"Atlantis" it was scratched during start

The chain of scratches in length about 53 centimetres has been noticed on the bottom of «Atlantisa» in that area where wings adjoin the case. The chain passes on three ceramic tiles of which the sheeting consists. The analysis of the given gauges of a shuttle has shown that during start they have fixed small blow on the case approximately on 103 second of flight. Engineers believe that damages have put fragments of an external fuel tank which have separated during start.

According to representatives NASA, damage insignificant. However, to be assured, astronauts will conduct additional research of scratches. Presumably it can be made on Friday on May, 15th, 2009 prior to the beginning of the second exit in отрытый space. This day in the schedule of works of crew there is a 90-minute window.

Besides the shuttle during launch has damaged a launching pad. According to representatives of agency, special trenches which serve for tap of a flame of engines during start, and pipelines under them have suffered. It is thus noticed that launching pad repairing should not occupy a lot of time and will not cause a delay of the following, June start of a shuttle «Indevor» (Endeavour).

«Атлантис» started on May, 11th, 2009. Initially shuttle start should take place in October, 2008, however it was repeatedly transferred because of the technical reasons. The flight purpose is carrying out of a series of works on repairing and improvement of a telescope «Hubble», which in an orbit 19 years. Within the limits of works five extravehicular activity is planned. Joining with an orbital telescope (to be exact capture by its manipulator of a shuttle) are planned for May, 13th, 2009.

After the fifth and last extravehicular activity astronauts will spend repeated survey of a sheeting of a shuttle about the damages put by space dust. These actions became a part of duties of crew after accident of a shuttle «Colombia» which has been caused by sheeting damage.

Source: Lenta. Ru