Coverage continues at Part 4 of our Mission Journal.

• 25 November 2002 - Evening Update - The ten members of the Endeavour and Alpha crews are together now for a week of docked operations.  NASA reports:

  Expedition Five Now Shuttle Crewmembers
  Space Shuttle Endeavour concluded its chase of the International Space Station when it docked with the orbital outpost at 3:59 p.m. CST [4:59PM EST/2159 GMT] Monday. STS-113 is the 16th shuttle mission to visit the station. Docking occurred as the two spacecraft flew above the southern Pacific Ocean.

  Arriving with Endeavour was the Expedition Six crew, which took control of the station from the Expedition Five crew Monday evening. The Expedition Five crewmembers are now a part of the shuttle crew.

  See Page 4 of our Journal for coverage of the first of three spacewalks scheduled for STS-113.

  
  

• 25 November 2002 - DOCKED! - Contact and capture occurred just before 4PM EST (2100 GMT). NASA reports:

  Endeavour Arrives at ISS
  Space Shuttle Endeavour concluded its chase of the International Space Station when it docked with the orbital outpost at 3:59 p.m. CST (2159 GMT) today. STS-113 is the 16th shuttle mission to visit the station. Docking occurred as the two spacecraft flew above the southern Pacific Ocean.

  Arriving with Endeavour was the Expedition Six crew, who will take control of the station from the Expedition Five crew. The Expedition Six and STS-113 crewmembers will enter the station for the first time today about 5:15 p.m. CST [6:15PM EST/2315 GMT].

  The Expedition Five and Six crews will begin handover activities following a safety briefing by [Expedition Five commander] Korzun. The crews will begin swapping out the custom-made seatliners in the Soyuz spacecraft that serves as the station's crew return vehicle. Once the swap-out is completed, the Expedition Six crew will take command of the station and Expedition Five will become a part of Endeavour's crew. During the remainder of STS-113's weeklong stay, the Expedition crews will conduct handover activities and the station will continue its outward expansion with the addition of the P1 (P-One) Truss.

  [The] Truss is in the orbiter's payload bay. The P1 will be attached to the station Tuesday. STS-113 Mission Specialists Michael Lopez-Alegria and John Herrington will conduct three spacewalks to outfit and activate the new component. The first spacewalk is slated to begin at 2:20 p.m. CST [3:20PM EST/2020 GMT] Tuesday.

  Flight Day 2 videos are now available in the NASA Gallery. More Launch Day videos are up at KSC. New launch pics at Florida Today.

  
  

• 25 November - Afternoon Update - The Shuttle continues its pursuit of Space Station Alpha, where Expedition Five has spent the last 6 months. NASA reports:

  STS-113 to Arrive at Space Station Today
  The final phase of Endeavour's rendezvous with the International Space Station is under way. About 1 p.m. central time [2PM EST/1900 GMT], a rendezvous burn, referred to as the Terminal Initiation or TI burn, will begin Endeavour's final approach to the station.

  During STS-113's weeklong stay, the STS-113 crew will perform three spacewalks to activate and outfit the P1 after it is attached to the station Tuesday. Also, the shuttle and station crew will transfer cargo.

  Watch today's docking at 4:26PM EST/2126 GMT on NASA TV, and keep an eye on the play-by-play links at right for up-to-the-minute commentary.

  
  

• 25 November 2002 - Flight Day 3 - Monday will see Endeavour link up with Space Station Alpha, where a new crew will take up residence. NASA reports:

  Endeavour to Arrive at ISS Today
  Space Shuttle Endeavour is scheduled to dock with the International Space Station today at 3:26 p.m. CST [4:26PM EST/2126 GMT], delivering the Expedition Six crew and the P1 (P-One) Truss. This morning, Endeavour's crewmembers will make final preparations for this afternoon's linkup, which is scheduled to occur as the spacecraft are flying over the Kazakh/Uzbekistan border.

  Rendezvous operations will begin around 10:35 a.m. [11:35AM EST/1635 GMT] with the final approach phase of the docking beginning about 1 p.m. [2PM EST/1900 GMT]. Hatch opening between the two spacecraft scheduled to occur at 4:45 p.m. CST [5:55PM EST/2245 GMT]. Then, the Expedition Five crew will begin handing over command of the station to Expedition Six.

