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Shuttle Prepares to Quit Station

Endeavour crew about to zoom home after record mission

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 24, 2008 6:19 AM CDT
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(Newser) – The crew of shuttle Endeavour prepared to undock from the International Space Station today after a leisurely Easter Sunday spent off-loading cargo, enjoying a holiday meal, and talking to family back home. The shuttle commander compared the flurry of work to wrap up the record-setting mission to March Madness: "It's wonderful to be in the tournament. We've won five games," said Dom Gorie, referring to the crew's five spacewalks.

The spacecraft is scheduled back on the home planet Wednesday, ending a 16-day trip in the longest shuttle mission ever to the space station. The primary purpose was to install the first piece of a Japanese science lab and Dextre, a Canadian robotic device. American Garrett Reisman will stay behind at the space station until June.

Mission specialist Garrett Reisman during a space walk in the payload bay of space shuttle Endeavour.
Mission specialist Garrett Reisman during a space walk in the payload bay of space shuttle Endeavour.
This image provided by NASA on Friday, March 14, 2008 shows a low angle view of the nose and underside of Endeavour's crew cabin.
This image provided by NASA on Friday, March 14, 2008 shows a low angle view of the nose and underside of Endeavour's crew cabin.   (AP Photo/NASA)
Astronaut Michael Foreman, free floating at left working outside the international space station with astronaut Richard Linnehan. The 16-day mission is scheduled to end Wednesday.
Astronaut Michael Foreman, free floating at left working outside the international space station with astronaut Richard Linnehan. The 16-day mission is scheduled to end Wednesday.
Space Shuttle Endeavour approaches the International Space Station.
Space Shuttle Endeavour approaches the International Space Station.
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Endeavour astronauts stash pole
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Shuttle crew prepares to leave station
Scientific American

Easy Easter for astros
Lowell Observatory

 
NASA • space shuttle • Kennedy Space Center • International Space Station • Endeavour • heat shield • Dextre • Garrett Reisman • science lab • robot device • space program

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