STS-124 Crew Insignia Lapel Pin

The 26th space shuttle mission to the International Space Station is STS-124, scheduled to launch in May 2008. This mission's primary goal is the incremental delivery of Kibo, the Japanese Experiment Module. This mission is also tasked to rotate two long-term ISS crewmembers: Greg Chamitoff will replace fellow NASA astronaut Garrett Reisman on the Expedition 17 crew.

Kibo is a major contribution to the ISS by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). STS-124 is the second of three shuttle flights to deliver part of the JAXA-funded module. This flight will see the installation of the pressurized part of the module and a precision robot arm for use specifically on Kibo. Spacewalkers and robot arm operators will attach and activate the new components during two scheduled spacewalks.

Space Shuttle Discovery will be commanded by veteran astronaut Mark Kelly. The pilot is Ken Ham. Mission specialists Karen Nyberg, Ron Garan, Mike Fossum, Akihiko Hoshide round out the crew along with Chamitoff on the outbound trip. Reisman will replace Chamitoff for the return to Earth.

This enameled lapel pin sports a stylized shuttle delivering Kibo to the station with a bold yellow sunburst on a starry black background. The US flag flies at the top, with the Japanese word for Kibo at the center bottom of the diamond shape.