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Endeavour begins return to Earth Endeavour begins return to Earth
(10 minutes later)
The space shuttle Endeavour is returning to Earth after a two-week mission to the space station was cut short by Hurricane Dean.The space shuttle Endeavour is returning to Earth after a two-week mission to the space station was cut short by Hurricane Dean.
US space agency officials had feared that mission control in Houston would have to be evacuated if the storm lurched towards Texas.US space agency officials had feared that mission control in Houston would have to be evacuated if the storm lurched towards Texas.
But officials now think the category five hurricane "poses little hazard" to the Nasa facility.But officials now think the category five hurricane "poses little hazard" to the Nasa facility.
Endeavour's first opportunity to land is at 1732 BST (1232 EDT) in Florida. Endeavour is due to land at Kennedy Space Center at 1732 BST (1232 EDT).
The second opportunity to touch down at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral occurs at 1906 BST (1406 EDT).
At 1625 BST (1125 EDT), Commander Scott Kelly and Pilot Charles Hobaugh fired the shuttle's engines for a four-minute de-orbit burn, which sets in motion Endeavour's descent to the ground.At 1625 BST (1125 EDT), Commander Scott Kelly and Pilot Charles Hobaugh fired the shuttle's engines for a four-minute de-orbit burn, which sets in motion Endeavour's descent to the ground.
The weather forecast for Tuesday at Cape Canaveral was relatively dry and any possible showers were not expected to be a concern, Nasa said. class="" href="/1/hi/in_depth/629/629/4749393.stm">How the shuttle returns The weather forecast for Tuesday at Cape Canaveral was relatively dry and any possible showers were not expected to be a concern, Nasa said.
The five-man, two-woman crew was set to awake at 0936 BST 0436 EDT, leaving around four hours for final preparations before the shuttle attempts re-entry into Earth's atmosphere.The five-man, two-woman crew was set to awake at 0936 BST 0436 EDT, leaving around four hours for final preparations before the shuttle attempts re-entry into Earth's atmosphere.
This image of Hurricane Dean was captured from the shuttleShould landing in Florida be called off, the shuttle could try again on Wednesday. If it is unable to land at Cape Canaveral, there are two alternative landing sites: Edwards Air Force Base in California and White Sands in New Mexico.
On the way down Endeavour will reach speeds of up to 30 times the speed of sound and its underside is exposed to temperatures of 1,649C (3,000F).On the way down Endeavour will reach speeds of up to 30 times the speed of sound and its underside is exposed to temperatures of 1,649C (3,000F).
Nasa officials had already decided that a hole in Endeavour's underside would not be repaired before the return.Nasa officials had already decided that a hole in Endeavour's underside would not be repaired before the return.
Engineers had been worried that the 9cm (3.5in) gash could lead to structural damage on re-entry, but extensive tests concluded it should pose no problem. This image of Hurricane Dean was captured from the shuttleEngineers had been worried that the 9cm (3.5in) gash could lead to structural damage on re-entry, but extensive tests concluded it should pose no problem.
During launch on 8 August, a chunk of insulating foam hit the shuttle, creating the square gouge.During launch on 8 August, a chunk of insulating foam hit the shuttle, creating the square gouge.
Foam damage has been a major concern for Nasa since the Columbia disaster in 2003 when a briefcase-sized chunk of foam insulation broke off during launch and pierced the shuttle's wing.Foam damage has been a major concern for Nasa since the Columbia disaster in 2003 when a briefcase-sized chunk of foam insulation broke off during launch and pierced the shuttle's wing.
This caused the shuttle to disintegrate on re-entry into the atmosphere, killing all seven crew.This caused the shuttle to disintegrate on re-entry into the atmosphere, killing all seven crew.
Endeavour's mission, spanning 13 days and 5.3 million miles, was to continue the assembly of the ISS.Endeavour's mission, spanning 13 days and 5.3 million miles, was to continue the assembly of the ISS.