Live in Orbit: Hatches Closing

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Blogger update, 7:40 p.m.: Shuttle and space station hatches officially closed at 7:31 p.m. The crews will continue to depressurize the vestibule separating the two vehicles and check for leaks, then get ready to sleep. The Endeavour crew's time spent on the station totaled 11 days and 15 minutes, but will have spanned 13 calendar days by Friday.

Endeavour's seven astronauts are closing the hatch they used to enter the International Space Station nearly two weeks ago, and will soon begin preparing for their two-day journey home.

The shuttle crew and three residents remaining on the station embraced each other to end a brief farewell ceremony. They congratulated each other on the mission's achievements and wished each other well.

"We've accomplished all the major mission objectives," said Endeavour commander Chris Ferguson.

"You totally fixed us up on the inside and the outside, and the results speak for themselves," said Expedition 18 commander Mike Fincke.

Endeavour is scheduled to depart the station at 9:47 a.m. Friday, 13 days after it docked with the station.

After undocking, Endeavour will fly around the station to take pictures of it for analysis on the ground.

Then it will begin a final inspection of protective heat shields, to ensure that no space junk damaged the orbiter during its stay at the station.

Landing at KSC is planned at 1:19 p.m. Sunday.

The crews joked about a final transfer of cargo between the two vehicles.

"We have one outstanding resupply item for the (shuttle's) mid-deck," said Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper. "I'd like to present item 904 - and this will complete our transfer list – Sandy Magnus. You are now officially delivered to space station."

Magnus rode up with the shuttle crew, but plans to stay on the station as part of Expedition 18, replacing Greg Chamitoff. She is shown with Fincke in the picture above as the last Endeavour crew member - Chamitoff - disappears into the shuttle.

"And in exchange, we have on the swap list item No. 1003, Dr. Greg Chamitoff, also known as Taz, and there's only one, thank goodness," responded Expedition 18 commander Mike Fincke.

Chamitoff arrived on the station in May, and will ride home on Endeavour.