Space shuttle Discovery back from trip to the ISS by Zuzana Zelenakova

Space shuttle Discovery landed at Kennedy Space Center on Tuesday morning. The seven astronauts are finally home after several unsuccessful landings due to rain. The 15 day mission was headed to the International Space Station and was concluded the rare flight over part of the United States. "We got the bonus of coming over the entire United States, and it was just absolutely gorgeous," said shuttle commander Alan Poindexter. "The entire entry track took us over the Rockies and over the Midwest and across the Mississippi Delta. It was just a fantastic entry." The last time similar flyover occurred was in 2007. NASA usually prefers the way home lead through minimally popula! ted areas, like South Pacific, Central America and the Gulf of Mexico. Pointdexter and his crew brought tons of supplies and equipment to the ISS and left Saturday. The most important component delivered to the space station was a tank of ammonia coolant, which, however, was not easy to install. It took three spacewalks. NASA even considered sending the astronauts out for the fourth time as a nitrogen pressure valve failed to open after the tank installation. "Wrapping up [Mission] 131 here from Discovery, a really great mission," said Launch Integration Manager Mike Moses, in a statement today. "A lot of good science and a lot of good stuff delivered up to the station. Couldn't be more proud of the teams." Just three more missions remain until NASA retires its shuttle fleet. After that American astronauts will be transported to the orbit by the Russians. Well, at least until regular commercial space travel becomes reality. The last flight has been scheduled for September, ! but according to NASA´s Office of the Inspector General a! delay i s possible that would prolong the shuttle program until 2011.

related story (sgx17056): http://www.france24.com/en/20100420-discovery-shuttle-makes-...

by Zuzana Zelenakova for Cantell TV (http://cantell.tv)

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