BY SPACEFLIGHT NOW

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2008

The Endeavour astronauts completed a final inspection of the shuttle's nose cap and wing leading edge panels today after undocking from the international space station. No obvious problems were seen, but it will take engineers a day or so to complete their analysis and give the ship a clean bill of health.

Read our full story.

2325 GMT (6:25 p.m. EST)

The third and final post-undocking separation burn was just performed by Endeavour. The 23-second firing of the reaction control system thrusters was deferred from earlier today to avoid bringing the shuttle too close to a piece of Russian satellite space debris.

The Orbiter Boom Sensor System has been berthed in the payload bay, its job complete for the mission.

Endeavour's astronauts will begin an 8-hour sleep period at 8:55 p.m. EST.

2215 GMT (5:15 p.m. EST)

The inspections are finished and the crew is returning the boom to its cradle in the payload bay.

2050 GMT (3:50 p.m. EST)

Observations of the port wing are now underway aboard shuttle Endeavour. This is the third and final part of the inspections for today.

2040 GMT (3:40 p.m. EST)

Inspections of the reinforced carbon-carbon nose cap of the shuttle are complete.

1955 GMT (2:55 p.m. EST)

Endeavour is now 31 nautical miles from the space station, a distance that continues to open up.

1935 GMT (2:35 p.m. EST)

The right wing has been scanned using the laser and camera package of the Orbiter Boom Sensor System. The crew is swinging the boom in position to inspect Endeavour's nose cap next.

1820 GMT (1:20 p.m. EST)

The Endeavour astronauts have begun using the Orbiter Boom Sensor System on the end of the shuttle's robot arm for a series of heat shield inspections. The inspections are similar to the ones performed the day after launch. Today's survey results will be compared with the earlier data to ensure the orbiter's wing leading edge panels and nose cap are free of any space debris impacts that could have occurred during the mission.

1600 GMT (11:00 a.m. EST)

A series of engine firings will continue to increase the distance between the two spacecraft. However, the timing of the final separation burn will be delayed from 12:14 p.m. until 6:20 p.m. today to avoid the shuttle's path from coming too close to debris from a defunct Russian satellite, Mission Control says.

1553 GMT (10:53 a.m. EST)

Endeavour is back out in front of the station to complete a full loop flyaround.

1542 GMT (10:42 a.m. EST)

The shuttle is beneath the station now, continuing its circle around the complex.

1532 GMT (10:32 a.m. EST)

Endeavour is nearing a point directly behind the station in terms of the direction of travel of the two spacecraft around the Earth, which is known as the -V bar. Distance between the two craft has grown to 700 feet.

1521 GMT (10:21 a.m. EST)

Endeavour is reaching a point about 620 feet directly above the space station.

The flyaround started with the shuttle in front of the station. It takes Endeavour to a point directly above the complex, then behind it, looping below and back out in front. After climbing above the station for a second time, the final separation engine firing will be performed. This burn will send Endeavour away from the vicinity of the station.

1510 GMT (10:10 a.m. EST)

Pilot Eric Boe has begun flying Endeavour in a one-lap flyaround of the station.

1502 GMT (10:02 a.m. EST)

Endeavour is now 230 feet from the station, backing away at just under 0.3 feet per second. The shuttle is headed to a point about 400 feet away where it will fire thrusters to begin an arc above the station.

1451 GMT (9:51 a.m. EST)

The undocking occurred 221 miles over Taiwan.

1447 GMT (9:47 a.m. EST)

UNDOCKING! Shuttle Endeavour and the international space station are parting company after 11 days, 16 hours and 46 minutes of being linked together high above Earth. The shuttle hauled up more than 14,000 pounds of equipment and hardware that will enable the space station to support larger resident crews beginning next year.

Endeavour is due home at the Kennedy Space Center on Sunday, weather permitting.

1446 GMT (9:46 a.m. EST)

Hooks in the docking mechanism are driving open.

1442 GMT (9:42 a.m. EST)

Five minutes from undocking. The steering jets on Endeavour are inhibited for the period of physical undocking from the station. The separation occurs when large springs push the two craft apart. Once the shuttle is a couple feet away from the station and the docking devices are clear of one another, pilot Eric Boe will fire Endeavour's thrusters to continue the movement away.

1431 GMT (9:31 a.m. EST)

And the formal "go" for undocking has been given to the Endeavour crew.

1428 GMT (9:28 a.m. EST)

Both the shuttle and station flight control teams report all systems are ready for the undocking at 9:47 a.m. Endeavour's guidance system was aligned this morning, the entire shuttle/station complex was reoriented to the proper attitude for undocking and the station's giant solar arrays have been positioned to protect them from shuttle thruster plumes.

1400 GMT (9:00 a.m. EST)

The early weather forecast for Sunday afternoon's planned landing at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida indicates crosswinds and the chance of rain and thunderstorms could prohibit the shuttle's return.

At the landing time, the forecast is calling for scattered clouds at 3,000 feet, a broken deck of clouds at 9,000 feet and overcast skies at 25,000 feet, seven miles of visibility, a south-southwesterly wind from 200 degrees of 16 peaking to 23 knots and the chance of precipitation within 30 miles of the Shuttle Landing Facility.

The outlook for Monday predicts scattered clouds at 5,000 feet and a broken deck of clouds at 25,000 feet, seven miles of visibility and a westerly wind from 270 degrees of 14 peaking to 21 knots. The concern will be crosswinds and the possibility of a low cloud ceiling forming.

The backup landing site at Edwards Air Force Base in California looks favorable both Sunday and Monday, with light winds and clear skies expected.

1320 GMT (8:20 a.m. EST)

Read our morning story with a preview of undocking.

1247 GMT (7:47 a.m. EST)

Space shuttle Endeavour will undocking from the international space station today to conclude a nearly 12-day visit that delivered the equipment needed to enlarge the outpost's crew size.

Under the control of pilot Eric Boe, the shuttle will back away from the complex at 9:47 a.m. EST and then perform a full lap flyaround starting around 10:16 a.m.

Later today, the shuttle crew will use the inspection boom to scan the wing leading edges and nose cap to check for any space debris or micrometeoroid impact damage prior to Sunday's entry and landing.

The astronauts were awakened at 5:55 a.m. this morning to the song "In the Meantime" by Spacehog.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2008

Read our story on the crew's farewell ceremony.

1810 GMT (1:10 p.m. EST)

The Endeavour astronauts beamed down Thanksgiving greetings today while astronaut Don Pettit, known for his entertaining "Saturday morning science" demonstrations during an earlier space station expedition, amused flight controllers with an innovative technique for sharing weightless toasts using improvised cups fashioned along the same lines as rocket fuel tanks.

Read our full story.

1435 GMT (9:35 a.m. EST)

Celebrating Thanksgiving in space, the crews of the international space station and the shuttle Endeavour enjoyed a half-day off today, looking forward to sharing a turkey dinner in orbit before saying farewell and closing hatches between the two spacecraft to set the stage for undocking Friday.

Read our full story.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2008

Astronauts Don Pettit and Robert "Shane" Kimbrough, operating the space station's robot arm from inside the Destiny laboratory module, carefully detached the Leonardo cargo canister today and re-berthed it in the shuttle Endeavour's cargo bay.

Read our full story.

2253 GMT (5:53 p.m. EST)

Leonardo is back in the payload bay and latched into place for the journey home to Kennedy Space Center this weekend.

The Italian-made reusable module, making its fifth trip to the space station, delivered over 1,000 items amounting to more than 14,000 pounds, including water recycling gear, a second toilet, a new kitchen, exercise equipment and two private bedrooms that were transferred into the station. The cargo will enable the outpost to double its resident crew size from three people to six starting in the spring.

