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Sky News: Shuttle Cleared For Return To Earth

Sky News: Shuttle Cleared For Return To Earth: "Shuttle Cleared To Return
Updated: 19:06, Sunday July 16, 2006
The crew of the shuttle Discovery have been given the go-ahead to try to land at Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on Monday.
The news came after Mission Control said that inspections of the vessel's protective heat shield showed no signs of damage.
NASA engineers looked at images from an inspection of the shuttle's wings and nose cap by the crew using a 50ft robotic arm.
It was to make sure there was not a repeat of the 2003 Columbia disaster, when seven astronauts were killed on re-entry because of a damaged shuttle wing.
Fuel tank insulation foam flew off during Discovery's take-off, but NASA said they were too small and too late in the launch to be dangerous.
Discovery will attempt to land at 09:14 or 10:50 local time (14:14 or 15:50 UK time), completing a successful 13-day mission.
Its commander Steve Lindsey praised the shuttle, saying: 'We got a clean bill of health today to enter after inspecting for micrometeorite damage. So I think the vehicle has done great.'
The craft took supplies and an extra crew member to the international space station and allowed spacewalkers to repair a vital rail car on the station.
Mission Control also told Discovery that a leaking unit that powers hydraulic systems used for steering and braking should not pose a problem during landing.
The landing is planned for Florida but NASA said it would consider Edwards Air Force Base in California as a back-up if there are weather problems.
The shuttle must land by Wednesday.
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posted by ondra.trnak @ 7:03 PM 0 comments

Sky News: Mid East: Hezbollah 'Open War' Threat

We Are Going To War: "Hezbollah's leader has declared his militant group was ready for 'open war' with Israel after multiple air strikes on Lebanon.

Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah also warned an Israeli warship that had been firing missiles into southern Beirut would be destroyed.

The naval vessel has since been damaged in a rocket attack.

His audio-taped threat was aired less than an hour after Israeli missiles struck Hezbollah headquarters and his house in southern Beirut.

Elsewhere, Beirut's airport was attacked for a third time, while Southern Lebanese suburbs and the guerrilla's radio station have also been blasted by warplanes.
Airport on fire after attacks
Airport on fire after attacks

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has approved more attacks on Lebanon and his security chiefs said the Israeli army would begin hitting more targets during the night.

Hezbollah fighters have fired more than 70 rockets at towns in northern Israel.

Meanwhile, Palestinian gunmen blew up a portion of the Gaza-Egypt border wall.

The attacks follow a night of Israeli air raids on Thursday, which saw at least three people killed and 55 injured in Beirut.

The Lebanese Army responded by firing anti-aircraft rounds and missiles across the border at Israel.
A rocket killed a mother and a child when it slammed into a house in northern Isr"

I think that it will be very bloody conflict, Israel wants to get its two soldiers and will do everything to reach this, but there is of course another plans in plans another plans...
Taken from Sky.com/news

posted by ondra.trnak @ 9:06 PM 0 comments