The space shuttle Endeavour undocked from the International Space Station on Tuesday to take photographs of the orbiting research facility before final maneuvers to prepare its return home.

Endeavour separated from the ISS 1.26pm, NASA said.

"After completing a fly-around of the space station, shuttle Endeavour will perform a maneuver to separate from the station," it added.

On Monday, astronauts Chris Cassidy and Tom Marshburn completed the fifth and last spacewalk of the Endeavour mission, installing cameras on the ISS's new Kibo Japanese laboratory, as well as handrails and a portable foot restraint to help future spacewalkers.

The space shuttle blasted off from Florida on 15 July and is expected to land back on Earth on 31 July with its crew of seven astronauts. The launch of the next shuttle, Discovery, to the ISS is planned for 18 August at 4.25am.