Spacecraft inspection continues as crew adapts to unexpected hardware failure

Space · Published 20 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: When a snagged cable disabled primary sensors during a critical mission, the Atlantis crew had to pivot to alternative methods. This report covers how the team overcame technical hurdles to ensure the safety of their spacecraft.

During the STS-132 mission, a cable snag prevented the crew from using laser sensors and a TV camera to inspect the Atlantis spacecraft. To maintain the mission's progress, the crew successfully utilized a boom-mounted digital camera instead.

Simultaneously, Mission Control monitored a piece of space junk of unknown origin. Tracking data confirmed the object would maintain a safe distance from the International Space Station, meaning the station did not need to perform any evasive maneuvers.

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