August 21, 2007

Starchild Caldwell returns home
Cal State Fullerton grad finishes her first mission in space.
By GARY ROBBINS
The Orange County Register

Tracy Caldwell, the Cal State Fullerton graduate who spent much of her childhood wondering what it would be like to explore space, is back on Earth today after fulfilling her dream.

Caldwell spent almost two weeks in orbit aboard space shuttle Endeavour, which docked with the International Space Station during a successful construction mission.

Endeavour landed at Kennedy Space Center today, with Caldwell strapped tightly into her seat on the orbiter's mid-deck.

Caldwell had a busy mission, doing everything from coordinating space walks to helping add a beam to space station to inspecting Endeavour's heat shield for damage. She also turned 38 during her time in space; she was the only member of the seven-person crew under 40.

This photo gallery captures a bit of what she experienced.