NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

The Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, tows a solid rocket booster that fell into the ocean after separating from space shuttle Endeavour. The booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea, disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

After the successful launch of space shuttle Endeavour, Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach (right) cuts the tie of NASA Flow Director for Endeavour Ken Tenbusch, a tradition for first-timer. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Blazing into the cloud-covered sky, space shuttle Endeavour lifts off Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Launch was on time at 2:28 a.m. EDT. Photo credit: NASA/Fletcher Hildreth

Space shuttle Endeavour races into the night sky past the lightning mast and trailing twin columns of fire, smoke and steam after liftoff from Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. NASA/Rick Wetherington, Tim Terry, Tim Powers

Light-filled clouds of smoke and steam roll across Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center as space shuttle Endeavour roars into the night sky atop twin towers of flame on the STS-123 mission. At right is the 300-gallon water tower that provides the water used for sound suppression on the pad at liftoff. Photo courtesy of Scott Andrews

Space shuttle Endeavour roars off the launch pad into the night sky to deliver the Japanese Kibo laboratory and the Canadian twin-arm robotic system. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

Before getting on NASA's silver Astrovan for the ride to the launch pad, the STS-123 crew members stop to wave to well-wishers. From left are Mission Specialists Rick Linnehan, Japanese astronaut Takao Doi, Mike Foreman and Robert L. Behnken, Pilot Gregory H. Johnson, Mission Specialist Garrett Reisman and Commander Dominic Gorie. Riesman will remain on the International Space Station as a flight engineer. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Space shuttle Endeavour's astronauts eagerly exit the Operations and Checkout Building on their way to the waiting Astrovan. The crew will make a record-breaking 16-day mission to deliver the Kibo and Dextre payloads to the space station. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

STS-123 Mission Specialist Rick Linnehan is helped with his boot during suitup in the Operations and Checkout Building. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Mission Specialist Takao Doi adjusts his glove during suitup and flight suit fit check in the Operations and Checkout Building prior to launch on space shuttle Endeavour. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Endeavour's crew members pose for a traditional photo at the breakfast table. From left are Mission Specialists Rick Linnehan and Mike Foreman; Pilot Gregory H. Johnson; Commander Dominic Gorie; and Mission Specialists Garrett Reisman, who will remain on the International Space Station as a flight engineer, Robert L. Behnken, and Takao Doi of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Endeavour is poised for launch on pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Signs on the gate across the pad illustrate the primary payloads on the mission: the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory and the Canadian Space Agency's two-armed robotic system, Dextre. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Flags wave near Launch Pad 39A where space shuttle Endeavour waits for liftoff after the rotating service structure was rolled back. Above the orange external tank is the "beanie cap" at the end of the gaseous oxygen vent arm, extending from the fixed service structure.The hood vents the gaseous oxygen vapors away from the space shuttle vehicle. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett