http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle en-us
Thanks for joining us today as we welcomed six astronauts home from a successful mission to the International Space Station -- and witnessed history as the first retiring space shuttle made its final touchdown. Remember, you'll always find the latest information on the two remaining space shuttle missions at http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle.]]> Wed, 09 Mar 2011 18:52:23 GMT
"I'm so thankful that we got to land back here at KSC, the home of Discovery," he said, pointing out that for a spacecraft that's flown in space 39 times, it's in as good a shape today at the end of its last flight as it was on its first flight. "I've never seen an airplane able to do that.

"I'm sad to give her back, but I couldn't imagine giving her back into better hands than these right here."

Lindsey also credited his crew for the work they did during the mission.

"I'm extremely proud of them."]]> Wed, 09 Mar 2011 18:49:54 GMT
Johnson Space Center has officially transferred all remaining activities to the control of Kennedy Space Center. The offload of data from Discovery's flight recorders is complete.]]> Wed, 09 Mar 2011 18:29:45 GMT Wed, 09 Mar 2011 18:20:53 GMT Wed, 09 Mar 2011 18:15:15 GMT Wed, 09 Mar 2011 18:08:15 GMT Wed, 09 Mar 2011 17:59:39 GMT Wed, 09 Mar 2011 17:55:56 GMT Wed, 09 Mar 2011 17:49:45 GMT
"We really enjoyed it, and we'll see you when you get back to Houston," CAPCOM Charlie Hobaugh replied.]]> Wed, 09 Mar 2011 17:37:59 GMT Wed, 09 Mar 2011 17:23:55 GMT Wed, 09 Mar 2011 17:17:01 GMT
"On behalf of the crew, we had a great time," Lindsey said to Kelly. "We appreciate the hospitality and enjoyed the crew meals together, and we're going to miss you guys. So, thanks. Thanks for everything."

Kelly answered, "I'd like to say that it was very successful time on board with you guys. We really enjoyed having guests. This is the first group of guests I've had in about 150 days -- since I've been up here. And we're going to miss you. But most of all, we're going to miss Discovery. Discovery has been a great ship, and has really supported the International Space Station, more so than, I think, any other space shuttle. And we wish her fair winds and following seas."

The commanders then shook hands and the crews posed for one more photo. After a final round of hugs and fairwells, the commanders thanked the ground team for their support and the STS-133 astronauts made their way back into Discovery. Hatches between the two spacecraft were closed at 4:11 p.m. Sunday and Discovery undocked the next morning at 7 a.m.]]> Wed, 09 Mar 2011 17:15:05 GMT
Main gear touchdown: 12 days, 19 hours, 3 minutes, 53 seconds
Nose gear touchdown: 12 days, 19 hours, 4 minutes, 4 seconds
Wheelstop: 12 days, 19 hours, 4 minutes, 50 seconds]]> Wed, 09 Mar 2011 17:07:34 GMT
"And to the ship that has led the way time and time again, we say farewell, Discovery," said NASA Commentator Josh Byerly.

"And Houston, Discovery. For the final time, wheelstop," Commander Lindsey said when the orbiter stopped on the runway. He also thanked the Kennedy team for giving the crew a "terrific vehicle for a final flight."]]> Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:59:46 GMT Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:58:04 GMT Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:57:20 GMT Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:55:33 GMT Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:54:51 GMT Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:53:43 GMT Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:51:14 GMT Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:50:08 GMT Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:49:11 GMT Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:47:31 GMT Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:46:06 GMT Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:45:59 GMT Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:43:59 GMT Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:41:43 GMT Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:38:36 GMT Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:36:34 GMT Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:33:45 GMT Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:32:16 GMT Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:28:17 GMT
NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center offers a fact sheet providing more details. Ffor technical reasons, you'll need to copy and paste this link into your browser. http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/news/FactSheets/FS-016-DFRC.html]]> Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:19:26 GMT Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:17:15 GMT Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:15:49 GMT Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:11:49 GMT
After the landing, when Discovery has rolled to a stop on the runway, the wheelstop location will be marked on the runway so a permanent marker can be installed, showing where Discovery's missions finally ended.]]> Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:06:21 GMT Wed, 09 Mar 2011 15:56:18 GMT Wed, 09 Mar 2011 15:53:06 GMT Wed, 09 Mar 2011 15:51:58 GMT Wed, 09 Mar 2011 15:48:58 GMT Wed, 09 Mar 2011 15:36:12 GMT Wed, 09 Mar 2011 15:28:55 GMT Wed, 09 Mar 2011 15:26:08 GMT
Discovery was delivered to Kennedy Space Center in November 1983 after its assembly in Palmdale, Calif. With the STS-41D liftoff in August 1984, Discovery kicked off a storied spaceflight career. Although shuttles Columbia and Challenger had flown first, NASA's third orbiter and the nation's oldest and most experienced shuttle racked up 38 missions. The STS-133 mission is Discovery's 39th flight and the 133rd flight of the Space Shuttle Program.

