Space shuttle Endeavour finishes 16-day mission

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-12-01 08:19

The US space shuttle Endeavour deploys a parachute after touching down at Edwards Air Force Base in California November 30, 2008. The orbiter touched down at Edwards Air Force Base after being diverted from NASA's Kennedy Space Center due to weather concerns. [Agencies]

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, California -- Space shuttle Endeavour and its seven astronauts safely returned to Earth on Sunday, taking a detour to sunny California after storms hit the main landing strip in Florida.

Endeavour wrapped up a 16-day trip that left the international space station freshly remodeled and capable of housing bigger crews. The shuttle dropped off all kinds of home improvement equipment, including a new bathroom, kitchenette, exercise machine, two sleeping quarters and a recycling system designed to convert astronauts' urine and sweat into drinking water.

But the mission wasn't without its problems. Astronaut Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper let go of a $100,000 tool bag during the first spacewalk, muttering "Oh, great" as it floated away.

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