After Leonardo was emptied, about 3,400 pounds of stuff needing a ride back to the ground and no-longer-used equipment were stowed into the module.

2214 GMT (5:14 p.m. EST)

Anchored on the end of the space station's robotic arm, the Leonardo module is undergoing a quarter roll to the proper orientation for entering the payload bay.

2201 GMT (5:01 p.m. EST)

After nine days being attached to the international space station for the unloading its cargo and subsequent packing of items for return to Earth, the Leonardo module has been unberthed from the nadir port of the Harmony connecting node. The module will be put back into the payload bay of Endeavour for the ride home.

2136 GMT (4:36 p.m. EST)

The first and second set of bolts have been driven open, space station astronaut Sandy Magnus reports.

2120 GMT (4:20 p.m. EST)

The space station's robotic arm has grappled Leonardo, allowing 16 electrically driven bolts to disengage for the module's removal from the outpost.

1900 GMT (2:00 p.m. EST)

The hatchway leading into the Leonardo cargo module has been closed in preparation for this afternoon's demating from the Harmony node and return to the payload bay of Endeavour for the trip back to Earth.

1718 GMT (12:18 p.m. EST)

Mission Control-Houston says a second attempt to deploy one of the rendezvous antennas aboard the station-bound Russian Progress cargo freighter was successful this morning.

One of two narrow field proximity antennas used for range and range rate updates to the Progress computers had failed to unfurl following today's launch into orbit. But subsequent troubleshooting and another deploy command apparently succeeded in getting the antenna out.

The antenna in question is part of the spacecraft's automated docking system. Russian flight controllers had told the station crew to be prepared for a manual docking if the antenna glitch could not be solved.

The craft is slated to link up with the Pirs module of the station on Sunday morning.

1500 GMT (10:00 a.m. EST)

An unmanned Russian Progress supply ship was launched today, bound for a docking with the international space station Sunday. But officials said an antenna that is part of the vehicle's automated docking system failed to deploy, raising the prospect of a manual linkup by remote control. Aboard the station today, the astronauts will close out the Leonardo cargo module and, using the station's robot arm, move it back to the shuttle for return to Earth.

Read our full story.

1310 GMT (8:10 a.m. EST)

Sporting an enhanced computer control system and loaded with food, supplies and holiday gifts, a Russian cargo-delivery spacecraft was launched toward the international space station this morning.

The robotic Progress M-01M freighter was put into orbit by a three-stage Soyuz booster following a 7:38 a.m. EST liftoff from the Baikonur Cosmodrome and 9-minute ascent over Asia.

Onboard commands then extended the Progress craft's two power-generating solar arrays to span 35 feet and unfurled communications and navigation antennas. However, one of those antennas may not have deployed as planned.

Read our full story.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2008
2250 GMT (5:50 p.m. EST)

Work to replace bearings and re-lubricate the space station's damaged right-side solar array rotary joint went better than expected, a senior manager said today, resulting in remarkably smooth operation that may permit the agency to forego building, launching and installing costly replacement hardware. And the station's newly installed water recycling system, including an initially cantankerous urine distillation assembly, appears to be operating normally and will allow Endeavour to bring back more samples for analysis than expected.

Read our full story.

1405 GMT (9:05 a.m. EST)

Engineers began testing the space station's right-side solar array rotary joint today to find out if the damaged 10-foot-wide drive gear at the heart of the mechanism is rolling with less vibration and friction after spacewalking work by the Endeavour astronauts to install new bearings and lubrication. While engineers will spend weeks evaluating the test data, officials said telemetry showed lower motor currents, indicating reduced friction and smoother operation.

Read our full story.

0525 GMT (12:25 a.m. EST)

After three false starts and around-the-clock troubleshooting, the newly installed urine processor aboard the international space station was fired back up late Monday and appeared to run relatively smoothly after additional work earlier in the day to stabilize a centrifuge in the system's distillation sub-system. Despite occasionally sounding like a washing machine in the spin cycle, the processor continued running well past the times of earlier shutdowns.

Read our full story.

0055 GMT (7:55 p.m. EST Mon.)

Read our update story on the spacewalk's conclusion.

0031 GMT (7:31 p.m. EST Mon.)

EVA ENDS. Repressurization of the Quest airlock module is underway, marking the official end of today's spacewalk by Stephen Bowen and Shane Kimbrough at 7:31 p.m. EST.

The EVA lasted 6 hours and 7 minutes. That brings the total time for the four spacewalks conducted during Endeavour's mission to 26 hours and 41 minutes.

For Bowen, today was the third spacewalk in his career. He logged 19 hours and 56 minutes of EVA time on spacewalks No. 1, No. 3 and No. 4 of the STS-126 mission.

For Kimbrough, his EVA scorecard now reads 12 hours and 52 minutes on spacewalks No. 2 and No. 4.

0028 GMT (7:28 p.m. EST Mon.)

The hatch is closed.

0022 GMT (7:22 p.m. EST Mon.)

Both spacewalkers are back inside the airlock, preparing to close the hatch on this fourth and final EVA of the Endeavour mission.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2008
2355 GMT (6:55 p.m. EST)

With slightly elevated CO2 levels in his suit, spacewalker Shane Kimbrough is heading back to the airlock now. Once there, he will use a digital camera to quickly take some photos of the station radar panel that has a delaminated outer surface and await the end of the EVA.

Stephen Bowen is finishing the last cover on the port SARJ.

2325 GMT (6:25 p.m. EST)

Shane Kimbrough is reattaching the thermal panels around the SARJ, having performed the preventive maintenance today. Stephen Bowen will be joining in to help with the cover installation.

2305 GMT (6:05 p.m. EST)

The GPS antenna installation job by spacewalker Stephen Bowen is done for today.

2225 GMT (5:25 p.m. EST)

Passing the four-hour mark of the EVA. Kimbrough has the grease guns at work on the port SARJ and Bowen is installing a new GPS antenna system atop the Japanese logistics module that will provide navigational assistance during approaches by the HTV resupply ships.

2155 GMT (4:55 p.m. EST)

Kimbrough has finished connecting the umbilicals to the new TV camera package. He'll be returning to the port SARJ to lubricate the rest of the race ring.

Bowen has manually retracted that latch on the Japanese external facility berthing port that hung up during testing a few days ago. He's about to install the protective cover on the port.

2140 GMT (4:40 p.m. EST)

Our flight plan page has been updated to reflect the mission extension.

2128 GMT (4:28 p.m. EST)

The new television camera has been structurally attached to the nadir side of the space station's Port 1 truss.

2105 GMT (4:05 p.m. EST)

Spacewalker Shane Kimbrough has fetched the new television camera package from the airlock. The camera will be installed on the P1 truss to assist in the arrival of Japan's unpiloted HTV cargo spacecraft starting next year.

2050 GMT (3:50 p.m. EST)

While waiting for the port SARJ to be rotated, Kimbrough will be spending time installing a new television camera package on the Port 1 truss.

Bowen's upcoming tasking will include retracting a latch and then placing a cover around the external berthing mechanism on the Japanese lab module.

2035 GMT (3:35 p.m. EST)

And Shane Kimbrough just reported he has finished the first portion of greasing the port SARJ. Flight controllers will be rotating the SARJ over the next little while and then Kimbrough will finish the greasing later in the EVA.

2032 GMT (3:32 p.m. EST)

The 11th and final trundle bearing assembly slated for replacement on the starboard solar alpha rotary joint by the Endeavour crew was just installed by spacewalker Stephen Bowen. He will reattach the thermal shielding at this location and that will complete the work on the damaged SARJ for the mission.

Tomorrow, flight controllers will activate the paddle wheel joint for rotations as a test.

