Sun, 24 May 2009 18:03:50 GMT

This concludes today's live landing coverage. Thanks for joining us.

For the latest updates on the conclusion of mission STS-125 and the preparations already under way for STS-127's launch that is targeted for next month, visit www.nasa.gov/shuttle.

Sun, 24 May 2009 17:58:42 GMT

After looking over Atlantis, the astronauts posed briefly for photos on the runway. On behalf of his crew, Commander Scott Altman thanked all the teams, including those at Edwards, for their hard work in making the final Hubble servicing mission a success and bringing them safely home again.

With a final wave, the crew boarded the Astrovan to head back to quarters for a few additional medical tests. After that, they will prepare to return to their home base in Houston.

When the teams finish their work on Atlantis, it will be flown back to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida atop a modified 747.

Atlantis' next flight is the STS-129 mission, which is targeted for launch in November.

Sun, 24 May 2009 17:38:44 GMT

The STS-125 astronauts have exited the crew transport vehicle and are walking around Atlantis, checking out the vehicle that carried them on their 5.3-million mile journey to service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope.

Sun, 24 May 2009 17:07:01 GMT

All seven crew members have left the shuttle and are inside the crew transport vehicle undergoing routine medical checkups. Once the checkups are finished, the crew will have a chance to take the traditional walk around the shuttle as it sits on the runway before departing the runway.

Sun, 24 May 2009 16:39:01 GMT

During the STS-125 mission, Atlantis traveled more than 5.3 million miles during its almost 13 days in space. This was the 126th space shuttle mission and the 30th flight for Atlantis. Today's landing is the 53rd at Edwards.

Sun, 24 May 2009 16:10:09 GMT

Main gear touchdown occurred at 11:39:05 a.m., followed by nose gear touchdown at 11:39:15 a.m. and wheelstop at 11:40:15 a.m.

Main gear touchdown took place at 12 days, 21 hours, 37 minutes and 9 seconds into the flight, followed by nose gear touchdown at 12 days, 21 hours, 37 minutes and 19 seconds and wheelstop at 12 days, 21 hours, 38 minutes and 19 seconds.

Sun, 24 May 2009 16:00:30 GMT

Technicians are conducting their normal evaluation of Atlantis' exterior before allowing the entire convoy to move in. The team uses equipment to check for signs of abnormal chemical buildup around the shuttle.

Sun, 24 May 2009 15:51:48 GMT

Inside Atlantis, the astronauts are completing their post-landing checklist.

Sun, 24 May 2009 15:42:38 GMT

Upon landing, Commander Scott Altman told mission control that the mission had been "a thrill from start to finish."

Sun, 24 May 2009 15:39:58 GMT

Atlantis' landing gear is down and locked at 14 seconds to touchdown …main gear touchdown... nose gear touchdown! Atlantis and crew are home after a triumphant mission to service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. The shuttle is rolling down Runway 22 at Edwards, reflecting the bright California sunshine… and Atlantis' wheels have stopped.

Welcome home!

Sun, 24 May 2009 15:38:19 GMT

Two minutes to touchdown.

Sun, 24 May 2009 15:35:59 GMT

The shuttle's signature twin sonic booms just sounded, heralding Atlantis' approach. Stand by for touchdown.

Sun, 24 May 2009 15:31:40 GMT

As the shuttle glides toward landing, it approaches the "heading alignment circle," where Commander Scott Altman will guide Atlantis on a wide left turn to align with Runway 22 at Edwards. Today's landing is from the northeast to southwest.

Sun, 24 May 2009 15:29:09 GMT

Ten minutes to touchdown.

Sun, 24 May 2009 15:24:58 GMT

Fifteen minutes until touchdown.

Sun, 24 May 2009 15:16:58 GMT

Nearing the landing site, the commander (not the pilot) takes control and steers the shuttle into alignment with the centerline of the runway.

Sun, 24 May 2009 15:15:45 GMT

Atlantis is just to the northwest of the Hawaiian Islands as it makes its descent toward California.

Sun, 24 May 2009 15:14:06 GMT

The orbiter is rolling to the left in the first of four steep banking maneuvers. This series of rolls helps bleed off excess energy and slow the shuttle's speed. The atmospheric pressure is growing around Atlantis and its aerosurfaces are taking over control of the vehicle.

Sun, 24 May 2009 15:09:46 GMT

Now at about 399,000 feet, Atlantis is beginning to encounter the effects of the atmosphere, a point called "entry interface." Flying at about 16,000 mph, the orbiter is angled upward with wings level. The shuttle is set to touch down in a little more than 30 minutes, and is approximately 4,890 miles from Edwards.

