Space shuttle Discovery returned to Earth yesterday after a 15-day, 6.2-million-mile trip to the International Space Station (ISS).

During three space walks, the crew installed an ammonia storage tank for the ISS’s cooling system, replaced the navigation systems gyroscope and retrieved a Japanese experiment for examination on Earth.

STS-131 also delivered science racks, new crew sleeping quarters along with additional 7t of equipment and supplies.

It was the 38th mission for Discovery and the 33rd to the ISS.

Only three space shuttle missions remain, after which, the iconic vehicle will be retired.

STS-132 will deliver the last modules to the ISS, which itself is due to retire in 2020, while the STS-133 will deliver the last delivery of spares.

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The final space shuttle, STS-134, is scheduled to deliver the alpha magnetic spectrometer, which detects cosmic rays.