The world’s most-traveled spacecraft is heading for retirement. The space shuttle Discovery ended its final flight with a safe landing at the Kennedy Space Center after 39 missions spanning 27 years. NASA’s two remaining space shuttles are scheduled for their final missions in April and June. After that, American astronauts will ride on Russian spacecraft to reach the International Space Station. Source Link
Talks continue with another countdown to a contract deadline for the National Football League and its player’s union. A one-week extension of the current agreement ends Friday. Players continue to take a hard line on economic issues, while owners refuse to completely open their books, and fans watch to see if an impasse leads to a player lockout that could threaten the 2011 season. Source Link
America’s “heartland” is drifting out of the Midwest as the nation’s population shifts westward. The latest Census figures show the West is now home to the nation’s fastest-growing states. The geographic center of the country’s population is beginning to move out of Missouri as places like Arizona, Utah and Texas grow to tip the balance westward. Source Link
