NASA managers decided Saturday to bring the space shuttle back to Earth a day earlier due to worriers that powerful Hurricane Dean could disrupt flight operations.
Hurricane Dean, the first major storm in the season, is sweeping through the Caribbean Sea at a speed of 145 miles per hour (230 km per hour) and is expected to approach the Gulf of Mexico early next week.
"Undocking was moved up a day in preparation for landing on Tuesday. The earlier landing opportunity was selected in the event Hurricane Dean threatens the Houston area. It allows an opportunity for the shuttle to land before mission control, Houston, would be shut down in preparation for a storm. Mission managers are continuing to monitor the situation and assess their options," NASA said on its Web site.
