NASA decides to try for more radar mapping

(Kennedy Space Center-AP) -- It looks like fuel-saving efforts aboard space shuttle Endeavour have really paid off.<br><br>After conserving enough fuel to complete the shuttle's Earth-mapping mission,

Friday, February 18th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Kennedy Space Center-AP) -- It looks like fuel-saving efforts aboard space shuttle Endeavour have really paid off.

After conserving enough fuel to complete the shuttle's Earth-mapping mission, NASA has decided to extend it for nine more hours.

Endeavour's astronauts were supposed to retract their 197-foot radar antenna mast Sunday night, but NASA says it'll leave the
mast out until Monday morning to collect more data.

Shuttle commander Kevin Kregel calls it "super news."

But there is a catch, by adding the extra hours, NASA gives up any change for astronauts to go out and crank in the mast if it
jams because there won't be enough time for a spacewalk.

A NASA spokesman says it's a gamble worth taking.