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Journalism of Courage
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This is an archive article published on July 6, 2006
Crew inspecting NASA shuttle for damage
NASA space shuttle Discovery8217;s crew used highly sensitive cameras on Wednesday for any signs of damage from the Fourth of July launch. Nothing serious was reported, but it was much too early to draw any conclusions, officials said.
NASA space shuttle Discovery8217;s crew used highly sensitive cameras on Wednesday for any signs of damage from the Fourth of July launch. Nothing serious was reported, but it was much too early to draw any conclusions, officials said.
The only unusual thing found, at least for now, was a whitish splotch on Discovery8217;s right wing that looked like a bird dropping. And there was one on the wing a few weeks ago at the launch pad, said flight director Tony Ceccacci.
Ceccacci said Discovery was on target for a Thursday linkup with the international space station. The astronauts were stepping through their chores in orbit and working hard to stay on schedule, he said.
Live video of Discovery8217;s Independence Day launch had showed some small chunks of debris falling from the external fuel tank, at least one chunk hitting the shuttle. It was only the second time a shuttle crew had conducted such an inspection.
The mission for Discovery8217;s crew is to test shuttle-inspection techniques, deliver supplies to the international space station and drop off European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Reiter for a six-month stay. 8212;MIKE SCHNEIDER
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