NASA studying 2 new problems with space shuttle Endeavour, neither deemed serious _ for now

NASA studying 2 new space shuttle problems

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA is taking a close look at two new problems on space shuttle Endeavour.

A round ceramic spacer near one of the cockpit windows is sticking out. And a thermal tile repair that was made before the flight has failed, and the original crack is back, right over the cockpit.

Mission management team leader LeRoy Cain said Wednesday that neither problem appears to be serious. But he said everyone wants to be “very vigilant and take a closer look” in case spacewalking repairs are needed.

NASA has been extra careful about such matters since Columbia was brought down by a cracked wing in 2003.

The good news Wednesday was that Endeavour’s heat shield looks to be in overall good shape. The shuttle arrived at the International Space Station early Wednesday.