Discovery undocks from space station and begins journey home

AFTER a week-and-a-half of intense and unprecedented work, astronauts aboard the shuttle Discovery undocked from the international space station yesterday to begin their two-day journey home.

“Thank you guys for the module and all your help,” said space station commander Peggy Whitson as Discovery pulled away from the orbiting outpost.

Discovery’s crew arrived at the station on October 25 and quickly accomplished the ambitious tasks of moving a massive solar power tower and installing the module, a school bus-sized compartment that will serve as a docking port for future laboratories.

But their toughest assignment emerged when one of the newly installed tower’s wings ripped in two places as it was being unfurled.

Fearing the damage could worsen and the wing could be ruined, NASA sent a spacewalking astronaut far from the safety of the station to make emergency repairs on what amounted to a live electrical generator.

Saturday’s spacewalk has allowed the space agency to push forward with plans to launch the shuttle Atlantis and its major cargo — a new European lab — in December.

Shortly after undocking, the shuttle flew a full lap around the station, primarily so crew members could take pictures of the outpost’s new configuration.

Computer problems forced pilot George Zamka to navigate the loop without help from software that provides information about the shuttle’s path. But Discovery commander Pamela Melroy and Mission Control said he did a perfect job.

“We would never know that he doesn’t have the data. It looks great,” said Mission Control.

Astronaut Daniel Tani, who flew to the station aboard Discovery and will remain in orbit for two months, radioed the shuttle crew a last goodbye as they finished circling.

“I miss you already,” he said. “Fly safe. Get home safe. I’ll see you on the ground.”

“Yep, we’ll see you on the ground,” Ms Melroy replied. Discovery is scheduled to land tomorrow.