[Thebaddog]

You have all the genius' in the country on this one and the spread sheet told them it was OK based on past ewmprical experience. Now they can add to the spread sheet what really will take down a shuttle.

The bigger problem is what to do in flight when this happens again. Bet it makes the shuttle obsolete economically.

[Fudd]

Reading between the lines from different news stories, I think there is also a problem of aging in the shuttle fleet. Columbia was first launched 22 years ago, and despite the overhauls and maintenance it is still 22 years old. Time takes its toll.

Remember that the shuttle fleet is flying into the unknown. Mercury-Gemini-Apollo used single-flight spacecraft, so longevity of service was not an issue. No other manned spacecraft has made multiple trips to space, and we will find unexpected wear and tear on the shuttle - despite NASA's best efforts.

Bet it makes the shuttle obsolete economically. I think the shuttle already is obsolete economically. It is just that there is no will within NASA to replace it at this time.