NASA's Shuttle Endeavour Heads To Space Station On Its Final Mission

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Commander Mark Kelly and his
five crewmates are on their way to the International Space Station
after launching from NASA's Kennedy Space Center at 8:56 a.m. EDT
Monday. The STS-134 mission is the penultimate orbiter flight and the
final one for shuttle Endeavour

"This mission represents the power of teamwork, commitment and
exploration," Commander Mark Kelly said shortly before liftoff. "It
is in the DNA of our great country to reach for the stars and
explore. We must not stop. To all the millions watching today
including our spouses, children, family and friends, we thank you for
your support."

The crew will deliver the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS) and
critical supplies to the space station, including two communications
antennas, a high-pressure gas tank and additional parts for the
Dextre robot. AMS is a particle physics detector designed to search
for various types of unusual cosmic matter. The crew also will
transfer Endeavour's orbiter boom sensor system to the station, where
it could assist spacewalkers as an extension for the station's robotic arm.

"Today's final launch of Endeavour is a testament to American
ingenuity and leadership in human spaceflight," NASA Administrator
Charles Bolden said. "As we look toward a bright future with the
International Space Station as our anchor and new destinations in
deep space on the horizon, we salute the astronauts and ground crews
who have ensured the orbiter's successful missions. The presence of
Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords at the launch inspired us all, just
as America's space program has done for the past 50 years."

Kelly's crewmates are Pilot Greg H. Johnson and Mission Specialists
Mike Fincke, Drew Feustel, Greg Chamitoff and Roberto Vittori of the
European Space Agency. This is the first shuttle flight for Fincke
and Vittori. Vittori will be the last international astronaut to fly
aboard a shuttle.

Endeavour is scheduled to dock to the station at 6:15 a.m. on
Wednesday. The 16-day mission includes four spacewalks. After
undocking to return to Earth, Kelly and Johnson will ease the shuttle
back toward the station to test new sensor technologies that could
facilitate the docking of future space vehicles to the station.

The shuttle's first landing opportunity at Kennedy is scheduled for
2:32 a.m. on June 1. STS-134 is the 134th shuttle flight, the 25th
flight for Endeavour and the 36th shuttle mission dedicated to
station assembly and maintenance.

NASA's web coverage of STS-134 includes mission information, a press
kit, interactive features, news conference images, graphics and
videos. Mission coverage, including the latest NASA Television
schedule, is available on the main space shuttle website at:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

NASA is providing continuous television and Internet coverage of the
mission. NASA TV features live mission events, daily status news
conferences and 24-hour commentary. For NASA TV streaming video,
downlink and schedule information, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

Daily news conferences with STS-134 mission managers will take place
at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. To participate,
reporters must have valid media credentials issued by a NASA center or
issued specifically for the STS-134 mission.

Journalists not on site must contact the Johnson newsroom at
281-483-5111 no later than 15 minutes prior to the start of a
briefing to participate. Newsroom personnel will verify credentials
and transfer reporters to the phone bridge. Phone bridge capacity is
limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Live updates to the NASA News Twitter feed will be added throughout
the mission and landing. To access the feed, go to the NASA.gov
homepage or visit:

http://www.twitter.com/nasa

Kelly, Johnson, Fincke and Chamitoff are providing updates to their
Twitter accounts during the mission. They can be followed at:

http://www.twitter.com/shuttleCDRkelly

http://www.twitter.com/Astro_Box

http://www.twitter.com/AstroIronMike

http://www.twitter.com/Astro_Taz

For more information about the space station, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/station

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