Shuttle Atlantis Returns to Earth...

In a relatively unheralded return to earth last week, the space shuttle Atlantis and crew made a thrilling and risky - but safe - return to earth following the shuttle's trip to space and the international space station.

It's relatively rare to see first-hand, close-up pictures of the space shuttle, but I was able to obtain some pictures and the following story from a friend of a friend of a friend... (you get the idea).

Here's what this "friend" had to say about the shuttle's landing at Edwards Air Force Base:

"Living here at Edwards AFB gave our family the opportunity to see the Space Shuttle come in from space. Several people have been fascinated by our experience, so I thought I would share it with all.

Thursday night we watched as the shuttle trailed behind the space station in the night sky in preparation for its return to earth. I am on the medical response team here at Edwards, so we met early Monday morning to prepare for a possible return to Edwards.

Happily, we got tagged this time. From the time of decision until the shuttle lands on the ground is about 90 minutes or so. We spotted the shuttle about 2 and a half to 3 minutes before it landed - while it was still at about 30,000 feet. 30 seconds later we heard the characteristic sonic boom.

My admiration skyrocketed for the pilots of the shuttles. Without any engines they glide the shuttle from space where it is flying at tens of thousands of miles per hour onto a little runway on earth and land it on a dime."