Happy Landings; Space Shuttle and Crew Return Safely

Space shuttle Discovery and its seven astronauts have returned to Earth safely, successfully completing Nasa’s troubled resumption of human space flight 2 1/2 years after the Columbia disaster.

Nasa officials appeared visibly relieved after the problem-free landing just after midnight NZ time.

“Discovery is home, the crew is safe and we’ve come full circle now,” Nasa launch director Mike Leinbach said.

Following a smooth and problem-free re-entry into the atmosphere, Discovery commander Eileen Collins gently settled the 100-tonne ship on to a concrete runway just as the first rays of morning light were visible across the rugged landscape.

“We have had a fantastic mission,” Collins, in a blue jumpsuit, said later on the runway after performing a traditional walk-around to inspect the shuttle.

Nasa diverted the shuttle to California after skipping four chances to land at Discovery’s home port, the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, because of menacing thunderstorms.

The manned flight was Nasa’s first since Columbia broke apart over Texas on February 1, 2003, killing all seven astronauts on board.

Nasa had spent more than $NZ1.4 billion implementing safety upgrades.

President George W Bush applauded both Nasa and the shuttle’s crew.

“It was an important step for Nasa as it regains the confidence of the American people and begins to transition to the new mission we’ve set out for Nasa. So congratulations, Commander Collins. It’s quite an achievement,” Bush said.

See Doubting Thomas, page 10

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