Discovery update

Discovery docked with the International Space station yesterday. Prior to docking, shuttle commander Steve Lindsey performed the much-anticipated back-flip maneuver so that the crew aboard the Space Station could take pictures of the shuttle to check for any external damage. Discovery is dropping off supplies, and doing some work on the expansion of the International Space Station. They will be doing two different space walks while up there, in an effort to also test the mechanical arm that extends from the shuttle as well. Discovery will also drop off German astronaut Thomas Reiter for his six-month stay aboard the space station. This is the first time that a crew of three is aboard the space station in three years, and the first time ever that the crew consists of a Russian, an American, and a European. The Discovery crew will spend a week on the space station.