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Astronauts end space walk marred by lost tool bag
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-11-19 15:20

Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper on the end of the robot arm as she moves a nitrogen tank assembly to the Space Shuttle Endeavour's cargo bay in this image from NASA TV November 18, 2008. [Agencies] 

As the action unfolded outside, the astronauts inside the shuttle-station complex started unloading gear from a huge trunk that was brought up by Endeavour.

The big-ticket item -- and one of the first things to be hooked up -- is a recycling system that will convert astronauts' urine and sweat into drinking water. It is essential if NASA is to double the size of the space station crew to six next June.

Endeavour also delivered an extra bathroom, kitchenette, two bedrooms, an exercise machine and refrigerator that will allow space station residents to enjoy cold drinks for the first time.

The additions -- coming exactly 10 years after the first space station piece was launched -- will transform the place into a two-bath, two-kitchen, five-bedroom home.

Endeavour arrived at the space station Sunday. The next spacewalk is set for Thursday.

On Tuesday, mission managers cleared Endeavour to return to Earth at the end of the month. A thorough inspection of images of the shuttle showed no evidence of any damage to its heat shield like the kind that doomed Columbia in 2003.