Date: March 11th 2008

March 11, 2008

Katherine Trinidad Headquarters, Washington 202-358-3749 katherine trinidad@nasa gov

Candrea Thomas Kennedy Space Center, Fla 321-867-2468 candrea k thomas@nasa gov

RELEASE: 08-077

NASA'S SHUTTLE ENDEAVOUR BEGINS MISSION TO THE SPACE STATION

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla - Space shuttle Endeavour brought an early sunrise to the East Coast Tuesday, launching from NASA's Kennedy Space Center at 2:28 a m EDT and beginning the STS-123 mission to the International Space Station

During the 16-day flight, Endeavour's seven astronauts will work with the three-member space station crew and ground teams around the world to install the first section of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory and the Canadian Space Agency's two-armed robotic system, known as Dextre STS-123 is the longest shuttle mission to the station and will include a record five shuttle spacewalks at the orbiting laboratory, delivery of a new crew member to the complex and the return of another astronaut after nearly seven weeks aboard the station

Shortly before launch, Commander Gorie thanked the teams that helped make the launch possible "You've got seven smiling faces on board here," said Gorie "God's truly blessed us with a beautiful night to launch so let's light 'em up and give them a show "

Joining Gorie on STS-123 are Pilot Gregory H Johnson and Mission Specialists Robert L Behnken, Mike Foreman, Rick Linnehan, Garrett Reisman and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Takao Doi Reisman will replace current station crew member Leopold Eyharts, who has lived on the outpost since early February Reisman will return to Earth on shuttle Discovery's STS-124 mission, targeted for launch on May 25, 2008

Endeavour's cargo will help continue the station's assembly The Japanese Experiment Logistics Module-Pressurized Section, or ELM-PS, will hold experiment samples, maintenance tools and other spare items Dextre can be attached to the station's robotic arm to handle smaller components typically requiring a spacewalking astronaut At the tip of each arm is a "hand" that consists of retractable jaws used to grip objects

NASA is providing continuous television and Internet coverage of Endeavour's mission, which is the 122nd shuttle flight, the 21st for Endeavour and the 25th shuttle mission to the station

NASA Television features live mission events, daily mission status news conferences and 24-hour commentary NASA TV is webcast at:

http://www nasa gov/ntv

NASA's Web coverage of STS-123 includes current mission information, interactive features, and news conference images, graphics and videos Mission coverage, including the latest NASA TV schedule, also is available on the main space shuttle Web site at:

http://www nasa gov/shuttle

Daily news conferences with STS-123 mission managers take place at NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston Reporters may ask questions from participating NASA locations Please contact your preferred NASA facility by its daily close of business to confirm its availability before each event

For information about other NASA missions and activities, visit:

http://www nasa gov

-end-

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