Some of the most historic achievements of the shuttle era were carried out by Discovery, including deployment of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, the second spaceflight of Mercury astronaut and U.S. Senator John Glenn, the first rendezvous with Russia's Mir space station and the final shuttle/Mir docking. Discovery carried out several key International Space Station construction missions, and was chosen to return the shuttles to flight after the Challenger and Columbia accidents. Now it will be the first in the fleet to retire.]]> Wed, 09 Mar 2011 15:11:01 GMT Wed, 09 Mar 2011 14:59:51 GMT Wed, 09 Mar 2011 14:52:54 GMT Wed, 09 Mar 2011 14:48:03 GMT
NASA's made a slight change to the landing time. The new time is 11:57:26 a.m. That's about 18 seconds earlier than initially planned.]]> Wed, 09 Mar 2011 14:44:00 GMT Wed, 09 Mar 2011 14:35:49 GMT
"All in all, it's shaping up to be a pretty promising day for Discovery," reported NASA Commentator Josh Byerly.]]> Wed, 09 Mar 2011 14:24:31 GMT Wed, 09 Mar 2011 14:21:52 GMT Wed, 09 Mar 2011 14:14:11 GMT Wed, 09 Mar 2011 14:09:56 GMT
The SLF runway was designed specifically for space shuttles returning from orbit. Measuring 15,000 feet long and 300 feet wide, the paved runway is longer and wider than most commercial airport runways. Although there is only one physical runway here, it's considered two: Runway 33 is used for approaches from the southeast, and Runway 15 accommodates approaches from the northwest. Wind direction and speed are important factors when choosing a runway.

NASA has selected Runway 15 for Discovery's landing today.]]> Wed, 09 Mar 2011 14:00:05 GMT
Discovery and crew will reach the upper boundary of the atmosphere about half an hour later at a point called "entry interface." Touchdown at Kennedy is planned for 11:57:44 a.m., and Discovery will slow considerably as it rolls down the runway. The official end of this mission also marks the official end of Discovery's tenure as an active spacecraft.]]> Wed, 09 Mar 2011 13:51:04 GMT
Meanwhile, the entry team of flight controllers at Mission Control in Houston began the landing shift at 4:30 a.m. The controllers continue to monitor weather at the Florida runway and the deorbit progress taking place on Discovery. Making the final "go/no-go" decision today is Tony Ceccacci, entry flight director. Communications between Mission Control and Discovery will be handled by astronaut Charlie Hobaugh, occupying the CAPCOM console near the flight director.]]> Wed, 09 Mar 2011 13:41:12 GMT
During the STS-133 mission, Discovery installed the Permanent Multipurpose Module, or PMM, to the space station. Previously known as the Leonardo multi-purpose logistics module, the PMM was converted for long-duration use in space, where it will offer extra storage and room for experiments. Also delivered was the station's first robotic resident, Robonaut 2, also called R2.

Go to http://twitter.com/AstroRobonaut to follow the humanoid's tales from space. Due to technical limitations, we can't link directly to it, but you can copy and paste this link into your browser. But remember to come back to NASA's Landing Blog for updates as Discovery flies toward its final homecoming.]]> Wed, 09 Mar 2011 13:36:59 GMT
NASA's Landing Blog originates from the air traffic control tower at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility, where Discovery is set to land at 11:57:44 a.m. after a 13-day mission to the International Space Station. Should mission controllers need to wave off the first landing opportunity, there's a second chance one orbit later at 1:34:10 p.m.

But at this point, weather is both forecast and observed "go." Forecasters with the Spaceflight Meteorology Group in Houston predict a high temperature of about 80 degrees, with winds increasing but staying within limits. We're just getting started, so stay with us for frequent updates as Discovery completes its 39th space mission and begins its final journey home.]]> Wed, 09 Mar 2011 13:30:45 GMT Tue, 08 Mar 2011 14:39:20 GMT