Space shuttle Endeavour landed safely on Friday at 10:48 a.m. est, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, after a 16-day mission.
The seven astronauts were able to complete their major tasks at the international space station, including installation of fresh batteries and spare parts. Other major events, included celebration of the 40th anniversary of man’s first landing on the moon, where the astronauts undertook their own space walk.
Also, returning to earth was Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata, after 4.5 months in space.
Commander Mark Polansky is expected to make a brief statement on the runway after the post-landing walk-around of the shuttle. The post-landing news conference is set for approximately 1:00 p.m. eastern time, with the crew’s news conference set to begin at about 3:15 p.m.
The astronauts return to Houston’s Ellington Field is set for Saturday afternoon.
