Space shuttle Endeavour arrived on earth for the final time on Wednesday in a pre-dawn landing as NASA takes the next-to-last step to winding down its shuttle program with Atlantis arriving at the launch pad this morning and set to make its final launch on July 8.

Endeavour landed at NASA's Kennedy Space Center at 2:34 a.m. after traveling 6.5 million miles in a 15 day mission.

The crew aboard, known as STS-134, delivered a $2 billion instrument to analyze space particles known as the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer. Commander Mark Kelly, who went into space even as his wife Rep. Gabrielle Giffords recovers from a shooting early this year in Tucson, said the new instrument meant a new day for science on the International Space Station to which it is now attached.

What a great ending to this really wonderful mission, said Bill Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for Space operation, adding that the new instrument is providing great data aboard the station.

Meanwhile Space shuttle Atlantis mad a 3.4 mile, 7 hour move from its assembly building to its launch pad. It was secured by 3:29 a.m.

We've had a lot going on here, said Mike Moses, the space shuttle launch integration manager in a statement. Being able to send Atlantis out to the pad and then go out and land Endeavour was really a combination I never expected to have.

Endeavour undocked for the final time from the station on Sunday, 215 miles above the earth.

Endeavour was on its last mission to space after nearly 20 years in service.

NASA Space Shuttle AtlantisRollout to Kennedy Space Center039s Launch Pad
Space shuttle Atlantis rolls out of the Vehicle Assembly Building for launch pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida May 31, 2011. Reuters
NASA Space Shuttle AtlantisRollout to Kennedy Space Center039s Launch Pad
The space shuttle Atlantis is shown as it departs the Vehicle Assembly Building for the final flight of the space shuttle program at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida May 31, 2011. Reuters
NASA Space Shuttle Endeavour Final Landing
Space shuttle Endeavour lands at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida June 1, 2011. Reuters
NASA Space Shuttle Endeavour Final Landing
Space shuttle Endeavour lands at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida June 1, 2011. Reuters
NASA Space Shuttle Endeavour Final Landing
Space shuttle Endeavour lands at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida June 1, 2011. Reuters
Space shuttle Endeavour
Space shuttle Endeavour makes its final landing at the Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility, completing a 16-day mission to the International Space Station. NASA
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