2020 GMT (3:20 p.m. EST)

Landing of space shuttle Endeavour back at the Kennedy Space Center is now planned for Sunday. A look at the deorbit burn and landing opportunities for KSC, plus the backup sites of Edwards Air Force Base in California and Whites Sands in New Mexico for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday are posted here:

(all times EST)

ORBIT..SITE.....DEORBIT....LANDING

Sunday, 11/30/08

248....KSC......12:15 PM...01:18 PM
249....NOR......01:47 PM...02:50 PM
.......KSC......01:51 PM...02:54 PM
250....EDW......03:21 PM...04:24 PM
.......NOR......03:23 PM...04:25 PM
251....EDW......04:57 PM...05:59 PM

Monday, 12/01/08

263....KSC......11:05 AM...12:08 PM
264....KSC......12:40 PM...01:43 PM
265....EDW......02:11 PM...03:14 PM
.......NOR......02:12 PM...03:15 PM
266....EDW......03:46 PM...04:49 PM
.......NOR......03:48 PM...04:51 PM
267....EDW......05:23 PM...06:25 PM

Tuesday, 12/02/08

279....KSC......11:30 AM...12:33 PM
280....NOR......01:02 PM...02:05 PM
.......KSC......01:06 PM...02:08 PM
281....EDW......02:35 PM...03:38 PM
.......NOR......02:37 PM...03:40 PM
282....EDW......04:11 PM...05:14 PM

2015 GMT (3:15 p.m. EST)

Bowen has completed the scraping and lubrication to the final 30 degrees of SARJ ring on the starboard side of the space station truss. He'll next install the new bearing.

1945 GMT (2:45 p.m. EST)

Stephen Bowen has made his way to the damaged starboard SARJ to finish cleaning up the contamination and greasing the last section of the ring and then install the final trundle bearing assembly. These tasks couldn't be completed on Saturday's spacewalk because time ran out.

1940 GMT (2:40 p.m. EST)

Astronauts inspecting the space station's left-side solar alpha rotary joint, or SARJ, prior to lubrication intended as preventive maintenance, reported seeing signs of wear on a bearing race that appears similar to, though not nearly as extensive as, damage to the right-side SARJ.

Read our update story.

1915 GMT (2:15 p.m. EST)

Shane Kimbrough has traveled to the port-side of the space station's truss structure where he will preventive maintenance on the solar alpha rotary joint, adding lubrication to that paddle wheel mechanism. The port SARJ has been working normally and today's work is aimed at ensuring the ring doesn't experience the same damage and vibrations as the starboard ring.

Joining Kimbrough is fellow spacewalker Stephen Bowen who is lending a hand removing the various thermal covers that surround the SARJ. Later, Bowen will make his way the starboard SARJ to resume work there.

1855 GMT (1:55 p.m. EST)

With the Endeavour mission being extended an extra day, here's a look at the key times for Friday's undocking from the space station and Sunday's landing at Kennedy Space Center:

(in mission elapsed time and Eastern Standard Time)

Friday, Nov. 28:

• Undocking is now 13/13:52 or 9:47 a.m. EST
• Flyaround begins at 13/14:21 or 10:16 a.m. EST
• Final separation burn at 13/16:20 or 12:15 p.m. EST

Sunday, Nov. 30:

• Deorbit preparation begins at 15/12:13 or 8:08 a.m. EST
• Payload bay door closing at 15/13:40 or 9:35 a.m. EST
• Deorbit burn at 15/16:20 or 12:15 p.m. EST
• Acquire MILA C-band at 15/17:10 or 1:05 p.m. EST
• KSC landing at 15/17:23 or 1:18 p.m. EST

1839 GMT (1:39 p.m. EST)

Read our update story on the spacewalk beginning and Endeavour's mission being extended.

1824 GMT (1:24 p.m. EST)

EVA BEGINS. The spacewalkers switched their suits to internal battery power at 1:24 p.m. EST, marking the official start time for today's EVA by Stephen Bowen and Shane Kimbrough.

1822 GMT (1:22 p.m. EST)

Following depressurization of the Quest airlock, the module's outer hatch leading to space was just opened.

1808 GMT (1:08 p.m. EST)

Mission Control says both spacewalkers' suits have passed leak checks.

1800 GMT (1:00 p.m. EST)

Airlock depressurization is underway.

1629 GMT (11:29 a.m. EST)

After repeated efforts, the crew has gotten the waist ring engaged and latched on Shane Kimbrough's spacewalking suit as preparations continue aboard the space station for today's EVA.

1610 GMT (11:10 a.m. EST)

Commander Chris Ferguson is reporting difficulty getting the lower portion of Shane Kimbrough's spacesuit attached and locked.

1558 GMT (10:58 a.m. EST)

Mission managers have decided to extend the shuttle flight by a day, the astronauts were just told. Landing will be Sunday in Florida.

1510 GMT (10:10 a.m. EST)

Astronauts Stephen Bowen and Shane Kimbrough are set for a six-and-a-half-hour spacewalk today to finish work on the space station's damaged right-side solar array rotary joint and to carry out preventive maintenance on its port-side counterpart. The spacewalkers also plan to manually retract a berthing latch on the Japanese Kibo lab module, install GPS antennas and thermal covers and mount a new external TV camera.

Read our preview story.

0210 GMT (9:10 p.m. EST Sun.)

Read our latest story.

0112 GMT (8:12 p.m. EST Sun.)

After running longer than previous attempts, the urine processor assembly has shut down again.

0045 GMT (7:45 p.m. EST Sun.)

An improvised fix to overcome subtle vibration issues that triggered premature shutdowns of the space station's new urine processor assembly may have paid off Sunday. Engineers say an initial test run continued past the point of earlier failures, raising hopes the critical system can be coaxed into normal operation.

Read our story.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2008
2330 GMT (6:30 p.m. EST)

After work to remove rubber vibration dampers from a centrifuge assembly inside the space station's new urine recycling system, the astronauts and flight controllers began another test run Sunday evening to find out if the improvised fix will eliminate a vibration-related problem that triggered pre-mature shutdowns.

Read our story.

2120 GMT (4:20 p.m. EST)

Space station commander Mike Fincke and Endeavour astronaut Don Pettit opened up one of the station's new water recycling racks today and removed rubber dampers from a distillation assembly in hopes of fixing a vibration problem with a critical centrifuge. By bolting the unit directly to its shelf in the recycling rack, engineers believe the centrifuge motor may operate normally, allowing the astronauts to convert urine into potable water.

Read our story.

2005 GMT (3:05 p.m. EST)

Repairmen Don Pettit and Mike Fincke have removed the rubber grommets that had served as soft mounting points on the internal centrifuge in the urine processor assembly of the station's new water recovery gear, making the device more firmly anchored. The work is aimed at fixing an unclear problem that has been causing the urine system to shut down.

1500 GMT (10:00 a.m. EST)

Space station commander Mike Fincke and Endeavour astronaut Don Pettit will attempt repairs today that may resolve on-going problems with the station's newly installed urine recycling equipment. The rest of the shuttle crew, meanwhile, will enjoy a half-day off this morning before making preparations for a fourth and final spacewalk Monday by astronauts Stephen Bowen and Shane Kimbrough.

Read our full story.

0435 GMT (11:35 p.m. EST Sat.)

Engineers troubleshooting problems with a centrifuge in the distillation assembly of hardware designed to convert urine into potable water aboard the international space station believe a relatively simple fix might resolve the trouble. Station commander Mike Fincke will attempt a repair job Sunday, removing vibration dampers from the centrifuge and locking the unit in place. In so doing, engineers believe, thermal expansion after the unit runs and warms up will no longer cause a specific sensor to interfere with the spinning centrifuge.

Read our full story.

