External Fuel Tank Remains A Concern
It could be January or March of next year before NASA is ready
to launch its first space shuttle mission since Columbia
disintegrated in the sky above Texas in February 2003, a top NASA
administrator said on Tuesday. NASA has been targeting a launch
date in September or October, but that looks unlikely because of
ongoing research into air flow around the shuttle's huge external
fuel tank, said NASA shuttle and space station director Michael
Kostelnik. He said new research models required a broader look at
the fuel tank issue, which was critical because investigators
believe insulation foam broke loose from the tank, struck
Columbia's wing and caused the spacecraft's demise by damaging its
heat shield.