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Space Crew May Try Risky Fix

NASA weighs methods to repair gash in shuttle heat shield

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 14, 2007 3:34 AM CDT
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(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.

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 Monday, Aug. 13, 2007. (AP Photo/NASA TV)
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 if the damage to the heat shield is enough to make...
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 nearby International Space Station to document the vehicle's thermal protection system condition. (AP Photo/NASA)
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)
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NASA • Columbia University • astronauts • space shuttle • Endeavour • repair • heat shield

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