NASA wants pics of damaged shuttle tile

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., May 21 (UPI) -- NASA says it will know by Sunday if a damaged heat shield tile on the shuttle Endeavour needs to be repaired before the shuttle heads back to Earth.

Astronauts were asked to photograph the damaged area with a digital camera and lasers mounted on the end of a robotically controlled boom, Florida Today reported Saturday.

Officials don't think the tile will require repair but asked for more detailed information before making a decision.

"This is one that we feel pretty confident that we're going to be able to clear once we get some higher-fidelity data," said LeRoy Cain, head of the mission management team.

NASA said the 3-by-2 inch gouge is about 1 inch deep. Officials said it might have been caused by a piece of ice falling from the craft about 70 seconds after liftoff.

If the tile needs repair, astronauts could be asked to perform a space walk to apply a coating over the gouge.