Foam 'might have struck shuttle'

[tocqueville]

Experts are still confident the shuttle will return safely to Earth
Nasa officials have said they now believe at least one shard of protective foam might have hit a wing of the Discovery space shuttle.
But they said they were confident the craft would make a safe return.

Nasa deputy programme manager Wayne Hale said new photographic evidence appeared to suggest an impact with one of the wings.

But he stressed there was a "divergence of opinion" at Nasa on whether the foam had actually made contact.

"There are 11 indications of potential impacts," said Steve Poulos, manager of the orbiter project office.

"We might have four areas of the wing leading edge where there might have been an impact."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4726543.stm

[Erika]

1. The Russians have said they will come to our aid and rescue

the astronauts. Nice, isn't it?

[Patchuli]

2. I wish they could rescue U.S. too!

But seriously, I hope our astronauts stay safe. I'll never forget Challenger.