man. finally this half hour, the end of an amazing 27-year career. we're talking about the shuttle "discovery," which touched down wednesday for its last time. >> this is the world's most flown spaceship and it will now be retired. it will spend the rest of its days at the smithsonian. kevin oliver has more on the end of an era. >> down and locked. >> reporter: you might see "discovery" again but never like this. never again will it fly on its own. nasa's oldest shuttle touched down, ending its 39th and final mission. >> to the ship that has led the way time and time again, we say farewell, "discovery." >> reporter: the shuttle commander, steven lindsey, was the last to climb out. >> as the minutes passed i'm getting -- actually getting sadder and sadder about this being the last flight. >> reporter: shuttle manager said "discovery" came back with fewer problems than on any previous mission in its 27-year history, despite a shrinking work force and looming layoffs