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KSC-07pd0609

KSC-07pd0609

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In Highbay 1 inside the Vehicle Assembly Building, technicians carefully sand away the red dye that has been applied to the external tank to help expose cracks or compression dents. A severe thunderstorm with golf ball-sized hail caused visible divots in the giant tank's foam insulation and minor surface damage to about 26 heat shield tiles on the shuttle's left wing. A new target launch date has not been determined, but teams will focus on preparing Atlantis for liftoff in late April on mission STS-117. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

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Keywords

STS-117, External Tank, VAB

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Details

NASA ID

KSC-07pd0609

Date Created

March 9, 2007

Center

KSC

Media Type

image

Location

Kennedy Space Center, FL

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