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| Image above: Safely back on Earth, the STS-115 crew
poses at the Shuttle Landing Facility in front of Atlantis, the orbiter
that carried them on their 12-day mission to the International Space
Station. Image Credit: NASA TV |
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STS-115 astronauts agree mission went 'very well'
After embracing a chance to meet with their families, the STS-115 astronauts
finished up their landing day answering questions from the media during
a televised news conference.
Mission Commander Brent Jett reflected on the success of the flight,
which delivered a new solar array truss to the International Space Station.
"The mission from our standpoint went off very well," summarized
Jett.
The commander continued by offering congratulatory thoughts on each of
his crew members. Of Pilot Chris Ferguson, Jett said: "He backed
me up, kept me out of trouble. It was a real privilege to fly with him."
Jett also greatly praised first time astronaut and spacewalker Heidemarie
Stefanyshyn-Piper, KD5TVR.
"Heidi is a natural… she is a very clever person and came up
with a lot of ideas that you don't usually get from a first time flier,"
said Jett.
After a good night's sleep in the crew quarters at Kennedy Space Center,
Fla., the astronauts will return home to Johnson Space Center in Houston
on Friday. There, the crew will enjoy a happy homecoming as thanks for
the successful completion of what is quickly being regarded as one of
the most complex and productive space missions in history.
Atlantis glided to a predawn landing at 6:21 a.m. EDT, concluding a successful
mission to resume construction of the International Space Station. Launched
Sept. 9, the orbiter arrived at the station on the 11th to delivered and
install the P3/P4 integrated truss segment
during three successful spacewalks.
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