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Discovery undocks from space station

SPACE CENTER (HOUSTON): Space shuttle Discovery unhitched on Saturday from the orbital outpost its astronauts called home for nine days, readying itself for the long, dangerous journey back to Earth.

There were hugs and handshakes as Discovery's astronauts said their goodbyes to the astronaut and cosmonaut who live aboard the international space station. The crews then closed the hatches between the ship and orbiting lab.

Farewell loop

Discovery inched back 400 ft from its docking point, but before leaving for good, flew a farewell loop around the station. Pilot Jim Kelly then fired the spacecraft's jets and repositioned the ship for its voyage home.

The astronauts are scheduled to complete their 13-day mission on Monday when the first shuttle to return to space since the 2003 Columbia tragedy is set to land in Florida.

``We are so happy to have spent the time up here,'' commander Eileen Collins told the station's two crew members, who have been there since April. ``These are memories that we will have forever.''

The seven astronauts spent a day longer than originally planned aboard the station to bring over additional supplies — such as paper, laptop computers and surplus food and batteries. Discovery is the first shuttle to visit the station since 2002.

``It has really been a pleasure. And no, we are not glad to see you go,'' station astronaut John Phillips said. ``We would love to have you stay a little longer. ... Have a good flight and soft landing. We look forward to seeing you in a few months back in Houston.'' Since the Columbia tragedy, unmanned Russian cargo ships have carried supplies to the station, where two-person crews rotate every six months using Russian Soyuz rockets. The rockets do not have near the capacity of the shuttle, which is needed to complete construction of the station.

AP

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