Space shuttle Endeavourdocked at the International Space Station yesterday on a mission to add amenities like a new toilet and kitchen to the 10-year-old orbital outpost.
Shuttle commander Chris Ferguson nudged the shuttle into a docking berth on the station's Harmony module as the spacecraft soared 212 miles (340 km) above India.
The shuttle's astronauts will turn the station into a five-bedroom, two-bath orbital house with dual kitchens, allowing it to accommodate six astronauts - double its current capacity.
The Endeavourcrew also plans four challenging spacewalks to work on the station's power system. A huge rotary joint needed to pivot solar panels to face the sun was shut down last year after Nasa discovered it was contaminated with metal filings.
Astronauts plan to clean and lubricate the joint and install new bearings. They will also do preventive maintenance on another rotary joint to avoid future problems.
Reuters