spacetoday.net: NASA delays shuttle launch decision

Posted: Thu, Mar 22, 2007, 3:20 PM ET (1920 GMT)
STS-117: hail damage to external tank (NASA/KSC)

Shuttle managers elected Wednesday to put off a decision on when to launch the next shuttle mission as it studies how to repair an external tank damaged in a hailstorm last month, a move the effectively delays the next shuttle launch until at least May. The tank, mounted on the shuttle Atlantis, was exposed in a freak hailstorm on February 26, causing thousands of gouges in its insulation. NASA decided shortly afterwards to roll the shuttle back to the VAB and to repair the damage, with the hopes of being able to launch mission STS-117 again in late April. However, engineers studying the tank said they need more time to determine how best to repair the tank, or if the tank should be replaced with one intended for the following shuttle mission. Shuttle managers are now hopeful that the repairs can be completed in time to support a launch in mid-May, near the next of the next launch window. If the tank has to be replace, however, the launch would slip into June.