0059 GMT (7:59 p.m. EST Sat.)

EVA ENDS. Repressurization of the Quest airlock module is underway, marking the official end of today's spacewalk by Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper and Stephen Bowen at 7:58 p.m. EST.

The EVA lasted 6 hours and 57 minutes. That brings the total time for the three spacewalks conducted thus far during Endeavour's mission to 20 hours and 34 minutes.

For Stefanyshyn-Piper, today was the fifth spacewalk in her career. She logged 13 hours and 8 minutes on a pair of EVAs during STS-115 in September 2006. So her new tally stands at 33 hours and 42 minutes.

For Bowen, his EVA scorecard now reads 13 hours and 49 minutes on spacewalks No. 1 and No. 3 of the STS-126 mission.

The fourth and final spacewalk for the Endeavour crew is planned for Monday. Bowen will be joined by Shane Kimbrough for that excursion to complete the starboard SARJ work, add preventative lubrication to the port SARJ and install an external TV camera and GPS antenna.

0040 GMT (7:40 p.m. EST Sat.)

The spacewalkers are ingressing the airlock.

0020 GMT (7:20 p.m. EST Sat.)

The crew has moved into cleanup and tool inventory tasks as this spacewalk winds down.

0005 GMT (7:05 p.m. EST Sat.)

The spacewalkers are going to run out of time to complete work on the final trundle bearing assembly today. Mission Control wants to keep the duration of the EVA at about seven hours.

The thermal cover panels have been secured in the overnight stowage spot where they will be left. The old unit has been removed from that slot, but no cleaning or lubrication of the ring occurred today. That work and installation of the new bearing and thermal covers will fall to spacewalk No. 4, planned for Monday by Stephen Bowen and Shane Kimbrough.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2008
2352 GMT (6:52 p.m. EST)

Spacewalker Stephen Bowen has engaged three bolts and attached the electrical umbilical to complete the installation of the fifth trundle bearing assembly for today's EVA and the 10th overall. Fellow spacewalker Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper is working nearby at the worksite where the final TBA goes.

2342 GMT (6:42 p.m. EST)

Working at the final section of uncleaned SARJ, spacewalker Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper has removed the last of the old trundle bearing assemblies for replacement with a fresh unit.

2330 GMT (6:30 p.m. EST)

Stefanyshyn-Piper is unbolting the final set of covers now to gain access to the last section of uncleaned SARJ. Bowen is working to install the next-to-last trundle bearing assembly.

2301 GMT (6:01 p.m. EST)

The fourth bearing of the day was just installed by spacewalker Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper. That leaves two more assemblies to be installed during the remainder of the EVA. Bowen already started working at one of the final two sites.

2245 GMT (5:45 p.m. EST)

This is the 117th spacewalk devoted to station assembly and maintenance since construction began 10 years ago this week and the 18th so far this year. It is the second spacewalk for Bowen and the fifth overall for Stefanyshyn-Piper, who participated in two EVAs during a 2006 station assembly mission. Going into today's spacewalk, station EVA assembly time stood at 732 hours and 25 minutes. The total for Endeavour's crew through two spacewalks was 13 hours and 37 minutes.

2231 GMT (5:31 p.m. EST)

Now four-and-a-half hours into this planned seven hour EVA. Bowen has finished reattaching the thermal covering at the worksite where he installed a new bearing a short time ago. He'll be pressing ahead to another location to repeat the cleaning and bearing replacement chores. Stefanyshyn-Piper continues cleaning her third worksite.

2215 GMT (5:15 p.m. EST)

Spacewalker Stephen Bowen has bolted into place and mated the electrical connector for another trundle bearing assembly. It is the third TBA installed today and the 8th of 11 for the Endeavour mission.

2144 GMT (4:44 p.m. EST)

With the covers removed at her third area, Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper reports a buildup of debris to be cleaned up around the old bearing. Mission Control has asked her to get the digital still camera and take some shots.

2124 GMT (4:24 p.m. EST)

Stefanyshyn-Piper reinstalled the thermal covering at her second worksite. Her next location will see the temporary removal of two covers to access an old trundle bearing that will be replaced.

2117 GMT (4:17 p.m. EST)

Stephen Bowen is using cleaning wraps that fit over his spacesuit gloves to remove the debris on the SARJ ring and grease the site.

2102 GMT (4:02 p.m. EST)

Another fresh trundle bearing assembly has been attached to the starboard SARJ by spacewalker Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper.

2039 GMT (3:39 p.m. EST)

Bowen is starting to remove covers at his second worksite while Stefanyshyn-Piper is cleaning the contamination on the ring at her second location. Bowen is right on his timeline and Piper is about 35 minutes ahead of her schedule.

2002 GMT (3:02 p.m. EST)

Stephen Bowen is finishing the tasks at his first worksite as the spacewalk passes the two-hour mark. The particular area cleaned around a bearing that won't be replaced.

1950 GMT (2:50 p.m. EST)

Stefanyshyn-Piper reinstalled the thermal covers at her first worksite and has moved on to remove the covering at the next location to begin the cleaning process there. Bowen is greasing the SARJ at his position.

1915 GMT (2:15 p.m. EST)

Having cleaned and greased the first SARJ section of the day, Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper just installed a new trundle bearing assembly. That makes six of the 11 bearings slated for replacement during Endeavour's mission now complete.

1828 GMT (1:28 p.m. EST)

Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper is beginning to clean away fine metal filings and lubricate a section of the SARJ where the thermal covers were removed during the last spacewalk and left off. Stephen Bowen is in the process of removing three more covers to expose those sections.

1817 GMT (1:17 p.m. EST)

Both spacewalkers have egressed the Quest airlock module and made their way down the station's truss structure to reach the starboard solar alpha rotary joint where all of today's work will occur.

1801 GMT (1:01 p.m. EST)

EVA BEGINS. The spacewalkers switched their suits to internal battery power at 1:01 p.m. EST, marking the official start time for today's EVA by Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper and Stephen Bowen.

1800 GMT (1:00 p.m. EST)

Depressurization has been completed and the Quest airlock's outer hatch leading to space just swung open.

1748 GMT (12:48 p.m. EST)

The airlock is nearing vacuum.

1732 GMT (12:32 p.m. EST)

Airlock depressurization has begun.

1715 GMT (12:15 p.m. EST)

Preparations for today's EVA are running roughly 45 minutes ahead of schedule. Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper and Stephen Bowen have donned their spacesuits and gone into the section of the airlock that will be depressurized a few minutes from now.

1435 GMT (9:35 a.m. EST)

Astronauts Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper and Stephen Bowen are gearing up for a grueling seven-hour spacewalk today to finish cleaning and lubricating the international space station's damaged right side solar array rotary joint. Engineers in Houston, meanwhile, are continuing tests to troubleshoot problems with the station's new urine recycling system.

Read our preview story.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2008
2230 GMT (5:30 p.m. EST)

Engineers believe the problem with the space station's new urine processor assembly, a key component in the water recycling system needed to boost the space station's crew size from three to six, involves trouble with a motor or associated sensors in a centrifuge that helps separate pure water from urine in a vacuum distillation system.

Read our update story.

1741 GMT (12:41 p.m. EST)

Using continual pulses by Endeavour's thrusters for about 30 minutes today, the space station's orbit has been boosted by 3.1 feet per second, resulting in a one-mile altitude gain that sets the stage for launching a Russian Progress resupply craft next week.

1630 GMT (11:30 a.m. EST)

The new urine processor assembly aboard the international space station, a key component in a water recycling system needed to convert urine and condensate into drinking water, was re-activated early today after problems Thursday. The processor operated for about two hours and then shut itself down again. Engineers are troubleshooting error messages while the astronauts press on with other work.

Read our update story.

