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Golf-Ball Sized Hail Damages Shuttle

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the don't-make-me-stop-this-thing dept.

MattSparkes writes "The Shuttles March launch has been delayed to late April after golf-ball sized hail caused 7000 pits and divots in the foam that shields the fuel tank. NASA say it's the worst damage of its kind that they have ever seen, but hail is not a new problem for the agency. In 1982, a hailstorm damaged the sensitive heat shield tiles on the Columbia's wings. The damaged tiles then absorbed about 540 kilograms of rain. Once in space, the orbiter faced the Sun to allow the tiles to dry out."

7 of 118 comments (clear)

  1. hang on... by symes · · Score: 5, Funny

    Golf balls have bumps and divots over the surface to enable longer flight times. Surely these additional bumps will also aid the shuttle's aerodynamics?

  2. That is what you get having it in Florida by DaveV1.0 · · Score: 3, Funny

    All those damned retirees and there golf. Worse than kids, I tell ya!

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  3. Re:I do the same by DeeVeeAnt · · Score: 3, Funny

    So, how do you expect it to survive re-entry then?

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  4. Re:Exactly how hard... by SydBarrett · · Score: 4, Funny

    Uh oh, NASA forgot to put the shuttle in the garage after they got back from the mall. Their dad is gonna be SO pissed.

  5. Re:Obviously by aadvancedGIR · · Score: 4, Funny

    That foam really tied the fuel tank together, did it not?

  6. Re:Obviously by saboola · · Score: 3, Funny

    What they need is The Ding King!. (As Seen On TV!)

  7. Re:Obviously by Rob+T+Firefly · · Score: 3, Funny

    You want foam? I can get you foam. Believe me, there are ways, dude..

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