Space Shuttle Discovery Mission # STS-119 Landed safely today March 28, 2009, at Kennedy Space Center in Florida

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 21:18:02 GMT
Later this afternoon, Discovery will be towed back to an orbiter processing facility, which is located near the Vehicle Assembly Building and not far from the runway. Once the orbiter returns to its processing bay, crews will begin preparing it for its next flight, STS-128. READ THE LANDING BLOG BELOW.

From NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, thanks for joining us.

The astronauts and their families will return to Houston tomorrow.

"Welcome home, Discovery, after a great mission to bring the ISS to full power," CAPCOM George Zamka told the crew on board.

"Thank you very much, it's good to be back home," Commander Archambault responded.

The astronauts are dressed and seated just as they were for liftoff two weeks ago. On Discovery's flight deck, Commander Archambault and Pilot Tony Antonelli are seated in Seats 1 and 2, with Mission Specialists Joseph Acaba and Steve Swanson behind them in Seats 3 and 4. Below them on the middeck are Mission Specialists Richard Arnold, Sandra Magnus and John Phillips in Seats 5, 6 and 7, respectively. Magnus is returning to Earth after spending more than four months on the International Space Station.

Managers opted to skip today's first landing opportunity due to weather concerns. A second landing opportunity is available at 3:14 p.m. The deorbit burn to begin Discovery's return to Earth is scheduled for 2:08 p.m.

Astronaut Brent Jett is flying the Shuttle Training Aircraft at Kennedy, evaluating and reporting the weather conditions at the landing site. Meanwhile, the Spaceflight Meteorology Group is observing a shift in wind direction due to the developing sea breeze. The weather trends are improving, and flight controllers at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston are expected to make the "go/no-go" decision on the deorbit burn in about 15 minutes.

Stay with NASA's Landing Blog for the latest from Kennedy Space Center.

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This Concludes Live Coverage
Sat, 28 Mar 2009 05:18:02 PM EDT

With the astronauts on their way back to their crew quarters and Discovery safe on the runway, this concludes our live landing coverage. For the latest space shuttle news and information, go to www.nasa.gov/shuttle.

From NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, thanks for joining us.

STS-119 Draws to a Close
Sat, 28 Mar 2009 05:17:28 PM EDT

The astronauts just took a moment to pose for photos before departing the runway. Commander Lee Archambault made a brief statement, thanking the launch and landing teams for their hard work and expressing the crew's pride following the successful STS-119 mission.

Later this afternoon, Discovery will be towed back to an orbiter processing facility, which is located near the Vehicle Assembly Building and not far from the runway. Once the orbiter returns to its processing bay, crews will begin preparing it for its next flight, STS-128.

The astronauts and their families will return to Houston tomorrow.

STS-119 Astronauts are on the Runway
Sat, 28 Mar 2009 04:57:51 PM EDT

The STS-119 astronauts are off the crew transport vehicle now, shaking hands with people gathered on the runway and taking a look at Discovery. Astronaut Sandra Magnus, who is returning from a long-duration stay aboard the International Space Station, remained inside the CTV.

Awaiting the Astronauts
Sat, 28 Mar 2009 04:41:13 PM EDT

The astronauts are expected to emerge from the crew transport vehicle soon. They'll visit with managers and other personnel on the ground while taking an up-close look at Discovery. After the walk-around, they'll depart for the Astronaut Crew Quarters.

All Astronauts Off Discovery
Sat, 28 Mar 2009 04:11:40 PM EDT

All seven crew members are now off Discovery and are inside the crew transport vehicle. After a routine checkup, some of the astronauts will have a chance to take the traditional walk-around of the shuttle while it sits on the runway.

Post-Landing Operations Continue
Sat, 28 Mar 2009 03:58:22 PM EDT

It's been 45 minutes since space shuttle Discovery touched down on Kennedy Space Center's runway. The landing convoy surrounds the orbiter as personnel continue working on post-landing activities. The crew will undergo a medical exam in the crew transport vehicle before stepping out onto the runway to take a look at Discovery.

Official Landing Times
Sat, 28 Mar 2009 03:34:49 PM EDT

Main gear touchdown occurred at 3:13:17 p.m. EDT, followed by nose gear touchdown at 3:13:40 and wheelstop at 3:14:45. In Mission Elapsed Time, main gear touchdown took place at 12 days, 19 hours, 29 minutes and 33 seconds into the flight, followed by nose gear touchdown at 12 days, 19 hours, 29 minutes and 56 seconds and wheelstop at 12 days, 19 hours, 31 minutes and one second.

Astronauts "Go" to Remove Suits
Sat, 28 Mar 2009 03:32:11 PM EDT

Discovery's astronauts have been given the go-ahead to climb out of their orange launch-and-entry suits. Post-landing operations continue on Kennedy Space Center's Runway 15.

