HOUSTON - Shuttle Discovery's astronauts wrapped up their few remaining chores at the International Space Station on Monday, flexing the robot arm belonging to the newly installed Japanese science lab and opening its attic.
The two crews planned on saying "sayonara'' Tuesday, with Discovery heading out first thing Wednesday morning.
Japan's billion-dollar lab, named Kibo, which means hope, had the door to its attic swung open. The storage closet, in orbit for three months, was attached to the lab late last week.
In addition, Kibo's robot arm was extended to its full 10 metres, with all six joints tested. At the end of the workout, the arm was folded into a long-term resting position.
Japanese astronaut Akihiko Hoshide made sure that his Tokyo-based flight controllers got to see Kibo's arm in action.
"It was such a pretty view, we just wanted to share it with you guys,'' Hoshide said.
Kibo's arm will be used to handle outdoor science experiments once a porch, the third and final section of the lab, is launched next year. A two-metre robot arm will be sent up then as well. Kibo is already the biggest room at the space station.
All 10 space travellers posed for a group shot inside Kibo, a sparkling white and blue chamber the size of a bus. "Three, two, one, cheese,'' radioed Mission Control, which froze the TV image on a huge screen. "We got it. Beautiful. Well executed, Discovery.''
Discovery delivered Kibo to the space station a week ago, along with a new space station resident, Gregory Chamitoff. He traded places with Garrett Reisman, who's leaving after a three-month stay. Chamitoff's mission will last twice that long.
