Space shuttle to return after delivering Japanese space lab
By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
The weather looked favorable for space shuttle Discovery to return to Earth Saturday after a two-week mission in which it delivered a new Japanese lab to the international space station.
"Mission's coming to an end but it's gonna be good to get home today," said shuttle commander Mark Kelly.
Discovery has two opportunities to land at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
"The weather is looking very good. We have a decent shot," said flight director Richard Jones.
The first landing opportunity will be the best one on Saturday as the weather begins to deteriorate somewhat during the second with a chance of clouds and showers forming.
Since Discovery has enough supplies to allow it to stay in orbit until Tuesday, NASA will only aim on Saturday to bring home the shuttle in Florida, the primary landing site.