Well aren't they supposed to be retiring the orbiter in 2 or 3 years? I agree it needs replacement, then again I don't think they have the funding
for it right now with the way things are going right now financially.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Space shuttle Endeavour's astronauts unfurled a 100-foot, laser-tipped pole and surveyed their ship for any launch damage Saturday while drawing ever closer to their destination, the international space station.
At least two pieces of debris were spotted Friday night in launch photos, Mission Control reported, and engineers were poring over the images to determine whether anything hit Endeavour. Mission Control told the astronauts there were no obvious signs of damage.
The spacecraft and its crew of seven were on track to hook up Sunday afternoon with the space station, currently home to three astronauts. The shuttle was delivering tons of equipment for remodeling, including a new bathroom, kitchenette, two sleeping compartments and an unprecedented recycling system for turning urine into drinking water.
"It's the eve of showtime," space station commander Mike Fincke told flight controllers on the ground. "Everyone get some rest. We're going to have a great day tomorrow."
The day centered around the shuttle inspections, standard procedure ever since Columbia shattered during re-entry in 2003.