1530 GMT (10:30 a.m. EST)

Flight controllers restarted the space station's new urine processor assembly overnight after troubleshooting an alarm that interrupted initial startup operations Thursday. Additional work with the water recycling system is on tap today, along with additional equipment transfers to the station and preparations for a third spacewalk Saturday.

Read our full story.

0445 GMT (11:45 p.m. EST Thurs.)

Despite a tool shortage, a spacesuit carbon dioxide buildup late in the day and communications problems, spacewalkers Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper and Robert "Shane" Kimbrough accomplished the primary goals of a six-hour 45-minute spacewalk, officials said today, moving two equipment carts, servicing the space station's robot arm and continuing work to clean and lubricate a jammed solar array rotary joint. Inside the lab complex, meanwhile, other astronauts ran into start-up glitches with the lab's new urine processor.

Read our full story.

0105 GMT (8:05 p.m. EST Thurs.)

See our update story on the conclusion of the EVA here.

0043 GMT (7:43 p.m. EST Thurs.)

EVA ENDS. Repressurization of the Quest airlock module is underway, marking the official end of today's spacewalk by Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper and Shane Kimbrough at 7:43 p.m. EST.

The EVA lasted 6 hours and 45 minutes. That brings the total time for the two spacewalks conducted thus far during Endeavour's mission to 13 hours and 37 minutes.

The next two spacewalks are planned for Saturday and Monday.

0028 GMT (7:28 p.m. EST Thurs.)

Kimbrough is back in the airlock and Stefanyshyn-Piper is heading there now.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2008
2355 GMT (6:55 p.m. EST)

Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper has installed another new bearing and Shane Kimbrough finished work for today at his site. Both spacewalkers are about to wrap things up and head back to the airlock. The starboard SARJ chores will be completed during the next EVA on Saturday by Stefanyshyn-Piper and Stephen Bowen.

2328 GMT (6:28 p.m. EST)

Now 5.5 hours through this second EVA of Endeavour's mission, the spacewalkers are operating on opposite sides of the SARJ. Right now, Stefanyshyn-Piper is cleaning her latest section and Kimbrough is removing another of the original bearings.

2222 GMT (5:22 p.m. EST)

The spacewalkers are marveling at a beautiful orbital sunrise as they work to restore the space station's starboard side solar array paddle wheel joint more than 200 miles above the planet. They are removing the old trundle bearing assemblies, cleaning up the metal filings and debris, applying lubrication and then installing fresh bearings. Today's EVA has been going well and without any major hiccups.

2123 GMT (4:23 p.m. EST)

Working around lost tools, astronaut Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper said an alternative approach, using grease-impregnated wipes to apply a coating of lubricant to a damaged solar array drive gear, works just as well as lubricant from a grease gun to contain debris freed up by a scraper tool.

Read our update story.

2123 GMT (4:23 p.m. EST)

Spacewalker Shane Kimbrough has concluded the Canadarm2 grapple snare greasing and maintenance work. Soon he will head over to the starboard SARJ and join Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper there.

2058 GMT (3:58 p.m. EST)

Now passing the three-hour mark in the EVA. Both spacewalkers continue hard at work at their respective sites.

2015 GMT (3:15 p.m. EST)

Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper is over at the starboard solar alpha rotary joint to resume the cleaning on another section of the damaged ring while Shane Kimbrough is doing some maintenance on the free end of the station's robot arm.

1945 GMT (2:45 p.m. EST)

The second of the two Crew and Equipment Translation Aid - CETA - carts has been locked in place on the truss of the space station, completing this task for today's EVA.

The carts had to be relocated from one side of the Mobile Transporter rail car to the other. This clears the rail system for the February installation of the Starboard 6 solar array truss using Canadarm2 when that power module arrives aboard space shuttle Discovery.

1918 GMT (2:18 p.m. EST)

The second cart is now in the hands of Shane Kimbrough. It has been freed from the truss for the move.

1910 GMT (2:10 p.m. EST)

With the CETA cart No. 1 locked down on the rail tracks, the spacewalkers have headed back to get the second cart.

1901 GMT (2:01 p.m. EST)

The spacewalkers are working together now to install the first cart to its new location on the port side of the Mobile Transporter.

1841 GMT (1:41 p.m. EST)

With Endeavour mission specialist Shane Kimbrough standing on the station's robot arm, the astronaut has pulled the first CETA cart off the station rail tracks. He will hold the cart in his hands while the arm swings him from the station's starboard side of the Mobile Transporter over to the port side for re-installation of the CETA cart.

1835 GMT (1:35 p.m. EST)

Both spacewalkers are working on the steps to prepare the Crew and Equipment Translation Aid (CETA) carts for moving to the other side of the Mobile Transporter on the space station's truss structure. The carts will be pulled off the rail tracks and hand-carried by spacewalker Shane Kimbrough, while riding the robot arm, from the starboard side to the port side of the station.

This relocation is necessary so that the Mobile Transporter can access the farthest point on the starboard truss for installation of the massive S6 solar array module during the next shuttle flight in February.

1820 GMT (1:20 p.m. EST)

This is the 116th spacewalk devoted to station assembly and maintenance since construction began 10 years ago today. It is the 17th station spacewalk so far this year and the second of four planned for Endeavour's mission. Going into today's EVA, more than 80 astronauts and cosmonauts had logged 725 hours and 40 minutes of spacewalk construction time.

1810 GMT (1:10 p.m. EST)

Both spacewalkers have egressed the Quest airlock module to get today's work underway. This is the fourth EVA for Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper and the first for Shane Kimbrough.

1758 GMT (12:58 p.m. EST)

EVA BEGINS. The spacewalkers switched their suits to internal battery power at 12:58 p.m. EST, marking the official start time for today's EVA by Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper and Shane Kimbrough.

1757 GMT (12:57 p.m. EST)

Depressurization has been completed and the Quest airlock's outer hatch leading to space just swung open.

1728 GMT (12:28 p.m. EST)

Airlock depressurization is now underway.

1700 GMT (12:00 p.m. EST)

Dressed in their spacewalking suits, Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper and Shane Kimbrough have gone into the section of the airlock that will be depressurized a short time from now. Preparations for today's EVA are running about an hour ahead of schedule.

1615 GMT (11:15 a.m. EST)

Marking the international space station's 10th anniversary, the Endeavour astronauts are gearing up for a second spacewalk today, a planned six-and-a-half-hour excursion to service the station's robot arm, to continue cleaning and lubricating a damaged solar array rotary joint and to make preparations for the next shuttle assembly flight in February.

Read our spacewalk preview story.

1430 GMT (9:30 a.m. EST)

Mission Control has awakened the crew for the start of Flight Day 7 aboard the shuttle and station complex. The astronauts are making final preparations for today's spacewalk by Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper and Shane Kimbrough to relocate a pair of carts on the station's truss rails, lubricate the robot arm's snares and then continue with the cleaning and repairs to the starboard solar alpha rotary joint. The EVA should get underway shortly after 1 p.m. EST.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2008
2350 GMT (6:50 p.m. EST)

Astronaut Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper told reporters today the loss of a $100,000 tool bag during an otherwise successful spacewalk Tuesday was "disheartening" and that it was difficult to face her crewmates when she returned to the shuttle-space station complex. Fellow spacewalker Stephen Bowen, who said he was responsible for making a final tether check of the bag before the EVA began, said he was equally to blame for the mishap.

Read our full story.

2115 GMT (4:15 p.m. EST)

Aboard the space station today, the astronauts has been working as plumbers and electricians to install the various pieces of the water recycling hardware that will enable the complex to support larger resident crews starting next year. Additionally, transfers of the new sleeping quarters and other equipment carried up in the Leonardo cargo module have been underway.

