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Shuttle undocks for early return Shuttle undocks for early return
(about 1 hour 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, the space agency 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 wants to avoid any disruption to flight operations, which are supported from Johnson Space Center in Houston.Nasa wants to avoid any disruption to flight operations, which are supported from Johnson Space Center in Houston.
On Sunday, any threat from Hurricane Dean looked unlikely, but but mission managers did not want to chance it.On Sunday, any threat from Hurricane Dean looked unlikely, but but mission managers did not want to chance it.
Proceed with cautionProceed with caution
"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."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.""The threat is certainly somewhat less than it was the last two days."
The shuttle was docked to the ISS for nine daysOn Sunday, in preparation for Endeavour's fiery descent through the atmosphere, astronauts surveyed the wings and nose, using a laser-tipped boom to hunt for possible micrometeorite damage.The shuttle was docked to the ISS for nine daysOn Sunday, in preparation for Endeavour's fiery descent through the atmosphere, astronauts surveyed the wings and nose, using a laser-tipped boom to hunt for possible micrometeorite damage.
They were searching for any holes or cracks that might have occurred while the shuttle was docked to the ISS.They were searching for any holes or cracks that might have occurred while the shuttle was docked to the ISS.
One of Endeavour's cockpit windows was nicked, in fact, by a micrometeorite or tiny speck of space junk during its nine days of joint flight with the space station.One of Endeavour's cockpit windows was nicked, in fact, by a micrometeorite or tiny speck of space junk during its nine days of joint flight with the space station.
Nasa expects to have all the latest laser data analysed by Monday evening.Nasa expects to have all the latest laser data analysed by Monday evening.
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. Brushing your hair is one of many challenges in orbitEngineers 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.