The shuttle is returning to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida after a two-week mission to add new components to the International Space Station. NASA officials say space debris left a small crack in one of Endeavour's cockpit windows, but insist it poses no threat to the crew during re-entry.

Endeavour's seven-member crew delivered the first part of Japan's three-piece Kibo laboratory, as well as a Canadian-built robot designed to perform external maintenance tasks on the orbital outpost.

A total of five spacewalks were conducted during the mission, including one that involved testing a new method for repairing damaged shuttle heat shield tiles.

Endeavour is also bringing back French astronaut Leopold Eyharts, who spent one and one-half months aboard the ISS. He is being replaced by American Garrett Reisman.

Source: By VOA News