Astronauts on first International Space Station spacewalk

The first of five spacewalks planned during shuttle Endeavour's visit to the International Space Station has successfully been completed. Astronauts spent nearly six hours outside the ISS attaching a large platform. It will be used in experiments requiring materials to be exposed to the harsh environment of space. Officials said it was a challenge to monitor the 220-mile-high mission - especially with so many people in orbit, a record crowd of 13. But a challenge successfully fulfilled - it marks the completion of Japan's billion dollar lab.

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ITN | July 19, 2009

Tags:. .harsh. .endeavour. .spacewalks. .astronauts. .shuttle