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Shuttle undocks for early return Shuttle undocks for early return
(about 9 hours later)
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 space shuttle Endeavour has begun its return to Earth a day early, amid fears that Hurricane Dean could threaten Mission Control in Houston.
Astronauts made a final inspection before undocking from the International Space Station (ISS).Astronauts made a final inspection before undocking from the International Space Station (ISS).
On Saturday Nasa shortened a spacewalk by astronauts by two hours so they could prepare to leave. On Saturday, the space agency shortened a spacewalk by astronauts by two hours so they could prepare to leave.
Nasa had already decided that a hole in Endeavour's underside would not be repaired before the return. Nasa wants to avoid any disruption to flight operations, which are supported from Johnson Space Center in Houston.
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. On Sunday, any threat from Hurricane Dean looked unlikely, but but mission managers did not want to chance it.
"There is still uncertainty with a storm like this, but right now it's looking pretty good from our standpoint," said John Shannon, chairman of the mission management team.
"The threat is certainly somewhat less than it was the last two days."
Nasa officials had already decided that a hole in Endeavour's underside would not be repaired before the return.
A hole in Endeavour's underside will not be repaired before landingEngineers 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, was to continue the assembly of the ISS.Endeavour's mission, scheduled for 14 days, was to continue the assembly of the ISS.