Shuttle Discovery on track for afternoon landing

2009-03-28 07:38:32 GMT2009-03-28 15:38:32 (Beijing Time) SINA.com

The International Space Station in orbit on March 25. The US shuttle Discovery and its crew of seven astronauts are preparing for a Saturday return to Earth after a 13-day mission in orbit including nine days at the International Space Station. (AFP/HO/NASA)

It's landing day for space shuttle Discovery.

Discovery and its crew are scheduled to touch down at NASA's Florida spaceport early Saturday afternoon. Favorable weather is expected.

The seven astronauts are winding up a 13-day mission that was highlighted by the successful installation and unfurling of the space station's last pair of solar wings. The $300 million addition brought the orbiting outpost up to full power. It's an essential part of NASA's plan to double the space station population by late spring and boost the amount of science work.

Discovery is bringing back former space station resident Sandra Magnus. She's spent 4 1/2 months in orbit.

The space station, meanwhile, is getting more guests Saturday with the arrival of a Russian Soyuz capsule.

(Agencies)

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