  After greetings between the two crews, Expedition Five Commander Valery Korzun will conduct a required safety briefing before the crews set to work transferring hardware and equipment from Endeavour to the International Space Station.

  Expedition Six was originally to include astronaut Don Thomas instead of Don Pettit. The substitution was made to protect Thomas from accumulated radiation - but why don't the Russians (who regularly set space endurance records) have this concern?

• 24 November 2002 - Evening Update - Flight Day 2 draws to a close, as the Endeavour crew approaches the International Space Station. NASA reports:

  Endeavour Chases Station
  At 8:00 p.m. CST today [9PM EST/0200 GMT Monday], Space Shuttle Endeavour was about 2,253 kilometers (1,400 miles) behind the International Space Station and closing. The six astronauts and one cosmonaut aboard the orbiter prepared for their arrival at the station Monday

  Enjoying their first full day on orbit, Endeavour's astronauts successfully checked out operation of the Shuttle's robotic arm and verified operation of the spacesuits that will be worn during three scheduled spacewalks.

  Watch NASA TV on Monday to see the arrival of Space Shuttle Endeavour and the Expedition Six crew at the International Space Station. Endeavour is scheduled to dock at 3:26 p.m. CST [4:26PM EST/2126 GMT]. Then, the hatches will be opened and Expedition Six will enter the station for the first time at 5:17 p.m. CST [6:17PM EST/2317 GMT].

  Check the play-by-play links at right for up-to-the-minute commentary, and watch the action live on NASA TV!

  
  

• 24 November - Afternoon Update - Sunday in Space continues with Endeavour playing catch-up to Space Station Alpha.  NASA reports:

  Endeavour Chases Station
  Endeavour continues its pursuit of the International Space Station today, in preparation for Monday's final rendezvous and docking activities. On board both spacecraft today, the focus is on final preparations for Endeavour's arrival and the exchange of resident crews aboard the International Space Station. Docking is scheduled for 3:26 p.m. central time [4:26PM EST/2126 GMT] Monday.

  At 8:50 a.m. CST [9:50AM EST/1450 GMT] today, Space Shuttle Endeavour was about 4,345 kilometers (2,700 miles) behind the International Space Station and closing. Today, the six astronauts and one cosmonaut aboard the orbiter will prepare for their arrival at the station Monday. They will set up and check out equipment that will be used during rendezvous and docking. Also, Mission Specialists Michael Lopez-Alegria and John Herrington will inspect the spacesuits they will use during the three spacewalks that they will perform at the station to outfit and activate the P1 (P-One) Truss.

  Activities are proceeding smoothly aboard both spacecraft in the early hours of the STS-113 mission.

  Launch headlines and pics below. Launch Day video up at JSC. Watch tonight's Expedition 6 interviews live on NASA TV shortly before 8PM EST tonight (0001 GMT Sunday).

  
  

• 24 November 2002 - Flight Day 2 - Endeavour is chasing the International Space Station, on its way to tomorrow's docking.  NASA reports:

  Successful Shuttle Launch
  At 7:49 p.m. EST on Saturday, Nov.23 [0049 GMT Sunday], the Space Shuttle Endeavour successfully launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Among the crew is John Herrington, the first tribally registered Native American astronaut to walk in space. Herrington, along with crewmembers Commander Jim Wetherbee, Pilot Paul Lockhart, and Mission Specialist Michael Lopez-Alegria, will deliver the Expedition Six crew to the International Space Station and return the Expedition Five Crew to the Earth after five months in orbit.

  Endeavour is on track to dock with the space station about 3:30 p.m. central time [4:30PM EST/2130 GMT] on Monday. The Expedition Five crew was notified of Endeavour's on-time launch and the news that their replacement crew was en route.

  The six astronauts and one cosmonaut aboard the Space Shuttle ... are scheduled to awaken at 8:50 a.m. CST [9:50AM EST/1450 GMT]. The crew will spend their day making preparations for Monday's docking with the International Space Station. The Expedition Five crew aboard the space station is scheduled to begin their 173rd day in space at 7:45 a.m. [8:45AM EST/1345 GMT].