1430 GMT (9:30 a.m. EST)

The Endeavour astronauts and their space station crewmates are preparing for a busy day inside the international lab complex, hooking up water recycling gear in the Destiny module and installing new sleep stations. Astronauts Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper and Shane Kimbrough also will check out their spacesuits and review procedures for a second spacewalk Thursday, the 10th anniversary of the start of station construction.

Read our morning story.

0455 GMT (11:55 p.m. EST Tues.)

The space shuttle Endeavour's heat shield was given a clean bill of health late today and officially cleared for entry as is. While there are a handful of minor blemishes, engineers studying launch and on-orbit imagery say none of them poses any problem for re-entry.

Read our full story.

0425 GMT (11:25 p.m. EST Tues.)

NASA planners are studying options for replacing, or doing without, two grease guns lost overboard from the international space station today when spacewalker Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper, struggling to clean up after an unexpected grease gun leak, somehow let a 30-pound tool bag get away.

Read our full story.

0140 GMT (8:40 p.m. EST Tues.)

Astronauts Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper and Stephen Bowen wrapped up a six-hour 52-minute spacewalk today, installing a spare coolant system component on the international space station, moving a depleted nitrogen tank to the shuttle Endeavour for return to Earth and cleaning a damaged solar array rotary joint.

Read our update story.

0102 GMT (8:02 p.m. EST Tues.)

EVA ENDS. Repressurization of the Quest airlock module began at 8:01 p.m. EST, marking the official end of today's spacewalk by Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper and Stephen Bowen. The EVA lasted 6 hours and 52 minutes. It was the first of four spacewalk planned for Endeavour's STS-126 mission.

0057 GMT (7:57 p.m. EST Tues.)

The outer hatch has been closed and locked.

0051 GMT (7:51 p.m. EST Tues.)

The spacewalking duo has returned to the airlock and are preparing to close the hatch to complete this successful first EVA of Endeavour's STS-126 mission.

0020 GMT (7:20 p.m. EST Tues.)

Stefanyshyn-Piper has finished cleaning and lubricating the latest section of SARJ. Installation of the new trundle bearing assembly will occur on the next spacewalk. She and Bowen are reattaching the thermal coverings now as today's spacewalk nears conclusion.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2008
2349 GMT (6:49 p.m. EST)

While the spacewalk has been underway today, the other astronauts have been busy inside the space station. The two water recycling racks and the new galley were moved from the Leonardo cargo-delivery module and put into the space station.

2345 GMT (6:45 p.m. EST)

Bowen is in doing a tool inventory and buttoning up the worksite, having now completed his SARJ work for this EVA. Fellow spacewalker Stefanyshyn-Piper is cleaning and greasing another section of the ring. The SARJ work has been going smoothly for the astronauts despite the earlier grease spill and lost tool bag.

2306 GMT (6:06 p.m. EST)

Stefanyshyn-Piper just removed another trundle bearing assembly as the spacewalkers continue to work around SARJ ring. Bowen is finishing the process to replace his first bearing.

2239 GMT (5:39 p.m. EST)

Now passing the four-and-a-half mark in the EVA.

2150 GMT (4:50 p.m. EST)

Stefanyshyn-Piper has finished cleaning the SARJ section where she removed the original trundle bearing assembly. Now she will install a fresh bearing. Bowen is cleaning and lubricating his first section of SARJ before bolting a new bearing in place.

2141 GMT (4:41 p.m. EST)

Spacewalker Stephen Bowen has removed his first trundle bearing assembly as the SARJ repairs and cleaning continues.

2125 GMT (4:25 p.m. EST)

Spacewalker Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper, arranging tools and work bags before beginning work to clean and lubricate a space station solar array rotary joint, lost a tool kit overboard and along with it two grease guns, a scraper, a debris container and a large trash bag. When the tool kit floated away, she was struggling to clean up grease inside the bag that somehow leaked out.

Read our update story.

2100 GMT (4:00 p.m. EST)

Stefanyshyn-Piper has unbolted the first of the trundle bearing assemblies to be replaced on the SARJ during Endeavour's mission.

2055 GMT (3:55 p.m. EST)

Mission Control says that despite the lost bag of tools, another set of equipment being carried by Stephen Bowen will allow today's work on the SARJ to continue.

2042 GMT (3:42 p.m. EST)

Stefanyshyn-Piper just reported one of the spacewalkers' tool bags has accidentally floated away, moving aft and starboard of the station. It contained a set of tools and equipment for cleaning and lubricating the SARJ.

2035 GMT (3:35 p.m. EST)

Stephen Bowen is removing a cover on a berthing port of the station's Japanese segment. The rest of today's spacewalk will be spend servicing and cleaning the starboard solar alpha rotary joint. But during preparations to start the work, Stefanyshyn-Piper discovered one of the grease guns in the tool bag appears to have leaked all over other items.

2030 GMT (3:30 p.m. EST)

Read our update story.

2000 GMT (3:00 p.m. EST)

The spare flex hose rotary coupler has been installed on one of the space station's external spare parts platforms for possible use in the future.

1940 GMT (2:40 p.m. EST)

Still perched on the end of the Canadian robotic arm, Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper has the spare part for the station cooling system in her hands for its stowage on the outpost. Mission Control says the spacewalkers are running about 30 minutes ahead of the timeline.

1927 GMT (2:27 p.m. EST)

The depleted nitrogen tank has been bolted to the underside of the cross-bay carrier in Endeavour's payload bay for the ride back to Earth. Next up, the spacewalkers will retrieve a spare flex hose rotary coupler mounted to the topside of the cross-bay carrier and transfer the device to the space station.

1849 GMT (1:49 p.m. EST)

Holding the nitrogen tank assembly, Piper is riding the station's robot arm down to the shuttle's payload bay. Bowen meanwhile is climbing down to the bay to help Piper stow the tank.

1838 GMT (1:38 p.m. EST)

During today's spacewalk Piper can be identified by solid red bands on the legs of her spacesuit. Bowen's suit is all-white.

1818 GMT (1:18 p.m. EST)

Bowen has also exited the airlock and are setting up their gear. The first task of this EVA will be to move an empty nitrogen tank from the station's external stowage platform to the shuttle's cargo bay for return to Earth.

1813 GMT (1:13 p.m. EST)

Piper has been given a go to leave the airlock.

1811 GMT (1:11 p.m. EST)

Today's spacewalk by Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper and Stephen Bowen officially got underway at 1:09 PM EST.

1730 GMT (12:30 p.m. EST)

The hatch to the crew lock is now closed.

1720 GMT (12:20 p.m. EST)

Piper and Bowen are now in the crew lock portion of the airlock as preparations for today's spacewalk continue.

1712 GMT (12:12 p.m. EST)

The spacewalkers are being fitted with their SAFER jet backpacks which will be used in the event they break loose of the station.

1636 GMT (11:36 a.m. EST)

Piper and Bowen are now fully enclosed within their spacesuits with the helmets closed.

1608 GMT (11:08 a.m. EST)

The two spacewalkers are inside the leg and torso portions of their spacesuits and are now putting on their pressurized gloves.

1553 GMT (10:53 a.m. EST)

Inside the Quest airlock module spacewalkers Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper and Stephen Bowen are climbing into their bulky space suits, assisted by their crewmates.

1510 GMT (10:10 a.m. EST)

Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper and Stephen Bowen are gearing up for a planned six-and-a-half-hour spacewalk today to clean and lubricate a damaged 10-foot-wide solar array drive gear on the international space station. They also plan to begin replacing 11 of 12 bearings on the massive gear in a bid to restore the rotary mechanism to near normal service and improve electrical output from the lab's right-side solar arrays. The spacewalk is scheduled to begin around 1:45 p.m.

Read our detailed preview story.

