Shuttle Crew Readies for Return to Earth

Overjoyed with their success, space shuttle Endeavour’s crew packed to come home after increasing the size and power of the international space station Alpha. Good weather was forecast for today’s landing at Kennedy Space Center. The shuttle crew outfitted the space station with solar wings that are now generating 42 kilowatts of electricity for the three men on board. Endeavour’s astronauts said the space station’s crew looked surprisingly good despite getting only four hours of sleep a night. The two crews, together for just one day, found time to share a meal before parting Saturday. Until the new solar wings were installed, the station’s crew had to skimp on electricity. The $600-million solar wings--the largest and most powerful ever built for a spacecraft--ended the power rationing.