By
The Associated Press
Published: Wed, February 20, 2008 - 9:46 am
Last Updated: Wed, February 20, 2008 - 1:45 pm
Last Updated: Wed, February 20, 2008 - 1:45 pm
crew are safely back on Earth.
The shuttle landed at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida this
morning after a 5 million-mile, 13-day journey to the international
space station.
Commander Stephen Frick said "we're extremely happy to be
home," upon landing. The crew's families were among those gathered
at the spaceport to welcome Atlantis back.
During the mission, Atlantis delivered and the crew helped
install a new European science lab on the station.
Atlantis also dropped off a French astronaut and brought back
NASA astronaut Daniel Tani after a four-month stay at the space
station. Tani learned of the death of his 90-year-old mother in a
traffic accident halfway through his stay.
NASA wanted Atlantis back as soon as possible to clear the way
for the Navy to shoot down a dying space satellite. That could
happen as early as Wednesday night.
NASA's next mission is just three weeks away, when Endeavour
blasts off with the first piece of a Japanese lab.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Enlarge Video 
Download Video
Video RSS
Data Survived Shuttle Columbia Disaster
News Map
Email to a Friend 
Printer Friendly 
Recently Commented On