1500 GMT (10:00 a.m. EST)

The space shuttle and space station astronauts are awake and beginning final preparations for today's spacewalk, the first of four planned during Endeavour's mission. The EVA is scheduled to get underway around 1:45 p.m. EST.

0055 GMT (7:55 p.m. EST Mon.)

Initial analyses of laser scans Saturday and photos taken from the international space station as the shuttle Endeavour closed in Sunday indicate the orbiter's heat shield is in good shape, with no major problems that would require a so-called focused inspection later this week, officials said today.

Read our full story.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2008
2350 GMT (6:50 p.m. EST)

Running nearly two hours ahead of schedule, the astronauts opened the hatchway and entered into the Leonardo module at 6:43 p.m. EST. Station commander Mike Fincke reported the module was in good shape following its ascent into space.

2225 GMT (5:25 p.m. EST)

More high definition video has been posted, included a dramatic view of the space station during yesterday's backflip by the shuttle. Our Spaceflight Now Plus subscribers can view the videos here.

1804 GMT (1:04 p.m. EST)

The Multi-Purpose Logistics Module, named Leonardo, has been successfully mounted to the nadir berthing port of the international space station's Harmony connecting node.

The Italian-made reusable module is filled with over 1,000 items amounting to more than 14,000 pounds, including water recycling gear, a second toilet, a new kitchen, exercise equipment and two private bedrooms that will be transferred into the space station over the next several days. The cargo will enable the outpost to double its resident crew size from three people to six starting in the spring.

After Leonardo is emptied, no-longer-needed materials will be stowed into the module before it is detached and returned to the shuttle payload bay next week for the trip back to Earth.

1751 GMT (12:51 p.m. EST)

Leonardo has been seated into the docking port. And with that Endeavour astronaut Shane Kimbrough has given to new station flight engineer Sandy Magnus a "go" to begin the initial capture sequence. The station arm will be limped while electrically-driven bolts tighten to firmly connect the cargo-delivery module to the space station.

1744 GMT (12:44 p.m. EST)

The "go" was just made to push on to the ready-to-latch position.

1726 GMT (12:26 p.m. EST)

The module is heading to the pre-install waypoint now.

1717 GMT (12:17 p.m. EST)

Under the control of mission specialists Don Pettit and Shane Kimbrough, the space station arm has lifted Leonardo cleanly out of Endeavour's bay. The astronauts will give the module a quarter roll before moving it inward to the Harmony module's berthing port.

1709 GMT (12:09 p.m. EST)

Leonardo is on the move now, ever so slowly rising out of the shuttle.

1705 GMT (12:05 p.m. EST)

The hatches holding Leonardo in the payload bay have been released, freeing the module to be unberthed by the station arm in the coming minutes.

1637 GMT (11:37 a.m. EST)

The international space station's robotic arm has grappled the Leonardo cargo module riding in space shuttle Endeavour's payload bay. The Canadian-built arm will hoist the Italian module from the shuttle and attach it to the nadir port of the station's Harmony connecting node.

1510 GMT (10:10 a.m. EST)

The combined crews of the shuttle Endeavour and the international space station are gearing up for a busy day in space, moving a 27,000-pound cargo module loaded with critical equipment and supplies from the shuttle to a docking port on the lab's Harmony module. The astronauts also will also make final preparations for the mission's first spacewalk Tuesday.

Read our full story.

1239 GMT (7:39 a.m. EST)

ISS flight director Brian Smith reports that a close up inspection of the starboard wing area of the shuttle's thermal protection system will not be needed, clearing the way for the installation of the Leonardo pressurized logistics module. At an overnight meeting, NASA officials reviewed the imagery and data collected during the survey of the shuttle after it reached orbit and determined there was no sign of damage that would require any further investigation. If an inspection had been necessary, the docking of the logistics module would have been delayed to allow the shuttle's sensor boom clearance to reach the wing area. The module will now be lifted out of the payload bay and docked to the station's Node 2 later today.

0320 GMT (10:20 p.m. EST Sun.)

NASA astronauts Greg Chamitoff and Sandy Magnus officially swapped roles aboard the international space station and shuttle Endeavour around 9:50 p.m. EST.

Magnus flew up on the shuttle and becomes flight engineer No. 2 and the science officer aboard the station as a member of the Expedition 18 crew.

Chamitoff has been living aboard the station for the past six months and will return to Earth on Endeavour. He becomes a mission specialist on the STS-126 crew.

0130 GMT (8:30 p.m. EST Sun.)

Our evening story has been updated following the mission status briefing.

0017 GMT (7:17 p.m. EST Sun.)

HATCHES OPEN. The hatchway between Endeavour and the space station were opened at 7:16 p.m. EST, and the shuttle crew is being welcomed aboard the outpost now.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2008
2242 GMT (5:42 p.m. EST)

The docking ring between the two craft has been retracted into Endeavour's Orbiter Docking System, pulling the station to a tight mating. The hooks and latches are driving shut to firmly connect the two spacecraft.

Pressure and leak checks will be performed by the crews before the hatchway is opened around 7 p.m. EST.

2235 GMT (5:35 p.m. EST)

The space shuttle Endeavour, piloted by commander Chris Ferguson from the aft flight deck, glided to a picture-perfect docking with the international space station today as the two spacecraft sailed through orbital darkness 212 miles above northeastern India at five miles per second.

Read our full story.

2202 GMT (5:02 p.m. EST)

Today's docking occurred a few minutes early at 5:01 p.m. EST as the shuttle and station flew at an altitude of 212 miles over northern India near the Chinese border.

2201 GMT (5:01 p.m. EST)

CONTACT AND CAPTURE! Endeavour has arrived at the space station to deliver expanded living quarters that will allow the outpost to double its resident crew size.

The relative motions of the shuttle and station will be allowed to damp out over the next few minutes by the spring-loaded docking system. Later, the hooks and latches will be closed to firmly join the two craft and Endeavour's Orbiter Docking System docking ring will be retracted to form a tight seal.

The opening of hatches between the station and shuttle is expected in about 90 minutes. That will be followed by a welcoming ceremony and safety briefing.

2201 GMT (5:01 p.m. EST)

The distance to docking is now 5 feet.

2200 GMT (5:00 p.m. EST)

Now 10 feet separating the shuttle from the station. Endeavour's thrusters are programmed to fire in a post-contact maneuver to force the two docking ports together. That procedure is being armed.

2158 GMT (4:58 p.m. EST)

Endeavour and the station are 20 feet apart.

2156 GMT (4:56 p.m. EST)

The final approach beginning. The alignment between docking ports on Endeavour and the space station is acceptable and no "fly out" maneuver by the shuttle is necessary.

2153 GMT (4:53 p.m. EST)

Now 63 feet left to go.

2149 GMT (4:49 p.m. EST)

About 100 feet separate the shuttle and station. Endeavour is closing at about 0.15 feet per second.

2145 GMT (4:45 p.m. EST)

Now about 150 feet from docking.

2139 GMT (4:39 p.m. EST)

Endeavour is less than 200 feet from the station.

2132 GMT (4:32 p.m. EST)

The shuttle's crew has been given a "go" for docking.

2131 GMT (4:31 p.m. EST)

The shuttle has reached the point directly in front of the station along the imaginary line called the velocity vector, or +V bar.

2126 GMT (4:26 p.m. EST)

Endeavour is marking the arc from the point beneath the station to a point in front of the complex to align with the docking port on the Harmony module. Docking is about 45 minutes away.

2116 GMT (4:16 p.m. EST)

The pitch maneuver has been completed. Endeavour is back in the orientation where it started, with the payload bay looking up at the station.

2114 GMT (4:14 p.m. EST)

The main engine nozzles of Endeavour are facing the station now as the shuttle points its tail upward.

