Discovery, as viewed by the space station crew, circles the orbiting science laboratory after undocking. Discovery completed a nine-day, final stay at the orbital outpost. Photo Credit/NASA TV
Discovery’s astronauts departed the International Space Station early Monday, setting sail on the homestretch of the storied orbiter’s final mission.
The 12 U. S. Russian and Italian astronauts aboard the two spacecraft parted company at 7 a.m., EST, as Discovery undocked more than 200 miles above the Western Pacific Ocean near New Guiana.
Pilot Eric Boe backed the winger orbiter to a distance of 400 feet, then began a slow fly around of the orbiting science laboratory.
“We really enjoyed your company and what we accomplished,” Station commander Scott Kelly radioed Discovery mission commander Steve Lindsey.
“I could not agree more,” Lindsey responded.
During the fly around, the shuttle crew gathered close up photos of the station with its latest addition, the Permanent Multipurpose Module delivered by the shuttle crew.
“We got some amazing shots,” said Discovery astronaut Mike Barratt.
Station engineers will analyze the photos to document the exterior condition of the orbiting lab. NASA intends to operate the outpost through 2020 and possibly until 2028.
As Discovery pulled away, Kelly sounded a ship’s bell, which was installed by the station’s first tenants in November 2000.
“Discovery departing,” Kelly announced as part of the nautical tradition.
Discovery is due back on Earth on Wednesday, with a touchdown at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 11:57 a.m., EST.
Lindsey’s crew will spend most of Monday surveying the heat shielding on the shuttle’s wings and nose cap for orbital debris impact damage. The survey will be conducted with a camera and laser equipped boom attached to the shuttle’s robot arm.
Imagery experts in Mission Control will assess the imagery before the Mission Management Team gives the formal approval for Discovery to descend through the atmosphere for the 39th and final time.
On Tuesday, the astronauts will check out flight control and communications systems for their return to Earth.
The shuttle spent nine days parked at the orbital outpost. The 12 astronauts unloaded five tons of internal cargo and installed an external storage rack with a spare thermal control system radiator.
During two spacewalks, the astronauts retrieved a failed thermal control system pump that may be returned to Earth this summer aboard Atlantis on what would be the shuttle program’s final flight.
NASA is preparing Endeavour for an April 19th lift off on a mission to equip the station with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, a $2 billion external astronomical observatory.