Shuttle Chases Station With a Major Delivery
With every lap around Earth, space shuttle Atlantis drew closer to the international space station to deliver the first piece of a framework that ultimately will outstretch a football field.
Atlantis is hauling a 44-foot-long, 14 1/2-foot-wide aluminum girder that is full of plumbing and wiring and, with 475,000 parts, ranks right behind the space station laboratory in complexity.
The $600-million girder, due to arrive today, will serve as the backbone for a framework that eventually will extend 356 feet and support a collection of giant solar wings and radiators.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
