The first day in space for the Discovery STS-124 mission started off with an inspection of the orbiter’s heat shield, as the crew makes the final preparations for the arrival at the International Space Station. The inspection was mandatory in order to establish whether any damage occurred during launch.

With the help of the shuttle’s robotic arm, the crew performed a limited inspection of Discovery’s thermal wings and leading edges of its wings, NASA unveiled. A more detailed inspection of the heat shield could be performed after the Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS) has been retuned to Discovery.

In order to perform such a detailed inspection, the Orbiter Boom Sensor System is needed for a complete scan. However, the OBSS was left on the International Space Station during the STS-123 mission, to make room for the Kibo laboratory.

The astronauts of the STS-124 mission also performed inspections on the spacesuits they will use during the three scheduled spacewalks, and extended the Orbiter Docking System Ring in preparation for the arrival at the International Space Station.

The space shuttle will be in charge of delivering, in addition to the Kibo components, new station crew member Greg Chamitoff. At the same time, it will be in charge of bringing Flight Engineer Garrett Reisman back home, after three months aboard the International Space Station, NASA announced.

Commander Mark Kelly and his crew prepare for a 14-day mission to install the new Japanese laboratory module on the International Space Station. According to NASA, the 36-foot-long module is the largest habitable section to be launched to the orbiting research post.

Following Discovery’s liftoff, NASA officials reported on Sunday that the launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center suffered usual damage. A full report is expected to be released on Monday. The launch pad needs to be functional for the next launch, which is scheduled to take place in October.