May 31, 2007--- NASA managers selected June 8^th for the liftoff of Space Shuttle Atlantis. Apparently, the hail storm damage to the shuttle’s external fuel tank and the improvised repair plan didn’t raise any "red flags" with the space agency.

As you’ll recall, a violent storm developed over the launch pad back in early February. NASA weather forecasters described it as an explosion. The golf ball hail chunks that resulted, left the tank’s foam insulation pock marked with hundreds of divots. For perspective, I was at the Vehicle Assembly Building shortly after the arrival of the external tank for Endeavour’s planned August mission. I was able to walk up to it, and it did reinforce the notion that you could put your fist through the delicate foam.

After Atlantis’ hail damage, engineers rolled it off the launch pad and drew up repair plans. NASA is still cautious about falling foam after the Columbia disaster was blamed on a falling piece of insulation, which damaged a heat shield in early 2003. Fixing Atlantis’ tank meant hand spraying replacement foam, which is considered not as ideal as computer controlled robotic sprayers. NASA managers insist the process is safe and hand spraying is an acceptable way of applying foam, and had high praise for the so-called "high crew" who performed the repair work on Atlantis’ tank.

See you on launch day.