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U.S. space shuttle Endeavour lifts off on first mission in 5 years (2) |
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08:17, August 09, 2007 |
Among Endeavour''s seven-member crew is Barbara Morgan, the first teacher-turned-astronaut, who was Christa McAuliffe''s backup in 1986. McAuliffe was killed aboard space shuttle Challenger along with six others.
So, among Endeavour''s crewmembers, Morgan had attracted much of the attention. "Barbara deserves a lot of recognition for her interest, her toughness, her resiliency, her persistence in wanting to fly in space and eventually doing so," NASA Administrator Michael Griffin was quoted as saying by AP before launch. "I''m glad she''s on this flight."
A day before launch, First Lady Laura Bush, also a former teacher, called Barbara Morgan and expressed congratulations "from one schoolteacher to another". Laura noted that she and the president appreciate Morgan''s commitment to America''s space program, to teaching and to students.
"Americans -- and lots of excited teachers and students -- will be watching the mission with a lot of pride," said Laura Bush.
"For Barbara Morgan and her crewmates, class is in session," remarked NASA Commentator Rob Navias from mission control after the successful launch.
During the two-deacade-waited flight, Morgan will operate the robotic arm on space shuttle and also plans to answer questions from schoolchildren on Earth.
Endeavour will deliver a new truss segment and also 5,000 pounds of supplies to ISS, including spare parts, food, clothing, scientific experiments, and then bring down another 5,000 pounds of garbage and spare parts on longer needed on the station.
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