US space shuttle returns to Earth. BBC News: Science & Environment [Internet]. 2009 Sept 12 [cited 2009 Sept 15]. Available from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8249687.stm
NASA’s re-usable space shuttle Discovery landed at Edwards air force base in California last week after successfully completing its mission to the International Space Station with seven astronauts.
While the shuttle planned to land at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, poor weather prevented it. As a result, NASA must spend one week and $1.7 million to transport the shuttle back to Florida.
The space shuttle Discovery successfully delivered a furnace, freezer, air purification system and other supplies to the International Space Station (ISS) for scientific experiments. Astronaut Nicole Strott was dropped off for a three-month stay aboard the ISS, while astronaut Tim Kopra returned home after 44 days.
During the mission, astronauts conducted three space walks. During these walks, they replaced equipment such as the exhaust ammonia tank that provides a cooling system for the ISS, and laid cable to install a new module that is scheduled for delivery next year. This new module will have a large window that enables astronauts to perform robotic operations outside the station.
Discovery will be retired in early 2011. Prior to that, NASA plans six more flights to the ISS on it. NASA’s next mission to deliver spare equipment is set for November, this time with the shuttle Atlantis.
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