Health practitioners arrested for posting indecent videos on social media    'Art of the Kingdom': First traveling exhibition of contemporary Saudi art launched in Rio de Janeiro    Putin signs law ratifying strategic partnership treaty with North Korea    Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon kill 12 paramedics and civil defense volunteers    At least 42 Palestinians, including 15 children, killed in Israeli airstrikes on northern Gaza    COP29 to begin in Baku, focusing on climate finance and solutions to escalating challenges    France to deploy 4,000 police officers for UEFA Nations League match against Israel    4-member gang transporting illegals busted in Riyadh    Ghaznawi: 1,800 hotel rooms and 9,000 housing units to be made available in Historic Jeddah    Month-long "Wonderland" festival to begin in Jeddah on Monday    Saudi Security forces arrest 20,778 illegal residents in a week    Saudi Arabia reaffirms commitment to global cultural collaboration at G20 Culture Ministers' Meeting in Brazil    Al Nassr edges past Al Riyadh with Mane's goal to move up to third    Al Ahli continues strong form with 2-0 win over Al Raed in Saudi Pro League    Saudi Pro League: Al Qadsiah extend positive run with 2-0 win over Al Fayha    Riyadh Season 2024 draws 4 million visitors in less than a month    Royal Commission lifts restrictions on land transactions in northern Riyadh    Three charged in connection with Liam Payne's death    Dubai Design Week launches its 10th edition, celebrating creativity and innovation    HRT does not impact life expectancy — UK health body    India puts blockbuster Pakistani film on hold    The Vikings and the Islamic world    Filipino pilgrim's incredible evolution from an enemy of Islam to its staunch advocate    Muted Eid celebrations for millions of Nigerian Muslims    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Space shuttle heads back to Earth
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 21 - 02 - 2010

The shuttle Endeavour has left the International Space Station and is heading home, leaving behind a nearly-complete outpost with the best ever windows on the world. The shuttle undocked as the two craft soared more than 200 miles above the Atlantic, just west of Africa's Western Sahara.
The two crews spent 10 days together, working to install a new room, called Tranquillity, and a domed observation deck the likes of which had never been seen before in orbit. The compartments represented the last of the space station's major building blocks.
Mission Control told the six shuttle astronauts that they had had “an absolutely awesome mission” but now it was time to say “goodbye station, hello Earth!”. The shuttle is due to touch down in Florida early on Monday morning GMT.
“It's been good having you. Sorry to see you guys leave,” space station resident Timothy “TJ” Creamer called out as Endeavour backed away. “We're sorry to go,” replied shuttle commander George Zamka. “Hope you get to enjoy Tranquillity and the new view.”
The seven windows in the space station's new lookout were shuttered before Endeavour's departure, to protect against thruster contamination. The shuttle astronauts took one last long look out those windows before retreating into their ship to prepare for the undocking.


Clic here to read the story from its source.