Final Landing of Space Shuttle Endeavour
June 1st, 2011
June 1st, 2011
How Long Ago?
13 years, 9 months, 14 days ago
Location
Kennedy Space Center, Florida, USA
Category
Space Exploration
People
- Michael Barratt
- Mark Kelly
- Gregory Johnson
- Andrew Feustel
- Roberto Vittori
- Christopher Cassidy
Links & References
Tags
Final Landing of Space Shuttle Endeavour
Space Shuttle Endeavour concluded its mission with a landing at the Kennedy Space Center, marking its 25th and last flight. Endeavour was launched on its final journey to the International Space Station (ISS) and completed various scientific missions during its service. This flight was significant for NASA and the future of human space exploration, highlighting the shuttle's achievements since its first flight in 1992.
Endeavour flew 25 missions during its lifespan.
The final mission delivered important scientific equipment.
Endeavour was in operation from 1992 to 2011.
The shuttle program ended in 2011, shifting to new programs.
What Happened?
Space Shuttle Endeavour made its final landing at Kennedy Space Center, concluding a remarkable 25 flights since its maiden journey in 1992. Launched on May 16, 2011, on the STS-134 mission, Endeavour transported the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS-02) to the International Space Station, a crucial instrument designed to expand our understanding of the universe by detecting cosmic rays and antimatter. The mission lasted 16 days and was marked by numerous spacewalks to install and maintain equipment on the ISS. Endeavour's crew included notable astronauts like Mark Kelly, who commanded the mission, and six others who played vital roles in the shuttle's successful operation. The landing was conducted at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where Endeavour would conclude its operations after a total of 299 days spent in space. This mission underscored the shuttle program's contributions to international cooperation and scientific breakthroughs in space exploration.
Why Does it Matter?
The final landing of Space Shuttle Endeavour represents a significant milestone in the history of human spaceflight. Its journeys expanded scientific knowledge, facilitated international collaborations, and strengthened the presence of humans in space. As the shuttle program officially came to an end, it marked the transition to new spacecraft and exploration missions, laying the groundwork for future endeavors into deep space and beyond, including missions to Mars and beyond.
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