Space Shuttle Endeavour

Space shuttle Endeavour leaps from NASA's Kennedy Space Center's launch pad 39A on Wednesday July 15, 2009. After many delays, the sixth launch attempt was on-time at 6:03 p.m. EDT. Eight or nine pieces of foam insulation came off the external fuel tank during liftoff, and the shuttle was hit at least two or three times, said Bill Gerstenmaier, NASA's space operations chief.

Space shuttle Endeavour lifts off from pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Wednesday, July 15, 2009. Endeavour is on a mission to the International Space Station.

Thomas Mogle holds his daughter Holly, 5, of Titusville, Fla. as space shuttle Endeavour lifts-off from the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, Fla., Wednesday, July 15, 2009.

Space shuttle Endeavour lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, Fla., Wednesday, July 15, 2009. Endeavour's seven-member crew are on a 16-day mission to the International Space Station.

Backdropped by a blue and white Earth and the blackness of space, a partial view of space shuttle Endeavour's payload bay, vertical stabilizer and orbital maneuvering system pods are seen in this image photographed by a STS-127 crew member from a flight deck window, Thursday, July 16, 2009.

Space shuttle Endeavour was is seen during prior to docking with the International Space Station, Friday, July 17, 2009.

This view of the aft portion of the space shuttle Endeavour, including the three main engines and part of the wings, was taken prior to docking with the International Space Station, Friday, July 17, 2009.

A view of the space shuttle Endeavour taken by an Expedition 20 crew member is seen prior to Endeavour's docking with the International Space Station, Friday, July 17, 2009.

This head-on view of the space shuttle Endeavour was taken by an Expedition 20 crew member prior to Endeavour's docking with the International Space Station, Friday, July 17, 2009.

This image shows the underside of the crew cabin of the space shuttle Endeavour prior to docking with the International Space Station, Friday, July 17, 2009. Mission Control said Saturday that Endeavour looks to be in fine shape for re-entry at the end of the month. Areas where the heat tiles were dinged during Wednesday's launch can be seen along the right side of this image near the nose cap.

Astronaut Tom Marshburn participates in the mission's fifth and final spacewalk, July 27, 2009, as construction and maintenance continue on the International Space Station. During the spacewalk, Marshburn and another astronaut breezed through some rewiring, camera setups and other outdoor chores including tying down some cables and installing handrails and a portable foot restraint to aid future spacewalkers.

Backdropped by the blackness of space and the thin line of Earth's atmosphere, the International Space Station is seen from Space Shuttle Endeavour as the two spacecraft begin their relative separation Tuesday July 28, 2009. Endeavour is sheduled to land at Florida's Kennedy Space Center Friday July 31, 2009 at 10:48 a.m. EDT.

The space shuttle Endeavour is seen backdropped by a blue and white Earth in this photo taken by a member of the Expedition 20 crew onboard the International Space Station shortly after the shuttle and station began their post-undocking separation on Tuesday July 28, 2009. Endeavour is sheduled to land at Florida's Kennedy Space Center Friday July 31, 2009 at 10:48 a.m. EDT.

Space shuttle Endeavour lands at the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, Fla., Friday, July 31, 2009. Endeavour's seven-member crew is returning from a mission to the International Space Station.

Endeavour Returns — AP Photo/Stan Honda, Pool

Space Shuttle Endeavour lands at the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, Fla., Friday, July 31, 2009. Endeavour's seven-member crew is returning from a mission to the International Space Station.

Space Shuttle Endeavour lands at the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, Fla. Friday July 31, 2009. Endeavour's seven-member crew is returning from a mission to the International Space Station.