NASA approves space shuttle launch

NASA has cleared space shuttle Endeavour for lift-off in less than two weeks on the longest space station visit ever.

Endeavour is scheduled to blast off on March 11 on a 16-day mission that could end up stretching by another day.

NASA’s new shuttle programme manager, John Shannon, said it will be a long and complicated flight, packed with five spacewalks and major space station pieces from two countries: Japan and Canada.