Shuttle Endeavor Set for Evening Launch

via Space.com, the shuttle Endeavor is ready for a scheduled 6:36 EST launch to the International Space Station for ISS construction mission STS-118 with teacher turned astronaut Barbara Morgan on board the ship.

"In addition to Morgan, Endeavour will ferry shuttle commander Scott Kelly, pilot Charlie Hobaugh and mission specialists Tracy Caldwell, Rick Mastracchio, Alvin Drew, Jr. and Dave Williams - of the Canadian Space Agency - towards the ISS.

The astronauts plan to haul 5,000 pounds (2,267 kilograms) of cargo, a loaded spare parts platform and a new starboard-side girder to the ISS during their planned 11-day mission. The spaceflight could be extended three extra days if a new station-to-shuttle power transfer system aboard Endeavour performs as expected."

This is Endeavor's first flight since undergoing a major overhaul that eventually lasted over five years. Meanwhile Morgan, and Idaho teachere, has waited 22 years to fly. She was the flight backup to teacher Christa McAuliffe, who died along wiht the rest of the Challenger crew in the 1986 shuttle tradegy. Four spacewalks are planned over the course of the mission.