Joy Over New Shuttle Eases Columbia Pain

[Conservativesux]

Joy Over New Shuttle Eases Columbia Pain

January 30, 2005 7:18 PM EST

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Two years after Columbia's demise, excitement over the space shuttle fleet's return to the skies in just a few short months is finally overtaking the agony of the accident.

In the past few weeks, two special deliveries have boosted morale among shuttle workers and provided tangible evidence they are rounding the corner.

One is a special tool to inspect the next shuttle while in orbit for any damage to its thermal-protective skin. The other is a brand new fuel tank guaranteed by NASA not to shed big chunks of foam insulation that could harm the shuttle.

Those are two of the biggest technical changes resulting from a lengthy review of what destroyed Columbia and killed seven astronauts on that still painfully vivid Saturday morning, Feb. 1, 2003.

More at:
http://enews.earthlink.net/article/nat?guid=20050130/41fc69d0_3ca6_15526200501301096519997

[Up2Late]

1. Is there a picture of this "inspection tool?"

Or can you describe it?:shrug: