Space Shuttle Update (broadcast Friday, August 17th, 2007)

Tile damage on space shuttle Endeavour. NASA

When the space shuttle Endeavour lifted off last week, a piece of debris gouged a hole in few external tiles on the shuttle. After a battery of tests, NASA decided Thursday not to repair to the damage. The main concern was not about safety (NASA says the ding is too small to endanger the astronauts) but rather that the hole could cause major structural damage to the shuttle when it re-enters the Earth's atmosphere. This hour, we'll hear about what this decision may mean for the shuttle's future. Teachers, find more information about using Science Friday as a classroom resource in the Kids' Connection.