The Space Shuttle Atlantis and the International Space Station are shown in this view from NASA TV after a successful docking June 10, 2007. The Atlantis crew will perform three spacewalks during the 11-day planned mission. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

    BEIJING, June 12 (Xinhuanet) -- Two astronauts on Monday floated outside the International Space Station (ISS) to begin installing power-generating equipment, thus unveiling the first of three outings planned during U.S. shuttle Atlantis' weeklong visit.

    Astronauts James Reilly and John "Danny" Olivas emerged from the space station's airlock at 2002 GMT as the space station flew 208 miles (335 kilometers) over the southern Pacific Ocean, according to the U.S. space agency NASA's television broadcast.

    Their job was to make power, data and cooling connections on a new 16-ton truss segment containing solar panels, which was attached before the space walk with the help of the station's giant robotic arm.

    Installation and activation of the new segment won't be completed until a second space walk on Wednesday.

    Back on Earth, engineers in Houston were evaluating whether a peeled-back thermal blanket on Atlantis should be fixed by astronauts. The loosened blanket, covering a 4-by-6-inch (10-by-15 centimeters) area over a pod for engines, was discovered during an inspection of the space shuttle on Saturday.

    If NASA decides to fix the problem, it could be done during one of three scheduled space walks or during an extra, unplanned one.

    (Agencies)

    2 astronauts sleep in airlock, prepare for spacewalk

    BEIJING, June 11 (Xinhuanet) -- Two space shuttle Atlantis astronauts prepared for a seven-hour spacewalk Monday to install a 45-foot(14-meter) long, 35,678-pound (16,183-kg) aluminum structure that will become part of the station's exterior backbone and includes solar panels to generate more electricity.

    Crewmembers Jim Reilly and Danny Olivas were preparing for low pressure during their spacewalk by sleeping overnight in an airlock with reduced air pressure. Full story>>>

    Shuttle Atlantis docks with Space Station

    WASHINGTON, June 10 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. space shuttle Atlantis docked with the International Space Station at 3:36 p.m. EDT (1936GMT) on Sunday, ending a nearly two-day chase, according to NASA TV.

    The hatches between the two spacecraft will open at about 5 p.m., and then the two crews will greet each other and quickly begin joint operations. Full story>>>

    Atlantis crew inspect shuttle heat shield

WASHINGTON, June 9 (Xinhua) -- The Atlantis crew spent the first full day in space inspecting the shuttle's heat shield, and they reported a 4-inch (10-centimeter) gap, according to NASA's ground control center on Saturday.

However, NASA's shuttle managers said the gap appears not to bean urgent problem. "I don't think concern is the right word; there's no urgency with the situation," NASA's spokesman Kyle Herring was quoted as saying by AP. Full story>>>

    Atlantis lifts off for 1st shuttle flight of 2007

    WASHINGTON, June 8 (Xinhua) -- After a three-month delay, Atlantis finally blasted off Friday on NASA's first space shuttle mission of the year, continuing the construction of the International Space Station.

    The shuttle lifted off at 7:38 p.m. EDT (2338 GMT) Friday from its seaside launch pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It is the first launch from that launch pad in over four years. Full story>>>