Space Shuttle Lifts Off for Space Station . ... Credit Copyright: STS-100 , NASA Explanation: Last Thursday, Space Shuttle Endeavor lifted off on course for the latest round of building the International Space Station (ISS) in orbit around Earth. ... Canadarm2 , a larger and more sophisticated version of the shuttle's own robotic arm , will be able to move around the station 's exterior. This is the ninth shuttle mission to build the ISS -- many more are planned over the next several years. ...