Space shuttle Endeavour closes in on space station

[July 17, 2009]  CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) -- Space shuttle Endeavour is closing in on the international space station following a two-day chase.

Before docking at the space station Friday afternoon, Endeavour will perform a backflip so the station crew can photograph its entire surface. NASA wants to see whether the shuttle suffered any significant launch damage. An unusually large amount of foam insulation peeled away from a the fuel tank during Wednesday's liftoff.

Endeavour's thermal tiles were dinged in several places by foam. But that damage is considered minor.

The shuttle and its seven astronauts are delivering the last piece of Japan's space station lab, a porch for experiments. Endeavour will remain at the space station for 1 1/2 weeks.

[Associated Press; By MARCIA DUNN]

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