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Crack Found In Space Shuttle Fuel Line Assembly
By BRIAN BERGER
Space News Staff Writer
posted: 05:13 pm ET
11 December 2002
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WASHINGTON NASA is forming a team to analyze a crack found in part of the Space Shuttle Discoverys propulsion system during a routine maintenance inspection at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. NASA spokesman James Hartsfield said the crack was found Dec. 10. Discovery has been parked at Kennedy since August 2001 undergoing a lengthy checkout and overhaul known as Orbiter Maintenance and Modification. Each shuttle undergoes the procedure about every three years. The crack was found in Discoverys ball strut tie rod assembly, which provides internal support for one of the orbiters liquid-oxygen fuel lines. Hartsfield said it is too early to say what impact, if any, the discovery of the crack would have on upcoming missions. "At this point we dont know what the implications are," Hartsfield said. "We are forming a team to do an in depth analysis and evaluation. What that is going to entail we dont know at this point." Hartsfield said NASA would consider inspecting at least one of the other space shuttle orbiters possibly Atlantis to see if it has the same problem. Space Shuttle Columbia, he said, remains slated to launch Jan. 17 on a dedicated research flight. NASA grounded the entire space shuttle fleet in July after discovering tiny cracks in the main propulsion system plumbing of all four orbiters. Shuttle flights resumed Oct. 7 with the launch of Atlantis.
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