The crew of STS-134 arrives at the ISS. Credit: NASA / NASA TV

The shuttle Endeavour in mission STS-134 has docked to the International Space station for probably the last time.

The hatch has been opened and the STS-134: Commander Mark Kelly, Pilot Gregory H. Johnson and Mission Specialists Michael Fincke, Greg Chamitoff, Andrew Feustel and European Space Agency astronaut Roberto Vittori were welcomed aboard by the Expedition 27 crew.

During the 16-day mission, Endeavour and its crew will deliver the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) and spare parts including two S-band communications antennas, a high-pressure gas tank and additional spare parts for Dextre.

Incidentally, Gabby Gifford, wife of Mark Kelly is undergoing surgery to replace the portion of her skull removed and reassembled after she was shot in early January.  She is having a plastic replacement as her actual bone has been contaminated. The plastic replacement is not out of the ordinary and is very tough, so all that is good news and the truly miracle recovery continues.  I can’t imagine how Marks mind must be racing with all that is going on.