Space shuttle Discovery prepares for pivotal backflip maneuver

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2006

HOUSTON, United States (AFP) — The space shuttle Discovery's crew found no damage after inspecting the orbiter's nose and wings for damage with a special robotic arm, a top NASA official said.

"We have a very clean vehicle," shuttle flight director Tony Ceccacci said of the initial safety check, which came on the first full day of orbit.

The two-woman, five-men crew was checking for possible damage from loose foam that came off the craft a couple of minutes into Tuesday's critical launch, only the second since the February 2003 Columbia disaster.

NASA said the team was "working very hard" to complete the safety check in 24 hours and that initial indications were all good.

"It will take about eight to 10 hours to get a very good look at the first part...