Scientists back on Earth used the long voyage to calibrate instruments and practice operating them.

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"This is standard operating practice for any governmental or political office at any level of government, and anyone who has worked in one, knows that, " he said.

WSJ: Cuomo Staff Penned Praises for the Boss

In fact, apologizing has become such a standard operating practice among Silicon Valley's chief executives that public relations gurus have developed some "best practices" for all that begging and scraping.

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