Photo: A camera aboard space shuttle Discovery captured this image of the International Space Station shortly after undocking. Credit: NASA TV
After closing the hatches between the two spacecraft last night, the two crews aboard space shuttle Discovery and the International Space Station prepared to undock today.
Shuttle commander Rick Sturckow, Pilot Kevin Ford and mission specialists Tim Kopra, Pat Forrester, Jose Hernandez, Danny Olivas, and Christer Fuglesang, focused on preparations for the undocking from the station.
They undocked from the station at 3:26 p.m. EDT. Once safely separated from the orbiting complex by about 450 feet, Ford began conducting a flyaround of the space station. The maneuver provides an opportunity to get video of the station that can be used to inspect for damage or general condition of the vehicle’s exterior. A final separation burn is expected at 5:09 p.m.
Later, the shuttle crew will again engage the shuttle robotic arm, its extension boom and cameras for a last look at the thermal protection system to check for any damage.