STS-119 Landing Statistics
Sat, 28 Mar 2009 03:30:23 PM EDT

Discovery is home at Kennedy Space Center after traveling more than 5.3 million miles during its STS-119 mission. The orbiter spent eight days docked to the International Space Station, leaving behind Japan's first long-duration space flyer, astronaut Koichi Wakata, and adding more power capability to the station. Discovery returned to Earth with astronaut Sandra Magnus, who spent 129 days aboard the orbiting outpost. STS-119 was the 36th flight for Discovery and the 125th of the Space Shuttle Program. Today's landing is the 70th at Kennedy.

Wheelstop: Discovery is Home
Sat, 28 Mar 2009 03:16:17 PM EDT

Discovery has stopped rolling, and with that, the STS-119 mission is officially complete. The landing convoy will move onto the runway to begin the work of safing the orbiter and assisting the crew.

"Welcome home, Discovery, after a great mission to bring the ISS to full power," CAPCOM George Zamka told the crew on board.

"Thank you very much, it's good to be back home," Commander Archambault responded.

Nose Gear Touchdown
Sat, 28 Mar 2009 03:13:39 PM EDT

Nose gear touchdown! Discovery is rolling out on Runway 15 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, wrapping up a 13-day mission to the International Space Station.

Main Gear Touchdown
Sat, 28 Mar 2009 03:13:33 PM EDT

Discovery's main landing gear touched down on Runway 15, kicking up swirls of dust as the vehicle made contact at more than 200 mph. Discovery's drag chute has been deployed to help slow the vehicle further as it continues down the runway.

Final Approach
Sat, 28 Mar 2009 03:12:58 PM EDT

Discovery and crew have the runway in sight. Only seconds until landing. Main and nose landing gear are down and locked. Stand by for touchdown.

Sonic Booms Echo Across Landing Site
Sat, 28 Mar 2009 03:10:19 PM EDT

Sonic booms! The unmistakable sound of an incoming shuttle orbiter just rattled the windows here at Kennedy Space Center. The distinctive booms are often heard across the state of Florida on landing day.

Discovery Circling Toward Final Approach
Sat, 28 Mar 2009 03:10:13 PM EDT

Archambault is guiding Discovery into a sweeping 261-degree turn around the "heading alignment circle," an imaginary circle that will bring the orbiter in line with Runway 15.

Commander Takes Control
Sat, 28 Mar 2009 03:10:03 PM EDT

Commander Lee Archambault is flying Discovery as the orbiter continues its steep glide toward touchdown.

Air-data Probes Deployed
Sat, 28 Mar 2009 03:05:34 PM EDT

Two probes have been released from Discovery's forward fuselage to measure air pressure and temperature. That information is used by the orbiter's computer to aid in guidance and steering.

10 Minutes Until Touchdown
Sat, 28 Mar 2009 03:04:25 PM EDT

Only 10 minutes until touchdown. Communications are now provided by Merritt Island Tracking Station in Florida. The orbiter's global positioning system is handling navigation.

Discovery Continues Toward Landing
Sat, 28 Mar 2009 03:00:44 PM EDT

All Discovery's systems are in good shape as the vehicle descends from an altitude of 185,000 feet. Forward speed is 9,800 mph. Range to landing 730 miles.

Discovery's Landing Path
Sat, 28 Mar 2009 02:56:57 PM EDT

Today's landing path will bring the shuttle over Central America and across the Gulf of Mexico as it approaches Florida from the southwest. Discovery will cross Central Florida as it descends toward Kennedy Space Center.

Aerosurfaces Control Steering
Sat, 28 Mar 2009 02:55:43 PM EDT

Enough aerodynamic pressure has built up around Discovery for the vehicle's reaction control thrusters to be deactivated. The ailerons and elevons are taking over steering. Range to landing site is 1,700 miles. Discovery is traveling 14,400 mph as approaches Central America from the southwest.

22 Minutes Until Touchdown
Sat, 28 Mar 2009 02:53:32 PM EDT

Discovery is traveling 15,300 mph. Range to Kennedy Space Center is 2,200 miles.

Landing Convoy Lines Up
Sat, 28 Mar 2009 02:52:14 PM EDT

With Discovery and its seven astronauts on their way back to Kennedy, the landing convoy is lining up at the Shuttle Landing Facility. The convoy's 20 to 30 specialized vehicles and units will approach Discovery following wheelstop. Convoy personnel will work to make sure Discovery is safe and ready for towing to a nearby orbiter processing facility. They'll also help the crew out of the crew module and into the waiting crew transport vehicle.

