Bill Nelson: “Today, September 21, 2006, marked the successful conclusion of the STS-115 Space Shuttle Atlantis mission with its safe…”

“Today, September 21, 2006, marked the successful conclusion of the STS-115 Space Shuttle Atlantis mission with its safe landing at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This 12-day mission was the 116th shuttle mission and the 19th to visit the International Space Station. STS-115 marked the resumption of International Space Station construction for the first time since 2002. The Atlantis crew delivered and installed a large space station truss segment, two solar arrays and associated equipment, significantly increasing the electrical power generation capability on the space station. STS-115 included three critical spacewalks to install the truss and solar panels, laying the groundwork for the future doubling in size of the space station. I applaud the skill, bravery, and accomplishments of the STS-115 crew--Commander Brent Jett, pilot Christopher Ferguson, and space walking mission specialists Daniel Burbank, Steven MacLean, Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper, and Joseph Tanner. This successful mission is a testament to the thousands of people who work on the Space Shuttle and Space Station Programs.”