The rockets, normally released before returning to Earth, could help keep a loose heat shield in place.

VOA: special.2009.06.17

There was Shield Sheafson,scourge of many tribes, a wrecker of mead-benches,rampaging among foes.

VOA: special.2011.01.05

The seven-member crew controlled a robotic arm equipped with cameras and lasers to scan the surface of the heat shield.

VOA: standard.2009.07.16

Mr.Obama's announcement last month that he was canceling the planned Bush-era missile shield ruffled a lot of feathers in Poland.

VOA: standard.2009.10.21

Its ultimate aim is to build a series of laser tracking stations in various countries to provide a defensive shield for activity in space.

VOA: standard.2010.07.24

Secretary Gates said that while the missile shield was never a threat to Russia, the new configuration will likely allay some of Moscow's concerns.

VOA: standard.2009.09.17

And in making the announcement, President Obama said once again the American drive for a missile shield has never had anything to do with Russia.

VOA: standard.2009.09.17

Republicans also asserted that the nuclear revelation supports their position that President Obama acted unwisely in altering plans for a European missile shield to defend against future missile launches by Iran.

VOA: standard.2009.09.25

At talks Tuesday with Mr.Medvedev, Clinton failed to secure support for tougher sanctions on Iran, despite U.S.President Barack Obama's decision to scrap plans for a missile shield in central Europe a concession to Russian concerns that Washington had hoped would encourage Moscow to back its position on Iran.

VOA: standard.2009.10.14