Space Shuttle headed for ISS
Published 16 July, 2009, 04:12
The US space shuttle Endeavour, with its seven-strong crew, reached orbit and began a flight to the International Space Station, NASA said in a press release.
The launch was Endeavour 's sixth attempt: previous tries were cancelled due to gas leaks and, more recently, bad weather.
The mission will deliver the final section of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory as well as a new crew member to the International Space Station.
Endeavour's 16-day mission includes five space walks and the installation of two platforms outside the Japanese module.
The total number of people at the station will include a record-breaking thirteen while the shuttle is docked.
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