Science Features

In photos: 'Space Shuttle Discovery Heads Home'

By James Wray Jun 11, 2008, 18:51 GMT

In this image from NASA TV, 11 June 2008, space shuttle DIscovery photographed from the ISS as it performs it fly around from the International Space Station, Space, 11 June 2008. Discovery is scheduled to land at the Shuttle Landing FAcility (SLF) Kennedy Space Center on Saturday, 14 June 2008 at 11:15 A.M. EDT. That would be the conclusion of a fourteen day mission (STS-124) with three space walk completed during the mission. EPA/NASA TV

In this image from NASA TV, 11 June 2008, space shuttle DIscovery photographs the ISS as it backs away from the International Space Station, Space, 11 June 2008. Discovery is scheduled to land at the Shuttle Landing FAcility (SLF) Kennedy Space Center on Saturday, 14 June 2008 at 11:15 A.M. EDT. That would be the conclusion of a fourteen day mission (STS-124) with three space walk completed during the mission. EPA/NASA TV

In this image from NASA TV, 11 June 2008, space shuttle DIscovery detached from the Harmony Node (C) for eight days starts to back away from the International Space Station, Space 11 June 2008. Discovery is scheduled to land at the Shuttle Landing FAcility (SLF) Kennedy Space Center on Saturday, 14 June 2008 at 11:15 A.M. EDT. That would be the conclusion of a fourteen day mission (STS-124) with three space walk completed during the mission. EPA/NASA TV

In this image from NASA TV, 11 June 2008, space shuttle DIscovery photographs the ISS as it performs it fly around from the International Space Station, Space, 11 June 2008. Discovery is scheduled to land at the Shuttle Landing FAcility (SLF) Kennedy Space Center on Saturday, 14 June 2008 at 11:15 A.M. EDT. That would be the conclusion of a fourteen day mission (STS-124) with three space walk completed during the mission. EPA/NASA TV NASA TV

In this image from NASA TV, 11 June 2008, space shuttle DIscovery with the earth in the background as it performs its fly around from the International Space Station, Space, 11 June 2008. Discovery is scheduled to land at the Shuttle Landing FAcility (SLF) Kennedy Space Center on Saturday, 14 June 2008 at 11:15 A.M. EDT. That would be the conclusion of a fourteen day mission (STS-124) with three space walk completed during the mission. EPA/NASA TV

In this image from NASA TV, 11 June 2008, space shuttle DIscovery photographs the ISS with the earth in the background as it performs its fly around from the International Space Station, Space, 11 June 2008. Discovery is scheduled to land at the Shuttle Landing FAcility (SLF) Kennedy Space Center on Saturday, 14 June 2008 at 11:15 A.M. EDT. That would be the conclusion of a fourteen day mission (STS-124) with three space walk completed during the mission. EPA/NASA TV

In this image from NASA TV, 11 June 2008, space shuttle DIscovery backs away from the International Space Station, Space, 11 June 2008. Discovery is scheduled to land at the Shuttle Landing FAcility (SLF) Kennedy Space Center on Saturday, 14 June 2008 at 11:15 A.M. EDT. That would be the conclusion of a fourteen day mission (STS-124) with three space walk completed during the mission. EPA/NASA TV

In this image from NASA TV, 11 June 2008, space shuttle DIscovery photographed from the ISS flies under the ISS as it performs it fly around from the International Space Station, Space, 11 June 2008. Discovery is scheduled to land at the Shuttle Landing FAcility (SLF) Kennedy Space Center on Saturday, 14 June 2008 at 11:15 A.M. EDT. That would be the conclusion of a fourteen day mission (STS-124) with three space walk completed during the mission. EPA/NASA TV