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Shuttle docks with space station Shuttle crew welcomed aboard ISS
(30 minutes later)
The US shuttle Endeavour has successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS). The crew of the shuttle Endeavour has been welcomed aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
Before berthing, Endeavour performed a back flip, allowing the ISS team to photograph its heat shield for any sign of damage from the launch. The hatches between the craft opened to bring together the largest number of astronauts ever assembled in orbit, 13.
When the two crews join together shortly there will be a record 13 astronauts on the orbiting outpost. Before berthing, Endeavour back-flipped so the ISS team could photograph its heat shield for any sign of damage, after foam peeled away at launch.
During their 11-day visit, the shuttle team will finish work on a Japanese research laboratory called Kibo. The seven-strong crew are delivering the final part of a Japanese-built laboratory, spare parts and food.
With a seven-strong crew, six Americans and a Canadian, Endeavour finally launched successfully from Florida's Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday - after five failed attempts. They join six astronauts already at the space station, for an 11-day visit.
Endeavour and its crew of six Americans and a Canadian finally launched successfully from Florida's Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday - after five failed attempts.
Debris strikeDebris strike
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, Nasa said.It docked at 1347 EDT (1747 GMT) on Friday, some 220 miles (350km) above the Gulf of Carpentaria, off the north coast of Australia, Nasa said.
Shortly beforehand, it performed a nine-minute back flip, known as a rendezvous pitch manoeuvre, allowing the ISS crew to take up to 300 photographs of the shuttle's thermal protection system.Shortly beforehand, it performed a nine-minute back flip, known as a rendezvous pitch manoeuvre, allowing the ISS crew to take up to 300 photographs of the shuttle's thermal protection system.
Debris that struck the shuttle during launch is not concerning officialsDebris that struck the shuttle during launch is not concerning officials
The images were taken after debris could be seen peeling away from the shuttle's fuel tank and then striking it during Wednesday's launch. The images were taken after a considerable amount of foam insulation peeled away from the shuttle's fuel tank and struck it during Wednesday's launch.
Nasa officials have said there does not seem to be any cause for concern. Apart from "a few minor dings" in some thermal protection tiles, Nasa officials have said there does not seem to be any cause for concern.
But the pictures 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.But the pictures 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.
Once the back flip was completed, Commander Mark Polansky gently guided Endeavour towards the ISS. Once the back flip was completed, Commander Mark Polansky 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 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 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.Mission experts back on Earth examined the data and gave the shuttle an initial all clear.
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."
Five spacewalksFive 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 is delivering a new long-stay US crew member, Tim Kopra, to the ISS and bringing back Japan's Koichi Wakata, who has lived aboard the platform for more than three months. In addition, Endeavour delivered a new long-stay US crew member, Tim Kopra, to the ISS and will 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 planned before the shuttles retire in 2010.