Space shuttle Discovery docks with ISS for final time

Moscow, Feb 27 (IANS/RIA Novosti) “What took you guys so long?” the commander of the International Space Station (ISS) asked the crew of US space shuttle Discovery, after it successfully docked at the ISS for its 13th and final mission.

Discovery Commander Steve Lindsey performed the manoeuvre at 2.14 p.m., while the two spacecraft were orbiting above Australia, the NASA said Saturday.

After this mission, the shuttle will be retired and placed in a museum.

Discovery has flown 38 missions to date - more than any other shuttle - and made more than 5,600 trips around the earth.

The shuttle should have arrived in November last year, but was grounded by fuel tank cracks. It finally blasted off Feb 24.

–IANS/RIA Novosti