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Atlantis Crew Finds Space Station Damage

POSTED: 5:22 pm EST February 19, 2008
UPDATED: 5:39 pm EST February 19, 2008

An astronaut on the Shuttle Atlantis is concerned that space debris could damage the International Space Station.

Stanley Love found a dimple on the station's surface during his spacewalk Monday.

"That's a very real concern for the space station and it's one of the design drivers for how thick the walls are and what kind of meteoroid protection there is on the station," Love said. "That's all taken into account for. Of course, it's a risk, one of the main risks of spaceflight. And it's something we'll have to keep an eye out on."

Astronauts said they are not concerned about the space station being damaged when the Navy shoots down a faulty spy satellite.

Atlantis' commander, Stephen Frick, said the space station is well above where the debris will be.

Frick said once the satellite is shot down, the debris will slowly descend and burn up in the atmosphere.

The shuttle Atlantis is scheduled for landing Wednesday at 9:07 a.m.

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