Stern view of the HM Bark Endeavour.  CREDIT: Australian National Maritime Museum Enlarge

Two ships named Endeavour are taking historic voyages but on very different oceans: One is soaring through space, while the other is sailing the Earth's seas.

The astronaut commander of shuttle Endeavour and the captain of the sailing ship HMB Endeavour, a replica of the original 18th century ship after which the shuttle is named, recently exchanged letters to mark their connection. [Gallery: Shuttle Endeavour Construction Photos]

"The crew of the final flight of the Space Shuttle Endeavour wishes you a safe voyage with fair winds and following seas," wrote NASA astronaut Mark Kelly, who is also a captain in the U.S. Navy, in a letter to his counterpoint. "We are proud that our Space Shuttle shares its name with your sailing vessel and all that it represents."

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