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Endeavour Docks After New Damage Check

Shuttle docks without hitch but launch video shows possible bird hit

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 13, 2008 3:45 AM CDT

(Newser) – The Endeavour docked with the international space station without a glitch yesterday just after the shuttle was again examined for damage, AP reports. The craft did a full backflip before docking so every inch of it could be inspected. Launch videos first revealed that something may have hit the shuttle's nose seconds after lift off.

"It's too early to speculate," NASA's management team leader said of any possible damage to the shuttle. "There's nothing that stands out in terms of things that we're worried about." Shuttle photos will be carefully examined in the coming days as the seven astronauts begin to install a new lab module and assemble a giant repair robot in the longest-ever shuttle mission.

[Images (4)]

[Videos (1)]

Space shuttle Endeavour lifts off from pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Monday, March 11, 2008. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)

In this image provided by NASA ,Space shuttle Endeavour pulls up to the international space station and docks, Wednesday March 12, 2008. (AP Photo/NASA)

Space shuttle Endeavour pulls up to the international space station and docked Wednesday March 12, 2008, kicking off almost two weeks of demanding construction work. (AP Photo/NASA)

This image provided by NASA shows the cargo bay of the space shuttle Endeavour. (AP Photo/NASA, HO)

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Endeavour Docks After New Damage Check