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Foam may have struck wing
NASA officials said Thursday that analysis of camera footage from the launch showed a small piece of foam may have struck the wing of the orbiter -- a scenario eerily similar to the accident that doomed the shuttle Columbia in February 2003. That chunk of foam left a crack in Columbia's wing, causing it to disintegrate during the heat of re-entry and killing seven astronauts aboard.
As a result of the latest shedding, the space agency said it would suspend future shuttle flights until it re-evaluated why the foam continues to fall from the tank.
I remember when this happened two years ago. I hope they get it right this time. Very brave folks, those astronauts. They're smiling for the cameras and telling everyone that all will be OK. If I was up there, I'd threaten to stay up there at the Space Station until Richard Branson comes on his Virgin Space-Mobile to save my ass.
They still have another week up there before they have to make a decision. So, later, when you say your prayers before you go to bed, say a little prayer for them . . .
. . . they're astronauts, they're brave, but in the end, they're just regular folks stuck in a very scary situation.
