"This is the first time Endeavour has flown since 2002, and is the second of four missions to the ISS NASA hopes to run this year. The shuttle has been totally overhauled, and NASA managers say it is practically a new spacecraft."

Oh yeah. Really, really reusable, that Shuttle.

Why not just "masses 1.58 tonnes" ... a description accurate in all gravitational field strengths.

armies of anally retentive pedants to put us right.

"It will take home a similar quantity of junk."

Oh, the fridge and the laptop couldn't wait Endeavour overhaulin'.

Coat, mobile, wallet...

Glad to see the SI units in use here. Where would we be without the "Small car" to measure against.

Accurate, but lame at all pedantic field strengths.

Because your average non-physicist / applied mathematician wouldn't understand the terminology.

I'm glad they're bringing back their rubbish for a change. Good PR if nothing else.

If they can prove that the pilot is sober and none of the crew are stalkers, a good result all round for their press office.

P.S. Can we have a Register login cookie to save us typing in username and password for every comment?

Where's the NASA sense of private enterprise? That's not junk, it's potential eBay profit :)

One slightly-used solar panel, genuine micro-meteor holes, be the envy of your neighbo(u)rs and help save the environment...

I'm sorry, but if I was her, I'd be looking to join the 250 mile-high club.

Look at all that smoke! What's it doing to the environment? Al Gore must be hopping mad.

Yeah, that would be nice. A single one, so one doesn't have to allow for them all the time.

Is than an American small car or a UK small car?

Can you please include an updated picture? I'd like to see more of the pimped-out detailing on Endeavor. Those chromed solid fuel boosters with yellow neon running lights are teh shiznit! Although the giant American and Dixie flags sticking out the shuttle bay and the big yellow "support our killbots" sticker on the bumper were a bit much...

Just wait until they install the hydraulics, spinners, and of course, the new stereo!!

Comments on this story just seem to be made for the sake of it, rather than having anything to add. Well, that's my 2cents worth, anyway.