The space shuttle Endeavor and its six-man crew touched down to earth for the last time early Wednesday morning.

In its 19-year history, Endeavor has flown more than 123 million miles over 25 flights.

"Your landing ends a vibrant legacy for this amazing vehicle that will be long remembered," Mission Control told the shuttle's crew upon landing.

"It's sad to see her land for the last time," said Commander Mark Kelly, but she really has a great legacy."

Kelly now heads back to Houston where his wife, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, is recovering from a gunshot wound to the head last January.

Space shuttle Atlantis is now on its way to the launch pad for the final space shuttle flight of NASA's 30-year program, scheduled for July.