Space shuttle Atlantis lands back on Earth
The shuttle Atlantis landed back on Earth, capping a mission to the International Space Station and bringing NASA's small fleet of winged spaceships closer to looming retirement.
The space shuttle Atlantis undocked from the international space station early Monday for its journey back to Earth, ending a nearly nine-day visit to deliver, install and activate Europe's new orbital laboratory.Pilot Alan Poindexter gently backed the shuttle away from the station and guided the ship through a full lap around the orbiting outpost, primarily so crew members could take pictures of the station's new configuration.