Discovery crew spend first full day in space
The STS-124 crew onboard Discovery during their first day in space
Monday, 02, Jun 2008 12:23
Crew members onboard the space shuttle Discovery spent their first full day in space yesterday preparing for their arrival at the International Space Station (ISS).
Following lift-off from Florida on Saturday the STS-124 team checked Discovery's heat shield for any signs of damage using the shuttle's robotic arm.
This inspection is vital as tiles on heat shields protect orbiters during their re-entry to the Earth's atmosphere.
The astronauts also extended the orbiter docking system ring and checked rendezvous tools in preparation for their arrival at the station later today.
Discovery's current mission is the second of three flights to launch components to complete the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory.
The shuttle is carrying Kibo's tour bus-sized Japanese Pressurised Module (JPM), which will be the station's largest module.
The shuttle astronauts will work with the three-member station crew and ground teams around the world to install the JPM and Kibo's robotic arm system.
Shortly before Saturday's launch Commander Mark Kelly said: "We're going to deliver Kibo, or hope, to the space station.
"And while we tend to live for today, the discoveries from Kibo will certainly offer hope for tomorrow."