2112 GMT (4:12 p.m. EST)

This 360-degree, nose-first pirouette by Atlantis gives the station crew about 100 seconds of quality photography time to snap detailed pictures of the orbiter's black tiles in the search for any launch impact damage.

2111 GMT (4:11 p.m. EST)

The formal photo-taking period has started for the Expedition 18 crew, now that the shuttle has rotated its underside in view of the station complex.

2110 GMT (4:10 p.m. EST)

Endeavour is nose-up facing the station as the two craft fly more than 200 miles above the planet.

2108 GMT (4:08 p.m. EST)

The rendezvous pitch maneuver -- the 360-degree flip -- is beginning. The shuttle is the under the control of commander Chris Ferguson, who is flying the ship from the aft flight deck.

As the shuttle's underside rotates into view, the station's crew will photograph Endeavour's belly with handheld digital cameras equipped with 400- and 800-millimeter lenses.

The 800mm images should provide one-inch resolution for examination of landing gear door and external tank umbilical door seals. The 400mm will yield three-inch resolution.

After completing the RPM maneuver, Endeavour will fly directly ahead of the space station with the shuttle's nose facing deep space and its cargo bay pointed at the lab complex. Then Ferguson will guide the spacecraft to a docking with a pressurized mating adapter attached to the Harmony connecting module.

2102 GMT (4:02 p.m. EST)

Endeavour has closed to within 800 feet beneath the space station. The shuttle backflip is coming up shortly.

2054 GMT (3:54 p.m. EST)

Now 1,400 feet between the two spacecraft.

2049 GMT (3:49 p.m. EST)

The shuttle is about 2,100 feet below the station.

2045 GMT (3:45 p.m. EST)

Mission Control has given the "go" for the upcoming rendezvous pitch maneuver.

2041 GMT (3:41 p.m. EST)

Another of the mid-course correction burns has been completed by the shuttle to fine-tune its path to the station.

2039 GMT (3:39 p.m. EST)

Endeavour is less than a mile away from the space station now. The rendezvous sequence is running about seven minutes behind the timeline, Mission Control says.

1948 GMT (2:48 p.m. EST)

Endeavour just completed the first in a series of available mid-course correction burns during this approach to the station.

1947 GMT (2:47 p.m. EST)

Distance between Endeavour and the space station is 7.8 miles, closing at about 5.25 mph. That closure rate will continue to decrease as the shuttle approaches the station.

1927 GMT (2:27 p.m. EST)

The shuttle has performed the Terminal Initiation burn using the left-side Orbital Maneuvering System engine. This puts the shuttle on a trajectory to directly intercept the orbiting station over the next orbit and a half. This burn is the latest in a series of maneuvers performed by Endeavour during its two days of chasing the station since launch Friday night.

Docking is anticipated at 5:04 p.m. EST.

1857 GMT (1:57 p.m. EST)

Flight controllers have confirmed the shuttle's radar system is working normally and can be used for today's docking.

1845 GMT (1:45 p.m. EST)

The crew has activated the KU-band rendezvous radar and initial tests by mission control indicate it is working normally. There had been concerns it might experience problems because of some earlier difficulty with the radar's antenna system, which is also used for communications.

1831 GMT (1:31 p.m. EST)

Endeavour's crew completed a small maneuvering engine burn to tweak their course toward the station. The Terminal Initiation (TI) engine burn that begin the final approach is scheduled for 2:26 p.m. EST (1926 GMT), with docking due around 5 p.m. EST (2200 GMT).

Our Spaceflight Now Plus subscribers can view a profile of the STS-126 crew in high definition. We have also posted replays of Friday's night launch in high definition.

1746 GMT (12:46 p.m. EST)

The crew of shuttle Endeavour just fired their Orbital Maneuvering System engines as they close in on the International Space Station.

1455 GMT (9:55 a.m. EST)

Check out our morning wakeup story.

1430 GMT (9:30 a.m. EST)

The Rolling Stones song "Start Me Up" was this morning's wakeup music played for station-bound astronaut Sandy Magnus. The shuttle is on course for docking to the space station around 5 p.m. EST today.

0210 GMT (9:10 p.m. EST Sat.)

This evening's story has been updated following the mission status briefing.

0105 GMT (8:05 p.m. EST Sat.)

The wing leading edge and nose cap inspections were completed today. No serious problems were identified with Endeavour and imagery of the OMS pod area did not reveal any damage, but engineers on the ground will be examining the data to make sure the heat shield is safe for entry.

Also today, the astronauts checked out the spacewalking suits to be worn during the planned EVAs. NASA says no issues were noted during the testing.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2008
2355 GMT (6:55 p.m. EST)

The shuttle Endeavour is in good shape after its climb to space Friday and engineers are only working a handful of relatively minor problems, including a possibly lost strip of insulation and glitches with the shuttle's KU-band antenna, the chairman of NASA's Mission Management Team said today.

Read our full story.

2320 GMT (6:20 p.m. EST)

After completing the nose cap survey, the crew has positioned the inspection boom to get a closeup look on the port side of Endeavour where a small piece thermal blanket could have been lost during launch.

The left wing inspections are next up in this is a multi-hour job to survey the shuttle to look for any signs of launch damage. The precautionary safety inspection has become a standard activity for all post-Columbia shuttle crews.

2245 GMT (5:45 p.m. EST)

The small strip of thermal blanket that possibly peeled away from the side of Endeavour during launch is approximately 4 inches in width, 12-18 inches in length and 0.3 inches thick, Mission Management Team chairman LeRoy Cain says.

Some images pre-launch photos showing the blanket can be seen here and here. A tracking camera shot of the debris is available here.

That area of the shuttle does not experience high heating during entry, so there isn't a great deal of concern.

2144 GMT (4:44 p.m. EDT)

Aboard the International Space Station the crew are getting ready for a practice session for the rendezvous pitch maneuver during tomorrow's docking with Endeavour. They will use digital cameras to photograph the underbelly of the orbiter to check it for any damage to the thermal tiles there. The maneuver was added to the docking procedures in the wake of the Columbia accident.

2137 GMT (4:37 p.m. EST)

The Orbiter Boom Sensor System has been positioned to begin an inspection of Endeavour's reinforced carbon-carbon nose cap as the astronauts continue their checkout of the shuttle's thermal protection system.

1950 GMT (2:50 p.m. EST)

Inspections of space shuttle Endeavour have gotten underway with scans of the starboard wing. Later today, the crew will be asked to photograph an area near the shuttle's left-side Orbital Maneuvering System pod where a small strip of flexible insulation might have pulled away during launch.

The flexible reuseable surface insulation (FRSI) blankets cover areas on the shuttle where temperatures do not exeed 700 degrees Fahrenheit during re-entry.

"Right where the left OMS meets the body of the orbiter, we think we may have lost, during ascent, a small strip of FRSI," astronaut Steve Robinson radioed earlier from Mission Control. "Today's a great time to image that area during the port (heat shield) survey. We're putting together a little delta to the robot arm procedures. At one of the pause points, we won't change the trajectory of the arm at all, one of the pause points is just perfect and we'll just take a minute there to ... take a look at that area."

"OK, and that was where the left OMS meets the, did you say the vertical tail?" commander Chris Ferguson asked. "And we did send some pictures down yesterday of something that we saw. We weren't sure if it was ice or not, but I'm assuming you looked at those."

"Yep, those images are being analyzed now," Robinson said. "It's right where the left OMS pod meets, you know, where the big T-0 umbilical goes into the orbiter? There's kind of a strip right at the interface between those two planes."

"OK. I've got an idea where it is. Thanks."

1845 GMT (1:45 p.m. EST)