Astronauts need to conduct a last safety inspection of Atlantis before Wednesday’s return

Astronauts need a last inspection of Atlantis

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The Atlantis astronauts have some surveying work ahead of them, now that they’re flying free of the International Space Station.

The six shuttle astronauts will pull out their newly repaired inspection boom on Monday to check for any micrometeorite damage that might have occurred during the past week and a half. A snagged cord prevented them from conducting a proper survey of their ship following liftoff on May 14. The cable was untangled during a spacewalk last week.

The survey will also provide a full 3-D scan of the left wing. Some sections of the wing were missed in the initial check because of the boom problem.

Atlantis undocked from the space station Sunday. Landing is set for Wednesday.