Space Shuttle Discovery

Space Shuttle Discovery flew a total of 39 missions over its operational lifetime. It was NASA's third operational orbiter, launching for the first time in 1984. Discovery ultimately retired in March 2011 after completing its final flight, STS-133.

Yes, Discovery successfully deployed the Hubble Space Telescope into low Earth orbit in April 1990. This occurred during the STS-31 mission under the command of Loren Shriver. The shuttle also later launched the Ulysses solar probe and tracked the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite.

Space Shuttle Discovery is currently on display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. It was transferred to the museum in 2012, taking the place of the test shuttle Enterprise. Visitors can view the orbiter in the McDonnell Space Hangar.

Discovery was part of the original operational shuttle fleet alongside Columbia, Challenger, Atlantis, and Endeavour. Columbia and Challenger were tragically lost in accidents, leading to the construction of Endeavour as a replacement. Discovery is notably the oldest surviving orbiter from the fleet.