Crack found in foam insulation
1634 GMT (12:34 p.m. EDT)
Engineers continue to assess a small crack in the foam insulation on the external tank just above the access door on the intertank area. NASA says it does not appear to be a major crack but would need to be repaired. Now being debated is whether the repair should be done in the VAB or at the pad.
1744 GMT (1:44 p.m. EDT)
Engineers have decided that the small foam crack on the external tank is not a problem and Discovery can safely fly as-is, a NASA spokesman just said.
1801 GMT (2:01 p.m. EDT)
NASA is describing the foam issue on the tank as a "hairline crack" that is no concern for flight.
Wondering if it will stay a "hairline crack" for 5 weeks? Anyway the 12 million pound unit is still traveling on the pad. Long day for them today.