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Crew inspects shuttle after launch, heads for space station

Endeavor lights up the early morning sky at Kennedy Space Center on Monday just after liftoff.
Endeavor lights up the early morning sky at Kennedy Space Center on Monday just after liftoff.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Endeavor crew checking for damage after Monday's early morning launch
  • Tuesday's routine inspection includes checks of the shuttle's protective thermal tiles
  • Shuttle carrying key pieces for the international space station
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(CNN) -- As they head toward a rendezvous with the international space station, crew members of the space shuttle Endeavour are checking for any signs of damage after Monday's early morning launch.

Tuesday's routine inspection includes checks of the shuttle's protective thermal tiles. Cameras and lasers capture views of the shuttle's exterior, which NASA will inspect on Earth for any damage sustained during launch.

The shuttle will dock with the space station just after 12 a.m. Wednesday.

Endeavour lifted off from Kennedy Space Center early Monday. During the mission, the six-member crew is delivering a key module to the space station.

The crew is delivering a third connecting module, an Italian-built Tranquility node and a seven-windowed cupola to be used as a control room for robotics. The mission also will include three spacewalks.

The space station will be about 90 percent complete once the node and cupola are added, NASA said.