Endeavour returns home

For 2:15 p.m. EDT Wednesday, May 9

Shuttle Endeavour completed mission STS-100 today by returning to the Kennedy Space Center with the help of a NASA 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft.

The breathtaking sight of an orbiter bolted to the back of a Boeing jumbo jet was seen by thousands along the Atlantic beaches here on Florida's Space Coast as the NASA pilots made a low pass before landing.

The carrier jet's wheels touched down about 2:10 p.m. EDT, eight days after Endeavour had returned to Earth by landing in California when weather here was unacceptable.

NASA's newest orbiter spent the week at Edwards Air Force Base as workers prepared Endeavour for the ferry flight home.

The cross-country journey began Tuesday, with a one-night stop at Little Rock, Arkansas.

Endeavour's next mission is expected in November.

-- Jim Banke, Senior Producer in the Cape Canaveral Bureau

Previous Mission Updates