Discovery docks with International Space Station
STS-124 crew members are welcomed onboard the ISS
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Tuesday, 03, Jun 2008 11:13
Space shuttle Discovery has successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS) for its 13-day space mission.
The shuttle connected with the orbiting outpost at 19:03 BST on Monday after launching from Florida on Saturday.
Astronauts on the STS-124 mission entered the station for the first time after the hatches between the two spacecraft opened an hour and a half later.
They are now preparing for the first of three planned spacewalks, which will take place later today by mission specialists Mike Fossum and Ron Garan.
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.
STS-124 crew members will work with the three-member station crew and ground teams around the world to install the JPM and Kibo's robotic arm system.
Discovery will also deliver new ISS crew member Greg Chamitoff and bring back flight engineer Garrett Reisman, who will end a three-month stay at the outpost.