US shuttle Endeavour heads home after record mission

0 Comments | AFP, March, 2008

WASHINGTON (AFP) — The US space shuttle Endeavour began its trek home to Earth Monday after a record five successful spacewalks and 12 days at the International Space Station where astronauts installed Japan's maiden ISS laboratory.

With the installation Japan gained a foothold on the orbital outpost alongside the United States, Russia and Europe, whose laboratory Columbus was delivered to the station in February.

"Endeavour, we have physical separation" of the two crafts, a NASA official said on a live US space agency broadcast of the undocking that took place some 211 miles (340 kilometers) above the Indian Ocean.

Departure of the shuttle and its seven-member crew was delayed 29 minutes to 8:25 pm EDT (0025 GMT Tuesday) following "minor tweaking" to a...