The successful STS-122 mission has ended today after the space shuttle Atlantis descended to a smooth landing at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. The STS-122 crew concluded their assembly mission to the International Space Station when the shuttle touched down at 9:07 a.m. EST.

During landing the space shuttle was under control of Commander Steve Frick and Pilot Alan Poindexter.

Atlantis flew 5.3 million miles during its mission to install the European-built Columbus laboratory at the International Space Station. The mission lasted 12 days, 18 hours, 21 minutes and 55 seconds. Main gear touchdown occured on time at 9:07:20 a.m. EST. Wheels stop occured at 9:08:08 EST.

Atlantis brought home NASA astronaut Daniel Tani, who returned to Earth aboard after almost four months on the station. He was replaced by ESA astronaut Leopold Eyharts.

Nasa wanted Atlantis back as soon as possible to clear the way for the Navy to shoot down a dying spy satellite on the verge of smashing into Earth with a load of toxic fuel. The missile could be launched as early as Wednesday night, from a warship in the Pacific.

Atlantis circled Earth 202 times during its mission, which began on February 7.