Astronauts inspect gouge on space shuttle's belly

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By MARCIA DUNN

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) - Space shuttle Endeavour's astronauts took a close, detailed look at a small gash in the belly of their ship Saturday, to ensure their safety when they return to Earth in 1 1/2 weeks.

NASA ordered the inspection during the next-to-last shuttle flight, even though managers said there was no reason to be alarmed by the damage generated by Monday's liftoff.

The 3-D survey - normally not needed on a shuttle's underside - was carried out just a few hours before an unprecedented VIP call to the orbiting shuttle-station complex.

Pope Benedict XVI was set to make the first papal call to space, phoning the 12 astronauts from the Vatican. Two Italians are on board: one is a member of the shuttle Endeavour crew, while the other is close to ending a five-month stay aboard the International Space Station.


Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20110521/D9NBNOO82.html

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This undated image made available by NASA on Friday, May 20, 2011 shows a damaged thermal tile on the space shuttle Endeavour's underbelly. The crew is planning to use a laser-tipped boom early Saturday, May 21, 2011 to inspect the gouge which is about the size of a deck of cards. (AP Photo/NASA)