Florida Statesman
FloridaStatesman.com Monday 8th February 2010 Edition 39/2010
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"It is unfair you enjoy a safe life while our brothers in Gaza suffer greatly. Our attacks will continue as long as you support Israel. "
Osama bin Laden
The al-Qaeda leader was addressing U.S. President Barack Obama in a recently-released videotape.

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bullet More Florida News corner
Patrick signs on for Nationwide race
Bring the Big Game Back
Jesse Jackson Marches on Miami
Miami Dolphin Arrested for Domestic Dispute

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Authorities search home in Shakespeare murder case
Jackson's doctor pleads not guilty to involuntary manslaughter
Talented Local Singer Has A Bright Future!
Ethanol racing fuel 'Ignite' used by ARCA West

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We are not ending our relationship: Jolie, Pitt
Pattinson found sex scenes with Thurman 'disturbing'
Mickey Rourke defends Megan Fox's acting skills

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Kolkata family exhibits musical instruments of British Raj era
Foreign artistes perform at Khajuraho Dance Festival

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Breaking News
Endeavour heads for space station with new picture window
Washington, Feb 8 (DPA) The space shuttle Endeavour lit up the Florida coast before dawn Monday as it blasted off for a mission to the International Space Station...

Endeavour blasts off for mission to space station
Washington, Feb 8 (DPA) Space shuttle Endeavour lit up the Florida coast before dawn Monday as it blasted off for a mission to the International Space...
Alligators out and about along La Chua Trail
Judith Skiff of Michigan photographs an alligator sunning itself on the La Chua Trail in Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park Monday, February 8,...
More breaking stories
World News
Mogadishu residents flee impending fightMogadishu residents flee impending fight
There have been more terror attacks linked to rebel and government forces in Mogadishu,...

Terror attack averted in Pakistan
Pakistani police claim to have prevented an attack on a five-star hotel in Lahore, the country's second largest...
Sri Lankan army arrests former commander Sri Lankan army arrests former commander
Sri Lankan military officials have ordered the arrest of the former Army commander who lost the presidential...
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Business News
Finnish phone company to defend US lawsuitFinnish phone company to defend US lawsuit
Mobile-phone giant Nokia has indicated it will defend allegations made in the US that it committed securities fraud by concealing information about production delays and price...

Social sites causing concern to businessSocial sites causing concern to business
A report which has been released through IT security company Sophos, has shown that businesses are suffering more attacks from social media...
US now minor player in Latin American arms salesUS now minor player in Latin American arms sales
Russia has displaced the US as main supplier of arms to Latin American...
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bullet Endeavour heads for space station with new picture window corner

The space shuttle Endeavour lit up the Florida coast before dawn Monday as it blasted off for a mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

The 1014 GMT start was the final night-time launch for the ageing shuttle fleet, which is to be mothballed later this year.

Endeavour is carrying a six-window viewing area that will give astronauts a panoramic look at Earth, the station and visiting spacecraft.

Endeavour's 13-day mission will carry the Tranquility node to the ISS, making the orbiting space lab 90-percent complete.

The Italian-made node is designed as a connecting element that will also provide ISS's permanent crew with more space and house life support and environmental control systems, a treadmill and other equipment.

But perhaps the most anticipated part of Tranquility is the cupola that it will attach to the station. The six-windowed space will allow astronauts to operate robotic controls and get a 360-degree view, like a crane operator sitting in a cabin.

It will be the largest window ever flown into space and is made of specially equipped glass that protect crew from solar radiation. The view will allow scientific observations and provide long-term astronauts with a much-needed glimpse of home.

The windows come equipped with shutters to protect them from passing space debris and will be closed when not in use. The panes are designed to be replaced in space if need be.

The launch marks the beginning of the end of NASA's nearly 29-year-old space shuttle programme, which is scheduled to be mothballed in September. Endeavour will be followed by just four more shuttle flights to complete construction of the ISS.

In 2010 NASA will say goodbye to the shuttle programme as each craft takes its final flight. The US space agency decided to retire the ageing fleet after the shuttle Columbia disintegrated when re-entering Earth's atmosphere in 2003, but first used the craft to complete construction of the ISS.

The large shuttles are the only existing spacecraft large enough to haul pieces of the station into orbit.

NASA had planned to replace the shuttle with next generation Orion spacecraft that were a throwback to the Apollo programme of the 1960s, but President Barack Obama last week scrubbed the so-called Constellation programme from his budget.

Instead, he devoted $6 billion over five years to encouraging commercial firms to ferry astronauts into orbit in what would essentially be a space taxi service.

The US will be reliant on Russian Soyuz craft to take US astronauts into space until an alternative is ready to fly.

Three spacewalks are planned to install and outfit Tranquility.

Endeavour is scheduled to return to earth Feb 19.


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    bullet Florida Weather corner
    Miami17°C/62.6°F
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    bullet National News corner
    Hillary Clinton still trying to decide what to wear to daughter's wedding
    Anti-Valentine's events in NYC to cheer up lonely hearts, love haters
    Ex-madam Kristin Davis to run for New York Governor
    Mum of Vladimir Putin's love child 'vanishes'
    Tiger Woods could return to golf at Tavinstock Cup next month

    bullet Miami corner
    Super Bowl Gives S. Fla. Exposure
    Owners Hand Over Exotic Animals
    School Enrolls Haitian Quake Victims
    Broward County 78-year old grandmother is handcuffed, chained and forgotten
    Blues release their schedule

    bullet Record Your Vote corner
    Stock markets around the world are falling again. How do you think they will fare by the end of the year?


    bullet Hotel Review corner
    Wrest Point Hotel & Casino, Hobart, Australia
    Wrest Point Hotel & Casino, Hobart, Australia

    This 4 star hotel, casino and entertainment complex is situated on the foreshores of Sandy Bay in Hobart, the capital of...


    bullet Orlando corner
    Sweet Tomatoes helps the YMCA
    New Opponent Taking On Grayson Has Money
    Seminole Co. Schools Push To Keep Sales Tax
    Orlando Pays $200K To Kick Non-Profit Out For Charter School
    EXCLUSIVE: Federal Agents Bust Gun Smugglers

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