International   

Solar wing damaged

CAPE CANAVERAL (Florida): A giant solar wing ripped as it was being unfurled by astronauts aboard the International Space Station, creating another problem for NASA at the orbiting outpost.

The next shuttle flight could be delayed if this latest problem is not resolved quickly, said NASA’s space station programme manager, Mike Suffredini. Atlantis is supposed to lift off in early December with a European laboratory.

“We don’t clearly know what we’re dealing with yet, and as soon as we know what we’re dealing with, then we can talk about what our next steps are,” said Mr. Suffredini. The astronauts immediately halted the wing extension when they spotted the damage. By then, the solar panel was already extended 90 feet of its 115 feet. — AP

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