Shuttle mission will begin Japanese section of space station
Matt Brown
Tuesday, 26 February 2008 14:08 UTC
Atlantis only just landed, but we’re now just two weeks away from the next Space Shuttle launch.
All being well, on March 11, Endeavour will head off to the ISS on mission STS-123 carrying the first of three pieces of Japanese hardware for the station.
The Japanese Experiment Logistics Module is a drum shaped module (the sticky-uppy bit at centre left of the image), which will act as a control and storage area for the Japanese section – a kind of high-tech broom cupboard. The main section, known as Kibo, will be delivered on a later launch.
STS-123 will also deliver DEXTRE, a Canadian hand that will improve the capabilities of the station’s robot arm.
Please use this thread to comment on the mission.
• Japan, like Europe a couple of weeks ago, will get its first manned property in space. What are the benefits to that nation for doing this?
Updated 26 February 2008 14:11 UTC
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Replies
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All is looking good for a launch tomorrow.
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And we’re off. Endeavour has safely reached orbit after a night time launch.
It’s one of the more exciting shuttle missions, taking up a new room for the outpost and a giant, multiarmed robot.
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Endeavour is now docked to the ISS. Initial attempts to power up parts of DEXTRE failed, but this is not thought to be a show-stopper.
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The Japanese module has been opened, and the DEXTRE’s power woes have been fixed. A good day in orbit.
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Endevour is on its way home after a record-breaking stay of 12 days at the International Space Station.
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