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Nasa says it detected a gouge in shuttle Endeavour's heatshield during a routine inspection as it docked with the International Space Station (ISS).
A robot arm will be used on Sunday to inspect the 3in (7.6cm) square, spotted as the shuttle performed a backflip so images of its underside could be taken.
Nasa said ice may have struck the shuttle shortly after Wednesday's lift-off from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
If deemed dangerous, astronauts may have to repair it during a spacewalk.
Mission manager John Shannon said: "What this means, I don't know at this point."
On Sunday, the astronauts will use a robot arm and extension boom, tipped with a laser and camera, to determine the exact size and depth of the gouge, he said.
Experts will then decide whether the damage warrants repair. If it cannot be fixed, the crew would have to remain at the space station until a rescue shuttle could be launched, Mr Shannon said.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6940531.stm
A robot arm will be used on Sunday to inspect the 3in (7.6cm) square, spotted as the shuttle performed a backflip so images of its underside could be taken.
Nasa said ice may have struck the shuttle shortly after Wednesday's lift-off from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
If deemed dangerous, astronauts may have to repair it during a spacewalk.
Mission manager John Shannon said: "What this means, I don't know at this point."
On Sunday, the astronauts will use a robot arm and extension boom, tipped with a laser and camera, to determine the exact size and depth of the gouge, he said.
Experts will then decide whether the damage warrants repair. If it cannot be fixed, the crew would have to remain at the space station until a rescue shuttle could be launched, Mr Shannon said.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6940531.stm
