Space shuttle Atlantis cleared for landing
[[Image:S115e07201.jpg|left|200px|thumb|One of two pieces of debris seen outside the shuttle.]]
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*{{wikinews|title=Unidentified object contributes to delay of shuttle landing|date=September 19, 2006}}
*{{wikinews|title=Successful launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis|date=September 9, 2006}}
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{{date|September 21, 2006}}

[[NASA]] has given the 'ok' for the [[w:Space Shuttle Atlantis|Space Shuttle Atlantis]] to land on Thursday September 21. NASA also says that there was "no damage" to the shuttle when astronauts spotted a piece of debris floating next to the shuttle.

"We are cleared for entry. Nothing was found to be missing or damaged from the thermal protection system, the heat shield of the space shuttle Atlantis, or, in fact, any other part of the shuttle Atlantis," said N. Wayne Hale Jr., the shuttle's program director.

The debris is believed to be a piece of plastic from under the shuttle's heat tiles. A similar piece was seen by cameras falling from inbetween the heat shield tiles, but when the camera took another look, there was nothing to be found. Hale says that the source of the debris is unknown and that "we [NASA] may never know" where it came from.

"This is most likely the culprit. It was there before, it's not there now. It was most likely shaken loose during the flight control system checkout. We probably will never know for sure," added Hale.

Astronauts used Atlantis's robotic arm to check the shuttle and its heat shield for any signs of damage.

== Sources ==

*{{source|url=http://voanews.com/english/2006-09-20-voa67.cfm
|title=NASA Says Shuttle Atlantis Safe to Land Thursday
|author=Richard Green
|pub=Voice of America
|date=September 20, 2006}}

*{{source|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/20/science/space/20cnd-shuttle.html?ex=1158897600&en=e53f09ecb815403d&ei=5087%0A
|title=NASA Clears Shuttle for Return
|author=Warren E. Leary
|pub=New York Times
|date=September 20, 2006}}

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[[Category:Space Shuttle Atlantis]]
[[Category:Space]]
[[Category:Science and technology]]
[[Category:NASA]]

[[de:Raumfähre Atlantis sicher gelandet]]
[[fr:La navette Atlantis atterrit avec succès]]
[[pl:Prom Atlantis bezpiecznie wylądował na Florydzie]]
[[ru:Миссия завершена]]
One of two pieces of debris seen outside the shuttle.

NASA has given the 'ok' for the Space Shuttle Atlantis to land on Thursday September 21. NASA also says that there was "no damage" to the shuttle when astronauts spotted a piece of debris floating next to the shuttle.

"We are cleared for entry. Nothing was found to be missing or damaged from the thermal protection system, the heat shield of the space shuttle Atlantis, or, in fact, any other part of the shuttle Atlantis," said N. Wayne Hale Jr., the shuttle's program director.

The debris is believed to be a piece of plastic from under the shuttle's heat tiles. A similar piece was seen by cameras falling from inbetween the heat shield tiles, but when the camera took another look, there was nothing to be found. Hale says that the source of the debris is unknown and that "we NASA may never know" where it came from.

"This is most likely the culprit. It was there before, it's not there now. It was most likely shaken loose during the flight control system checkout. We probably will never know for sure," added Hale.

Astronauts used Atlantis's robotic arm to check the shuttle and its heat shield for any signs of damage.

*
Space Shuttle Atlantis Space Science and technology NASA