The final choreography of the Space Shuttle Endeavour

Space · Published 18 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: As the Space Shuttle Endeavour prepared for its 25th and final flight, mission managers planned a complex series of maneuvers. Beyond simple maintenance, the mission STS-1134 was designed to leave a lasting legacy of tools and technologies for the International Space Station.

The STS-134 mission served as a pivotal moment for the Space Shuttle Program, representing the final flight for the orbiter Endeavour and the second to last flight for the program itself. Named after the first vessel commanded by British explorer James Cook, Endeavour was originally constructed to replace the Challenger. During this final mission, astronauts Drew Feustel, Mike Fincke, and Greg Chamitoff were scheduled to perform up to four spacewalks, marking the last scheduled spacewalks by shuttle crew members.

A primary objective of the mission involved the permanent installation of the Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS) on the International Space Station. This tool provides a critical reach advantage, effectively doubling the length of the station's robotic arm, Canadarm2, to 30 meters. This extension allows the station's robotic systems to access distant areas, such as the farthest solar panels, that the Canadarm2 cannot reach independently.

The mission also functioned as a high-stakes testing ground for future orbital operations. The crew performed a series of complex maneuvers, including rendezvous, docking, undocking, and fly-arounds, approaching no closer than 180 meters from the station. These 'space choreographies' were designed to test new sensor technologies, specifically the Orion Relative Navigation Sensor. This technology is intended for use in the US crew exploration vehicle, ensuring that future spacecraft can navigate and dock with the orbital complex with precision.

While STS-134 marked the end of an era for Endeavour, the shuttle program’s conclusion was imminent. NASA planned the STS-135 mission with Atlantis for the end of June to serve as a 'grand finale.' Following the shuttle era, the responsibility for heavy logistics would shift to vehicles like Europe’s Automated Transfer Vehicle, the largest-capacity supply vehicle available for the station.

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