The crew of the shuttle Endeavour used the robotic arm Thursday to inspect the spacecraft's thermal protection system, NASA said.

The shuttle took off Wednesday evening, heading for the International Space Station (ISS), where it's expected to arrive midday Friday.

The STS-118 insignia represents the continuation of the assembly of the International Space Station and the pursuit of knowledge through space exploration, NASA says.
(NASA)

Crew members will install a centre-line camera before they arrive, to help the pilot, Cmdr. Scott Kelly, manoeuvre the shuttle as it approaches the station docking port. 

The shuttle's missions include:

• Adding a 2,300-kilogram segment to the ISS truss, the station's backbone. 
• Delivering about 2,300 kilograms of supplies, and removing the same amount of garbage and spare parts.
• Replacing one of the station’s control moment gyroscopes, which control its orientation, that was shut down in October.

Canadian astronaut David Williams is one of two who will help guide the truss from outside the shuttle, and finish the installation.

The shuttle Endeavour lifts off Aug. 8 from Cape Canaveral, Fla.
(Bill Sikes/ Associated Press)

Willams, 53, is on his second space mission and is scheduled to make three spacewalks. That will put him outside in space for a Canadian record-breaking 19 hours.

"I'm looking forward to getting a chance to ride on the end of the Canadarm," he told a press conference.

The Endeavour mission is scheduled to last 11 days, but could be extended for three more days and an extra spacewalk, depending on how a new system works, NASA said. Endeavour will try out a way to let the shuttle draw electrical power from the station.

"Future missions could gain as many as six extra days once all the station’s solar arrays are installed and providing power," NASA said

Robotic hands to attach to Canadarm2

The first component of a Canadian-engineered robotic tool, called Dextre, will go to the space station on this flight.

Next year, the tool will be attached to Canadarm2 to inspect and maintain the space station with its robotic hands, said Richard Rembala, a spokesman for Dextre's manufacturer, MDA.

"Dextre is there to alleviate the need for astronauts to go outside and repair it. So we can use Dextre in conjunction with Canadarm2 to go out and replace, remove and install brand new electronic boxes."