Endeavour and STS-118 crew liftoff on time

William Atkins
Thursday, 09 August 2007 04:36

Science - Space

With an on-time liftoff from Launch Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center of 6:36 PM EDT (22:36 UTC), the space shuttle Endeavour is starting its journey to the International Space Station.         

Its seven crewmembers are anxious to greet the ISS Expedition 15 crewmembers and continue assembly operations  of the station. 

Before liftoff, a small crack was discovered in the foam covering the external fuel tank. The Mission Management Team decided that it was not an issue. Also, a problem with the switches to the crew hatch occurred the first time the hatch was closed. However, upon a second try, the switches worked. No other potential problems have been reported.

STS-118 is the 119th flight of the space shuttle fleet, and the 20th flight of space shuttle Endeavour.

It is the 22th flight of the space shuttles to the International Space Station.

Landing of Endeavour and the STS-118 astronauts is scheduled either for August 19 or August 22, 2007, depending on whether the flight lasts 11 days or 14 days, respectively.