spacetoday.net: Shuttle prepares for ISS docking

Posted: Sun, Jun 10, 2007, 11:37 AM ET (1537 GMT)
STS-117: torn thermal blanket (NASA)

The space shuttle Atlantis was on schedule to dock with the International Space Station on Sunday afternoon after managers said a small tear in a thermal blanket on the orbiter should not be a major concern. During inspections of the orbiter on Saturday, a day after launch, cameras revealed a a tear of about 10 by 15 centimeters on a thermal blanket that covers part of the shuttle's left OMS pod. Engineers said that, if left as is, it would cause no damage to the shuttle upon reentry, but there are ways to repair the tear if deemed necessary. A preliminary review of images and video of the shuttle's external tank revealed no problems with foam shedding. Atlantis is scheduled to dock with the ISS at 3:38 pm EDT (1938 GMT) today.