A one-astronaut crew swap for the station's Expedition 16 crew and a shuttle heat shield repair demonstration were also performed during the mission.
Below is SPACE.com's
special report of NASA's STS-123 mission. Stories appear in reverse
chronological order, with the most recent updates first. This page was last
updated on April 1, 2008.
Marathon Mission to Space Station
Shuttle Astronauts Rest up After Ambitious Spaceflight
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The seven astronauts of NASA's shuttle Endeavour are readjusting to Earth's gravity after their marathon construction flight to the International Space Station (ISS).
Shuttle Flight's Success a Global Effort, NASA Says
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The successful return of the shuttle Endeavour late Wednesday capped a global effort by NASA and its partners to push the International Space Station (ISS) another step towards completion, the U.S. agency said.
Space Shuttle Lands Safely After Construction Marathon
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA's shuttle Endeavour and its seven-astronaut crew returned to Earth safely late Wednesday, hitting the finish line of a construction marathon at the International Space Station (ISS).
Space Shuttle Endeavour to Land Tonight
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA's space shuttle Endeavour and its seven-astronaut crew are coming home today to end an intense construction job at the International Space Station (ISS).
Shuttle Crew Prepares for Wednesday Landing
HOUSTON - Astronauts aboard NASA's shuttle Endeavour converted their spacecraft into a 100-ton glider Tuesday as they head home from a packed construction flight to the International Space Station (ISS).
Astronauts See Influence of Arthur C. Clarke, Past Crews Aboard Station
The crews of the International Space Station and the visiting space shuttle Endeavour spoke from space Sunday night to reporters gathered at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.
Endeavour Astronauts Cast Off from Space Station
HOUSTON - With warm hugs and some laughs, seven astronauts aboard NASA's shuttle Endeavour bid farewell to the crew of the International Space Station (ISS) late Friday after a record construction flight.
Shuttle Crew to Undock from Space Station Tonight
HOUSTON - The seven astronauts aboard NASA's shuttle Endeavour will cast off from the International Space Station (ISS) late Monday after a record-long stay at the orbiting laboratory.
Shuttle Crew Prepares to Leave Space Station
HOUSTON - Astronauts aboard NASA's shuttle Endeavour will rest and pack up their spacecraft today for the trip back to Earth after delivering a new room and robot to the International Space Station (ISS).
Astronauts Perform Fifth Spacewalk at Station
HOUSTON - Two astronauts floated outside the International Space Station (ISS) Saturday on a record fifth spacewalk for their mission, this one aimed at transferring a shuttle inspection boom to the orbiting lab's exterior.
Astronauts Set for Fifth Spacewalk at Station
HOUSTON - Two astronauts will venture outside the International Space Station (ISS) to catch an orbital baton of sorts on Saturday when they help attach the shuttle Endeavour's inspection boom to the high-flying laboratory.
Astronauts Scan Shuttle Heat Shield at Station
HOUSTON - Astronauts aboard NASA's shuttle Endeavour scanned their spacecraft's vital heat shield for dings again Friday as they prepared for their fifth spacewalk outside the International Space Station (ISS).
Spacewalkers Test Fire Shuttle Repair Goo Gun
HOUSTON - Two spacewalking astronauts test fired a high-tech caulk gun filled with goo outside the International Space Station (ISS) Thursday to determine whether it's a viable repair tool for dinged shuttle heat shields.
Astronauts to Test Shuttle Heat Shield Fix in Spacewalk
HOUSTON - Two astronauts will float outside the International Space Station (ISS) Thursday armed with a space age caulk gun and its goo-like ammo to test their effectiveness in shuttle heat shield repairs.
Japanese Space Food a Hit in Orbit
HOUSTON - When visiting someone's house - even in space - bring food. That was Japanese astronaut Takao Doi's motto and his country's orbital eats are apparently a hit aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
Shuttle Astronauts Take Time Off From Busy Flight
HOUSTON - Astronauts aboard NASA's shuttle Endeavour took some time off Wednesday in a well deserved break from their record-long construction flight at the International Space Station (ISS).
Space Station Gets New Robot, Room
Space Shuttle to Return Pallet Full of History
Its purpose now served, the shipping pallet used to launch and then configure a Canadian two-armed robot for the International Space Station (ISS) will be reinstalled into space shuttle Endeavour's payload bay on Tuesday, in preparation for returning it to Earth.
Space Station's Robotic Repairman Moves In
HOUSTON - The International Space Station's (ISS) new mechanical maintenance man officially moved in Tuesday when astronauts attached it to the exterior of the orbiting laboratory's U.S. Destiny module.
Spacewalkers Add Tool Kit, Cameras to Station's New Robot
HOUSTON - Two spacewalking astronauts added a tool kit and camera eyes to the International Space Station's (ISS) new mechanical handyman late Monday, priming the two-armed robot for its big move to orbiting laboratory's hull.
Astronauts to Complete Station's New Robot in Spacewalk
HOUSTON - Two astronauts will step outside the International Space Station (ISS) tonight to outfit a giant maintenance robot with its tool kit and attach a new experiment to the orbiting laboratory's hull.
