The Atlantis space shuttle has successfully undocked from the international space station and is on its way to the earth.

The STS-129 mission has delivered two external logistics carriers carrying 27,250lb of spares to the space station, which were attached to the station during the spacewalks.

During the mission the astronauts conducted three spacewalks that included installing space-to-ground antenna on the Destiny laboratory, working on the Columbus laboratory.

Robotic work to transfer spares and a rewiring project in preparation for the next STS-130 mission was also completed.

Atlantis’ flight control system, the flaps and rudders that will guide it through the atmosphere have been tested and thruster jets that control its orientation in space and during early re-entry have been test fired.