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Shuttle Docks With Space Station

Endeavour checked for foam damage, mission control not worried

Posted Aug 10, 2007 4:12 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Shuttle Endeavour docked with the International Space Station today after executing an orbital flip to allow the exterior of the craft to be photographed and examined for any damage sustained during liftoff. Three foam chunks detached from the shuttle during launch, and although some damage remains possible, mission managers say they don't believe there's cause for alarm, the AP reports.

In addition to buzz-generating schoolteacher-turned-astronaut Barbara Morgan, the shuttle is carrying a valuable payload of new parts for the space station, including a 2-ton square expansion beam. The crew will enjoy a longer-than-usual sojourn in space, thanks to a new feature that allows the shuttle to draw power directly from the space station while in orbit.

In this image from NASA TV, a view of the international space station shows shuttle Endeavour as it closes in for docking to the station , Friday, Aug. 10, 2007. (AP Photo/NASA TV)
In this image from NASA TV, a view of the international space station shows shuttle Endeavour as it closes in for docking to the station , Friday, Aug. 10, 2007. (AP Photo/NASA TV)   (Associated Press)
This picture provided by NASA shows a medium close-up picture of the aft portion of the space shuttle's external tank photographed by a camera positioned in Endeavour's umbilical well seconds after separation from the space shuttle Endeavour on Wednesday Aug. 8, 2007. Engineers, managers and flight controllers have carefully studied...
This picture provided by NASA shows a medium close-up picture of the aft portion of the space shuttle's external tank photographed by a camera positioned in Endeavour's umbilical well seconds after separation...   (Associated Press)
This picture provided by NASA shows the forward two thirds of the space shuttle's external tank photographed by a camera positioned in Endeavour's umbilical well seconds after separation from the space shuttle on Wednesday Aug. 8, 2007. Engineers, managers and flight controllers have carefully studied this image and other frames...
This picture provided by NASA shows the forward two thirds of the space shuttle's external tank photographed by a camera positioned in Endeavour's umbilical well seconds after separation from the space...   (Associated Press)
In this image from NASA TV, shuttle Endeavour, bottom, docks to the international space station , Friday, Aug. 10, 2007. (AP Photo/NASA TV)
In this image from NASA TV, shuttle Endeavour, bottom, docks to the international space station , Friday, Aug. 10, 2007. (AP Photo/NASA TV)   (Associated Press)
In this image from NASA TV shown from the international space station shuttle Endeavour is shown during a pitch maneuver, Friday, Aug. 10, 2007. (AP Photo/NASA TV)
In this image from NASA TV shown from the international space station shuttle Endeavour is shown during a pitch maneuver, Friday, Aug. 10, 2007. (AP Photo/NASA TV)   (Associated Press)
In this image from NASA TV the shuttle Endeavour flies with its underside toward the international space station so digital photos cold be made to determine if the shuttle sustained any damage on launch, Friday, Aug. 10, 2007. A portion of the international space station is seen in foreground. (AP...
In this image from NASA TV the shuttle Endeavour flies with its underside toward the international space station so digital photos cold be made to determine if the shuttle sustained any damage on launch,...   (Associated Press)
In this image from NASA TV a view of the international space station shows shuttle Endeavour as it closes in for docking to the station , Friday, Aug. 10, 2007. (AP Photo/NASA TV)
In this image from NASA TV a view of the international space station shows shuttle Endeavour as it closes in for docking to the station , Friday, Aug. 10, 2007. (AP Photo/NASA TV)   (Associated Press)
In this image from NASA TV shuttle commander Scott Kelly is shown on the shuttle Endeavour, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2007. (AP Photo/NASA TV)
In this image from NASA TV shuttle commander Scott Kelly is shown on the shuttle Endeavour, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2007. (AP Photo/NASA TV)   (Associated Press)
In this image from NASA TV mission specialist Barbara Morgan works in the aft flight deck on the shuttle Endeavour, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2007. (AP Photo/NASA TV)
In this image from NASA TV mission specialist Barbara Morgan works in the aft flight deck on the shuttle Endeavour, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2007. (AP Photo/NASA TV)   (Associated Press)
In this image from NASA TV, shuttle Endeavour, bottom, docks to the international space station , Friday, Aug. 10, 2007. (AP Photo/NASA TV)
In this image from NASA TV, shuttle Endeavour, bottom, docks to the international space station , Friday, Aug. 10, 2007. (AP Photo/NASA TV)   (Associated Press)
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space • astronauts • space shuttle • International Space Station • Barbara Morgan • Endeavour

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