Space Station's New Robot in Good Shape After Tests
HOUSTON - A new mechanical handyman perched outside the International Space Station (ISS) is in fine shape after a Sunday health check-up as astronauts prepare to complete its assembly in a spacewalk, mission managers said.
Astronauts to Test Space Station's New Robotic Handyman
Astronauts will put the International Space Station's (ISS) newest resident, an ungainly automaton named Dextre, through its paces today with tests of its two robotic arms.
Astronauts Build 'Monster' Robot in Space
HOUSTON — Two astronauts spent their Saturday night assembling a giant robot outside the International Space Station (ISS), wrangling with stubborn bolts to attach the machine's two massive arms.
Spacewalkers to Attach Giant Robot's Arms
HOUSTON — Two spacewalking astronauts are set to venture outside the International Space Station (ISS) tonight for a marathon spacewalk to attach twin arms to a giant robot.
Astronauts Fix Space Robot's Power Woes
HOUSTON — Astronauts remedied a power glitch with a giant robot outside the International Space Station (ISS) Friday evening, poising spacewalkers to attach its two arms tonight.
Space Station Astronauts Open New Japanese Room
HOUSTON — Astronauts on board the International Space Station (ISS) opened up Japan's first orbital room Friday evening as mission controllers solved a power supply glitch with a giant robot outside the orbiting laboratory.
Space Station Astronauts Open New Japanese Room
HOUSTON — Astronauts on board the International Space Station (ISS) opened up Japan's first orbital room Friday evening as mission controllers solved a power supply glitch with a giant robot outside the orbiting laboratory.
Astronauts Install Japanese Room, Assemble Robot in Space
HOUSTON – Two spacewalking astronauts worked through the night high above the Earth to install Japan's first orbital room and attach hands to a two-armed robot named Dextre.
Astronauts to Install New Station Room in Spacewalk
HOUSTON - Two astronauts will venture outside the International Space Station (ISS) tonight to help deliver Japan's first orbital room and begin constructing a giant robot, even as NASA struggles to provide crucial power to the device.
Record ISS Construction Flight Begins
Shuttle Endeavour Docks at Space Station
HOUSTON — NASA's space shuttle Endeavour ended a high-speed chase of the International Space Station (ISS) late Wednesday, poising the orbiter's seven-astronaut crew to kick off two busy weeks of construction in space.
Shuttle Endeavour to Dock at Space Station Tonight
HOUSTON — Space shuttle Endeavour and its astronaut crew will finish an orbital pursuit of the International Space Station (ISS) this evening, poising themselves to deliver Japan's first orbital room and a giant two-armed robot.
Shuttle Mission in Good Shape After Launch, NASA Says
HOUSTON — Less than 24 hours after space shuttle Endeavour's successful launch set a predawn Florida sky ablaze, NASA said the mission is going well despite two glitches and a strange object spotted in launch video.
Astronauts Scan Space Shuttle For Dings, Damage
Astronauts aboard NASA's shuttle Endeavour wrapped up their first full day in space by scanning for dings or damage to their spacecraft's heat shield.
Shuttle Launch Sets Off International Celebration
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Space shuttle Endeavour's successful launch not only lit up the predawn sky this morning, but also the faces of Japanese and Canadian members of the International Space Station (ISS) program.
Shuttle Endeavour Rockets Toward Space Station
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The cloudy predawn sky above Florida ignited into a spectacular blaze Tuesday as NASA's shuttle Endeavour roared into a high-speed pursuit of the International Space Station (ISS).
Countdown to Launch
Space Shuttle Endeavour to Launch Tonight
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA's space shuttle Endeavour is on track to light the predawn Florida sky ablaze early Tuesday as it rockets toward the International Space Station (ISS) with seven astronauts on board.
Canadians Excited to Send Robotic 'Superhero' into Space
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Mr. Dextre stands taller than a house, has two seven-jointed arms and can fly around the Earth in about 90 minutes. But he is not a superhero, nor is "he" a person.
Space Shuttle Endeavour 'Go' for Tuesday Launch
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA mission managers gave space shuttle Endeavour and its seven-astronaut crew a green light for a predawn launch attempt on Tuesday as fair weather continues to grace the Florida space coast.
NASA Clears Space Shuttle of Radio Glitch
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Severe weather and a radio glitch on space shuttle Endeavour won't delay the launch of seven astronauts early Tuesday, NASA officials said this morning.
Astronaut Crew Makes Rainy Florida Arrival
CAPE CANAVERAL — Tornado-generating thunderstorms sliced across the Florida peninsula Friday, delaying the arrival of NASA's seven-astronaut crew set to launch Tuesday aboard space shuttle Endeavour.
Endeavour Astronauts a Mix of Experience, Excitement
The seven astronauts set to rocket spaceward aboard NASA's shuttle Endeavour next week are a varied crew of experienced veterans and first-time flyers.
Shuttle Endeavour on Track for Tuesday Launch
NASA's shuttle Endeavour is on track to begin the longest construction flight yet aimed at the International Space Station (ISS) next week, mission managers said Friday.
