STS-118 and Endeavour are home

William Atkins
Tuesday, 21 August 2007 21:57

Science - Space

The 5.3 million mile journey of the NASA space shuttle Endeavour and its STS-118 crew has ended its mission with a landing at the Kennedy Space Center.                      

With a main-gear landing at 12:32:16 pm EDT (Tuesday, August 21, 2007) at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the STS-118 has completed its successful mission for further assembly of the International Space Station.

The thirteen-day mission actually elapsed 12 days, 17 hours, 53 minutes, and 34 seconds.

The astronauts on board the Endeavour will power down the systems of their space shuttle as it stands on the 3-mile runway.

The STS-118 astronauts spent nine days on board the International Space Station, delivering supplies, components, and supplies, while performing assembly activities for the ultimate completion of the space station.

NASA officials were correct in their analysis of the hole in the underside of Endeavour. In the end, the space shuttle safely returned from its swift and heated descent into the Earth's atmosphere. However, further research into the foam problem will continue for future missions of the shuttle fleet.

The next shuttle mission is STS-120 with space shuttle Discovery. It is scheduled for a October 23, 2007 liftoff. Additional information on the mission is found at NASA STS-120 website.