Space Shuttle Endeavour arrived at the International Space Station on 18 May 2011 at 12:14 CEST (10:14 GMT) after chasing it in space following launch two days earllier. The 12 astronauts are now working together.

The hatches between the Shuttle and the International Space Station (ISS) were opened at 13:38 CEST after leak tests.

ESA astronaut Roberto Vittori and his five crewmates floated into the Station at 14:36 CEST, where they were welcomed by the Expedition 27 crew, including another of ESA’s Italian astronauts, Paolo Nespoli.