Sun, 24 May 2009 14:49:43 GMT

The last space shuttle mission to end at Edwards was STS-126 on Nov. 30, 2008. That mission was commanded by astronaut Chris Ferguson. Today, Ferguson flew the Shuttle Training Aircraft as he monitored the weather conditions at Edwards.

Sun, 24 May 2009 14:42:23 GMT

When the space shuttle lands at Edwards Air Force Base in California, it is ferried back to Florida aboard one of two shuttle carrier aircraft, which are modified Boeing 747s.

Sun, 24 May 2009 14:32:32 GMT

At just over one hour away from its homecoming, Atlantis is returning to a nose-forward, wings-level position.

Sun, 24 May 2009 14:29:28 GMT

The burn has been completed, heading Atlantis toward touchdown at Edwards at 11:39 a.m.

Sun, 24 May 2009 14:25:45 GMT

Atlantis' two orbital maneuvering system engines are slowing the vehicle to start its descent through Earth's atmosphere. Each engine produces 6,000 pounds of thrust. The burn will last for 2 minutes and 36 seconds.

Sun, 24 May 2009 14:17:30 GMT

Standing by for the start-up of the first of Atlantis' three auxiliary power units. These units provide hydraulic power to move the orbiter's aerosurfaces, such as the wing flaps and tail rudder. The remaining two units will be started following the deorbit burn.

Sun, 24 May 2009 14:13:27 GMT

The STS-125 astronauts are maneuvering Atlantis to the deorbit burn position, where the shuttle turns tail-first. This allows the maneuvering system engines located on "pods" at the rear of the shuttle to fire in the direction Atlantis is traveling, acting as a braking system. The burn will begin at 10:24 a.m., setting them on a course for touchdown at Edwards Air Force Base in California at 11:39 a.m.

Sun, 24 May 2009 14:09:55 GMT

Mission control at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston just gave the astronauts aboard Atlantis a "go" for the deorbit burn on orbit 197, putting them on course for a 11:39 a.m. touchdown in California. This firing of the two orbital maneuvering system engines will slow the shuttle enough to begin the glide back to Earth.

Sun, 24 May 2009 14:06:40 GMT

Mission control has decided a Florida landing today is a "no go" due to weather around the landing site but they will continue to target the landing at Edwards on the 197th orbit, putting touchdown in California at 11:39 a.m. Deorbit burn would come at 10:24 a.m.

Sun, 24 May 2009 14:00:38 GMT

Veteran astronaut Scott Altman is the commander of this final space shuttle mission to Hubble, with Gregory C. Johnson serving as pilot. Mission specialists are Megan McArthur and spacewalkers John Grunsfeld, Mike Massimino, Andrew Feustel and Michael Good. The crew conducted five spacewalks on consecutive days during the mission.

Sun, 24 May 2009 13:44:53 GMT

Since the Edwards landing opportunity on orbit 197 comes first, mission control will make the call on that landing about 15 minutes before the deorbit burn would occur, which means we should know that decision by approximately 10:09 a.m.

Sun, 24 May 2009 13:34:50 GMT

The shuttle landing site must be chosen approximately 90 minutes prior to touchdown.

Sun, 24 May 2009 13:26:36 GMT

Mission control in Houston continues to keep both options open for landing in either Florida or California on the 197th orbit. The deorbit burn for Edwards would come first at 10:24 a.m., with the deorbit burn setting up for Kennedy at 10:41 a.m.

Sun, 24 May 2009 12:55:11 GMT

On their 197th orbit, space shuttle Atlantis and crew can land at either NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 11:48 a.m. or in California at Edwards Air Force Base at 11:39 a.m. Weather at the landing site in California is being monitored by astronaut Chris Ferguson flying one of the Shuttle Training Aircraft, just as astronaut Steve Lindsey has been doing at Kennedy.

Sun, 24 May 2009 12:44:20 GMT

Landing preparations aboard space shuttle Atlantis got under way this morning as the crew closed the shuttle's 60-foot-long payload bay doors.

Since then, the crew members climbed into their orange launch-and-entry suits and began a modified "fluid loading" by drinking large quantities of fluid to help their bodies readjust to Earth's gravity.

Sun, 24 May 2009 12:31:45 GMT

Good morning, and thanks for joining NASA's Landing Blog.

Weather is still the issue of the day. Mission control in Houston will continue to monitor the weather in Florida, but have decided to wave off the first landing attempt there.


There are multiple landing opportunities Sunday at Kennedy, Edwards, or White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico. The Kennedy news center will open for landing activities. For recorded updated information about landing and news center hours, call 321-867-2525.

- courtesy of NASA