undocking

Managers have extended the mission by two days — to 16 days — to compensate for the lost time because of the Soyuz undocking.

NASA sets shuttle launch for May 16 2011

If the Endeavour is unable to launch by then, the mission will be delayed until May 9th or 10th so it does not conflict with other missions, including the launch of the Atlas V, a commercial rocket launching from Cape Canaveral, and the undocking of the Soyuz, Mike Moses, the chairman of the shuttle's mission management team.

NASA abruptly cancels shuttle launch; Monday liftoff planned 2011

Experts wanted to wait until after the shuttle's undocking, before deciding whether the complex needed to move out of harm's way.

Discovery leaves space station for the last time 2011

Then test of rendevous and docking with a Shenzhou-8; an orbital boost check, undocking and return.

China Space Update - NASA Watch 2009

Immediately after undocking, Discovery performed a victory lap around the orbiting outpost, where it spent the past nine days.

Discovery leaves space station for the last time 2011

But the Soyuz won't be able to immediately return to its port if there is trouble sealing the hatch, which normally is closed prior to undocking.

Soyuz undocking could be shuttle photo opp 2011

"It gives us two extra days of six people, which is a lot of crew time to get all that stuff or some of it done, before they leave and then it just helps maximize our time post undocking for things like science and other activities we have to perform on board the Space Station on a daily basis," said Kelly.

Discovery's Last Mission Extended by Two Days 2011

"It gives us two extra days of six people, which is a lot of crew time to get all that stuff or some of it done, before they leave and then it just helps maximize our time post undocking for things like science and other activities we have to perform on board the Space Station on a daily basis," said Kelly.

Discovery's Last Mission Extended by Two Days 2011

The journey was replete with nostalgic moments: the final use of the shuttle's robotic arm, the final undocking from the space station, the final satellite launched into orbit.

Touchdown Brings Shuttle Era to a Close Arian Campo-Flores 2011

This has very little to do with X-38 that used an airbag/parachute in lieu of a landing gear because the X-24 tests showed a very high stall speed making airplanelike nearly suicidal, not to mention its propulsion system could only do emergency undocking from ISS and de-orbiting.

Buzz Aldrin's One Page Powerpoint Plan - NASA Watch 2009