HOUSTON - Veteran International Space Station astronaut and space shuttle flyer Ed Lu has left NASA to accept a position in the private sector. Lu flew on two shuttle missions and lived six months aboard the station as a member of the orbiting laboratory's seventh crew.

"Ed has done an exceptional job as an astronaut during his twelve years of service," said Chief of the Astronaut Office Steve Lindsey. "He contributed greatly to the construction and operations on the International Space Station, particularly in the very difficult period after the Columbia tragedy. Additionally, his involvement in development of the Crew Exploration Vehicle will help NASA tremendously as we look forward to exploring our solar system. He will be missed by the Astronaut Office and NASA. We wish him the very best in his future endeavors."

ARISS contact with One Stop Learning Center in NY City on 7 August 2007 recorded live on EchoLink by Dieter kx4y from the live audio feed into EchoLink by Graham G7EVY from audio provided via a bridge telephone connection.

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Space Shuttle Endeavour docked with the International Space Station at 2:02 p.m. EDT today, setting the stage for the on-orbit expansion of the outpost. Expedition 15 Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Flight Engineers Oleg Kotov and Clay Anderson will welcome the seven-member STS-118 crew aboard the station after the hatches between the vehicles open at about 3:21 p.m.

Endeavour delivered the Starboard 5 (S5) truss, which will be attached to the station Saturday. The STS-118 crew also will conduct a spacewalk Saturday to assist in the installation and activation of the S5.

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ARISS contact with Arnold Palmer Hospital as recorded live on EchoLink.

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WASHINGTON - NASA has issued a request for proposals for Ares I mobile launcher construction. Ares I is the rocket that will transport the Orion crew exploration vehicle and its crew and cargo to low Earth orbit. The mobile launcher proposals are due to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Sept. 6, 2007.

The request for proposals states the procurement approach for obtaining the mobile launcher system. The mobile launcher will be used as a platform to assemble, test and service Ares I in existing facilities, transport the rocket to the pad, and support launches.

The selected contractor will supply all labor, materials and equipment to build the mobile launcher structure and its associated facility systems. These systems include utilities, fire safety, communications, lighting, elevators and life support. The request for proposal includes an option for an additional Ares I mobile launcher.