Space shuttle sent back to hangar

Stephen Withers
Monday, 05 March 2007 02:25

Science - Space

Space shuttle Atlantis was returned to its hangar on Sunday for repairs to its fuel tank.

A severe thunderstorm early last week battered the spacecraft, leaving around 7000 dents on the tank. Between 1000 and 2000 are likely to need repairs, and there has also been minor damage to 26 heat shield tiles on the shuttle's left wing.

Depending on the state of the damage, either the tank dents will be repaired by filling them with fresh insulating foam, or the entire tank will be replaced with the one intended for use in the next mission.

A revised launch date cannot be determined until the craft has been closely examined, but NASA is aiming for a late April or early May liftoff if repairs are possible, or June if the tank is replaced.

Meanwhile, the Atlantis crew will continue their training for the mission to the International Space Station at the Johnson Space Center.