Kibo news stories on Newser

Astronauts Begin Installing Space Veranda

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 14:55:08 CDT

Two astronauts ventured out on the first spacewalk of shuttle Endeavour's space station visit today to help install a porch on Japan's expansive lab. Veteran spaceman David Wolf and rookie Timothy Kopra got straight to work as they floated out the hatch, 220 miles above the Earth. But their voices...

At Last, Endeavour Reaches ISS

Nick McMaster — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:58:02 CDT

Space shuttle Endeavour docked today at the International Space Station, an important milestone in its oft-delayed mission, Space.com reports. The crew is scheduled to board the ISS later today. When the Endeavour's seven astronauts climb on, they will push the station's total population to a record-high 13.

NASA Delays Shuttle Launch

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 10:45:50 CDT

NASA scrubbed space shuttle Endeavour's scheduled launch today after nine lightning strikes were reported near the pad in Florida. Technicians said they found no damage but will need another day to check critical systems. The next launch attempt will be in the early evening tomorrow. Endeavour should have blasted off...

Discovery Returns to Earth

Wesley Oliver — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 12:30:04 CDT

The space shuttle Discovery swooped back to Earth today after successfully expanding the International Space Station, the AP reports. The shuttle’s seven crew members delivered Kibo, the new billion-dollar Japanese science lab, and a pump to repair a broken toilet. Discovery also brought home flight engineer Garret Reisman, who’d talked...

Shuttle Prepares to Head Home

Laurel Jorgensen — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 21:07:28 CDT

Shuttle astronauts bid farewell to the crew of the International Space Station today and closed the hatch between their spacecrafts, Space.com reports. Discovery plans to undock from the station tomorrow morning after a busy weeklong mission and begin a 4-day trip home. The shuttle crew delivered and installed a...

Astronaut Waves Robot Arm

Harry Kimball — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 15:25:12 CDT

A Japanese astronaut on board the International Space Station successfully unfolded a massive robotic arm from the newly installed Kibo laboratory today, Reuters reports. The arm moved slightly on Saturday, but today’s extension of the 33-foot device was the first full test, Space.com reports. The Japanese-built robot had nothing...

'Incredible' Final Walk for Shuttle Astronauts

Peter Fearon — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 03:33:26 CDT

Two shuttle astronauts completed their third and final spacewalk yesterday outside the International Space Station, racking up more than 20 hours floating in space. The pair completed maintenance on the station's cooling system and Japanese lab, taking time out to admire spectacular views, reports Space.com.

Now They Can Boldly Go

Peter Fearon — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 03:47:45 CDT

A Russian astronaut worked like a space janitor for two hours to finally fix a toilet aboard the International Space Station yesterday, the BBC reports. The space shuttle Discovery delivered a new pump for the broken toilet, which has dominated NASA press conferences. "It's something perhaps everyday people can relate...

Astronauts Installing New Lab

Nick McMaster — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 17:04:51 CDT

Two spacewalking astronauts are preparing the enormous Japanese-made Kibo lab for eventual installation on the International Space Station, the Houston Chronicle reports. After getting a late start this morning because of a communications malfunction, Mike Fossum and Ron Garan sped through their checklists and got back ahead of schedule. The...