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Space shuttle makes rare nighttime landing

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-02-22 11:33
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CAPE CANAVERAL: Space shuttle Endeavour and its six astronauts are back on Earth.

Space shuttle makes rare nighttime landing
In this photo provided by NASA, the view of the port side of space shuttle Endeavour's cargo bay is recorded with a digital still camera shortly after separation from the International Space Station, Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010. [Agencies] 

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The shuttle landed at Kennedy Space Center in Florida late Sunday night, wrapping up a successful two-week mission. During their visit to the International Space Station, commander George Zamka and his crew installed a new room and big bay window. The addition marked the virtual completion of the orbiting outpost.

The weather almost didn't cooperate. All day, clouds threatened to keep the shuttle in orbit. But the sky finally cleared, and Mission Control gave Zamka permission to make a rare nighttime landing.

It marked the 23rd landing for a space shuttle in darkness. The last one was in 2008, by Endeavour as well.

Only four shuttle flights remain.
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