Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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November 30, 2008

Shuttle Endeavour to Land After Space Station Mission
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NASA officials at Mission Control say they are watching weather patterns
in Florida to see when the shuttle Endeavour can safely return to Earth 
Space Shuttle Endeavour is preparing to land after an 11-day mission to
the International Space Station. VOA's Brian Wagner reports that
officials are trying to schedule the landing Sunday to avoid high winds
and rain showers in Florida. Clouds move in behind the Vehicle Assembly
building as unfavorable weather prevented space shuttle Endeavour from
landing at its home base at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral,
Fla., 30 Nov. 2008NASA officials at Mission Control say they are
watching weather patterns in Florida to see when the shuttle Endeavour
can safely return to Earth.  "The first opportunity for landing at
Kennedy Space Center was waved off earlier due to forecasts that showed
cross winds out of limits for Endeavour's return, in addition to
thunderstorms and rain within the area." Officials say weather may
continue to pose a problem for a second opportunity in Florida. If not,
weather conditions are good at the back-up landing site at Edwards Air
Force Base in California. The Endeavour crew was on a 16-day mission to
space, which included delivering new supplies and equipment to expand
the facilities on board the International Space Station. The additions
of a new bathroom, kitchen and sleeping quarters will enable officials
to double the size of the space station crew from three to six by next
year. The station also received a new recycling device that converts
urine and sweat into pure water for astronauts to drink while living at
the station. In this photo released by NASA, the 7 Endeavour astronauts
and 3 Expedition 18 crew members share a Thanksgiving meal on the
middeck of the orbiter, 27 Nov 2008Astronauts conducted four space walks
during the mission, to install new equipment to the station and repair a
joint on a solar panel. Astronaut Gregory Chamitoff will be returning to
Earth aboard Endeavor, after living in space for six months. He is
replaced at the station by Sandra Magnus. Saturday, astronauts flew
around the station to allow officials to inspect the shuttle for
possible damage to the s
hip's heat shield. The maneuver has become standard procedure since the
shuttle Columbia broke apart during reentry in 2003 because of damage to
its heat shield. The next shuttle mission is set for February, when
Discovery is to deliver additional equipment to the space station.  

 

 


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