NASA workers may have caused mishap

Published: Oct 05, 2005
Source: www.cnn.com



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.continue..