CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., Nov. 24 (UPI) -- Six astronauts and one cosmonaut aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour Sunday prepared for Monday's docking with the International Space Station where the fresh crew will join its veteran residents in time for an orbital Thanksgiving holiday.
The old crew spent their 173rd consecutive day in space, ready to return to Earth Dec. 4
After delays, the shuttle successfully launched Saturday night, sporting a new leak-free oxygen line and a clean bill of health for its robotic arm.
"Looks like we have a good vehicle and good weather," NASA launch director Michael Leinbach told the crew shortly before liftoff. "Hope you have a good turkey dinner packed for Thanksgiving."
"Thanks," replied Endeavour Commander Jim Wetherbee, "From the bridge of Endeavour, we're ready to set thundering sail."
With no technical or weather-related problems at hand, the shuttle lifted off from its seaside launch pad at 7:49 p.m. ET, turning the dark, clear skies light as day as the ship barreled out over the ocean, heading toward an orbital rendezvous with the space station on Monday.
As the shuttle settled into its initial orbit, eight-and-a-half minutes later, a valve in one of Endeavour's two maneuvering system pods stuck, prompting flight directors to remove it from service for the remainder of the mission.
NASA launch commentator Rob Navias said the engine will be used again when the shuttle leaves orbit, scheduled for Dec. 4, to begin the glide back to Earth for landing. During flight, the ship's remaining left-side steering system will be used for maneuvers, said Navias.
After a week's stay at the outpost, Endeavour will be transporting home the station's Expedition Five crew -- NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson and Russian cosmonauts Valery Korzun and Sergei Treschev -- who have been in space since June 5.
Poor weather at the shuttle's emergency landing sites in Spain forced flight managers to cancel a launch attempt on Friday and a leaky oxygen line nixed NASA's first launch try on Nov. 10.
The faulty hose was found and replaced, but a potentially more serious problem was caused when a work platform being installed in the cargo bay accidentally bumped the shuttle's payload bay crane. The mishap, which was blamed on human error, tore the arm's insulation, scratched its surface and cast doubt about whether it had sustained any structural damage that could impact its ability to operate as needed during its stay at the space station.
In addition to ferrying a new crew to the outpost after five months in orbit for the old crew, the shuttle is carrying a 14-ton truss segment to anchor additional solar arrays, radiators and communications gear on the station.
Endeavour astronauts Michael Lopez-Alegria and John Herrington are scheduled to conduct three spacewalks to install the truss and connect equipment. The truss is identical to one installed in October on the station's right-hand or starboard side.
Also aboard the shuttle is pilot Paul Lockhard and the incoming Expedition Six station crew: commander Kenneth Boxersox, NASA astronaut Donald Pettit and cosmonaut Nikolai Budarin.
Herrington is the first tribally registered Native American astronaut to walk in space.
