Shuttle Endeavour docks with International Space Station

The space shuttle Endeavour arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) for the last time Wednesday, bringing a science experiment and other supplies.The shuttle docked with the ISS at 6:14 am (1214 GMT), at which time the spacecraft were flying about 354 kilometres above and east of Chile, US space agency NASA said.The Endeavour blasted off Monday on its final mission before NASA retires the ageing shuttle fleet later this year.Just one more shuttle mission is planned, with Atlantis due to travel to the ISS in July.The six-member crew of five US astronauts and an Italian are delivering a high-tech particle monitor to the station that scientists hope could provide clues about the formation of the universe.The 2-billion-dollar particle physics detector, known as the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2, will allow scientists to measure cosmic rays in the search for dark matter and antimatter.After docking, the astronauts’ first task will be to unload a giant container of supplies for the ISS using the shuttle’s robotic arm.The first of four spacewalks is scheduled for Friday.

Courtesy : The Hindu