Space Station Ready for New Robot, Room
A massive robot and Japan's first room in space are set for delivery to the International Space Station (ISS) next week aboard NASA's space shuttle Endeavour.
Japanese Astronaut to Help Deliver Nation's First Station Module
Japanese astronaut Takao Doi is looking forward to his country's plunge into human spaceflight next week when he helps deliver a small storage room for Japan's massive Kibo lab at the International Space Station (ISS).
Astronauts Eager for Marathon Station Construction Flight
WASHINGTON - The seven-astronaut crew of NASA's shuttle Endeavour is gearing up for the longest construction mission ever aimed at the International Space Station (ISS), where spaceflyers will add a Japanese-built room and a Canadian robot to the growing orbiting laboratory.
New ISS Additions Ready for Flight
Space Shuttle Endeavour to Launch March 11
The shuttle Endeavour and a crew of seven astronauts will launch in less than two weeks on what will be the longest mission to date headed for the International Space Station (ISS), top NASA officials said Friday.
Space Shuttle Endeavour to Launch March 11
The shuttle Endeavour and a crew of seven astronauts will launch in less than two weeks on what will be the longest mission to date headed for the International Space Station (ISS), top NASA officials said Friday.
NASA Discusses Shuttle Endeavour's March Launch Plan
NASA mission managers are expected to set a definitive launch date today for the shuttle Endeavour to haul two new additions to the International Space Station (ISS).
Shuttle Astronauts Rehearse March Launch to Space Station
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Endeavour's astronauts capped a practice countdown Monday with an emergency escape exercise, keeping NASA on track for the planned March 11 launch of another International Space Station construction mission.
Shuttle Flight Kicks Off Busy Station Construction Year
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - With the successful Wednesday landing of NASA's shuttle Atlantis, the stage is set for a busy year of construction at the International Space Station (ISS).
Shuttle Endeavour Moves Closer to March Launch
The orbiter Endeavour is in the Kennedy Space Center Vehicle Assembly Building after a move this morning from its shuttle processing hangar.
Japan Prepares Space Station's Largest Laboratory for Flight
Pieces of the largest laboratory to launch towards the International Space Station (ISS) are coming together and Japan couldn't be happier.
NASA Spaceport Welcomes Japanese Space Station Component
A new pressurized module that will serve as a sort of orbital storage closet for Japan's Kibo laboratory at the International Space Station (ISS) received a warm welcome Tuesday at NASA's Florida spaceport.
NASA Sets New Shuttle Launch Targets for 2007
NASA aims to launch four space shuttle missions by the end of the year, some aboard different orbiters than originally planned, in order to continue assembly of the International Space Station (ISS), mission managers reported late Monday.
NASA Sets Target Launch Dates for Three 2007 Shuttle Flights
NASA space shuttle managers formally decided Thursday to push back the launches of three orbiter missions in 2007 to allow extra time for spacecraft processing.
Kibo and Dextre
NASA, Partners Set Space Station Construction Plan
NASA and its partner agencies have set a new plan to complete the International Space Station (ISS) by 2010, delaying science utilization to make way for 16 shuttle flights to piece together the orbital laboratory.
Hubble Robot Repair Deal Given to Canadian Firm
NASA has given the go-ahead to a Canadian firm to work on a possible robot-salvage mission to the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). The contract is valued at $154 million and builds on the space robotics work of MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) Ltd through its MD Robotics group in Brampton, Ontario.
Canadian Robot Top Choice for Hubble Servicing Mission
CAPE CANAVERAL -- A two-armed android launched from Cape Canaveral and operated by an astronaut in Houston is emerging as the leading candidate for a robotic mission to save NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, agency officials said Tuesday.
JEM Arrives, Europeans Deliver Station Node to NASA
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- European officials signed over to NASA on Wednesday a new node designed to link together several space-station modules, and one NASA official said December was a reasonable goal for the shuttles' return to flight.
Japan's ISS Unit, Kibo, to Begin Final Testing Next Month
TSUKUBA, Japan (AP) _ Japan unveiled its contribution to the international space station Saturday, a three-part research module that goes into its final testing phase next month.
Japan Starts Testing Robot Arm
TSUKUBA, Japan (Kyodo) -- The National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) on Wednesday began testing robot arms that will be used in Kibo, the Japanese experiment module of the International Space Station (ISS), NASDA officials said.
Canada's New Robot Arm Critical for Future Station Construction
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The United States and Russia might be the most powerful players in the International Space Station program, but the future of the $60 billion construction project now hinges on an underrated partner: Canada.
Japan's Uchida: Frustration and Excitement
Japan will play an important role in the development of the International Space Station by building the Kibo experiment module. Here, Japan's space agency chief Isao Uchida discusses his frustration with construction delays, his excitement in working on such a large project, his hopes for the space station and the status of the Japanese contribution.
Canada's Evans: Building a Robotic Arm to Build the Space Station
The Canadian Space Agency, which operates on an annual budget of around US $240 million, is supplying a key component to the International Space Station: the Mobile Servicing System. It includes a robotic arm to help build and maintain the station.
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