First Atlantis shield inspection complete

Atlantis astronauts have completed well ahead of schedule today's inspection of heat shields protecting the orbiter's wing leading edges and nose cap.

One reason: the crew skipped a planned lunch break.

So far, there's no indication of any serious damage, but it may be several days before mission managers make a final assessment.

At 2 p.m. EDT, Kwatsi Alibaruho, the lead shuttle flight director, will brief reporter's on the mission's early progress.


At the same time, NASA's Mission Management Team will convene its first in-flight meeting. Chairman LeRoy Cain, the deputy shuttle program manager, will hold a media briefing at 4 p.m. EDT.
 
If the managers decide any areas on Atlantis need a closer look, a "focused" inspection would be performed on the mission's sixth flight day, next Wednesday.
 
The four-person Atlantis crew will continue preparations for Sunday's 11:06 a.m. docking at the International Space Station, checking out rendezvous tools, and installing a docking camera and an extension ring on the Orbiter Docking System, and preparing an airlock.
 
They're scheduled to go to sleep to end their first full day in orbit at 7:29 p.m.

During the final shuttle mission, expected to last 12 or 13 days, Atlantis will deliver supplies that will help keep the station stocked through next year.