Space shuttle Endeavour to return to Earth on July 31

Washington, July 30 (ANI): Space shuttle Endeavour and its seven-member crew are scheduled to return to Earth on Friday, July 31, after a 16-day mission.

There are two landing opportunities at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 10:48 a.m. and 12:23 p.m. EDT.

NASA will evaluate weather conditions at Kennedy before permitting Endeavour and its crew to land.

If weather prevents a return to Kennedy on Friday, the backup landing site at Edwards Air Force Base in California will be activated Saturday for consideration as well.

Approximately two hours after landing, NASA officials will hold a media briefing to discuss the mission.

The participants will be: - Bill Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for the Space Operations Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington, Keiji Tachikawa, president, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Benoit Marcotte, director genenal, operations, Canadian Space Agency, Mike Moses, space shuttle launch integration manager, Pete Nickolenko, STS-127 launch director.

After touchdown in Florida, the astronauts will undergo physical examinations and meet with their families.

The crew is expected to hold a news conference at approximately 3:15 p.m.

Both news events will be broadcast live on NASA Television and the agency's Web site. (ANI)