Space Shuttle Atlantis Landing Ends 13 Day Journey

NASA ordered Atlantis to return home after the Navy announced plans to shoot down a spy satellite before it hits Earth loaded with toxic fuel. A missile will be launched from a warship in the Pacific Ocean as early as tonight. Pentagon officials say bad weather at sea may put the missile launch off until Thursday.

Atlantis’ landing marked the end of a 5 million mile journey. Commander Stephen Frick said he and the crew were glad to be back on Earth. “We’re extremely happy to be home,” Frick said.

The crew’s families and space program managers gathered at the landing site to greet them. Atlantis will head to space at the end of August to tune the Hubble Space Telescope.

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