The decision was made after examining a crack created in the insulation foam, which turned out to have only a local effect
Update 04/7/06 time 07:30 in the morning
After examining the available data, it was decided by the NASA management to give permission for the launch of the shuttle Discovery this evening to the International Space Station.
During a routine inspection carried out on Sunday after emptying the external fuel tank, a crack was discovered in the insulating foam near one of the connectors that hold the liquid oxygen feed pipes in place. Apparently the tear was caused by rain that fell on the spot. The water flowed down the feed pipe and formed ice near the connection area (oxygen and hydrogen in the tank are stored at a low temperature and the insulation protects them from the heat of the atmosphere).
As the tank warmed and expanded, the ice may have caused a tear and eventually the loss of a small piece of foam. NASA's management met last night according to our meeting time and discussed the question of whether to continue with the launch procedures.
In-depth analyzes showed that there is no extensive damage in the area where the crack formed and therefore there is no fear of heating that could cause a malfunction. In a broscopic inspection of the fuel tank, no cracks were found in this connection area.
As reported yesterday, the weather continues to be in NASA's favor this time when the chance of suitable weather during the launch reaches 60%.
עדכון 03/7/06 22:30
NASA officials have announced that they will examine a crack in the insulating foam panels discovered in the space shuttle Discovery's external fuel tank. The crack, 12.7 centimeters long and one centimeter wide, calls into question the launch of the spacecraft that has already been postponed twice due to the weather for tomorrow. NASA stated that they will hold a press conference after their meeting that will begin at 01:30 Israel time in which they will report on the progress of the tests and provide additional information.
If this is the NASA website, it says that as of now (22:30 p.m. Israel time, Monday), the countdown to the launch continues. Discovery is scheduled to take off tonight (Tuesday 4/7/06) at 21:36 Israel time from the Cape Canaveral space base in Florida. It should be noted that the launch window for the Discovery is open until July 19.
In the meantime, the engineers are examining the piece of insulating foam that fell from the reinforcement clip that keeps the oxygen supply tubes in place at NASA, stressing that the tear is not too large to cause damage to the shuttle if it had detached during launch.
As I recall, the launch was postponed from Saturday due to the weather. For Tuesday, the forecasters expect an improvement in the weather, which means a 60 percent chance that the weather will allow the launch. On Wednesday this chance will drop again to 40% as it was on Saturday.
The news will be updated as early as possible in the morning.
Yadan back to the flight
To the updates page on the NASA website
