Space Shuttle Endeavour Returns to Earth

Space Shuttle Endeavour returned to the earth on Tuesday night after finishing an earth-mapping mission that acquired extensive terrain data for scientists.

Before touching down at the Kennedy Space Center at 6:22 pm (2322 GMT), the shuttle swung around the earth for an extra circle to avoid high winds.

During the 11-day flight, six astronauts from the United States, Germany and Japan worked on two shifts conducting the earth-mapping tasks with two radar antennas, one on the shuttle and the other floating in space.

The mapping covered 75 percent of the earth's surface, and the data could reportedly fill more than 300 digital tapes.

While working, the radar was supported by a retractable mast which was 60 meters long when fully extended. A section of radar equipment was so far the longest object ever deployed in space.

NASA will copy the 300-plus digital tapes and then send them to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.

Scientists at NASA and its partner National Imagery and Mapping Agency estimate that it will take them one to two years to analyze all the data. Based on the data, scientists can draw the most precise earth terrain maps.

The high resolution maps will help improve the aim of missiles, and provide more precise navigation for fighter pilots and ground troops.

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