#Nasa space shuttle launch endeavor install#

The 13-day shuttle mission comes at one of the most agonizing times for NASA. The launch team couldn't resist some gentle teasing. Astronaut Stephen Robinson forgot the binder holding all his flight data files, and the emergency red team had to rush it out to him, just before he climbed aboard.

Monday morning's countdown ended up being uneventful, except for a last-minute run to the launch pad. The coin used in the opening toss flew to the space station in November, aboard Atlantis.Įndeavour's launch also was broadcast to the space station residents, who got to watch it live. The shuttle crew did not watch the game - neither did the launch team - but it was beamed up to the space station in case anyone there wanted to watch it. NASA began fueling Endeavour on Sunday night just as the Super Bowl was kicking off to the south in Miami. No more big pieces like that are left to fly.īoth the new room and dome - together exceeding $400 million - were supplied by the European Space Agency. It will be the last major construction job at the space station. Space shuttle Endeavour lifts off Monday before dawn. The lookout has the biggest window ever sent into space, a circle 31 inches across.

#Nasa space shuttle launch endeavor install#

Zamka and his crew will deliver and install Tranquility, a new room that will eventually house life-support equipment, exercise machines and a toilet, as well as a seven-windowed dome. The shuttle is set to arrive at the station early Wednesday. He repeated: 'It's time to go fly.'Įndeavour's destination - the space station, home to five men - was soaring over Romania at the time of liftoff. 'We'll see you in a couple weeks,' replied commander George Zamka.

'Looks like the weather came together tonight,' launch director Mike Leinbach told the astronauts right before liftoff. The weather cooperated at the last minute Sunday morning's try was thwarted by thick, low clouds that returned and almost caused another delay. The space shuttle took flight before dawn, igniting the sky with a brilliant flash seen for miles around. Endeavour is scheduled for a 13-day mission to the International Space Station.(AP)Įndeavour and six astronauts rocketed into orbit Monday on what's expected to be the last nighttime launch for the shuttle program, hauling a new room and observation deck for the International Space Station. Space shuttle Endeavour lifts off from launch pad 39a at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Twitter facebook Email This article is more than 12 years old.