| After a successful docking, the crews of the Space | | | | can see them on TV. They are all pumped up |
| Shuttle Discovery and the International Space Station | | | | [energized] and ready to go. And I think they are |
| are working side-by-side some 350 kilometers above | | | | going to be on an adrenaline rush until touchdown on |
| the Earth. | | | | [re]entry day." |
| With broad smiles, the crews exchanged greetings | | | | The summersault executed by Discovery prior to |
| and then set about connecting cables and other | | | | docking allowed space station crewmembers to take |
| equipment between Discovery and the space station, | | | | pictures of the orbiter's underbelly, to check for |
| so that the two vessels can operate as one. Much | | | | possible damage to heat-resistant tiles. The |
| work lies ahead, including the unloading of several | | | | procedure is part of an exhaustive in-mission safety |
| tons of supplies and equipment brought by the | | | | review process implemented after the 2003 Space |
| shuttle, perhaps most importantly a new oxygen | | | | Shuttle Columbia disaster. Columbia broke up upon |
| generator. At least two space walks are planned. One | | | | re-entry to Earth's atmosphere, and heat-shielding |
| Discovery crewmember, Mission Specialist Thomas | | | | tiles damaged during lift-off were blamed for the |
| Reiter of Germany, will stay behind when the shuttle | | | | tragedy. |
| departs. | | | | Wednesday, Discovery's crew used the orbiter's |
| Earlier, having "chased" the space station for two | | | | robotic arm to take photographs of the shuttle's |
| days at speeds exceeding 28,000 kilometers per | | | | wings and nose cap. NASA officials say nothing of |
| hour, Discovery performed a 360-degree "backflip" | | | | major concern has been detected. |
| rotation before docking with the space station. It | | | | Among the primary goals for Discovery's mission is to |
| was a carefully choreographed maneuver that NASA | | | | demonstrate that major safety concerns stemming |
| officials described as "perfect" in execution. | | | | from the Columbia disaster have been addressed, |
| At a press briefing, Shuttle Flight Director Tony | | | | and that the shuttle program can go forward with a |
| Ceccacci was asked how he feels about the mission | | | | series of missions in support of the completion of the |
| so far. | | | | International Space Station by a target date of 2010. |
| "Extremely pleased," he said. "I am very happy with | | | | At that point, the shuttle fleet is to be retired. |
| how things are going. Today, talking to the crew, you | | | | |