NASA Space Shuttle damaged or delayed by hail storm?

Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Tuesday, 27 February 2007 21:29

Science - Space

A hail storm has damaged part of the external fuel tank on the Atlantis Space Shuttle, but despite video cameras recording some damage, NASA doesn’t yet know if the launch has to be delayed.

Although the next launch of the Atlantis Space Shuttle isn’t happening until March 15, the Shuttle was on the launch pad being prepared for launch when a hail storm on Monday seemed to cause some damage, known as divots, to a section of Atlantis’ external fuel tank which holds liquid propellant.

The Associated Press has quoted NASA spokesman Bill Johnson asking pertinent questions that could force repairs on the launch pad with a huge crane, or if more serious could see the shuttle moved back into the ‘Vehicle Assembly Building’ for more extensive repairs.

Johnson asked: “Right now, the big deal is how many divots? How deep are they? Can they be repaired at the pad? Can they not be repaired at the pad?".

As it happened, a two day ‘flight readiness review’ or FRR was being conducted to assess upcoming launch, and this review will continue as planned, with NASA using the review as a guide to deciding when the shuttle will actually launch, although whether a decision will arrive by Wednesday is unknown thanks to this development.

Thankfully, the March launch window has some flexibility, so a delay could still see a March launch timeframe adhered to, otherwise the launch will have to be further delayed.

Interestingly, previous shuttles have also suffered hail damage. Atlantis was affected in 1990, while in 1996 Discovery’s hail damaged required repairs in the Vehicle Assembly Building before any launch was authorized.

NASA is planning changes to the Space Shuttle’s fuel tanks to minimize the chances of similar damage in the future, which will no doubt be under scrutiny by the global space community.