Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
« Back to the grid | Next story »

Space Crew May Try Risky Fix

Posted Aug 14, 07 3:34 AM CDT in Science & Health,  Technology,  US 

(Newser) – Astronauts on board the space shuttle Endeavour will likely attempt a spacewalk to fix a gouge in the craft's heat shield cause by debris that slammed into it during takeoff, USA Today reports. The debris carved a cavity more than three inches long and an inch deep on the tiled underside of the shuttle.

The gash does not currently pose a threat to the crew, but could become a serious problem when the shuttle encounters extreme heat as it re-enters the atmosphere, officials said. A repair attempt risks damaging other tiles, according to NASA.  Nevertheless, the repair is "the prudent thing" to do, said the NASA program manager.

Source USA Today

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Endeavour Heads Home

    Nov 28, 08 2:30 PM CST
    The space shuttle Endeavour separated from the International Space Station today and headed back to earth. Having completed a 12-day mission that upgraded the station’s living quarters, Endeavour’s seven-person crew began the 2-day trip back to the Kennedy Space Center, Florida Today reports. "Thanks for the incredible makeover, and leaving the station in fantastic shape," station commander Mike Finke radioed to the Endeavour crew.
    More »

  • Discovery Returns to Earth

    Jun 14, 08 12:30 PM CDT
    Discovery Returns to Earth The space shuttle Discovery swooped back to Earth today after successfully expanding the International Space Station, the AP reports. The shuttle’s seven crew members delivered Kibo, the new billion-dollar Japanese science lab, and a pump to repair a broken toilet. Discovery also brought home flight engineer Garret Reisman, who’d talked of missing his wife, calling her “my favorite earthling.” More »

  • Shuttle Returns to Earth

    Mar 26, 08 7:57 PM CDT
    Shuttle Returns to Earth The space shuttle Endeavour returned to Earth with a rare night landing to wrap up an ambitious mission to the International Space Station, the AP reports. The shuttle had to land in darkness after NASA called off an earlier attempt because of cloud cover. Astronauts blasted off 16 days ago, delivering a 12-foot robot to the space station and installing the first portion of a Japanese laboratory. More »

  • Endeavour Heads Home

    Mar 25, 08 3:39 AM CDT
    Endeavour Heads Home The space shuttle Endeavour has begun its two-day trip back to Earth after successfully undocking yesterday from the international space station, reports the Houston Chronicle. The seven astronauts on board hailed an "awesome" mission and said fond farewells to their colleagues staying behind. A glitch unlatching a solar panel delayed Endeavour's retreat from the station. More »

  • Shuttle Prepares to Quit Station

    Mar 24, 08 6:19 AM CDT
    Shuttle Prepares to Quit Station The crew of shuttle Endeavour prepared to undock from the International Space Station today after a leisurely Easter Sunday spent off-loading cargo, enjoying a holiday meal, and talking to family back home. The shuttle commander compared the flurry of work to wrap up the record-setting mission to March Madness: "It's wonderful to be in the tournament. We've won five games," said Dom Gorie, referring to the crew's five spacewalks. More »

In this image from NASA television, space shuttle Endeavour astronaut Dave Williams rides on the end of the robot arm to install a new gyroscope on the international space station during a space walk...   (Associated Press)
In this image from NASA TV a gouge in the underside of a wing on the shuttle Endeavour is shown during a photo survey of the craft, Sunday, Aug. 12, 2007. NASA engineers are using the images to determine...   (Associated Press)
This image provided by NASA shows A view of the Space Shuttle Endeavour as the STS-118 crew puts the spacecraft though a rendezvous pitch maneuver Friday Aug. 10, 2007, allowing the crewmembers on the...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Shuttle Snafu

Tags

NASA • astronauts • space shuttle • Endeavour • repair • Columbia • heat shield


Loading...

Today's Most Popular

Loading...
SPONSORED NEWS ARCHIVE

VOA NEWS: SPACE SHUTTLE ENDEAVOUR LIFT-OFF ON TRACK (US Fed News Service, Including US State News)

WORLD'S HIGHEST RESOLUTION TILED DISPLAY FOR OPEN SCIENCE DEPLOYED BY TEXAS... (US Fed News Service, Including US State News)

Shuttle Endeavour hooks up with international space station.(Front) (The Virginian Pilot)

CIVIL AIR PATROL COLONEL TO PILOT SPACE SHUTTLE ENDEAVOUR (US Fed News Service, Including US State News)

NASA'S SHUTTLE ENDEAVOUR LAUNCHES ON HOME IMPROVEMENT MISSION (US Fed News Service, Including US State News)

NASA SUCCESSFULLY TESTS FIRST DEEP SPACE INTERNET (US Fed News Service, Including US State News)

Columbia Establishes Master's Degree in Latin American and Caribbean Studies (Targeted News Service)

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA MAKES OUTSTANDING PROGRESS IN STRENGTHENING CHILD WELFARE (US Fed News Service, Including US State News)

FORMER U.S. ATTORNEY HOLDER FOR DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CHOSEN BY DISTRICT OF... (US Fed News Service, Including US State News)

At Columbia, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan Speaks of Peace and... (Targeted News Service)


Other US Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »