Shuttle to Dock With Station

The crew of the Endeavour spent most of yesterday checking their vessel for damage from insulation that broke off the fuel tank during the launch; today they will dock the shuttle with the International Space Station. First, the shuttle will flip around in front of the ISS so that the station's cameras can inspect further for damage. Then Endeavour will deliver a two-ton truss to be added to the station.

Nine pieces of insulation broke off Endeavor's fuel tank during Wednesday night's launch, the AP reports; three appeared to strike the shuttle, but none seemed big enough to inflict serious damage. NASA hopes to keep the shuttle in orbit for two full weeks, with teacher-astronaut Barbara Morgan on board. (More Endeavour stories.)