The six-member crew of STS-121 has left Discovery. The astronauts took their first steps out of the orbiter at Kennedy Space Center to move into the Crew Hatch Access Vehicle, where they were given a brief medical exam to ensure they’re healthy. After receiving a clean bill of health by doctors, Commander Steve Lindsey and his crew took a walk around Discovery to examine the orbiter. The seventh crew member, Thomas Reiter of the European Space Agency, remained at the International Space Station.
NASA’s silver Astrovan is ready to carry the astronauts to the crew quarters inside the Operations and Checkout Building. There, they’ll meet with their families and undergo additional physical exams before returning to Johnson Space Center in Texas.
A post-mission press conference with some of the STS-121 crew members is scheduled for 11 a.m. EDT at Johnson Space Center. NASA TV will televise this live event.
The STS-121 astronauts returned home today from a successful mission to the International Space Station when Space Shuttle Discovery touched down at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. Landing occurred at 9:14 a.m. EDT.
Discovery gave the United States a birthday present when it launched July 4. STS-121 spent just under 13 days in orbit, with almost nine days at the station. Discovery delivered supplies, equipment and a new Expedition 13 crew member to the orbital outpost.
During three spacewalks, the STS-121 crew members performed maintenance on the station’s mobile transporter and tested orbiter heat shield repair techniques. They also conducted joint operations with the Expedition 13 crew.
STS-121 was the 115th shuttle mission and the 18th to visit the space station. Also, landing marked the end of Discovery’s 32nd flight.
