Discovery back with a flourish
Source: Agencies |
April 21, 2010, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
SHUTTLE Discovery and its astronauts returned safely to Earth yesterday after making a rare flyover of America's heartland to wrap up their 15-day journey to the International Space Station.
The touchdown was delayed by rain and fog that dissipated as the sun rose, allowing Mission Control to take advantage of the morning's second landing opportunity.
Discovery swooped through a hazy sky before landing on the Kennedy Space Center runway. NASA briefly considered bringing the shuttle in to the opposite end of the strip because of clouds, but the glare from the sun was too great and it stuck to the original plan.
Commander Alan Poindexter made what appeared to be a smooth touchdown, a day late because of rain.
"Welcome home," Mission Control said, radioing congratulations.
"It was a great mission. We enjoyed it," Poindexter said. "And we're glad that the International Space Station is stocked up again."
NASA had promised a spectacular show, weather permitting, for early risers in Helena, Montana, and all the way along Discovery's flight path through the Midwest and Southeast.
With the space shuttle program winding down, there weren't expected to be any more continental flyovers.
This was Discovery's next-to-last flight. Only one more mission remains for NASA's oldest surviving shuttle. As soon as it's removed from the runway, it will be prepped for its final flight in September.
Discovery zoomed over the North Pacific on its way home before crossing into North America over Vancouver, British Columbia. Then it headed toward the southeast, flying over northeastern Washington; Montana; Wyoming; southwestern Nebraska; northeastern Colorado; southwestern Kansas; Oklahoma; Arkansas; Mississippi; Alabama; Georgia and, finally, Florida.
The touchdown was delayed by rain and fog that dissipated as the sun rose, allowing Mission Control to take advantage of the morning's second landing opportunity.
Discovery swooped through a hazy sky before landing on the Kennedy Space Center runway. NASA briefly considered bringing the shuttle in to the opposite end of the strip because of clouds, but the glare from the sun was too great and it stuck to the original plan.
Commander Alan Poindexter made what appeared to be a smooth touchdown, a day late because of rain.
"Welcome home," Mission Control said, radioing congratulations.
"It was a great mission. We enjoyed it," Poindexter said. "And we're glad that the International Space Station is stocked up again."
NASA had promised a spectacular show, weather permitting, for early risers in Helena, Montana, and all the way along Discovery's flight path through the Midwest and Southeast.
With the space shuttle program winding down, there weren't expected to be any more continental flyovers.
This was Discovery's next-to-last flight. Only one more mission remains for NASA's oldest surviving shuttle. As soon as it's removed from the runway, it will be prepped for its final flight in September.
Discovery zoomed over the North Pacific on its way home before crossing into North America over Vancouver, British Columbia. Then it headed toward the southeast, flying over northeastern Washington; Montana; Wyoming; southwestern Nebraska; northeastern Colorado; southwestern Kansas; Oklahoma; Arkansas; Mississippi; Alabama; Georgia and, finally, Florida.
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