Discovery Begins Roll Schedule
Sat, 28 Mar 2009 02:50:37 PM EDT

Discovery is rolling 80 degrees to the right in the first of four steep banks designed to use up excess energy and reduce the orbiter's forward speed. This first roll will be followed by a series of three roll reversals. As the atmospheric pressure increases, the orbiter's elevons, body flap and rudder speed brake panels take over steering. Range to Kennedy Space Center 2,900 miles.

Discovery Encounters Earth's Atmosphere
Sat, 28 Mar 2009 02:42:58 PM EDT

Gliding just below 400,000 feet, Discovery has reached entry interface and is beginning to slow down as it passes through Earth's atmosphere. The astronauts will feel the faint pull of gravity begin to build up as they continue their descent.

Discovery Approaching Entry Interface
Sat, 28 Mar 2009 02:37:45 PM EDT

Discovery is oriented with wings level and nose angled upward 40 degrees as it approaches "entry interface," the point at which the vehicle begins to encounter the upper levels of Earth's atmosphere.

All Three APUs Up and Running
Sat, 28 Mar 2009 02:30:43 PM EDT

Discovery's three auxiliary power units are up and running. The trio of auxiliary power units provide hydraulic pressure to the shuttle's aerosurfaces, landing gear, main landing gear brakes and nose wheel steering.

45 Minutes Until Touchdown
Sat, 28 Mar 2009 02:29:47 PM EDT

Discovery is expected to arrive at Kennedy Space Center in 45 minutes.

One Hour Until Touchdown
Sat, 28 Mar 2009 02:14:17 PM EDT

With the deorbit burn complete, Discovery is headed for touchdown on Kennedy Space Center's Runway 15 at 3:14 p.m. EDT, one hour from now.

Burn Complete: Discovery is Coming Home
Sat, 28 Mar 2009 02:11:47 PM EDT

Discovery's OMS engines shut down right on time, completing a perfect deorbit burn with no trim required. Archambault and Antonelli will rotate Discovery back into a forward-facing orientation, with the vehicle angled so its underside will absorb the heat of re-entry. One hour until touchdown on Kennedy Space Center's Runway 15.

Deorbit Burn Begins
Sat, 28 Mar 2009 02:08:49 PM EDT

The deorbit burn is under way. Discovery's OMS engines will fire for two minutes and 59 seconds, enough to reduce Discovery's speed by 339 feet per second. Stand by for completion of the burn.

Discovery in Position for Deorbit Burn
Sat, 28 Mar 2009 02:06:52 PM EDT

Two minutes until the deorbit burn. During the burn, Discovery's two orbital maneuvering system, or OMS, engines will fire into the direction of travel, slowing the orbiter just enough to begin the descent back to Earth.

Crew Prepares for Florida Homecoming
Sat, 28 Mar 2009 01:59:41 PM EDT

Deorbit burn is set for 2:08 p.m., 10 minutes from now. In orbit, Commander Lee Archambault and the rest of the STS-119 astronauts have prepared themselves and Discovery for the return to Kennedy. The payload bay doors were closed this morning and the orbiter's flight computer was transitioned to the deorbit-and-entry software package, known as "OPS 3."

The astronauts are dressed and seated just as they were for liftoff two weeks ago. On Discovery's flight deck, Commander Archambault and Pilot Tony Antonelli are seated in Seats 1 and 2, with Mission Specialists Joseph Acaba and Steve Swanson behind them in Seats 3 and 4. Below them on the middeck are Mission Specialists Richard Arnold, Sandra Magnus and John Phillips in Seats 5, 6 and 7, respectively. Magnus is returning to Earth after spending more than four months on the International Space Station.

Go for the Deorbit Burn!
Sat, 28 Mar 2009 01:56:43 PM EDT

Discovery is "go" for the deorbit burn. The flight crew just received the good news from astronaut George Zamka, serving as Mission Control's capsule communicator, or CAPCOM. Landing site weather is observed "go" and forecast "go."

Discovery Aims for Landing Today
Sat, 28 Mar 2009 01:44:06 PM EDT

Space shuttle Discovery and the STS-119 crew are due back at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida this afternoon, wrapping up a 13-day assembly mission to the International Space Station.

Managers opted to skip today's first landing opportunity due to weather concerns. A second landing opportunity is available at 3:14 p.m. The deorbit burn to begin Discovery's return to Earth is scheduled for 2:08 p.m.

Astronaut Brent Jett is flying the Shuttle Training Aircraft at Kennedy, evaluating and reporting the weather conditions at the landing site. Meanwhile, the Spaceflight Meteorology Group is observing a shift in wind direction due to the developing sea breeze. The weather trends are improving, and flight controllers at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston are expected to make the "go/no-go" decision on the deorbit burn in about 15 minutes.

Stay with NASA's Landing Blog for the latest from Kennedy Space Center