Many relieved at safe return

From Mission Control to Main Street, the relief was visceral: Discovery was home.

In 2003, the nation’s heart sank at the sight of multiple contrails in the Texas sky, an unmistakable sign that space shuttle Columbia was disintegrating during re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere.

So for those closest to Discovery’s two-week “return to flight” mission – as well as those still grieving for Columbia’s crew of seven – Tuesday’s landing in California was especially nerve-racking.

Afterward, NASA launch director Mike Leinbach reminded reporters that when Discovery blasted off July 26, he said the only thing better would be landing day.

“I’m here to tell you that it really is truly better,” Leinbach said in a news conference at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where the mission began.

Compliments flowed to Discovery commander Eileen Collins for what appeared to be a silky smooth landing in the early morning darkness. It was Collins’ fourth shuttle mission and second in the commander’s seat.

NASA administrator Michael Griffin joked that he might abdicate his position in favor of Collins: “She’s better looking than I am,” he said, “and she’s a better pilot.”

In Rochester, N.Y., Collins’ 79-year-old father, James, a retired postal worker, described it as “the day of my life.”

In New York City, a cousin of astronaut Charles Camarda answered the phone at the Queens home of the Discovery crew member’s parents. At 53, Camarda was one of the oldest first-time space fliers – a late addition because he’s an expert in thermal protection.

“It’s been a beautiful morning and it’s just wonderful that they’re all safe,” said his cousin, Amelia Giampietro.

Astronaut Mark Polansky said he “couldn’t help but think a little bit about the crew of Columbia, about the families.”

“I know all of them and they would have wanted us to continue,” he said. “So I know they were all watching down and helping Discovery get back through this.”