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Discovery can stay in orbit for 40 days waiting for help

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SPACE MISSION CONTROL CENTER (Korolyov), July 27 (RIA Novosti) - In the case of irreparable damage to its insulation tiling, Discovery can stay docked to the International Space Station (ISS) without experiencing problems for about 40 days.

"Such a possibility has been considered," Russian Space Mission Control Center official Vladimir Solovyov said. "The ISS has enough supplies of food, water, and oxygen to support nine people (two ISS crewmembers and seven Discovery astronauts) on board for 35-40 days."

"This amount of time should be sufficient to prepare the launch of the Atlantis space shuttle that will have to reach orbit and dock with the ISS, according to mutual agreements," he said.

No external damage to the insulation tiling has been discovered so far, Solovyov added.

In addition, the Discovery crew plans to conduct three space walks after docking with the ISS; therefore, they will have the opportunity to repair damages if necessary, Solovyov said.

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