Atlantis docks at International space station

The crew of the space shuttle Atlantis have arrived at the International Space Station to deliver a new Russian module and spare parts needed by the crew.

The six astronauts climbed through and hugged each of the six crew members on the International Space Station.

The shuttle carried a Russian module called Rassvet, which is a combination of a research lab and docking port for Russian and European capsules. It is also delivering an equipment rack filled with fresh batteries, a spare communications antenna and a work platform for the station's robot arm.

All the gear is to be installed by the shuttle crew during a trio of spacewalks this week.

Atlantis blasted off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Friday for what is expected to be its final mission before retirement.

NASA plans to end its shuttle program, which began flying in 1981, due to cost and safety issues.