Shuttle Discovery closing in on space station

[March 17, 2009]  CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) -- Space shuttle Discovery is closing in on the international space station for a 220-mile-high linkup.

The shuttle and its seven astronauts are due to arrive late Tuesday afternoon. They're delivering one last set of solar wings to bring the orbiting outpost up to full power.

Discovery has been circling Earth, slowly catching up with the space station, since Sunday night's launch. The shuttle also will drop off badly needed equipment for the station's water-recycling system, which still is being tested, and a fresh crew member.

The three space station residents got some good news Monday. They didn't need to dodge an approaching piece of space junk because engineers determined the debris would stay safely away.

[Associated Press]

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