October 13, 2008 3:37:51 PM CDT
(Newser) – Former schoolteacher Barbara Morgan safely reached space last night when the shuttle Endeavour rocketed through a problem-free launch. Ten minutes after its evening blastoff, the shuttle was orbiting 140 miles above the Earth in preparation for docking with the International Space Station tomorrow. Morgan is the first astronaut teacher since Christa McAuliffe, who died seconds after liftoff in 1986 when the Challenger exploded.
NASA's mission commentator remarked that Morgan, who trained with McAuliffe as a backup teacher, was "racing toward space on the wings of a legacy." The 11-day mission may be extended three days, depending on the success of a new power hookup with the space station. The longer mission would give Morgan time for two more video linkups with students.
Source Orlando Sentinel
Mar 26, 08 7:57 PM CDT The space shuttle Endeavour returned to Earth with a rare night landing to wrap up an ambitious mission to the International Space Station, the AP reports. The shuttle had to land in darkness after NASA called off an earlier attempt because of cloud cover. Astronauts blasted off 16 days ago, delivering a 12-foot robot to the space station and installing the first portion of a Japanese laboratory. More »
Mar 25, 08 3:39 AM CDT The space shuttle Endeavour has begun its two-day trip back to Earth after successfully undocking yesterday from the international space station, reports the Houston Chronicle. The seven astronauts on board hailed an "awesome" mission and said fond farewells to their colleagues staying behind. A glitch unlatching a solar panel delayed Endeavour's retreat from the station. More »
Mar 13, 08 3:45 AM CDT 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. More »
Mar 11, 08 6:30 AM CDT 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. More »
Mar 8, 08 3:20 PM CST Europe is about to launch its most sophisticated spacecraft ever, the BBC reports. The “Jules Verne,” set to take off tomorrow, will deliver supplies to the International Space Station while nudging the station higher into its orbit to prevent it from falling to Earth. The freighter is fully automated—no humans aboard—marking a major step toward manned European missions. More »
NASA • International Space Station • space • space shuttle • teacher • Endeavour • space flight • Barbara Morgan • Christa McAuliffe • Challenger