Space shuttle tests after fears it could burn up on re-entry

NEW images of the US space shuttle Endeavour last night confirmed the craft's protective thermal shield has been breached, prompting a flurry of tests to establish if it could be at risk during its return to Earth.

Managers at NASA said laser assessments of small gouges on the spaceship's underside revealed that the damage had pierced the entire thickness of a heat- resistant tile. The gash could allow hot gases to seep in and overheat the vehicle during re-entry later this month.

But NASA stressed it was still unclear whether such a risk existed. If it does, the crew is equipped to carry out simple repairs while in orbit to make it safe.

John Shannon, chairman of NASA's mission management team, said last night: "This is something that we would rather not deal with, but we are really prepared for exactly this kind of case. I feel very comfortable that whatever is required we can go and do - and do successfully."

Technicians at Johnson Space Centre in Houston, Texas, will today run tests simulating how the gouge will react under the scorching conditions of atmospheric re-entry, which can reach 1,260C.