Space Shuttle Discovery Undocks For Last Time

The space shuttle Discovery is seen with earth in the background.

The U.S. space shuttle Discovery, the world's most traveled spaceship, has undocked from the International Space Station for the last time.

Discovery departed from the space station, wrapping up a nine-day mission there on its final flight.

The space shuttle is due back on earth March 9, when it will be retired and sent to a museum.

NASA's two other operational shuttles -- Endeavour and Atlantis -- will join Discovery in retirement, following their final missions planned for April and June.

NASA is retiring the fleet after 30 years of service due to high operating expenses and to develop new spacecraft.

compiled from agency reports