AFTER a week and a half of complex orbital construction work, Endeavor's seven astronauts undocked from the international space station and began their journey home.

The space shuttle is scheduled to land Wednesday at the Kennedy Space Center in Houston, the United States, ending a record-setting mission to the orbiting outpost. Endeavor's astronauts will spend Tuesday preparing their ship for touchdown.

Pilot Gregory Johnson backed Endeavor away from the space station Monday evening, ending 12 days of linked flight. He then guided the shuttle through a loop around the orbiting complex so the crew could take pictures of its new look.

Endeavor's astronauts built a giant handyman robot and installed the first segment of Japan's Kibo lab during their stay at the station.

"We really appreciate everything you've done for us over the last couple of weeks," station commander Peggy Whitson radioed Endeavor as the shuttle pulled away. "Thanks a bunch."

The 10 space travelers performed a record-tying five spacewalks to put together the space station robot, attach the new Japanese compartment and complete other chores.

(SD-Agencies)