June launch for Atlantis, after repairs
From Times Staff and Wire Reports
NASA will try to launch Atlantis on the first space shuttle mission of the year in early June, almost three months later than originally planned, so that technicians can finish repairing its hail-damaged fuel tank, officials said this week.
The new launch date was set for no earlier than June 8. NASA managers had been studying for weeks whether to finish repairing golf-ball-sized holes in the tank’s foam insulation or use another tank. NASA managers said Tuesday that they were pleased with the progress of repairs.
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