PhotonBoy
Flashlight Enthusiast
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/03/AR2006070300238.html
"Monday, July 3, 2006; 10:34 AM
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Inspectors found a 5-inch-long crack in the foam insulation covering the shuttle Discovery's external fuel tank, and NASA managers were deciding Monday whether to call off the scheduled Fourth of July launch.
The crack was spotted during an overnight inspection. NASA had scrubbed launch plans Saturday and Sunday because of poor weather and had removed fuel from the tank.
The inspectors found the crack, which was an eighth of an inch deep, in the foam on a bracket near the top of the external fuel tank...."
This is not too good if you ask me. When (or if) they reload the fuel tank with super-cold fuel, additional mechanical stress due to thermal shrinking will likely worsen the crack. Sheesh!!
"Monday, July 3, 2006; 10:34 AM
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Inspectors found a 5-inch-long crack in the foam insulation covering the shuttle Discovery's external fuel tank, and NASA managers were deciding Monday whether to call off the scheduled Fourth of July launch.
The crack was spotted during an overnight inspection. NASA had scrubbed launch plans Saturday and Sunday because of poor weather and had removed fuel from the tank.
The inspectors found the crack, which was an eighth of an inch deep, in the foam on a bracket near the top of the external fuel tank...."
This is not too good if you ask me. When (or if) they reload the fuel tank with super-cold fuel, additional mechanical stress due to thermal shrinking will likely worsen the crack. Sheesh!!