CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Space shuttle Endeavour pulled up to the international space station and docked Saturday, setting the stage for the attachment — and dramatic spreading — of the world's largest solar wings.
The wings, carried into orbit by Endeavour, will be installed on space station Alpha on Sunday with the help of two spacewalking astronauts.
Endeavour hooked up with Alpha as the spacecraft zoomed more than 230 miles above central Asia, ending a two-day chase. Shuttle commander Brent Jett Jr. steered his ship in from below, with practiced precision.
Station commander Bill Shepherd and his two Russian crewmates, on board for a solid month, eagerly watched Endeavour's slow and cautious approach. The five shuttle astronauts are their first visitors.
"Hey, well done today," Shepherd called over the radio.
"It's great to be here," Jett replied.