News From Space!

Endeavour is docked with the ISS, the hatches are opened, and the crews are together. NASA reports:

STS-118 Crew Enters Space Station

Image above: The STS-118 and Expedition 15 crews greet each other after hatch opening. Image: NASA TV

The hatches opened at 4:04 p.m. today and the STS-118 astronauts entered the International Space Station, where they were greeted by the Expedition 15 crew. The visitors arrived at the station when Space Shuttle Endeavour docked at 2:02 p.m. while flying over the South Pacific.

The schedule for the remainder of the day is busy for the two crews as they prepare for Saturday’s installation of the Starboard 5 (S5) truss onto the station and the first STS-118 spacewalk. The S5 will be attached to the end of the Starboard 4 truss to set the stage for the addition of the Starboard 6 truss and its solar arrays during a future shuttle mission.

In other activities today, the two crews will transfer supplies and equipment between Endeavour and the Station.

At 5:51 p.m. EDT, the crew will activate the Station-to-Shuttle Power Transfer System, which is designed to reroute power from the station to a visiting shuttle. If the transfer system works as expected, mission managers could elect to extend STS-118’s mission from 11 to 14 days and increase the number of STS-118 spacewalks from three to four. A decision on a possible extension could occur Saturday or Sunday.

Flight Day 2 videos are up at the JSC Gallery. Backflip video here. FD-3 live discussion here. Check the links at right for play-by-play and NASA TV.

Endeavour has confirmed capture with the ISS! After the Orbiter’s backflip maneuver, engineers will be checking for evidence of any foam hits from Wednesday’s liftoff.  NASA reports:

Endeavour Docks; Expedition 15 set to Welcome Visitors

Image above: The centerline camera aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour captured this view of the International Space Station. Credit: NASA TV

Space Shuttle Endeavour docked with the International Space Station at 2:02 p.m. EDT today, setting the stage for the on-orbit expansion of the outpost. Expedition 15 Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Flight Engineers Oleg Kotov and Clay Anderson will welcome the seven-member STS-118 crew aboard the station after the hatches between the vehicles open at about 3:21 p.m.

Endeavour delivered the Starboard 5 (S5) truss, which will be attached to the station Saturday. The STS-118 crew also will conduct a spacewalk Saturday to assist in the installation and activation of the S5.

In addition to the construction work, the two crews will conduct at least two more spacewalks. One of the spacewalking tasks includes the replacement of a faulty attitude control gyro. The two crews also will transfer cargo between the shuttle and station.

STS-118 is the 22nd shuttle mission to visit the station.

+ Read more about Expedition 15
+ View crew daily timelines

STS-118 Arrives at Space Station

Image above: Space Shuttle Endeavour as it approaches the International Space Station for docking. Image: NASA TV

The [Shuttle] astronauts will enter the station for the first time this afternoon, following the completion of leak and pressure checks between the two spacecraft. The STS-118 crew and the station’s Expedition 15 crew will then begin joint operations, including preparations for Saturday’s installation of the S5 truss and spacewalk. The two crews will also begin cargo transfers between Endeavour and the Station.

Endeavour and the station linked up while flying over the South Pacific.

Mission Control pics are up at the JSC Gallery. FD-3 live discussion here. Check the links at right for play-by-play and NASA TV.

Friday is Docking Day. Endeavour will link up with the ISS this afternoon. NASA reports:

STS-118 Crew Preparing for Docking

Image above: STS-118 Mission Specialist Barbara Morgan (left) and Commander Scott Kelly. Image: NASA TV

The STS-118 crew is performing rendezvous operations in preparation for a 1:53 p.m. EDT docking with the International Space Station.

About an hour before docking, Commander Scott Kelly and Pilot Charles Hobaugh will guide the shuttle through a backflip maneuver to allow the station Expedition 15 crew to collect digital images of its heat shield. The images will be downlinked to Mission Control for analysis.

Endeavour is delivering a new segment of the Integrated Truss Structure. The Starboard 5 (S5) truss will be attached to end of the Starboard 4 truss structure on Saturday. The installation and activation of the S5 sets the stage for the installation of the Starboard 6 segment and its solar arrays. STS-118 is also delivering supplies and equipment to the space station.

The STS-118 crew will enter the station for the first time at 3:21 p.m. following leak and pressure checks on the shuttle and station.

Animations: + Approach to Station | + Backflip | + Docking

Kelly and Mission Specialist Barbara Morgan wrapped up a long day of work Thursday with a quick message from orbit. Kelly said he felt privileged to be there and that everything was going well. Morgan said that she was having a great time and was looking forward to docking tomorrow and seeing the Expedition 15 crew.

“When we first came to orbit it took a little getting used to,” Morgan said. “I felt like I was upside down the whole time.” She joked that when you put something aside, it floats off and you have no idea where it went. “We’ll have to do a treasure hunt later.”

+ View Video

Flight Day 1 pics and video are up at the JSC Gallery. Discussion here. Check the links at right for play-by-play and NASA TV.