DATE=12/13/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-242927
TITLE=SPACE STATION / SEPARATION (L)
BYLINE=JESSICA BERMAN
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  LIKE PARENTS SENDING THEIR CHILD OFF INTO THE WORLD, THE 
U-S SPACE SHUTTLE ENDEAVOUR UNDOCKED FROM THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE
STATION SUNDAY.  THE MANEUVER CAME ONE WEEK AFTER THE 
RUSSIAN-MADE "ZARYA" MODULE AND THE AMERICAN-BUILT UNITY MODULE 
WERE CONNECTED AND TWO SPACEWALKING ASTRONAUTS  BEGAN 
CONSTRUCTION ON THE SPACE STATION.  VOA SCIENCE CORRESPONDENT 
JESSICA BERMAN REPORTS.

TEXT:  THE UNDOCKING OF THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION FROM 
ENDEAVOUR'S CARGO BAY TOOK PLACE AROUND 20-HOURS-30 UNIVERSAL 
TIME SUNDAY -- ALMOST 400 KILOMETRES ABOVE THE PACIFIC OCEAN.  

AS THE TWO SPACECRAFT SEPARATED, THE SHUTTLE SLOWLY FLEW AROUND 
THE SPACE STATION, VIDEOTAPING THE SPECTACLE.  THE FLYAROUND 
REVEALED STUNNING IMAGES OF THE SPACE STATION FLOATING AWAY FROM 
THE MOTHER SHIP -- THE HUGE SOLAR WINGS OF THE RUSSIAN ZARYA 
MODULE TOWERING OVER THE AMERICAN UNITY MODULE.  

THE GLISTENING PACIFIC PROVIDED A BREATH-TAKING BACKGROUND.  A 
GROUND CONTROLLER REMARKED ON THE IMAGE.

                /// GROUND CONTROL ACTUALITY ////

         ENDEAVOUR, HOUSTON.  WE'RE GETTING CENTER-LINE CAMERA 
         VIDEO, AND IT LOOKS GORGEOUS.

                      /// END ACTUALITY ///

THEN -- JUST BEFORE 22-HOURS UNIVERSAL TIME -- ENDEAVOUR FIRED 
ITS JETS TO LEAVE THE AREA OF THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION, 
COMPLETING THE SEPARATION.   IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE RELEASE, 
ENDEAVOUR ASTRONAUTS BEGAN STOWING THEIR EQUIPMENT IN PREPARATION
FOR THE TRIP BACK HOME.

THE MISSION THAT BEGAN THE CONSTRUCTION ON THE SEVEN-STORY, 
32-METRIC TON INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION ENDS TUESDAY.  DURING 
THE TWELVE DAY OPERATION, ENDEAVOUR ASTRONAUTS PERFORMED THREE 
SPACE WALKS TO CONNECT THE MODULES, AND MAKE REPAIRS TO THE SPACE
STATION.

THE NEXT MISSION IS SET FOR MAY, WHEN THE U-S SPACE AGENCY WILL 
SEND ASTRONAUTS UP ON THE SPACE SHUTTLE DISCOVERY ON AN ASSEMBLY 
AND RESUPPLY MISSION.  (SIGNED)

NEB/JB/SD

13-Dec-98 5:51 PM EST (2251 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.