Solid Earth

After a drama-filled mission, Discovery makes it home safely.

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - Discovery and its crew of seven glided safely back to Earth on Tuesday, ending a riveting, at times agonizing, 14-day test of space shuttle safety that was shadowed by the ghosts of Columbia.

Discovery swooped through the darkness of the Mojave Desert and landed on the Edwards runway at 5:11 a.m. PDT, well before sunrise. It marked the conclusion of the first shuttle re-entry since Columbia's tragic return.

I woke up just time to hear "5000 feet, 3000 feet, 1000 feet..." and see Discovery's silhouette touching down.

Likely, everyone in America is breathing just a little bit easier.

Welcome home, Discovery crew.