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Hurricane fears shorten spacewalk Hurricane fears shorten spacewalk
(about 9 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. 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 American space agency is concerned that, if Hurricane Dean veers towards the Texas coast, it could affect 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.
The final space walk was cut by two hours so the astronauts could prepare for a Tuesday landing.The final space walk was cut by two hours so the astronauts could prepare for a Tuesday landing.
This would be 24 hours earlier than initially planned.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 it returns to Earth.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, is to continue the assembly of the International Space Station (ISS).