[sarex] Endeavour Undocks from Space Station

[Arthur Rowe]

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468

*Endeavour Undocks from Space Station*
19 AUGUST 2007


Space Shuttle Endeavour undocked from the International Space Station at 
7:56 a.m. EDT (1156 UTC) today, ending an almost nine-day stay at the 
orbital outpost for the STS-118 crew.

Undocking was moved up a day in preparation for landing on Tuesday. The 
earlier landing opportunity was selected in the event Hurricane Dean 
threatens the Houston area. It allows an opportunity for the shuttle to 
land before Mission Control, Houston, would be shut down in preparation 
for a storm. Mission managers are continuing to monitor the situation 
and assess their options.

After backing 400 feet away from the station, the STS-118 crew will fire 
Endeavour’s engines to for the separation engine burn about 8:25 a.m. 
(1225 UTC0

Later, the crew will conduct the post-docking heat shield inspection to 
make sure Endeavour is ready for landing.

The seven astronauts will enjoy some well-deserved off duty time after 
the busy stay at the station. While at the station, the crew installed 
the Starboard 5 (S5) truss segment and transferred tons of cargo between 
the shuttle and the station. The STS-118 crew conducted four spacewalks 
at the station. The two major objectives were the installation of the S5 
and the replacement of a failed attitude control gyroscope

Animations: + Endeavour undocking from station 
<javascript:watchNASAOnDemandTV('http://mfile.akamai.com/18566/wmv/etouchsyst2.download.akamai.com/18355/wm.nasa-global/STS-118/Undock.asx')> 
| + Shuttle wings and nose cap survey 
<javascript:watchNASAOnDemandTV('http://mfile.akamai.com/18566/wmv/etouchsyst2.download.akamai.com/18355/wm.nasa-global/STS-118/LateInspection.asx')> 


*Hurricane Dean Information*
On-orbit Hurricane Dean Video: + Real Video 
<http://mfile.akamai.com/18565/rm/etouchsyst2.download.akamai.com/18355/real.nasa-global/STS-118/Hurricane_Dean.ram> 
| + Windows Media 
<http://mfile.akamai.com/18566/wmv/etouchsyst2.download.akamai.com/18355/wm.nasa-global/STS-118/Hurricane_Dean.asx>
+ NASA Hurricane Resource Page 
<http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hurricanes/main/index.html>