The end of an era, Discovery comes home

[DainBramaged]

Discovery ended its career as the world's most flown spaceship Wednesday, returning from orbit for the last time and taking off in a new direction as a museum piece.

NASA's oldest shuttle swooped through a mostly clear noontime sky to a touchdown at its home base.

To the ship that has led the way time and time again, we say, 'Farewell Discovery,'" radioed the Mission Control commentator.

Florida's spaceport was packed with shuttle program workers, journalists and even some schoolchildren eager to see history in the making.

The six astronauts on board went through their landing checklists with the bittersweet realization no one would ever ride Discovery again. They said during their 13-day space station delivery mission that they expected that to hit them hard when the shuttle came to a stop on the runway.

At three minutes before noon Eastern Time - Discovery landed and ceased being a reusable rocketship.

"For the final time: wheels stop," Discovery's commander Steven Lindsey called out as the shuttle rolled to a stop.

http://www.aolnews.com/2011/03/09/final-landing-day-for-space-shuttle-discovery/?icid=maing%7Cmain5%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk2%7C49312

[Blue Owl]

1. Glad she made it home safe

Welcome back!

:wave:

[Uncle Joe]

2. Good for the Discovery and her crew; I'm glad they're back safe.

:thumbsup:

Thanks for the thread, DainBramaged.

[DainBramaged]

3. Made in America and lasted 30 years with millions of miles on the clock!

:toast:

[Uncle Joe]

4. Cheers to you as well.

:toast:

[DainBramaged]

5. Charlie Sheen should have greeted the shuttle, America would have paid attention.