The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Cape Canaveral

Space shuttle Endeavour soared into space Tuesday, carrying parts of a Japanese laboratory that is to become the largest and last research component of the International Space Station. With its installation Japan gains a foothold on the ISS alongside the United States, Russia and Europe, whose laboratory Columbus was delivered to the station in February. Endeavour roared into space at 0628 GMT Tuesday, in a rare night launch from the Kennedy Space Center here -- its motors and booster rockets casting a glare bright as midday along the Florida coast for about 30 seconds. In 53 seconds the shuttle had already attained a speed of about 2,425 kilometers (1,507 miles) per hour -- about twice the speed of sound. Two minutes after launch Endeavour successfully jettisoned its twin solid rocket boosters. Less than nine minutes after launch, it safely entered Earth's orbit and began its chase of the ISS, for a rendezvous expected Wednesday.