CASE SCENARIO, IF 3.5-OUNCE CHUNK OF FOAM FELL OFF A TANK BRACKET AT THE MOST CRITICAL TIME DURING DISCOVERY'S LAUNCH, AND IF IT HIT THE MOST VULNERABLE PART OF THE SHIP'S HEAT SHIELD, THE CONSEQUENCES COULD BE CATASTROPHIC, HALE SAID, ADDING THAT THE RISK WAS EXTREMELY SMALL. "WE EXPECT TO SEE FOAM FROM THE (WEDGES COVERING THE METAL BRACKETS) COMING OFF ON THE NEXT FLIGHT," HALE SAID. THE PIECES, HOWEVER, ARE NOT EXPECTED TO POSE A SIGNIFICANT THREAT TO THE SHUTTLE OR ITS CREW. UPON DISCOVERY'S SAFE RETURN, ADDITIONAL WORK IS PLANNED TO RESHAPE THE FOAM INSULATION OVER THE BRACKETS, HALE SAID. NASA PLANS TO FLY THE SHUTTLE ANOTHER 16 OR 17 TIMES TO COMPLETE ASSEMBLY OF THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION. THE FLEET IS TO BE RETIRED IN 2010.
