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Astronauts Will Skip Shuttle Fix

NASA decides gash won't be a hazard during re-entry

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 17, 2007 2:57 AM CDT
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(Newser) – NASA has decided against a risky spacewalk repair job on the gouged heat shield of the space shuttle Endeavour, AP reports. Engineers concluded that a gash in the tiled underside of the spacecraft will not be a hazard during re-entry. Attempting a repair could risk causing more damage and could be dangerous. An earlier attempt was aborted when an astronaut's glove ripped.

Astronaut Alvin Drew said the crew welcomes NASA's call. "I trust their confidence that we can get home safely," he said. But a physicist who helped investigate the Columbia disaster  disagrees. The Columbia's heat shield was also damaged. "This attitude of  'it looks like it's OK, let's not do anything about it,'  seems like the Columbia NASA,"  he said.

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)
In this image from NASA television, space shuttle Endeavour astronauts Dave Williams, back row left, Barbara Morgan, center, Benjamin Drew and space station crew member Clayton Anderson, center front, wave to school children in Boise, Idaho Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2007. (AP Photo/NASA TV)
In this image from NASA television, space shuttle Endeavour astronauts Dave Williams, back row left, Barbara Morgan, center, Benjamin Drew and space station crew member Clayton Anderson, center front,...   (Associated Press)
In this image from NASA television, space shuttle Endeavour astronaut Rick Mastracchio adjusts tethers near the docking interface 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 Rick Mastracchio adjusts tethers near the docking interface on the international space station during a space walk Monday, Aug. 13,...   (Associated Press)
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Living With Risk

NASA explains decision on damaged shuttle
NASA

NASA says damaged heat shield not a threat
New York Times

 
NASA • Columbia University • astronauts • space shuttle • Endeavour • Challenger • repair • spacewalk • heat shield • robotic arm • tile • Alvin Drew

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