Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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March 11, 2008

US Space Shuttle Endeavour Launches with New Lab, Robot
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1B81CBF:A6F02AD83191E160DFFB34D6D82A4465A13B8D4F2090AB2B& Seven-person crew
on their way to International Space Station for 16-day mission





Shuttle Endeavour being prepared for launch at the Kennedy Space
Center, 10 Mar 2008Space Shuttle Endeavour has launched on an
ambitious mission to deliver a new science laboratory and robotic
system to the International Space Station. VOA's Brian Wagner reports
from Miami.

The seven-person crew aboard Endeavour lifted off during a rare
nighttime launch from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA officials
say the 16-day space mission will include the longest shuttle visit to
the International Space Station in the program's history.

The Endeavour is delivering the first of three sections of a
Japanese-built science station, called Kibo. Astronauts also will
attach a Canadian-built robotic arm system that will assist astronauts
during space walks and perform other tasks.







Shuttle Endeavour as seen from the International Space Station on
previous missionCanadian astronaut Julie Payette says the two-armed
Dextre system will enable crew members to carry out delicate
operations on the space station. "There may be times when it will be
very useful to use the robot to change out a piece of faulty equipment
on the space station without having to schedule a long space walk."

The Endeavour also is carrying astronaut Garrett Reisman who will
remain on the space station, allowing French astronaut Leopold Eyharts
to return to Earth.

The next shuttle launch is scheduled for May when Discovery is to
deliver the second portion of the Kibo laboratory to the space
station.


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