Mission: STS-126, 27th station flight (ULF2)
Orbiter: Endeavour (OV-105)
Mission Number: Shuttle flight No. 125
Launch Date: Nov 14, 2008, 19:55 EST/00:55 UT
Launch Pad: 39A map  weather
Docking: Nov 16, 17:01 EST/22:01 UT
Mission Elapsed Time: 15 days, 20 hrs, 30 mins, 34 secs
[Chamitoff spent 183 days in space, 179 aboard the ISS, where Magnus remains]
EVAs: 4
Landing Site: Edwards Air Force Base, California
Landing: November 30, 2008:
main landing gear touchdown: 15:25:06 CST
nose gear: 15:25:21 CST
wheels stop: 15:26:03
Distance Traveled: 6,615,109 miles
Inclination/Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
Primary Payload: Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM)
Crew: Mission Commander: Christopher J. Ferguson; Pilot: Eric A. Boe; Mission Specialists: Stephen G. Bowen, Donald R. Petit, Robert S. Kimbrough, Heidemarie M. Stefanyshyn-Piper, launch: Sandra H. Magnus (Flight Engineer, NASA science officer, Expedition 17, 18), landing: Gregory Chamitoff (Expedition 17 Flight Engineer) Crew portrait
Contingency Shuttle Crew Support Mission: STS-319 (Rescue STS-126) - Discovery (OV-103).
Video: Windows Media Player .wmv format
STS-126 launches 2.07 MB
STS-126 ready for launch on Pad 39A 1.57 MB
Crew walks out to Astrovan 2.36 MB

4 p.m. CST Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008
Mission Control Center, Houston, Texas

STS-126 Mission Control Center Status Report #33

The seven member crew of Endeavour returned to Earth today, landing at Edwards Air Force Base in California.

Mission managers waived landing at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida this morning, the shuttle's primary landing site. Thunderstorms and strong winds prevented Endeavour from attempting either of the two opportunities for Kennedy, and the shuttle was diverted to Edwards.

Endeavour's main landing gear touched down at 3:25:06 p.m., followed by the nose gear at 3:25:21 p.m. CST. The shuttle's wheels stopped at 3:26:03 p.m., bringing the mission's elapsed time to 15 days, 20 hours, 30 minutes, 34 seconds. Endeavour traveled 6,615,109 miles during its journey.

Endeavour Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot Eric Boe and Mission Specialists Don Pettit, Steve Bowen, Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper, Shane Kimbrough and Greg Chamitoff spent the morning preparing for today's deorbit burn and landing. Chamitoff is returning after serving aboard the International Space Station as a flight engineer for the past six months. Chamitoff spent 183 days in space, 179 aboard the station.

Endeavour's mission delivered and installed equipment critical to allow the station's crew to double in size to six persons next year. The new gear includes a water recovery system, which will allow urine and other condensate to be purified and converted into water for the crew's use. Endeavour returned with samples of the processed water for experts in Houston to analyze before it is approved for use by the crew.

Endeavour's astronauts also repaired and serviced crucial rotating joints for the station's giant solar arrays. During four spacewalks, the astronauts lubricated and cleaned the joints that allow the arrays to automatically track the Sun.

Endeavour will be mated to the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft this week and be flown back to the Kennedy Space Center to be prepared for its next launch.

Image credits:
Top row: 1. NASA/ Tony Landis, EAFB; 2. NASA/ Tom Tschida, EAFB; 3. NASA/Carla Thomas, EAFB.
Second row: 1. NASA/ Tom Tschida, EAFB; 2. & 3. NASA/Tony Landis, EAFB.
Third row: 1. & 2. NASA/Tom Tschida, VAFB; 3. NASA/Tony Landis.
Fourth row: 1. 2. & 3. NASA/Tony Landis, VAFB.

STS-126 Mission Coverage

- courtesy of NASA