Written by Derek Kessler on
Thursday, 11 October 2007
NASA engineers are considering pulling the Space Shuttle Discovery off of the launch pad to repair the thermal shielding on the leading edge of the shuttle's wings. The outer carbon coating on three of the forty four panels is degrading over the past several months for reasons that engineers have yet to determine. NASA stressed that the degredation has not affected the underlying strength of the panels, but with the area being exposed to temperatures in excess of 3000° F they are debating whether to play it safe.
Discovery would have to be pulled from the launch pad and back to the massive Vehicle Assembly Building for such work, a move that would ultimately delay the planned October 23rd launch. The shuttle is to carry new crew quarters for the International Space Station that would help to expand the station's capacity from the current three to six.
The decision on whether to replace the panels will be made next week during a flight readiness review to be conducted by top NASA officials. Wayne Hale, the space shuttle program director, has ordered engineers to collect more data on the potential problem.
NASA engineers are considering pulling the Space Shuttle Discovery off of the launch pad to repair the thermal shielding on the leading edge of the shuttle's wings. The outer carbon coating on three of the forty four panels is degrading over the past several months for reasons that engineers have yet to determine. NASA stressed that the degredation has not affected the underlying strength of the panels, but with the area being exposed to temperatures in excess of 3000° F they are debating whether to play it safe.
