Space Shuttle Fleet Grounded!

NASA sources | MB26

[MindBender26]

NASA realizes debris that fell of external fuel tank yesterday came close to causing irrepairable damage to shuttle now in orbit.

Fleet GROUNDED. More later

Chances to return to flight again, no better than 50/50.

[Michael Goldsberry]

http://www.nasa.gov

I can't seem to find it.

[jdm]

"NASA's shuttle program manager says the spaceship won't fly again until the agency understands why a large section of foam peeled away from Discovery's external fuel tank during yesterday's launch."

NASA has been trying to figure this out for the past 2 1/2 years, to no avail.

[The KG9 Kid]

It's the end of the Space Shuttle fleet, and that's a promise.

What now? X-33 program resurrected?

[sushiman]

Sounds like Nasa is experiencing the 70's " GM syndrome " ...

[Mad Mammoth]

Holy smokes!

If the situation is this serious, and there is the slightest chance that Discovery might be unable to make a safe re-entry, they might have to head for the I.S.S., hole up there until a Russian flight can bring them back, and ditch Discovery either in orbit until it can be retrieved, or set it on a course to the sun, where it will be burn up.

This is not a very good development at all.

[meema]

What Mindbender said on top is what NASA said to cnn.

[xmm0]

Is this the newer environmentally friendly foam that has failed since pretty much since it was installed?

[COEXERJ145]

The fleet may be grounded but Discovery is not in danger from the debris that fell away the EFT.

[jdm]

NASA isn't exactly Free Republic, Drudge, etc. It takes them forever to post new news on their site.

[ElkGroveDan]

until the agency understands why a large section of foam peeled away from Discovery's external fuel tank

I recall that this all began when they switched to a more environmental "friendly" formulation for the foam aerosol. The Earth worshippers killed our astronauts.

[Cboldt]

... until the agency understands why a large section of foam peeled away ...

Foam peeling didn't happen with the old foam. The enviro-friendly stuff has always been a peeling problem.

I vaguely recall looking this up a couple years ago, including NASA and tank fabricator's records of production, timing of switch, etc.

[oldleft]

Worst case, they dock with ISS and catch a ride on a Russian REV. Columbia couldn't do that because it was too heavy.

[dfwgator]

The fleet may be grounded but Discovery is not in danger from the debris that fell away the EFT.

They'd better hope it isn't.

[jdm]

From CNN.com's home page:

The shuttle program is being grounded until engineers determine the severity of the impact of debris that fell from the shuttle Discovery during blastoff Tuesday, NASA says. More soon.

[Doohickey]

[COEXERJ145]

It isn't. The debris didn't hit Discovery

[Southack]

"NASA's shuttle program manager says the spaceship won't fly again until the agency understands why a large section of foam peeled away from Discovery's external fuel tank during yesterday's launch."

http://www.spacepolitics.com/mt-comments.cgi?entry_id=409
"We know the foam formulation WAS changed due to enviromental concerns, and that foam shedding worsened after this change." http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/45331main_hcfc5_002.pdf

[BurbankKarl]

This is like Richard Hoaglund suggesting the Discovery return to Edwards empty, with Atlantis coming to pick up everyone at the ISS....

Ha Ha Ha

[Halls]

LINK please? And I don't honestly think they'd know for sure at this point if the crew is 50/50 screwed or not yet.

[Lead Moderator]

Do you have a link?