Expedition 16 Awaits Arrival of New Lab, Crew Member

Image: Flight Engineer Dan Tani (left) and Commander Peggy Whitson conduct an interview from the Destiny Laboratory of the International Space Station. Image credit: NASA TV

With the successful launch of space shuttle Atlantis, the stage is set for changes at the International Space Station and for its crew.

Atlantis lifted off from Kennedy Space Center, Fla.s Launch Pad 39A at 2:45 p.m. EST Thursday to begin a two-day chase of the station. The STS-122 mission will deliver the newest research module to the orbiting complex, the European Space Agency’s Columbus laboratory. Also traveling with STS-122 is a new Expedition 16 crew member, European Space Agency astronaut Leopold Eyharts, who will replace Flight Engineer Daniel Tani.

Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson, Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko and Tani will make final preparations for STS-122s arrival. Docking is scheduled for 12:25 p.m. Saturday.

For the latest news and information on the STS-122 mission, visit the main shuttle page.