11.   Once a series of assessments have been completed, the vestibule between the two spacecraft will be pressurized and the hatches between the shuttle and space station opened.

12.   Several thousand pounds of equipment is being transferred between the two spacecraft.

13.   The crews of the two spacecraft plan to begin closing the hatches that divide them late Wednesday afternoon.

14.   The crews of the two spacecraft will remain physically separated from one another by airtight hatches until Friday, when the installation task is complete.

15.   The crews of the two spacecraft plan to remain docked through Monday night.

16.   The hatches separating the two spacecraft should swing open about two hours later.

17.   The occupants of the two spacecraft are prepared for five days of cargo exchanges and medical experiments that are a cornerstone of future joint missions.

18.   The structural features of the mechanism correct small misalignments of the two spacecraft and absorb the shock of the contact.

19.   The strut-like absorbers are designed to dampen the forces of the contact so that the airtight seals between the two spacecraft align precisely.

20.   The two spacecraft will remained docked for five days of crew and equipment exchanges, medical experiments and ceremonial activities.