US space shuttle Endeavour is heading home to Earth after completing a record 12-day mission, the longest of its kind in history.

The 10 space travelers performed a record-tying five space walks, put together a space station robot and installed Japan's first orbital laboratory on the International Space Station.

Mike Moses is the Lead Shuttle Flight Director.

"It is without a doubt the largest, most technologically challenging international project ever attempted by human kind and we as a people ought to be very proud of where we are today."

Endeavour is due back on earth on Wednesday evening. It will mark the close of a 16-day trip for the shuttle. Three astronauts will stay behind on the space station.

The space shuttle was propelled into orbit on March 11.