Flyaround complete, Endeavour starts journey home

After completing a flyaround that offered stunning views of the International Space Station and the Earth 200 miles below, six Endeavour astronauts are gradually increasing their distance from the outpost to start the journey home.

Pilot Terry Virts steered Endeavour through a tight loop around the station from a distance of 600 feet.

The flyaround allowed the crew to shoot pictures documenting the station's condition and new, nearly complete configuration.

After the addition of the Tranquility module and Cupola, the station is 98 percent complete by volume and 90 percent complete by weight, with a mass just shy of 800,000 pounds.

"It is just a sight to behold," said Endeavour commander George Zamka.

"As you separate from the International Space Station, seeing that the assembly is essentially complete, congratulations and well done," radioed station commander Jeff Williams.

Cameras showed Endeavour casting an orbiter-shaped shadow against a station solar wing gleaming in sunlight. The shuttle could be seen against the blackness of space and, below, blue seas or cloud-covered skies.

The shuttle crew marveled at a view of the station at sunrise as it flew over the snow-capped Himalayas.

Endeavour's jets fired for a first time just after 9 p.m. EST to begin increasing the gap between it and the station at a rate of 1.5 feet per second. A second firing near 9:30 p.m. increased the rate to 3 feet per second.

Now a safe distance apart, the orbiter will vent some waste water and excess water overboard.

Then, after a late-night lunch, the crew plans a "late" inspection of heat shields with the shuttle's robotic arm and its 50-foot boom extension, starting at 12:19 a.m.

The survey will start with the leading edge of starboard wing, move to the nose cap and conclude with the port wing.

The crew is scheduled to go to sleep at 7:14 a.m. Sunday.

Before then, there's a mission status briefing at 1:30 a.m. featuring lead shuttle flight director Kwatsi Alibaruho. You can watch it live by clicking the NASA TV box at right to launch a video player.