CHINA> Top pic
Space shuttle Endeavour finishes 16-day mission
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-12-01 08:19

The US space shuttle Endeavour touches 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]

The space station additions, and a few more scheduled to go up on the next shuttle flight in February, should enable NASA to double the size of the space station crew by June.

On Sunday, NASA ordered the detour to California after dangerously high wind and a stormy sky prevented a Florida landing.

"Welcome back. That was a great way to finish a fantastic flight," Mission Control radioed.

"And we're happy to be here in California," shuttle commander Christopher Ferguson replied.

Congratulations also came down from the space station. "Wow," said skipper Mike Fincke, who watched the landing broadcast live.