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Discovery Returns to Earth

Mission saw successful expansion of space station

By Wesley Oliver, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 14, 2008 12:30 PM CDT

(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.”

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)

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)

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)

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NASA Puts Sale of Apollo 13 Checklist on Hold

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Though it'll be a looong time before you get into space

NASA-Backed 'Space Taxi' to Fly Next Year

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Mission saw successful expansion of space station

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

NASA • astronauts • space shuttle • International Space Station • shuttle • Kibo • Discovery space shuttle

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

NASA Puts Sale of Apollo 13 Checklist on Hold

Astronaut Lovell sold it for $388K, but he may not own it

World's Biggest Plane to Rocket People into Space

Paul Allen project might be ready for tests in 2016

NASA OKs First Private Space Station Trip

SpaceX will send up cargo in February

NASA Puts Out Call for Astronauts

Though it'll be a looong time before you get into space

NASA-Backed 'Space Taxi' to Fly Next Year

Dream Chaser's first test flight scheduled for summer 2012

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Newser By Users

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