Shuttle Atlantis Returns to Earth
VOA News 27 November 2009
The U.S. space shuttle Atlantis has returned safely to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, after completing an 11-day mission to the International Space Station.
Weather conditions were clear as the shuttle landed at mid-morning Friday. The shuttle entered the earth's atmosphere flying at several times the speed of sound, but had slowed considerably by the time it touched down on the Kennedy Space Center runway.
This shuttle mission was the last of 2009 and included three spacewalks and more than six days at the International Space Station. The orbiter delivered 14 tons of cargo, including two large containers of spare parts to sustain the station's operations after the shuttles are retired next year.
Atlantis also brought home Astronaut Nicole Stott. who spent the past three months at the space station.
NASA plans to retire its shuttle fleet next year, after several more missions to upgrade the orbiting outpost.
Canadian astronaut Robert Thirsk said advancements made during the Atlantis mission will contribute to a bright future for space exploration.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.
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