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Blasting clear of its launch pad at Cape Canaveral in Florida after a month of delays and five failed attempts, the space shuttle Endeavour is finally on its way to the International Space Station (ISS).
Endeavour, finally on its way. Image: Jurvetson/Flickr.
However, despite its successful departure on Wednesday evening, the shuttle may have sustained damage during lift-off due to around a dozen pieces of debris breaking away from the large external fuel tank.
Officials for the American space administration have said the Endeavour’s crew will examine the vehicle thoroughly once docked with the ISS, while technical engineers at mission control will also assess any damage the crew locates.
Debris striking shuttles during launch has become something of a worryingly common occurrence with NASA’s aging shuttle fleet in recent years, and is the core reason attributed to the disintegration of space shuttle Columbia in 2003 as it re-entered the Earth’s atmosphere.
The launch of space shuttle Endeavour suffered a steady procession of delays due to multiple hydrogen leaks, scheduling conflicts with Russian Soyuz missions, and also unseasonably poor weather.
The Tech Herald: Thunderstorm and lightning strike causes fourth shuttle delay
The Tech Herald: NASA aims for Wednesday launch for stricken Endeavour
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