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Hurricane fears shorten spacewalk Shuttle undocks for early return
(about 18 hours later)
Hurricane Dean has led Nasa to shorten a spacewalk by astronauts aboard the shuttle Endeavour to allow the shuttle to return to Earth earlier. The space shuttle Endeavour has begun its return to Earth a day early, amid fears that Hurricane Dean could threaten Mission Control in Houston.
The American space agency is concerned that if Hurricane Dean veers towards the Texas coast, it could affect Mission Control in Houston. Astronauts made a final inspection before undocking from the International Space Station (ISS).
The final space walk was cut by two hours so the astronauts could prepare for a Tuesday landing. On Saturday Nasa shortened a spacewalk by astronauts by two hours so they could prepare to leave.
This would be 24 hours earlier than initially planned. Nasa had already decided that a hole in Endeavour's underside would not be repaired before the return.
Nasa had already decided that a hole in Endeavour's underside would not be repaired before it returns to Earth.
Scientists 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.Scientists 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, scheduled for 14 days, is to continue the assembly of the International Space Station (ISS). Endeavour's mission, scheduled for 14 days, was to continue the assembly of the ISS.