The procedure has gone flawlessly

Feb 10, 2010 07:26 GMT  ·  By
Endeavor is seen here on its final approach to the ISS, moments before docking
   Endeavor is seen here on its final approach to the ISS, moments before docking

Around midnight today, the space shuttle Endeavor finally caught up with the International Space Station in low-Earth orbit, while the facility was flying above the Atlantic Ocean, off western Portugal. The two linked at approximately 12:06 am EST (0506 GMT), and the hatch separating them opened at around 2 am EST (0700 GMT), allowing the six astronauts on Endeavor and the five crew members on the ISS to finally meet up with each other. During the STS-130 mission, which is scheduled to last for 13 days, the joint crew will attach the last large module to the lab, and will also dock a new observation room to it, Space reports.

“We've got the place ready for you. Looking forward to welcoming you onboard,” Jeffrey Williams, who is the commander of the ISS, said before Endeavor docked to the Unity module. “Station and Houston, capture confirmed,” shuttle commander George Zamka responded, after the two spacecraft were linked. Currently, the population in space averages 11 individuals, a number smaller than the record 13 registered when the ISS crew only stood at three members. At the time, a visiting shuttle and a departing Soyuz capsule brought the total number of astronauts in space at one time to 13.

During this new flight, the shuttle delivers the new module Tranquility, which is to be used for storage, sleeping, and conducting science. The addition is the last major one to be made to the ISS before construction is completed this year. On one of its many docking ports, the astronauts will affix the Cupola, a seven-windowed observation chamber. This will allow future ISS crews to get an almost 360-degree view around the station, and will also enable them to get a better look at their targets, while handling the two robotic arms. This is essential, considering that some types of resupply ships used for delivering spare parts and other supplies are unable to connect to the ISS automatically.

As the shuttle was approaching the station, it also performed a backflip, which allowed the crew aboard to snap photographs of Endeavor's underbelly. These images, together with data collected yesterday during the heat-shield inspection, were combined to give experts on the ground the best possible view of the threat level the heat shield on the shuttle was under. Thus far, the analysis of the information sets has revealed no significant damage. However, a third and final inspection is scheduled for the penultimate day of flight. The first spacewalk of the mission will take place tomorrow.