE consists of two micro -satellites which will measure the density and composition of the low Earth orbit (LEO) atmosphere while being tracked from the ground. The data will be used to better predict the movement of objects in orbit.

(21 Dec. 2006) --- As seen through windows on the aft flight deck of Space Shuttle Discovery, a Department of Defense pico-satellite known as Atmospheric Neutral Density Experiment (ANDE) is released from the shuttle's payload bay by STS-116 crewmembers. ANDE consists of two micro -satellites which will measure the density and

(19 Dec. 2006) --- Backdropped by the blackness of space and Earth's horizon, the International Space Station moves away from Space Shuttle Discovery.

Earlier the STS-116 and Expedition 14 crews concluded eight days of cooperative work onboard the shuttle and station. Undocking of the two spacecraft occurred at 4:10 p.m. (CST) on Dec. 19, 2006. Astronaut William A. (Bill) Oefelein, STS-116 pilot, was at the controls for the fly-around, which gave Discovery's crew a look at its handiwork, a new

P5 spacer truss segment and a fully retracted P6 solar array wing. During their stay on orbital outpost, the combined crew installed the newest piece of the station's backbone and completely rewired the power grid over the course of four spacewalks.

(18 Dec. 2006) --- As seen through windows on the aft flight deck of Space Shuttle Discovery, the Remote Manipulator System (RMS) is featured in this image photographed by a STS-116 crewmember during flight day ten activities while Discovery was docked with the International Space Station. The blackness of space, Earth's horizon and airglow provide the backdrop for the scene.

(18 Dec. 2006) --- Astronaut Robert L. Curbeam Jr., STS-116 mission specialist, works with the port overhead solar array wing on the International Space Station's P6 truss during the mission's fourth session of extravehicular activity (EVA). European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Christer Fuglesang (out of frame), mission specialist, worked in tandem with Curbeam, using specially prepared, tape-insulated tools, to guide the array wing neatly inside its blanket box during the 6-hour, 38-minute spacewalk.

session of extravehicular activity (EVA). The spacewalkers used specially-prepared, tape -insulated tools, to guide the array wing neatly inside its blanket box during the 6-hour, 38-minute spacewalk.

(18 Dec. 2006) --- Astronaut Robert L. Curbeam Jr., STS-116 mission specialist, works with the port overhead solar array wing on the International Space Station's P6 truss during the mission's fourth session of extravehicular activity (EVA).

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(18 Dec. 2006) --- Astronaut Robert L. Curbeam Jr., STS-116 mission specialist, works with the port overhead solar array wing on the International Space

Station's P6 truss during the mission's fourth session of extravehicular activity (EVA). European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Christer Fuglesang (out of frame), mission specialist, worked in tandem with Curbeam, using specially prepared, tape-insulated tools, to guide the array wing neatly inside its blanket box during the 6-hour, 38-minute spacewalk.

(12/09/2006) --- KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Discovery seems to be standing on the fiery columns erupting from the solid rocket boosters as it lifts off Launch Pad 39B on mission STS-116. Liftoff occurred at 8:47 p.m. EST. This was

the second launch attempt for mission STS-116. The first launch attempt on Dec. 7 was postponed due a low cloud ceiling over Kennedy Space Center. This is Discovery's 33rd mission and the first night launch since 2002. The 20th shuttle mission to the International Space Station, STS-116 carries another truss segment, P5

(12/09/2006) --- KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The blue cones of light, known as shock or mach diamonds, beneath Space Shuttle Discovery's main engines confirm its rapid rise into the night sky after liftoff on mission STS-116. Mach diamonds are a formation of shock waves in the exhaust plume of an aerospace propulsion system. Liftoff occurred on time at 8:47 p.m. EST. This was the second launch attempt for mission STS-116. The first launch attempt on Dec. 7 was postponed due a low cloud ceiling over Kennedy Space Center

(12/09/2006) --- KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- A closeup of Space Shuttle Discovery at liftoff from Launch Pad 39B on mission STS-116. Liftoff occurred on time at 8:47 p.m. EST. This was the second launch attempt for mission STS-116. The first launch attempt on Dec. 7 was postponed due   a low cloud ceiling over Kennedy Space Center. This is Discovery's 33rd mission and the first night launch since 2002. The 20th shuttle mission to the International Space Station, STS-116 carries another truss segment, P5. It will serve as a spacer, mated to the P4 truss that was attached in September

(15 June 2006) --- Attired in their training versions of the shuttle launch and entry suit, astronauts Mark L. Polansky (left), STS-116 commander, and William A. Oefelein, pilot, occupy the commander and pilot's station during a training session in the fixed-base shuttle mission simulator (SMS) in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at Johnson Space Center.

(6 November 2006) --- These seven astronauts assigned to the STS-116 mission, having just met the press, pose for a portrait at the Johnson Space Center. In front, left to right, are astronauts Nicholas J.M. Patrick, William A. Oefelein (pilot), Mark L. Polansky (commander) and Robert L. Curbeam.     In the back are, left to right, astronauts Joan E. Higginbotham, Christer Fuglesang and Sunita L. Williams. Patrick, Curbeam (flight engineer), Fuglesang, Williams and Higginbotham are all mission specialists.

(6 May 2005) --- Astronauts Robert L. Curbeam (foreground) of NASA and Christer Fuglesang of the European Space Agency (ESA), both STS-116 mission specialists, use virtual reality hardware in the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at the Johnson Space Center to rehearse some of their duties on the upcoming mission to the international space station. This type of virtual reality training allows the astronauts to wear a helmet and special gloves while looking at computer displays simulating actual movements around the various locations on the station hardware with which they will be working.