In the HR department in the large corporation where I work, I receive absentee slips for all the employees.
Over the years I’ve heard every excuse, but the other day I found one in my voicemail that I never heard before.
“I won’t be in today,” said my absent coworker. “I’ll call back later with an excuse.”
International Space StationIn 1998, astronauts aboard the space shuttle Endeavour in orbit over the southern Pacific Ocean used a robot arm to begin assembly of the International Space Station. Endeavour was launched on 4 Dec 1998, and reached the already orbitting Zarya, a 22-ton, a U.S.-funded, Russian-built module launched earlier. In preparation, on 5 Dec,Unity was removed from the cargo bay and connected to Endeavour’s docking system. Unity, the first U.S.-built component of the ISSwas built as a six-sided connecting module, 18-ft long and 15-ft diameter with six berthing ports. On 6 Dec 1998, Zarya was connected to Unity at the port opposite the Shuttle and cables, connectors and hand rails were attached during three space walks. By 7 Dec, Unity was ready and powered up.« |
