Shuttle Liftoff

With a roar and brilliant flash, the space shuttle Endeavour lifted off, lighting up the night sky over Kennedy Space Center.Carrying its crew of seven and a hefty to-do list.Over the next 15 days astronauts will do a little moonlighting, working construction and bathroom installation as the International Space Station grows in size.”In the most simplest terms we are taking this currently 3 bedroom 1 bathroom outpost and we are adding another couple of bedrooms, we’re adding a kitchen, we’re adding another bathroom,” said Shuttle Commander Christopher Ferguson.The astronauts will also work on a jammed solar array joint, necessary to help power the station and install a new water-recycling filter capable of turning condensation, sweat and even urine into drinking water.Samples will be tested here on earth before anyone actually tastes it, but it’s seen as a key step for future flights headed toward the moon and mars.”This is the only way to do it, we can’t possibly take all the water with us,” said Ferguson.Endeavour is also carrying some turkey dinners for the crew to eat while spending Thanksgiving in space. Holidays away from home while they give the space station an extreme home makeover. A mission that will likely leave the i-s-s crew giving thanks for years to come.