10:40ish PST International Space Station Assembly Complete.

[Spokavriel]

One of the space walkers just announced that Space Station Assembly is Complete 1:42 AM Eastern May 27th 12:42 AM at Houston. But probably a moment or two premature since they have not finished the task securing the last parts. Sure they are in place but they still need to be screwed down.

Still a historic moment.

[Ellen Kuhfeld]

If the space station is like other research outposts, it's not complete -- they've just finished working through the original plans. Somebody's going to think up something new, and they'll bolt it on. Look at the Amundsen-Scott research station at the South Pole! It just keeps getting bigger.

[Spokavriel]

I think they said it because it was the final part being transferred off of a Shuttle to the station. And technically it is normally part of the shuttle equipment. A section of the robotic arm. It is also the end of the Last Space walk conducted by a Space Shuttle Crew. Even though there is 1 Space Walk scheduled for the final Shuttle launch it won't be by the shuttle crew and no NASA space suits are slated to be in the equipment on hand.