Atlantis Comes Home
The space shuttle Atlantis has landed safely at Kennedy Space Center, ending a 2-week mission to attach the Columbus laboratory to the International Space Station. .
The Atlantis astronauts are returning to Earth after a two-week mission to expand the International Space Station. Astronaut Dan Tani has been in space since Oct. 23, 2007, living on the ISS.
Sonic booms could be heard in Osceola and Brevard counties.
The next launch is of the Space Shuttle Endeavour on March 1 at 2:30 a.m. News 13 will have live, extensive coverage of that launch, which will bring the Japanese module Kibo to the International Space Station.
Clearing The Way For Satellite Shootdown
NASA wanted to get the shuttle home Wednesday to clear the way for the Navy to try to shoot down a dead spy satellite that is tumbling back toward Earth. It would be dangerous for the shuttle to descend through any debris field generated by the shoot down.
Officials said there is no danger to the space station.
The Navy attempt could take place as early as tonight. Atlantis’ next mission is at the end of August when it flies to the Hubble Space Telescope with a team of repairmen. It will be NASA’s last visit to Hubble.