spacetoday.net: NASA to proceed with Tuesday shuttle launch attempt

Posted: Tue, Jul 4, 2006, 12:37 AM ET (0437 GMT)
STS-121: foam debris found July 3 (NASA)

NASA shuttle managers decided after a meeting Monday evening to go ahead with plans to launch the space shuttle Discovery on Tuesday afternoon despite a crack in the external tank's insulating foam. Tuesday's launch, already delayed twice because of poor weather, appeared to be in doubt Monday after technicians discovered a crack in foam near an oxygen feed line bracket, as well as a small piece of foam that apparently fell from that spot. NASA officials said they believe the crack formed after the tank was drained Sunday; ice that formed after rain fell on the tank during the scrubbed launch attempt "pinched" the foam as it expanded, causing the crack. The small foam piece that fell off is less than half the size needed to cause damage to the shuttle during ascent. Launch of the STS-121 mission is scheduled for 2:38 pm EDT (1838 GMT) Tuesday, with a 60-percent chance of acceptable weather and no other technical issues that could delay the launch.