Shuttle cleared for re-entry

A metal clip that broke off Discovery’s rudder poses no danger for tomorrow’s re-entry and landing, the Space Shuttle’s crew heard today.

Ever since the Columbia tragedy five years ago, any shuttle part seen floating away in orbit receives Nasa’s attention.

Mission Control reassured commander Mark Kelly and his crew that their spaceship was safe for coming home, and that the missing clip – one of three that hold down thermal blankets on the rudder and speed brake – would not have an impact.

A protrusion in the same area at the tail, which was reported by the astronauts around the same time, also was found to be harmless.

Discovery has been on a mission to the International Space Station (ISS) to install the Japanese-built Kibo laboratory.

The shuttle has already detached from the ISS and is conducting safety checks before it is due to re-enter the atmosphere and land in Florida at 4.15pm British time.