|
The Tranquility node and cupola, berthed in Endeavour's payload bay.
Photo: NASA TV
Larger
|
|
Anytime Gardening!
|
|
|
Sign Up for Email News Updates!
|
|
by Alan McBride
CAPE CANAVERAL, FLA. -- The crew of space shuttle Endeavour started their day when it was Monday evening for most of us on Earth.
Astronauts woke at 6:15 p.m. EDT for their first full day in space.
The astronauts spent their flight day unberthing the shuttle's robot arm and attaching a boom extension.
The Orbital Boom Sensor System extension is designed to allow crew members to check the nose cap and leading edges of the shuttle for any damage that may have occurred during the Monday morning launch.
The sensor-tipped boom will make slow passes over the nose cone, as well as the reinforced carbon carbon panels along the forward parts of the orbiter's wings.
Tapes of the inspection are being beamed to flight controllers, so they can see of there are any areas that deserve closer observation.
NASA managers said there was some foam loss from the shuttle's external fuel tank during lift-off, but initial reports did not give them cause for concern. The inspection, however, is part of a rigorous program meant to verify whether or not there are any issues that merit further scrutiny.
Endeavour's astronauts also continued to chase after the International Space Station, preparing for their docking Wednesday.
The crew checked out spacesuits that will be used by astronauts Nicholas Patrick and Robert Behnken for their spacewalks later in the mission.
There are three spacewalks on the agenda for this flight, devoted largely to installation of the Tranquility node, as well as the outfitting of the new module, a cupola, and a docking port that will be relocated during docked operations.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gas Prices
Click
here for an interactive map!
|
|
