Shuttle Discovery departed the immediate vicinity of the International Space Station after an unusual undocking that called for some uncanny piloting.
Pilot George Zamka, a rookie astronaut, was at the controls when Discovery backed away from the station and lost trajectory data that normally helps guide the shuttle.
Nonetheless, Zamka backed the winged spaceship away from the outpost and then flew a graceful lap-and-a-quarter around the growing complex before firing thrusters in a final separation burn.
"Discovery, Alpha on The Big Loop," station flight engineer Dan Tani said over ship-to-ship radio. "Zambo, great job, buddy. Great job flying. Very cool to see you out there."
"And Bo-Ichi, thanks very much. We're going to miss you, but we know you're going to have a great time up there with Peggy and Yuri, and have a great expedition, and we'll see you on the ground," Zamka replied.
"Roger that. And the whole crew of Discovery -- fly safe. Get home safe. I'll see you on the ground, and thanks not only for the great ride up, but the great year-and-a-half together, and I owe you one."
"Just one?"
Tani flew up to the station aboard Discovery and is scheduled to fly back to Earth aboard Atlantis in December. He joined outpost commander Peggy Whitson and Russian flight engineer Yuri Malenchenko on the sixteen expedition to the station.
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