National Aeronautics and Space Administration managers and scientists were considering delaying the scheduled Oct. 23 launch of space shuttle Discovery. While the shuttle's STS-120 astronauts practiced for launch this week, shuttle program managers were preparing for next Tuesday's Flight Readiness Review. NASA said one topic being discussed involved reinforcing carbon on Discovery's leading edge wing panels.
In the past, there have been post-flight indications the edges of some panels had lost small amounts of their upper-level coating. Thermography, or thermal imagery, has been used to inspect the panels to identify any internal defects that could lead to coating loss.
The NASA Engineering and Safety Center has recommended replacing three of Discovery's 44 panels — an action that would delay the launch. However, NASA managers noted Discovery has flown at least twice with those panels in their current condition and there has been no indication of degradation.
NASA managers have preliminarily decided Discovery's astronauts can safely carry out their mission to the International Space Station without having to replace the panels but a final decision is expected next week.
