<p>(July 26, 2005) On July 26, 2005, Space Shuttle Discovery’s STS-114 mission launched on the first Return to Flight mission since the loss of Space Shuttle Columbia on February 1, 2003. The years between the Columbia tragedy and the flight of Discovery were spent researching and implementing new safety improvements, including a redesigned external tank, new sensors, and a boom that allowed the astronauts to inspect the Shuttle for any damage. The crew’s objectives were to test and evaluate these new safety procedures in addition to conducting maintenance on the International Space Station. The crew also performed the first ever on-orbit repair of the heat shield of a Shuttle. The mission ended on August 9, 2005 when Discovery landed at Edwards Air Force Base. 
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Image # : KSC-05PP-1774
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