The space shuttle Discovery on Monday undocked from the U.S. segment of the International Space Station (ISS), a statement on NASA's website said.
NASA planned to undock Discovery on Sunday, but was extended 24 hours in order to give extra time to unpack and equip the Permanent Multipurpose Module and to load waste into the HTV-2 cargo vessel that is to undock at the end of March.
Discovery's final mission before being retired lasted 12 days and delivered a human-like robot, Robonaut 2, to the ISS. Robonaut 2 was designed by General Motors and NASA.
Discovery has made a total of 39 missions to the ISS. It will be placed on display in a U.S. museum after returning to Earth.
The two last remaining U.S. shuttles, Endeavor and Atlantis, will make their final flights this year on April 19 and June 28, respectively.
MOSCOW, March 7 (RIA Novosti)