  Watch NASA TV at [7:55PM EST Sunday/0055 GMT Monday) to see the Expedition Six crew participate in interviews with USA Today and the AP Radio Network. NASA TV Schedule

  Launch pics and video are up at KSC. Launch headlines below.

• 
  
  Here are some pics from Saturday's launch (captured by NewsFromSpace.com via NASA TV):
  
  - Click thumbnail for full-size image -

• 23 November 2002 - Evening Update - Endeavour finally made it into space! Weather at the emergency landing site in Spain cleared up around 7PM, so the shuttle was finally given the "Go" for launch. NASA reports:

  STS-113 Under Way; Endeavour Heads to Space Station
  STS-113 began at 6:50 p.m. CST Saturday [7:50PM EST/0050 GMT Sunday] when Space Shuttle Endeavour launched from Kennedy Space Center, Fla. Endeavour is en route to the International Space Station to deliver the Expedition Six crew and the P1 (P-One) Truss. With Commander Jim Wetherbee and Pilot Paul Lockhart at the controls, Endeavour will close in on the station before linking up with it Monday.

  While at the orbital outpost, the STS-113 crew will perform three spacewalks to activate and outfit the P1 after it is attached to the station and will transfer cargo between the two spacecraft. Also, the Expedition Six crew will take command of the station from the Expedition Five crew, which will return to Earth on Endeavour. STS-113 will be the 16th shuttle mission to visit the ISS.

  With today's launch, John Herrington became the first Native American to fly in space. Herrington is a member of the Chickasaw Nation.

  Headlines:

  Endeavour Blasts Off Toward Space Station
  ABC News-Reuters

  Shuttle blasts off on a mission to international space station
  Australian Broadcasting Corporation

  Space shuttle blasts off
  BBC, UK

  Shuttle Endeavour finally takes off
  MSNBC

  Shuttle lifts off for station
  United Press International

  Shuttle Endeavour Safely Arrives in Earth Orbit
  Space.com

  Space shuttle takes off after delays
  Houston Chronicle, TX

  Shuttle Endeavour blasts off, safely reaches orbit
  Miami Herald, FL

  Space Shuttle Endeavour Launched
  VOA

  Check back later for our launch photo gallery.

  
  

• 23 November 2002 - LIFTOFF - "Another building block for the foundation of the International Space Station!" Endeavour lit up the night and is roaring into orbit!

  NASA reports a slight problem with a ball valve in the right Orbital Maneuvering System pod, but it will not impact the mission. The shuttle will be firing the OMS thrusters in a cross-feed configuration in order to circularize its orbit and begin chasing the International Space Station. Watch NASA TV for post-launch news conferences.

  
  

• 23 November - Afternoon Update - Endeavour is fueled up, and the crew is aboard. Will the weather cooperate this time? NASA reports:

  Shuttle Launch Today
  Space Shuttle Endeavour is now set for launch at 7:49:47 p.m. EST on Saturday, Nov. 23 [0050 GMT Sunday]. Forecasters and managers will continue to monitor the [weather] situation ... at the Trans-Atlantic Abort Landing, or TAL, sites in Spain.

  Submit your STS-113 questions to our final KSC Direct! Question Board for a chance to win a mission poster! Your questions may be answered by retired NASA astronaut Jon McBride!

  Tune in to our online STS-113 mission coverage! Keep up with our Live Launch Coverage and submit a question to be answered during a live KSC Direct webcast. If you're already an STS-113 whiz, take the Mission Quiz!

  Video from last night's scrub here.

  
  

• 23 November 2002 - Saturday - Is it launch day? Endeavour is being fueled up this morning, but the weather does not look promising at the two Spanish airbases, where the orbiter would have to land if one of the main engines failed during the climb to orbit.  Last night's scrub was the first time since STS-74, seven years ago, that a launch was postponed for strictly overseas weather conditions.

  The Shuttle is bringing a fresh crew to the International Space Station, as well as extra supplies and the P1 Truss, further expanding the Station's size. See the STS-113 main page for the latest flight schedule, and keep an eye on the play-by-play links at right.

For more preflight reports, see Part 2 of our Mission Journal.