Discovery begins homeward journey
Discovery awaits homeward journey
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Saturday, 15, Jul 2006 08:17
The Discovery space shuttle has begun the home leg of its nine-day mission, after ground control cleared the craft following a successful wing inspection by the crew.
Nasa personnel are hopeful their shuttle will be able to attempt a safe landing at the Kennedy space centre at Cape Canaveral, Florida, tomorrow.
Its crew had been conducting final safety inspections of the shuttle's right wing and heat field, essential for a safe re-entry.
Only three and a half years ago, seven astronauts lost their lives when the Columbia space shuttle disintegrated upon re-entry after its heat shield failed owing to interference from faulty insulating foam.
During their stay at the International Space Station (ISS) the Discovery crew had conducted three space walks and essential repairs, but were now ready for safe journey home.
"We've been flying space shuttles for a long time and we've never had any kind of critical damage from a micrometeoroid so it's pretty remote," said the shuttle's pilot, Mark Kelly.
"Based on what we've seen over the last ten days, the inspections we've done, we've got a great ship. It's ready to come home."
Only six astronauts will return to earth after one of their German colleagues, Thomas Reiter, remained on the ISS to complete a six-month stay in space.