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November 22, 2008 1:33:54 AM CST

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Endeavour Blasts Into Space

Posted Mar 11, 08 6:30 AM CDT in Science & Health 

(Newser) – The shuttle Endeavour thundered off its launch pad early this morning, carrying seven astronauts and two major pieces of hardware to the International Space Station. On board is a $1 billion science module that contains research gear for the station's lab, the first Japanese contribution to the orbital base, reports the Houston Chronicle. Also accompanying the astronauts is a 12-foot, spacewalking Canadian robot bearing the name Dextre.

Endeavour will dock with the space station tomorrow; over 12 days, the astronauts will undertake an ambitious agenda of five spacewalks. Steve Robinson, who made three spacewalks in 2005, described the work of the astronauts as physically and mentally taxing. "It's like working out in a gym all day while you are playing in a chess tournament," he said.

Source Houston Chronicle

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Space shuttle Endeavour lifts off from pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Tuesday, March 11, 2008. Endeavour's seven-man crew will deliver the first section of Japan's lab and Canada's two-armed...   (Associated Press)
Space shuttle Endeavour lifts off from pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center, Fla. Endeavour's seven-man crew will deliver the first section of Japan's lab and Canada's two-armed robotic system to the International...   (Associated Press)
The space shuttle Endeavour thunders off the launch pad early Tuesday morning March 11, 2008 at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)   (Associated Press)
In this photo released by NASA, Commander Dominic Gorie is fitted with his flight helmet at the Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Monday, March 10, 2008. Space Shuttle Endeavour is scheduled to lift off Tuesday...   (Associated Press)
In this photo released by NASA, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Takao Doi is seen as he is assisted with his flight suit at the Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Monday, March 10, 2008. Space...   (Associated Press)
Space shuttle Endeavour Pilot Gregory H.Johnson gives thumbs up as he leaves the Operations and Check-out Building at the Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Monday, March 10, 2008. To the right is Mission Specialist...   (Associated Press)
STs-123 Mission Specialists Takao Doi, of Japan, left, Robert Behnken, right, and Richard Linnehan, partially hidden, wave as the leave the Operations and Checkout Buidling with fellow crew members Monday...   (Associated Press)
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NASA • International Space Station • space • astronauts • space shuttle • spacewalk • Endeavour • Dextre


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