Discovery Lands in California

UPDATE: Listen to Steve Robinson’s Podcast from space! Edwards Air Force Base– August 9, 2005 – After having spent nearly two weeks in space, Discovery touched down today at 8:11:22 a.m. ET. Weather conditions in Florida delayed landing and ultimately meant moving the returning destination to California. Upon landing, the seven-member crew, lead by Mission Commander Eileen Collins, walked onto the runway after NASA medical officials gave the OK to do so. The crew was anxious to get a look at the exterior of the Shuttle to see what kind of shape they brought it back in. Unfortunately due to the last-minute change in location, their families were unable greet them. This mission, Return To Flight, was a great success. Though there were some minor setbacks along the way, the astronauts were able to complete the tasks they set out to accomplish. Due to the problems that they faced, the crew not only performed planned duties, but also was responsible for emergency repairs. When launched, cameras showed debris falling from the Shuttle, which was later determined to be heat tiles in place to protect the Shuttle from extreme temperatures during launch and reentry. Cameras later spotted two pieces of fabric protruding from the heat shield of the Shuttle, leading to EAA member, Steve Robinson’s emergency repair space walk. This space walk was not the only one that took place during the mission. During three space walks, the astronauts displayed new methods to inspect and repair the Shuttle during orbit. They replaced one of the orbital outpost’s Control Moment Gyroscopes and installed an external platform onto the International Space Station’s Quest Airlock. As Discovery was slowing to a stop this morning, Astronaut Ken Ham, from Mission Control, radioed the crew of Discovery. He congratulated them on a successful flight, and said, “Welcome home friends,” to which Collins replied, “We’re happy to be back. We congratulate the whole team on a job well done.” Additional Links: Meet STS-114 Crewmember Steve Robinson NASA Human Space Flight Shuttle Mission Images www.nasa.gov/returntoflight

Discovery’s crew speaks to the media after landing. EAA member Steve Robinson floats through a hatch carrying space gloves while Discovery was docked at the International Space Station. Find out more about Steve EAA Member Steve Robinson (left) floats through the Zvezda module of the International Space Station as fellow Mission Specialist Wendy Lawrence observes the Earth from above. STS-114 astronauts (from left) Steve Robinson, Jim Kelly, Andy Thomas, Wendy Lawrence, Charlie Camarda, Eileen Collins and Soichi Noguchi.

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