Space station getting extra storage room

[March 01, 2011]  CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) -- The International Space Station is getting an extra storage room.

Space shuttle Discovery delivered the new compartment over the weekend.

The orbiting astronauts will install the 21-foot-long chamber Tuesday morning. It's loaded with supplies as well as a humanoid robot that will be tested as a potential astronaut helper.

The Italian-built chamber is named Leonardo, after Leonardo da Vinci. It flew seven times to the space station as a temporary cargo carrier. This time, it's staying.

Discovery's last flight will last an extra day. Mission Control radioed up the news following Monday's spacewalk. The 12-day mission will now end next Tuesday. Once Discovery lands, it will be retired and put in a museum.

[Associated Press; By MARCIA DUNN]

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