This view was recorded by a camera on the exterior of the space station, part of which is visible at bottom right (Image credit: NASA TV) Shuttle Endeavour backs away from the International Space Station after undocking from the outpost for one last time on during the STS-134 mission. The Sensor Test for Orion Relative Navigation Risk Mitigation, or STORRM, will test high-definition imagery and laser-based sensor technology that will be used to assist future spaceships, such as NASA's newly announced Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, in their rendezvous and docking operations at the space station and other potential destinations beyond low-Earth orbit. Since then, Endeavour has played a crucial role in the assembly of the space station, delivering sections of the backbone-like truss system, solar arrays, the node 3 Tranquility module, the Cupola observatory, and most recently, the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer.Īfter undocking from the station, Endeavour will perform two victory laps around the complex to conduct a special test that will help next-generation spacecraft dock to the International Space Station in the future. segment of the space station, the Unity node, which was connected to the Russian Zarya module. In 1998, Endeavour delivered the first U.S. It was Endeavour's 12th time at the orbiting outpost after being the first shuttle to open its hatches to the station as it was constructed. "It's very important for the American people to honor those folks over the weekend."Įndeavour's STS-134 mission was the 36th space shuttle visit to the International Space Station. "On this Memorial Day weekend, I'd also like to say, as a crew, we're thanking the veterans out there who have lost their lives in wars, especially recently in Afghanistan and Iraq," he said. troops to commemorate this weekend's holiday. We're looking forward to getting home and we're going to leave these guys to a little peace and quiet." "It's been a great number of days docked. "I just want to say, on behalf of the STS-134 crew, that we had a very successful mission working with Expedition 28," shuttle commander Mark Kelly said. The agency is bringing its 30-year space shuttle program to a close later this year to focus on exploration missions to an asteroid and Mars. (Image credit: NASA)Įndeavour's 16-day mission is the 25th and final flight for NASA's youngest shuttle. Parts of the International Space Station and docked shuttle Endeavour are featured in this image photographed by NASA astronaut Mike Fincke using a fish-eye lens attached to an electronic still camera, during the STS-134 mission's fourth and last spacewalk - the last EVA ever to be performed by a NASA shuttle crew on May 27, 2011. " to see the shuttle crew visiting here when we were working, and I'm happy that the crew has completed the task and I'm glad that they enjoyed staying and working with us as well," Borisenko said in Russian.
Russian cosmonaut and station commander Andrey Borisenko also thanked the shuttle crew and wished them well on the last leg of their flight.
On behalf of Expedition 27, Expedition 28, we want to thank you for leaving the space station ready for its continued utilization, for at least the next decade. "We were just in awe of the finely oiled machine that was STS-134. "It was really great seeing you guys," Garan told Endeavour's crew before the hatches were closed between the station and the shuttle. The fourth and final spacewalk of the mission was also the last one ever conducted by members of a shuttle crew. Four spacewalks were performed to upgrade the orbiting laboratory. On its final mission, the orbiter delivered a $2 billion astrophysics experiment, called the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, and a host of extra supplies to the station.