Landing of Space Shuttle Discovery/STS-116 delayed

18 December 2006

Christer Fuglesang during the EVA on 14 December 2006

The return to Earth of Space Shuttle Discovery/STS-116, originally intended for 21 December 2006 at 21:36 CET has been delayed by one day to 22 December at 21:55 CET. The reason is that there will be a further Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA) which will resolve the problem with the jammed solar panel.

On the return flight, German ESA astronaut Thomas Reiter will return to Earth, concluding his six month stay as a member of Expeditions 13 and 14 aboard the ISS.

Contact

Andreas Schütz
German Aerospace Center (DLR), Corporate Communications, Spokesman
Tel.: +49 2203 601-2474
Mobile: +49 171 3126466
Fax: +49 2203 601-3249

Dr. Niklas Reinke
Corporate Communications
Tel.: +49 228 447-394
Mobile: +49 174 1955114
Fax: +49 228 447-386

Dr. Volker Sobick
German Aerospace Center
Space Administration, Human Spaceflight, ISS and Exploration
Tel.: +49 228 447-495
Fax: +49 228 447-737