NASA workers may have caused mishap

Posted on: Oct. 5th, 2005 || Source: cnn.com | E-mail Article | Print Article

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (AP) -- Workers may have accidentally cut or crushed the section of foam that broke off Discovery's fuel tank during its launch two months ago -- a mishap that threatened the safety of the astronauts and grounded the shuttle fleet.

That is the leading theory for the cause behind the disturbing loss of foam insulation that cast a cloud over NASA's return to space, said Wayne Hale, the newly appointed manager of the space shuttle program.

In a wide-ranging interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday, Hale said the shuttle will not fly again until the foam insulation problem is resolved -- no sooner than spring.

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