Shuttle departs space station for Friday landing

Last Updated: Wednesday, November 25, 2009 | 8:44 AM ET

CBC News

The space shuttle Atlantis undocked Wednesday morning from the International Space Station as it ended its week-long stay.

The shuttle's seven astronauts will now prepare for a sheduled landing Friday in Florida.

During their stay at the space station, the shuttle astronauts unloaded thousands of kilograms of spare parts and other cargo. They also performed maintenance work that is expected to keep the ISS operating for another five to 10 years.

Astronaut Randolph Bresnik is eager to get home. His daughter, Abigail Mae Bresnik, was born Saturday, shortly after he performed his first space walk.

Nicole Stott is also keen to get back to Earth. She has been aboard the ISS since late August, and wants to see her husband and seven-year-old son.

On Wednesday, Stott said goodbye to the remaining five astronauts on the ISS, which includes Canadian Robert Thirsk. Thirsk is scheduled to return to Earth on a Russian Soyuz spacecraft next Tuesday.

"It was a real pleasure working with you guys," she said by radio. "I was blessed with a wonderful crew, and I look forward to seeing you guys on the ground real soon."

Stay Connected with CBC News

Big Box Advertisement

Top News Headlines

37 dead after tornado levels Oklahoma suburbs

37 dead after tornado levels Oklahoma suburbs: A monstrous tornado more than a kilometre wide killed 37 people, according to the Oklahoma state medical examiner's office. more »

NDP wants RCMP inquiry into $90K payment to Duffy: The NDP has asked the RCMP to launch an investigation into the $90,000 payment from the prime minister's former top aide, Nigel Wright, to Senator Mike Duffy in relation to the Senate expense scandal. more »
Unknown remains found on Dellen Millard's farm: Police searching the farm of Dellen Millard, the 27-year-old charged with first-degree murder after the remains of Ancaster, Ont., man Tim Bosma were discovered, have found other remains on the property, but it's unclear if they are human or animal. more »
Canadian on EI shut out amid foreign worker influx: A jobless Canadian IT professional who is collecting employment insurance is upset because he now suspects several recent jobs he applied for went to temporary foreign workers. more »
Can the Senate fire a senator?: An expert on parliamentary rules says the Senate has the power to turf a senator from the chamber, as long as a majority approves the expulsion, and as long as there is cause. more »

Must Watch

Latest Technology & Science News Headlines

Yahoo buys Tumblr blogging site for $1.1B

Yahoo buys Tumblr blogging site for $1.1B: Yahoo is buying online blogging forum Tumblr for $1.1 billion as CEO Marissa Mayer tries to rejuvenate an internet icon that had fallen behind the times. more »

Xbox launch Tuesday highly anticipated: Microsoft's next-generation Xbox expected to be revealed Tuesday, and anticipation for the entertainment console's latest evolution is running high. more »
Astronaut Chris Hadfield adjusts to 'earthling' life: Canada's space ambassador, Chris Hadfield, is still readapting to life on this planet after spending 146 days in zero gravity as commander of the International Space Station. For now, though, he's taking his homecoming one step at a time. more »
Bell Mobility to appeal ruling in 911 lawsuit: Bell Mobility says the company plans to appeal a Northwest Territories Supreme Court ruling that says the company is liable for charging 911 fees to customers that aren't receiving the service. more »
Anteater's birth in female-only pen stumps zoo staff: Confused Connecticut conservation officers are wondering how a female anteater, who has given birth at the centre, conceived without a male in the pen. more »

More Headlines »

Bob McDonald's Blog

Chris Hadfield: The gravity of gravity May. 17, 2013 9:58 AM After five months of being Superman and a media superstar, Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield is now beginning the challenging task of adapting his mortal body and brain to life back on Earth.

Quirks & Quarks

May 18: Apps for Apes May. 17, 2013 4:26 PM Scientists at more than 2 dozen zoos around the world, including the Toronto Zoo, have been using computer tablets to stimulate our bright orange primate cousins, the orangutans. And the orangutans have been loving it.