Atlantis crew wraps mission, testifies to Senate
May 21, 2009
This image provided by NASA shows the Hubble Space Telescope after it's release from the Space Shuttle Atlantis Tuesday May 19, 2009 as the two spacecraft continue their relative separation after having been linked together for the better part of a week. During the week five spacewalks were performed to complete the final servicing mission for the orbital observatory. (AP Photo/NASA)
(AP) -- Tests and testifying will take up what NASA hopes is the last day in orbit for the space shuttle Atlantis.
With a landing scheduled for Friday, astronauts on the shuttle on Thursday will be conducting routine tests on landing systems needed before they return to Earth.
But the weather on Friday in Florida does not appear too welcoming. If needed, Atlantis conserved some power to continue landing attempts through Monday, when it runs out of oxygen.
NASA will only try to land in Florida on Friday.
Also Thursday, astronauts were to testify briefly from orbit about NASA's budget before the Senate Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Subcommittee.
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May 20, 2009 |
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