STS-116

STS-116 was a Space Shuttle mission to the International Space Station (ISS) flown by Space Shuttle Discovery in December 2006. Its primary objectives were to deliver and install the P5 truss segment to the ISS, and to rewire the station's power grid to accommodate the new segment and future modules.

The mission's crew included Commander Mark Polansky, Pilot William Oefelein, and Mission Specialists Robert Curbeam, Joan Higginbotham, Nicholas Patrick, Sunita Williams, and Christer Fuglesang (European Space Agency).

STS-116 involved extensive extravehicular activity (EVA), with four spacewalks conducted by Curbeam and Swedish astronaut Fuglesang. These EVAs were crucial for installing the P5 truss and rewiring the power system. The mission was particularly challenging due to the complexity of the electrical rewiring task, which required careful coordination and execution.

The mission also transported astronaut Sunita Williams to the ISS to join Expedition 14, replacing Thomas Reiter. Reiter returned to Earth with the STS-116 crew after several months aboard the station.

STS-116 was considered a success, achieving its primary objectives and contributing significantly to the ongoing construction and operation of the International Space Station. The rewiring of the ISS power grid was a critical step in preparing the station for future expansion and utilization.