Space Shuttle Crew Prepares for Return to Earth

NASA officials have cleared the space shuttle Discovery to return home Friday, but the U.S. space agency is not sure where the spacecraft will land.

NASA is monitoring weather conditions at three possible landings sites.

The primary, and preferred landing site is in the southeastern state of Florida, where rain showers are expected. Alternate sites are in California and New Mexico.

Discovery's seven crew members are making final preparations for the trip back to Earth after 12 days in space. The space shuttle must land by Saturday, when the fuel that generates its electrical system runs out.

Discovery spent an extra day in space because two crewman took an unplanned spacewalk on Monday to fix a jammed solar panel on the International Space Station.

The shuttle undocked from the space station on Tuesday after an eight-day visit that included three spacewalks to rewire the orbital outpost.

Discovery also delivered a new member for the space station's resident crew.

By VOA News