The discovery of the crack led to a series of tense discussions between NASA engineers and mission control. The crew was instructed to conduct a series of inspections and repairs. Despite these efforts, the mission was ultimately deemed safe to proceed, with modifications to the flight plan.
During standard on-orbit inspection using the Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS), engineers detected —specifically on the left-hand OMS pod’s titanium structure. The crack was about 1.2 inches long, located near a weld line. It was not caused by debris. It was a structural fatigue failure , likely initiated by a tiny pre-existing flaw from manufacturing in 1989. Space Shuttle Mission 2007 Crack
The most likely intended reference is (August 8–21, 2007, aboard Endeavour ) or STS-120 (October 23 – November 7, 2007, aboard Discovery ), both of which experienced notable in-flight anomalies involving cracks. The discovery of the crack led to a
It allowed players to relive historic milestones, from the maiden flight of STS-1 to complex International Space Station (ISS) assembly and Hubble Telescope repairs. Cracks in the Foam: Real-Life Drama During standard on-orbit inspection using the Orbiter Boom
The Space Shuttle program was a NASA endeavor that lasted from 1981 to 2011. The program aimed to create a reusable spacecraft that could carry crew and cargo into low Earth orbit. Over the course of its operation, the Space Shuttle fleet conducted numerous groundbreaking missions, including deploying the Hubble Space Telescope and constructing the International Space Station.