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Wednesday, 22 August, 2001, 18:40 GMT 19:40 UK
Discovery returns from space station
ISS
Two plaques that flew on Mir were unveiled
The space shuttle Discovery has landed at Cape Canaveral, Florida, bringing home three astronauts who spent almost half a year aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

The US space agency Nasa postponed the landing slightly, asking the shuttle to orbit the earth one extra time so that it came in after a storm in Florida.

Earlier, the station's three former crew members said they were sad to leave the ISS but were dreaming about their favourite food when they arrived.


I think I've been in denial about this whole departure thing and I wasn't really quite ready to go

Susan Helms, US astronaut
The departure was followed on Tuesday by the launch of another Russian supply mission to the ISS.

A Russian Progress ship took off from Baikonur in Kazakhstan carrying 2.5 tons of supplies and is expected to dock with the ISS on Thursday.

Russian commander Yuri Usachev and US astronauts James Voss and Susan Helms lived on the ISS for more than five months.

"I think I've been in denial about this whole departure thing and I wasn't really quite ready to go, because I've enjoyed the tour so much on the space station," Ms Helms said on Tuesday.

Food cravings

As soon as she lands, she wants a fresh salad, she said. The former commander Mr Usachev was craving real cheese and real coffee, he said, while Mr Voss was dreaming of a hamburger and ice-cream.

As well as bringing home the second crew, the shuttle will return the Italian-built Leonardo logistics module to Earth.

Discovery left behind the new Expedition Three crew members - US commander Frank Culbertson and Russian cosmonauts Vladimir Dezhurov and Mikhail Tyurin.

The trio, who will remain at the ISS for four months, are the third crew to live on the station.

The new residents will work on 40 or more planned US and Russian experiments, until they leave in December.

Research will be conducted to look at the effect of space travel on the body, in order to better understand how certain illnesses affect the organs of patients.

 WATCH/LISTEN
 ON THIS STORY
Dr Andrew Coates, space expert
describes the final approach of Discovery
See also:

24 Jul 01 | Sci/Tech
Shuttle completes vital ISS mission
22 Apr 01 | Sci/Tech
Shuttle astronauts armed and ready
14 Mar 01 | Sci/Tech
Space station crews change over
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