Space shuttle visible in Irish skies

The US space shuttle Endeavour joins with the International Space Station (ISS) over Ireland tonight.

The US space shuttle Endeavourjoins with the International Space Station (ISS) over Ireland tonight.

The €100 billion ISS will be flying over Irish skies for the next fortnight.

The shuttle is undertaking a 14-day mission, that includes three spacewalks to complete work on the Space Station's 80-metre solar panels and repairs to a gyroscope.

These extensions will make the Space Station the largest and brightest object ever to fly in Earth-orbit.

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An Astronomy Ireland spokesman said: "Currently, the 200-tonne space station is 73 metres wide and has since its launch in 2000 travelled over two billion kilometres in 48 thousand orbits. For a couple of minutes every night it outshines every star and planet in the night sky."

The ISS is the most expensive piece of space-hardware ever, representing a collaborative effort of nearly 20 countries, including Ireland.

To get exact times of the fly-overs, Astronomy Ireland has set up a special newsline on 1550-111442.

PA