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'Space family' savors in-orbit Thanksgiving meal
Friday, November 28, 2008 | No comments posted.
HOUSTON (AP) — Seven astronauts piled into space shuttle Endeavour for the return trip to Earth after eating Thanksgiving dinner, leaving their counterparts at the international space station like relatives parting ways from a holiday visit.
After Endeavour undocks early Friday, it was to circle the international space station so shuttle astronauts can photograph the outpost orbiting 220 miles above Earth. Endeavour then will fly 46 miles from the station for a final inspection to make sure the shuttle’s heat shield is damage-free before re-entering Earth’s atmosphere.
“I’m looking forward to the views,” said pilot Eric Boe, who will be at the shuttle’s controls.
The shuttle’s crew was set to return to Florida on Sunday after completing a 16-day mission. It delivered a huge crate of cargo to the space station, which included a new bathroom, kitchenette, two bedrooms, exercise equipment, and a system that purifies urine, sweat and condensation into drinking water. All is needed to double the space station’s population to six next year.
Endeavour astronauts also performed four spacewalks to clean and lubricate a jammed joint that rotates solar wings toward the sun to generate power.
After Endeavour undocks early Friday, it was to circle the international space station so shuttle astronauts can photograph the outpost orbiting 220 miles above Earth. Endeavour then will fly 46 miles from the station for a final inspection to make sure the shuttle’s heat shield is damage-free before re-entering Earth’s atmosphere.
“I’m looking forward to the views,” said pilot Eric Boe, who will be at the shuttle’s controls.
The shuttle’s crew was set to return to Florida on Sunday after completing a 16-day mission. It delivered a huge crate of cargo to the space station, which included a new bathroom, kitchenette, two bedrooms, exercise equipment, and a system that purifies urine, sweat and condensation into drinking water. All is needed to double the space station’s population to six next year.
Endeavour astronauts also performed four spacewalks to clean and lubricate a jammed joint that rotates solar wings toward the sun to generate power.
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