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Shuttle docks with space station Shuttle docks with space station
(30 minutes later)
The shuttle Endeavour has successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS).The shuttle Endeavour has successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS).
Before docking, the shuttle performed a backflip, allowing the ISS team to photograph Endeavour's heat shield to see if it has suffered launch damage.Before docking, the shuttle performed a backflip, allowing the ISS team to photograph Endeavour's heat shield to see if it has suffered launch damage.
When the two crews join together shortly there will be a record 13 astronauts on the orbiting outpost.When the two crews join together shortly there will be a record 13 astronauts on the orbiting outpost.
During their 11-day visit, the shuttle team will finish work on a Japanese research laboratory called Kibo.During their 11-day visit, the shuttle team will finish work on a Japanese research laboratory called Kibo.
Endeavour was finally launched successfully from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on Wednesday after five failed attempts.Endeavour was finally launched successfully from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on Wednesday after five failed attempts.
Elegant somersaultElegant somersault
Previous efforts to begin the 16-day mission had been hampered by bad weather and fuel leaks.Previous efforts to begin the 16-day mission had been hampered by bad weather and fuel leaks.
It docked at 1347 EDT (1747 GMT) on Friday, some 220 miles (350km) above the Gulf of Carpentaria, off the north coast of Australia.It docked at 1347 EDT (1747 GMT) on Friday, some 220 miles (350km) above the Gulf of Carpentaria, off the north coast of Australia.
Shortly before the shuttle docked with the space station, it performed a nine-minute backflip, known as a "Rendezvous Pitch Manoeuvre", allowing the ISS crew to take up to 300 photographs of the shuttle's thermal protection system.Shortly before the shuttle docked with the space station, it performed a nine-minute backflip, known as a "Rendezvous Pitch Manoeuvre", allowing the ISS crew to take up to 300 photographs of the shuttle's thermal protection system.
These images are being examined by engineers back at mission control to ensure there is no damage that could jeopardise the shuttle's re-entry through the Earth's atmosphere.These images are being examined by engineers back at mission control to ensure there is no damage that could jeopardise the shuttle's re-entry through the Earth's atmosphere.
The seven crew members will spend 11 days on the space station Debris that struck the shuttle during launch is not concerning officials
Once the backflip was completed, Commander Mark Polansky gently guided Endeavour towards the ISS.Once the backflip was completed, Commander Mark Polansky gently guided Endeavour towards the ISS.
Although the shuttle moved towards the space station at about 3cm per second during the docking procedure, both spacecraft were travelling at 17,500mph (28,160km/h).Although the shuttle moved towards the space station at about 3cm per second during the docking procedure, both spacecraft were travelling at 17,500mph (28,160km/h).
On Thursday, their first full day in space, the seven-strong crew carried out a routine five-hour inspection of the craft's thermal protection system using the shuttle's robotic arm.On Thursday, their first full day in space, the seven-strong crew carried out a routine five-hour inspection of the craft's thermal protection system using the shuttle's robotic arm.
Mission experts back on Earth examined the data and gave the shuttle an initial all clear. Officials for the US space agency said they were not overly concerned about some debris that was seen hitting the shuttle during launch.Mission experts back on Earth examined the data and gave the shuttle an initial all clear. Officials for the US space agency said they were not overly concerned about some debris that was seen hitting the shuttle during launch.
"It didn't hurt us apparently on this flight because because it came off so late," said shuttle manager John Shannon."It didn't hurt us apparently on this flight because because it came off so late," said shuttle manager John Shannon.
A status report issued by Nasa on Thursday said: "The early review indicates only a few minor dings in some [thermal protection] tiles... due to some unexpected losses of small foam pieces from the external tank."A status report issued by Nasa on Thursday said: "The early review indicates only a few minor dings in some [thermal protection] tiles... due to some unexpected losses of small foam pieces from the external tank."
Finishing touches Five spacewalks
During the mission, five spacewalks - each expected to last 6.5 hours - are to be completed.During the mission, five spacewalks - each expected to last 6.5 hours - are to be completed.
The first, scheduled for Saturday, will add a platform to the Japanese laboratory complex, Kibo, which can be used for experiments that require materials to be exposed to the harsh environment of space.The first, scheduled for Saturday, will add a platform to the Japanese laboratory complex, Kibo, which can be used for experiments that require materials to be exposed to the harsh environment of space.
The crew will also install new batteries to one of the solar arrays, which provide power to the space station, and perform other maintenance tasks.The crew will also install new batteries to one of the solar arrays, which provide power to the space station, and perform other maintenance tasks.
In addition, Endeavour will deliver a new long-stay US crew member, Tim Kopra, to the ISS and bring back Japan's Koichi Wakata, who has lived aboard the platform for more than three months.In addition, Endeavour will deliver a new long-stay US crew member, Tim Kopra, to the ISS and bring back Japan's Koichi Wakata, who has lived aboard the platform for more than three months.
The $100bn space station, now about the size of a four-bedroom house, has been under construction for more than a decade.The $100bn space station, now about the size of a four-bedroom house, has been under construction for more than a decade.
This is the 127th space shuttle flight, the 29th to the station, the 23rd for Endeavour and the third in 2009.This is the 127th space shuttle flight, the 29th to the station, the 23rd for Endeavour and the third in 2009.
Seven further flights to the platform remain before the shuttles retire in 2010.Seven further flights to the platform remain before the shuttles retire in 2010.