Space/Science — HabitableZone

Space/Science » in reply to Oh hell. Is Discovery in trouble?

re: No, she's good to go!

(CNN) --"The debris spotted floating away from space shuttle Discovery has been preliminarily identified as a thermal clip from the shuttle's brake system, NASA said Friday.

Also, lighting conditions tricked astronauts into thinking there was a "bump" along the edge of the shuttle's rudder, agency officials added.

It is not immediately clear why the thermal clip fell off the shuttle.

The clip -- one of three on the rudder speed brake -- protects the brake during launch and ascent.

The problem will not affect Saturday's planned landing, NASA spokesman Rob Navias said."

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