STS-110 Delivers Framework for Station Expansion
Space Shuttle Atlantis lifted off at 3:44 p.m. CDT (2044 GMT) April 8, 2002 on a mission to install the 43-foot-long S0 (S-Zero) Truss -- the backbone for future station expansion -- to the International Space Station.

While in orbit, the STS-110 crewmembers -- Bloomfield, Frick and Mission Specialists Ellen Ochoa, Jerry Ross, Rex Walheim, Steve Smith and Lee Morin -- performed four spacewalks and used the shuttle and station robotic arms to install and outfit the S0. They prepared the station for future spacewalks and spent a week in joint operations with the station's Expedition Four crew. They also prepared the first railroad in space, the Mobile Transporter, for use.

The crew returned to Earth at 11:27 a.m. CDT (1627 GMT) April 19, 2002.

Click here for an interactive view of STS-110. (Requires Flash Player)

S0 Truss With STS-110 Mission Specialist Ellen Ochoa at the controls, the International Space Station's robot arm moves the S0 (S-Zero) Truss into position for installation.

STS-110: A Mission of Milestones
Space Shuttle Atlantis' flight to the International Space Station included several milestones. First, STS-110 delivered the S0 (S-Zero) Truss -- the first of nine pieces that will make up the station's external framework that will eventually consist of nine pieces and stretch 109 meters (356 feet).

STS-110 Mission Specialist Jerry Ross became the first human to be launched into space seven times. With the two spacewalks that he performed, he tightened his grip on the most U.S. spacewalks (nine) and spacewalking time -- 58 hours, 18 minutes. Second on the list for both spacewalking milestones is Ross' crewmate Mission Specialist Steve Smith, who also conducted two spacewalks during STS-110 to give him a total of 49 hours, 48 minutes during seven spacewalks.

The mission had other spacewalk milestones. This was the first time that the station's robotic arm was used to maneuver spacewalkers around the station, and it was the first time that all of a shuttle crew's spacewalks were based out the station's Quest Airlock.

Atlantis also had a milestone. When STS-110 launched on April 8, 2002, it became the first shuttle to use three Block II Main Engines.