Space Shuttle to be back in Space

NASA wants to return to space fast. The due date is supposed to be May 2005 and the lack of time means that it might go to space with Shuttle lacking the ability to fix problems with cracks/holes that caused Columbia explosion in 2003.

The 2003 incident happened when hot gases entered shuttle through a damaged hole in the left wing. The hole was formed when a piece of insulating foam fell during the launch from the external fuel tank. Indian born Kalpana Chawla was one of the astronauts on that flight who lost her life.

That accident led to Columbia Accident Investigation Board making 15 recommendations to NASA to fulfill before another Space Shuttle launch takes place. Later five of these recommendations were conditionally closed when NASA met with the Board. NASA is finding it difficult to fulfill the condition of developing a practice capability to inspect and make emergency repairs to the widest possible range of damage to the Thermal Protection System.