July 18, 2009

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Spacewalk Day: Astronauts set for first outing

In this image rendered from video and released by NASA, space shuttle Endeavour is shown after docking with the international space station Friday, July 17, 2009. (AP Photo/NASA TV)
× close
In this image rendered from video and released by NASA, space shuttle Endeavour is shown after docking with the international space station Friday, July 17, 2009. (AP Photo/NASA TV)

(AP) -- It's spacewalking day at the shuttle-station complex.

At high noon Saturday, two astronauts will venture out to help attach a platform for science experiments. It's the third and final piece of Japan's huge billion-dollar lab. And it's the first of five spacewalks planned for the flight.

Endeavour arrived at the Friday, boosting the population for now to a record 13. Before docking, the shuttle performed a backflip for space station cameras. NASA says the analysis is ongoing, but so far Endeavour looks to be in good shape for re-entry at the end of the month.

An unusually large amount of foam broke off Endeavour's fuel tank at , and some pieces dinged the shuttle.

©2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Load comments (0)