Shuttle to Dock With Station

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• Endeavour Heads Home

  Nov 28, 08 2:30 PM CST
  The space shuttle Endeavour separated from the International Space Station today and headed back to earth. Having completed a 12-day mission that upgraded the station’s living quarters, Endeavour’s seven-person crew began the 2-day trip back to the Kennedy Space Center, Florida Today reports. "Thanks for the incredible makeover, and leaving the station in fantastic shape," station commander Mike Finke radioed to the Endeavour crew.
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• Discovery Returns to Earth

  Jun 14, 08 12:30 PM CDT
  The space shuttle Discovery swooped back to Earth today after successfully expanding the International Space Station, the AP reports. The shuttle’s seven crew members delivered Kibo, the new billion-dollar Japanese science lab, and a pump to repair a broken toilet. Discovery also brought home flight engineer Garret Reisman, who’d talked of missing his wife, calling her “my favorite earthling.” More »

• Astronaut Waves Robot Arm

  Jun 9, 08 3:25 PM CDT
  A Japanese astronaut on board the International Space Station successfully unfolded a massive robotic arm from the newly installed Kibo laboratory today, Reuters reports. The arm moved slightly on Saturday, but today’s extension of the 33-foot device was the first full test, Space.com reports. The Japanese-built robot had nothing to grab; the equipment the arm will tend to arrives next year. More »

• Discovery's New Fuel Tank Passes With Flying Colors

  Jun 2, 08 3:33 AM CDT
  The Discovery shuttle launch Saturday marked the first use of a new fuel tank designed after flaws led to the 2003 Columbia disaster, Space.com reports, and tests yesterday showed the new design to be successful. The external tank, designed to minimize the release of falling debris  during launch, shed a few pieces of foam, but "performed in a magnificent fashion," said a NASA mission manager. More »

• Discovery Launches, With Kibo Aboard

  May 31, 08 4:31 PM CDT
  The space shuttle Discovery blasted into a clear blue sky today, carrying Kibo, a huge Japanese laboratory for the International Space Station. The $1 billion lab will be the station’s biggest room. “This is a real milestone,” said one NASA administrator. The Discovery is also bringing a replacement for the station’s broken toilet, rush-ordered from Moscow. More »