Atlantis prepares for return to Earth

In a routine familiar to travellers on Earth, shuttle astronauts were spending this morning packing their things, indulging in their surroundings for one last day and making sure their vehicle is ready for the ride home.

In preparation for tomorrow’s landing at the Kennedy Space Center after 11 days in space, the Atlantis crew checked flight controls, similar to those on an aeroplane, and test-fired small jets that are used to guide the shuttle.