NASA says no repair needed to shuttle heat shield

WASHINGTON (AFP) - NASA determined on Thursday that there was no need to attempt a risky repair to the shuttle Endeavour's heat shield because the damage did not present a significant danger, a spokesman said.

The decision was made after three days of aerodynamic and heat tests as well as lengthy deliberations among the team supervising the shuttle mission.

The concern had been that the 8.75 by 5.0 centimeter (3.5 by 2.0 inch) gash created during the shuttle's launch could create excess friction as the shuttle hurtles into the Earth's atmosphere at high speeds.

A film of Endeavour's August 8 liftoff from Cape Canaveral, Florida shows a piece of foam -- possibly covered with ice -- hitting the shuttle's underbelly.

Endeavour is carrying seven astronauts, including 55-year-old teacher-turned-astronaut Barbara Morgan, on a mission to continue construction of the ISS.

The shuttle is scheduled to return to Earth on August 22nd after a mission which was extended by three days to 14 days to add a fourth spacewalk.

Shuttle mission manager John Shannon was expected to hold a news conference later Thursday to give details on the decision.