Krikalev and Gidzenko will return to Russia about eight days later while Shepherd will continue his rehabilitation at his home in Houston. Hatch closing marked the official start of the Expedition Two crew's stay aboard the station. The passage of responsibility for mission, welfare of crew and integrity of vessel from one individual to another. Space station Alpha has been commissioned in orbit, the service module has been activated, the power element and laboratory module have been brought aboard. A successful resupply mission with Discovery and her crew is complete.
Station is at normal condition, all systems functional and ready to carry out operations.
We are not the first crew to board Alpha nor the last to depart. But we have made Alpha come alive. We gave her a name and put substance to the idea that our crews can work together as equals and our countries as partners, that we may proceed with bolder and more enterprising voyages in space with benefits from our differences and with a stronger purpose in our common goals. May the good will, spirit and sense of mission we have enjoyed on board endure. Sail her well.