by Tony Seaton
Huntingtonnews.net writer/producer
Despite what's being called "minor concern"' by engineers at NASA, Shuttle Atlantis is on its way to catch up to the International Space Station after Friday's launch. Once at the space station, it will pick up one of its own, astronaut Sunita Williams, who has been the U.S. representative on board for six months. She will be replaced by astronaut Clayton Anderson. That is, if the shuttle is allowed to continue its mission.
Ever since launch-loosened heat shield foam broke off and hit the leading edge of Shuttle Columbia's wing and caused it to break up upon reentry in 2003, NASA has spent the first day after launch meticulously checking the outside of the shuttle for damage. They use photos and video taken by the astronauts and launch video taken from the ground to assess any potential problems, and today they found some.
The thermal 'blanket' that protects the left side of the shuttle near the thrusters appeared to have 'pulled away,' and left an exposed area. The thrusters are what the shuttle uses to manuever while in orbit, so damage in that area has the potential to cause a problem in docking with the space station. At 5 p.m., engineers -- according to published reports -- were still downplaying the damage, and the mission was continuing as planned.
