NASA Debates Second Discovery Repair

An anonymous reader writes "NASA is debating today whether or not they should attempt a second repair attempt of the Space Shuttle Discovery to repair a possible problem with the thermal blanket. On Wednesday, an astronaut removed two protruding cloth fillers from between the ceramic tiles on the space shuttle's heat shield. "I think in the old days we would not have worried about this so much," said shuttle programme deputy manager Wayne Hale The astronaut extended his gloved hand and quickly removed the first fiber strip, which was sticking up from Discovery's smooth, tiled underside. "It's coming out very easily," the astronaut said. Arm operator Jim Kelly then maneuvered the arm about three meters to the second protruding strip, known as a gap filler, and Robinson gently pulled that piece out as well. The concern now is whether or not a damaged thermal blanket under one of the cockpit windows would tear apart during re-entry and strike the orbiter."

Keep Pulling Till You Find Out.

[Orrin Bloquy]

What's the worst that could happen?

Re:Keep Pulling Till You Find Out.

[TheOtherAgentM]

If the window does come off, the inanimate carbon rod can always save you as you sing Battle Hymn of the Republic upon reentry.

In other news...

[LexNaturalis]

L.L. Bean filed suit against NASA for using the term "Thermal Blanket" when discussing the potential repairs.

Joe Smith, lead counsel for L.L. Bean is quoted as saying "It's clear that NASA is attempting to make our consumers believe that L.L. Bean's thermal blankets are hazerdous. The fact is, there is no evidence to suggest that Thermal Blankets have ever caused damage, much less damage to a space shuttle."

Article Quote

[Anonymous Coward]

"extended his gloved hand and quickly removed the first fiber strip, which was sticking up from Discovery's smooth, tiled underside."

Is it me or am I the only person who when first glancing at that thought it was segment from erotic literature?

Go for it

[OBx2]

Hell yes, probably doesn't need fixing - but the astronauts need to have fun.

Hoping for the best but...

[ivanjs]

It's still not too late to bring This Ol' Bird [lyzrdstomp.com] out of retirement...

Re:Man, whatever

[Thud457]

Old and busted : the NASA space shuttle

New hotness : I ain't gonna touch that one...

Wow...

[praxim]

"The astronaut extended his gloved hand and quickly removed the first fiber strip, which was sticking up from Discovery's smooth, tiled underside."

Man, I didn't know spaceship repair could be so HOT... I need a moment alone...

Re:Article Quote

[Orrin Bloquy]

More like a segment from bad slashfic. At least they didn't use the word "thrusters."

To boldy come where no man has before....

[Thud457]

mmmm.... space shuttle slashfiction. I do believe that you've actually come up with a niche of sexual depravity that the interweb hasn't filled yet. Fascinating...

Why do they always say "gloved hand"?

[dmorin]

I noticed this back in the early 90's when one of the shuttle astronauts spoke at my college graduation. They always say "reached out his gloved hand."

Man's in the vacuum of space. Isn't it sort of implied that he's got gloves on? I always wanted the story to go, "He reached out his hand and thought, 'Oh shit I've forgotten my gloves.'"

Re:This is the end of the road

[enjerth]

...next week, on "Survivor", see who will get voted off the shuttle!

Re:Overclockers.com?

[dr_dank]

No, it's a pretty transparent attempt to bring readers to overclockers.com. The Slashdot editors should know better.

Agreed. They should funnel traffic to that Roland guy instead.

Re:Keep Pulling Till You Find Out.

[Magius_AR]

If the window does come off, the inanimate carbon rod can always save you as you sing Battle Hymn of the Republic upon reentry.

Hell with that. I'm singing the Golden Grahams song :)

Re:This is the end of the road

[Anonymous Coward]

"TPS?"

Did they file a report? And more importantly, did they use the new cover letter?