UNITED SPACE ALLIANCE

Space Shuttle Discovery / OV-103 | STS-116

SUCCESSDec 10, 2006 at 01:47 UTCSpace Shuttle
PADLaunch Complex 39B
SITEKennedy Space Center, FL, USA →
ORBITLow Earth Orbit
TYPEHuman Exploration
PROGRAMSpace Shuttle

STS-116 was a Space Shuttle mission to the International Space Station (ISS) flown by Space Shuttle Discovery. Discovery lifted off on 9 December 2006 at 20:47:35 EST. A previous launch attempt on 7 December had been canceled due to cloud cover. It was the first night launch of a space shuttle since STS-113 in November 2002. The mission is also referred to as ISS-12A.1 by the ISS program. The main goals of the mission were delivery and attachment of the International Space Station’s P5 truss segment, a major rewiring of the station’s power system, and exchange of ISS Expedition 14 personnel.

VEHICLE
Space Shuttle
AGENCY
United Space Alliance
MISSION
STS-116
MISSION TYPE
Human Exploration
TARGET ORBIT
Low Earth Orbit
PROGRAM
Space Shuttle
COUNTRY
USA
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: 776632d2-99d0-4425-af7c-7a849738ca53
Reported date: Dec 10, 2006 at 01:47 UTC
Last synced: 6 hours ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
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OV-103SERIAL
39FLIGHTS
International Space StationDESTINATION
RetiredSTATUS
FLIGHT-PROVEN CAPSULE

Space Shuttle Discovery (Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-103) is one of the orbiters from NASA's Space Shuttle program and the third of five fully operational orbiters to be built. Its first…

CREW MANIFEST
Mark L. PolanskyCommander
William OefeleinPilot
Joan HigginbothamMission Specialist
Christer FuglesangMission Specialist
Nicholas PatrickMission Specialist
Robert CurbeamMission Specialist
Sunita WilliamsMission Specialist
MANUFACTURER
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
FLIGHTS
135
SUCCESSES
133
SUCCESS RATE
98.5%

The Space Shuttle is a retired, partially reusable low Earth orbital spacecraft system operated from 1981 to 2011 by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as part of the Space Shuttle program. Its official program name was Space Transportation System (STS). Five complete Space Shuttle orbiter vehicles were built and flown on a total of 135 missions from 1981 to 2011.

When is the Space Shuttle Discovery / OV-103 | STS-116 launch?
The Space Shuttle Discovery / OV-103 | STS-116 is scheduled for Sunday, December 10, 2006 at 1:47 AM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: SUCCESS.
What rocket is being used for STS-116?
The Space Shuttle Discovery / OV-103 | STS-116 mission uses the Space Shuttle rocket, manufactured by National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The Space Shuttle has flown 135 times with a 98.5% success rate.
Where is the Space Shuttle Discovery / OV-103 | STS-116 launching from?
The launch takes place from Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA.
What orbit is STS-116 going to?
The STS-116 mission is targeting Low Earth Orbit.
Who is launching STS-116?
The Space Shuttle Discovery / OV-103 | STS-116 is operated by United Space Alliance. It is part of the Space Shuttle program.
Can I watch the Space Shuttle Discovery / OV-103 | STS-116 launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
Mar 29, 2026 00:04 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 29, 2026 00:04 UTC
Launch date set: Dec 10, 2006 at 01:47 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by United Space Alliance
Mar 29, 2026 00:04 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
Last data sync: 6 hours ago
Launch Library 26 hours ago
Launch ID: 776632d2-99d0-4425-af7c-7a849738ca53
Open-Meteo Weather6 hours ago
Pad weather at 28.63, -80.62
YouTube Video Search4 days ago
1 video discovered