Welsh Dragon Follows Gareth Edwards' Rugby Cap on a Journey into Space

Aug 10, 04:09 PM

Current Headlines: Astronaut Dafydd Rhys Williams was yesterday enjoying the first full day in space of his latest mission after the US shuttle Endeavour blasted-off from Florida. Dr Williams, a Canadian whose father was from Bargoed, promised to take a Welsh dragon with him on his journey aboard Endeavour. Father-of-two Dr Williams, 53, has already spoken Welsh in space and taken a Gareth Edwards rugby cap into orbit during previous missions to space.

He and his six crew mates are due to spend two weeks at the international space station where they will continue construction work on the orbiting outpost.

The crew is to attach a new truss segment to the space station, replacing a gyroscope that helps control the station's orientation, and delivering more than two tonnes of cargo.

If the mission is extended from 11 days to 14 days - that will not be decided until the mission is well under way - the astronauts will add a fourth spacewalk to the planned three to install protective panels to stop debris hitting the station.

Endeavour's trip to the international space station for construction work also features Nasa's first educator-astronaut, Barbara Morgan. She was backup for teacher Christa McAuliffe, who died in the shuttle Challenger launch disaster in 1986.

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