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November 22, 2008 10:44:53 CST

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Discovery Returns to Earth

Posted Jun 14, 08 12:30 PM CDT in Science & Health 

(Newser) – The space shuttle Discovery swooped back to Earth today after successfully expanding the International Space Station, the AP reports. The shuttle’s seven crew members delivered Kibo, the new billion-dollar Japanese science lab, and a pump to repair a broken toilet. Discovery also brought home flight engineer Garret Reisman, who’d talked of missing his wife, calling her “my favorite earthling.”

“Congratulations on a great mission,” Mission Control told the crew. Discovery’s pilot called the experience “more emotional than I’d expect.” He added, “Seeing the space station out the window and realizing that it’s all very real and we’re part of it—it’s a great time to be part of this country. It’s a pretty incredible feeling.”

Sources: Associated Press, Florida Today, Space.com

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The Kibo Module is moved rom its stowage position in Space Shuttle Discovery's payload bay to the port side of the Harmony node of the International Space Station.   (AP Photo/NASA)
Space shuttle Discovery lands at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Saturday, June 14, 2008.   (AP Photo/Stan Honda, POOL PHOTO)
The crew of shuttle Discovery wave at the end of a news conference on the shuttle flight deck Friday, June 13, 2008.   (AP Photo/NASA TV)
In a Saturday, May 31, 2008 file photo, space shuttle Discovery lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla.   (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
The Space Shuttle Discovery is shown soon after it and the International Space Station began their post-undocking relative separation.   (AP Photo/NASA)
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