Shuttle fleet grounded once again
The Associated Press is reporting that NASA has grounded further shuttle launches pending an investigation of how foam insulation once again broke off from Discovery’s fuel tank during lift-off. Also of concern is a 1.5-inch long piece of tile lost from Discovery’s underbelly, near the landing gear. Although review of video taken during launch and docking with the ISS and scans conducted with a laser-tipped crane onboard has revealed no damage that may hinder the current mission’s return to Earth, NASA’s schedule is to be put on hold until the problems can be resolved.
Shuttle program manager Bill Parsons spoke to reporters Wednesday evening, describing the matter at hand. He said:
‘Until we’re ready, we won’t go fly again. I don’t know when that might be, so I’ll just state that right up front. We’re just in the beginning of this process of understanding.’
One can only hope that this understanding will soon be attained to speed our safe return to space.
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