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Storm Damaged Space Shuttle Returns to Hangar


The U.S. Space Shuttle Atlantis has been moved from its launchpad to assess damage done to it by an intense storm last week.

A hailstorm caused more than 1,000 indentations in the foam insulation of the shuttle's large external fuel tank.

The 5.5-kilometer trip to the hanger took about seven hours Sunday. The NASA space agency says the up-close look will allow engineers to determine how long repairs will take.

Atlantis had been scheduled for a March 15 launch for another construction mission to the International Space Station.

NASA says the mission's crew will continue to train in Houston as they await a new launch date.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.

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