Shuttle back to home sweet home

(Kennedy Space Center-AP) -- The commander of the just-completed shuttle mission says it wasn't easy getting all the work done on the international space station in just six days.<br><br>But James

Monday, May 29th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Kennedy Space Center-AP) -- The commander of the just-completed shuttle mission says it wasn't easy getting all the work done on the international space station in just six days.

But James Halsell says the Atlantis mission was a "resounding success."

The astronauts took a close look at the outside of Atlantis when they got home today -- and they say it seems O-K.

The thermal tiles under the wings were scratched and dented on takeoff, but Halsell says the damage is "nothing extraordinary."

NASA thinks it most likely came from ice that formed on the super-cold liquid fuel in the external tanks.

Crew members pushed the space station higher in orbit, did some repairs and dropped off supplies that future residents will need.