Every space mission has its stars and Discovery's stars were Robinson and Noguchi, the American and Japanese astronauts who walked in space for more than 20 hours to conduct essential repairs. The astronauts removed two worrisome pieces of material from the shuttle's belly.

It was the first time an astronaut has ever ventured below the shuttle. NASA feared the tiles that fell off during the launch could cause the shuttle to overheat during descent and lead to another Columbia-like disaster.

Discovery Commander Eileen Collins, pilot James Kelly and astronauts Soichi Noguchi and Steve Robinson at a press conference at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards Air Force Base, California, August 9, hours after the shuttle landed safely.

Photograph: Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images

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