NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Mission: International Space Station Flight 12A.1
Space Shuttle: Discovery
Launch Pad: 39B
Launched: Dec. 9, 2006 at 8:47 p.m. EST
Landing Site: Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
Landing: Dec. 22, 2006 at 5:32 p.m. EST
Duration: 12 days, 20 hours, 45 minutes, 16 seconds
Orbital Insertion Altitude: 122 nautical miles
Orbit Inclination: 51.60°

STS-116: Rewiring the International Space Station

Space Shuttle Discovery lifted off on the STS-116 mission on Dec. 9, 2006, lighting up the sky over NASA's Kennedy Space Center during the first nighttime launch in more than four years.

During the 12-day mission, the astronaut crew rewired the International Space Station's power system, paving the way for further construction.

Image above: Space Shuttle Discovery soars into the darkened sky on the STS-116 mission to rewire the International Space Station. Below: After 12 days in space, Discovery touches down at Kennedy Space Center. Image credit: NASA/KSC

Seven astronauts made up the STS-116 crew, including Space Station Flight Engineer Sunita Williams, who replaced Thomas Reiter aboard the outpost.

Discovery landed Dec. 22, 2006, with a smooth touchdown on Runway 15 at Kennedy's Shuttle Landing Facility.

Photo Galleries:
+ Launch Day
+ Landing Day