STS-131

STS-131 was a NASA Space Shuttle mission to the International Space Station (ISS). It was flown by Space Shuttle Discovery and launched on April 5, 2010, from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A. The primary objective of STS-131 was to deliver and install the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) Leonardo, carrying supplies and equipment for the ISS.

The crew of STS-131 consisted of seven astronauts: Alan Poindexter (Commander), James P. Dutton, Jr. (Pilot), Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger (Mission Specialist), Stephanie Wilson (Mission Specialist), Rick Mastracchio (Mission Specialist), Clayton Anderson (Mission Specialist), and Naoko Yamazaki (Mission Specialist, representing JAXA, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency).

The mission involved three spacewalks (EVAs) conducted by Rick Mastracchio and Clayton Anderson to perform tasks such as connecting ammonia jumpers for the new cooling loop installed during the STS-130 mission, replacing a Rate Gyro Assembly (RGA) on the S0 truss, and retrieving a Japanese experiment from the outside of the Kibo module.

STS-131 successfully delivered over 17,000 pounds of science racks, equipment, and supplies to the ISS. It also brought back nearly 2,700 pounds of cargo, including science samples and used equipment. Discovery landed safely back at Kennedy Space Center on April 20, 2010, concluding the 15-day mission.