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Endeavour Crew Finishes Final Walk

Astronauts set up inspection boom for next mission

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 22, 2008 6:49 PM CDT
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(Newser) – A pair of Endeavour astronauts completed the last spacewalk of their historic assembly mission tonight, the Houston Chronicle reports. Over 6 hours, Mike Forman and Bob Behnken set up an inspection boom outside the International Space Station to help future shuttles avoid disasters like the 2003 Columbia tragedy. The boom scans thermal armor for damage that shuttles may sustain in the nose and wings after launch.

They also examined a failed solar panel device before wrapping up about 11 p.m. EST. They plan to return to Earth Wednesday night, the end of a 16-day trip in which they set up a giant Canadian space robot and the first part of a Japanese laboratory. Shuttle Discovery will deliver the lab's second piece in late May, the Chronicle notes.

Space Shuttle Endeavour approaches the International Space Station during STS-123 rendezvous and docking operations Wednesday, March 12, 2008.
Space Shuttle Endeavour approaches the International Space Station during STS-123 rendezvous and docking operations Wednesday, March 12, 2008.   (AP Photo)
Space Shuttle Endeavour approaches the Internationl Space Station before docking late Wednesday evening, March 12, 2008.
Space Shuttle Endeavour approaches the Internationl Space Station before docking late Wednesday evening, March 12, 2008.   (AP Photo/NASA TV)
In this image provided by NASA a STS-123 Endeavour crewmember captured the glowing green beauty of the Aurora Borealis on March 21, 2008.
In this image provided by NASA a STS-123 Endeavour crewmember captured the glowing green beauty of the Aurora Borealis on March 21, 2008.   (AP Photo)
Endeavour's astronauts embarked on the fifth and final spacewalk of their mission Saturday, this time to attach a 50-foot inspection pole to the international space station.
Endeavour's astronauts embarked on the fifth and final spacewalk of their mission Saturday, this time to attach a 50-foot inspection pole to the international space station.   (AP Photo/NASA)
Michael Foreman exits the international space station, Saturday, March 22, 2008.
Michael Foreman exits the international space station, Saturday, March 22, 2008.   (AP Photo/NASA)
This image from NASA TV shows astronauts aboard the linked Endeavour shuttle and International Space Station on Wednesday March 19, 2008.
This image from NASA TV shows astronauts aboard the linked Endeavour shuttle and International Space Station on Wednesday March 19, 2008.   (AP Photo/NASA)
Before docking with the station, astronaut Dominic Gorie, STS-123 commander, flew the shuttle through a roll pitch maneuver to allow the space station crew a good view of Endeavour's heat shield.
Before docking with the station, astronaut Dominic Gorie, STS-123 commander, flew the shuttle through a roll pitch maneuver to allow the space station crew a good view of Endeavour's heat shield.   (AP Photo/NASA)
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NASA • space shuttle • International Space Station • Endeavor • spacewalk • Columbia Space Shuttle • Columbia disaster • Dextre • Discovery space shuttle

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