Return to Flight Confronts Hurricane Delays and Foam Issues

17 September 2004: NASA Space Shuttle Processing Status Report

“Processing activities associated with orbiter Thermal Protection System (TPS) tiles are scheduled to begin Monday. Following the move of the second floor TPS blanket area to a hangar at the Shuttle Landing Facility (offered by the Florida Space Authority), TPS blanket production could begin as early as Sept. 27.”

17 September 2004: Foam, not shuttle repairs on the go, key flight issue, Florida Today

“Engineers are making progress on techniques that will enable astronauts to repair small cracks and holes up to four inches in diameter. But the agency says it will be unable to fix larger holes by the time shuttles return to flight.”

17 September 2004: Storms disrupt NASA work, AP

“Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Ivan have cost NASA at least a week’s worth of work and upset its tight schedule for resuming shuttle flights, throwing into doubt the space agency’s plans to launch Discovery in early spring.”