Space shuttle Endeavour undocked from the International Space Station and began its 2 day trip back to Earth leaving two Americans and a Russian crewman behind on the station. A forecast that includes some showers could also push back Endeavour’s landing time or delay it beyond Sunday.

The shuttle delivered a new astronaut to work with station commander Mike Finke and Russian flight engineer Yuri Lonchakov, 44-year-old Sandra Magnus, a first-time flier who holds degrees in material science and engineering. Magnus, who is scheduled to remain in orbit until NASA's next shuttle mission in February, replaced Greg Chamitoff, 46, an aeronautical engineer eager to return home to his loved ones. "As I leave it today, I feel both happy and sad," Chamitoff said Thursday evening. "Sad to leave my crew. ... And of course I'm really happy because I'm really looking forward to seeing my family."

Approximately two hours after landing, NASA officials will hold a media briefing to discuss the mission. The participants will be: - Michael Griffin, NASA administrator, Bill Gerstenmaier, NASA associate administrator for Space Operations

Endeavour brought amazing enhancements to the space station, which is now nearly ready for its first permanent six-member crew, with water recycling system, two new bedrooms, a second toilet and its first refrigerator. There’s no doubt about the fact that the highlight of the enhancements was to install the $250 million water recycling system that enables the Space Station crew to recycle urine and other wastewater into drinking water.

In addition to outfitting the station's interior, Endeavour astronauts ventured outside the complex four times to work on a long-standing problem with a rotating joint needed to position solar wing panels to collect energy from the sun.
Unfortunately Endeavour’s departure was delayed by space trash, orbiting debris from an old Russian satellite. But Mission Control in Houston called it a mere “precautionary measure." With pilot Eric Boe at the controls, Endeavour maneuvered 450 feet away from the station and began a slow loop around the outpost.

Friday’s departure ended a 12-day visit to the space station. Nevertheless, the astronauts dined on a feast of freeze-dried turkey and trimmings on Thanksgiving before saying goodbye to the space station crew. While space station crews have celebrated Thanksgiving every year since 2000, it's the first time in six years that a U.S. space shuttle has been in orbit on the U.S. holiday. Smoked turkey, candied yams, green beans and mushrooms, cornbread dressing and a cranapple dessert were all included in the menu. NASA also roused the crew with the song "Hold on Tight" by the band Electric Light Orchestra, a tune chosen for
Endeavour astronaut Heide Stefanyshyn-Piper as a Thanksgiving treat for her and the entire crew.

Before Endeavour pulled away for good, space station skipper Mike Fincke thanked the shuttle astronauts for "the extreme home makeover."