Space shuttle Discovery and its seven astronauts safely returned to Earth on Friday after some last-minute suspense over which landing site to use, closing out a year in which NASA finally got construction of the international space station back on track.
Its arrival announced by its signature twin sonic booms, the spaceship touched down on a floodlit runway in the early evening darkness after a smooth, 13-day flight during which the astronauts rewired the space station and delivered U.S. astronaut Sunita "Suni" Williams to the orbiting outpost for a six-month stay.
"It&s a thrill to have you in Florida," Mission Control said.
After the shuttle rolled to a stop, ending its 5.3 million-mile journey, Discovery commander Mark Polansky said: "You have seven thrilled people right here. ... I think it&s going to be a great holiday."
Discovery will orbit close to the station so that the astronauts can inspect the shuttle for damage.
NASA officials also said that they are keeping close watch on the debris that came loose during the mission's four space walks.
The crew completed major rewiring work and installed additions on the space station during their 13-day mission.
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